Have you ever wondered how pearls are formed?  They are created through an outside irritant that somehow gets inside of the oyster, like a parasite or a grain of sand.  As a defense mechanism, the oyster begins coating the intruder with a layer of protection known as "nacre".  Through this process, a pearl is born.  Real pearls are rough in texture and found in the deepest of waters.  It's pretty amazing that because of irritation and conflict, a beautiful pearl is born. It is no coincidence that the Bible pairs a pearl with praise.  In Revelation 21:21,...