What's the difference?

I've been thinking a lot over the last week or so about being stubborn and being persistent.  I got as far yesterday as looking up definitions for these 2 words and really, on paper, they are more similar than one might think.  The difference seems to be mostly in connotation.  If I hear someone say a person is stubborn, the image that comes to my mind is an inflexible attitude and an uncooperative spirit.  However, if a person is described as persistent, I would see someone who keeps at their task, whether chosen or assigned, until it's completed.

When it comes to a life of faith, is one word better than the other?  Does each word have pros and cons?  Can someone be stubborn and persistent about the same thing?  As always, my readers, your comments are welcomed.

Unusual weather

Last week we had three foggy days in a row. Now I know in some parts of the world, that would be a completely normal weather pattern, but here on the prairies, I'm guessing it would be more average to have 1 day in a winter (or 2 at the most) with fog and hoarfrost. The first day was Wednesday. The sun came out in the afternoon enough to brighten up the day but not get rid of the frost. Both Thursday and Friday, the fog lingered all day and frost built up on bare tree limbs and evergreens alike. Late Friday afternoon I walked up to the corner to buy a paper and while I enjoyed the walk and the scenery, I have to say it felt a little apocalyptic the way trees and buildings would appear out of and fade back into the fog.

As often happens, I found myself recalling an appropriate hymn text and what came to mind was:

O Lord, my God!
When I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy hands have made...
then sings my soul... How great Thou art!
Words: Carl Gustav Boberg; English translation: Stuart K. Hine

The photo above was taken in the park behind our home.

The photo on the left is the spruce in our front yard.