The cross stands as the final symbol that no evil exists that God cannot turn into a blessing. He is the living Alchemist who can take the dregs from the slag-heaps of life - disappointment, frustration, sorrow, disease, death, economic loss, heartache - and transform the dregs into gold.

The search for God begins at the point of need.

Acceptance says, True, this is my situation at the moment. I'll look unblinkingly at the reality of it. But I'll also open my hands to accept willingly whatever a loving Father sends me.

Of course you'll encounter trouble. But behold a God of power who can take any evil and turn it into a door of hope.

God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking.

Despite disappointments, the Christian is obligated to pray for the sick because we are bidden to do so and because the crumb of our caring is but a morsel broken from the whole loaf of the Father's infinite and tender love.

The unfolding of our friendship with the Father will be a never-ending revelation strretching on into eternity