drblake@towcounseling.org | 231-531-9057
TOW Notes
March 9, 2026
Hope For Hard Times
After reading the book, "The Hiding Place," by Cory Tenboom, I realized how hard life can be. Cory was placed in a German concentration camp for hiding Jews in her home during World War II. She describes the cruelty of the soldiers and the awful living conditions,. Their straw beds were infested with lice, many people were sick, and food rations were small. Each day the Jews were forced to work in German factories that were supporting the war effort. If this weren't enough, they knew that the gas chambers were a reality for those who were too sick to work.
Cory survived by turning to God. She led a small group of Jewish women in a Bible study and encouraged everyone to seek the Lord. Cory kept her focus on the size of God's love, and the size of her problems didn't seem so overwhelming.
Are you going through hard times? Don't become overwhelmed by the weight of your problems, be overwhelmed by His amazing love for you. Whatever challenges you're facing, God is with you. "Casting all your cares upon Him, because he Cares about you." (1 Peter 6:7).
Dr. Blake
Websters defines quid pro quo as "something that is given in return for something else." Did you realize that before Washington had its alleged quid pro quo, Calvary had the greatest quid pro quo of all time?
Jesus gave His life so that we could have ours. Jesus left heaven and came to earth, so that we could leave earth and go to heaven (Phil. 2:6-8). Jesus bore our sin so that we could put on His righteousness (Jn. 1:29). Jesus became a curse so that we could receive a blessing (Gal. 3:13). Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we could wear the crown of life (Jn. 19:5; Rev. 2:10). Jesus died, so that we could live (Rom. 5:8-10).
I am filled with gratitude when I think about all Jesus did. If Jesus did all of the this for us, we can trust Him to see us through any problem. "Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Is. 41:10).
Dr. Blake
Don't Turn Back
March 23, 2026
When Nehemiah began rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, Sanballat's evil heart opposed the good work of God. Sanballat and his associates started mocking Nehemiah's efforts as the work continued. They sneered at the Jews and believed rebuilding the was was impossible. "Can they bring stones to life from those heaps of rubble, burned as they are?
As you trust God for victory over seemingly impossible problems, some will sneer and question whether God can help you. Nehemiah and his men didn't wane despite persecution, but prayed to God for help (Heh. 4:9). I encourage you to keep praying and seeking Jesus. He cares. He's listening. He is with you. Don't turn back!