tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90475137419916292722024-03-12T22:41:15.383-07:00Main StreamUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-18802899852413138242012-09-02T09:12:00.000-07:002012-09-02T09:12:39.230-07:00Hope Undeterred<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes words don't come easily. Like when someone asks me how I'm doing. My brain races trying to catch tumbleweed thoughts in my head that my heart blows elsewhere. They become out of reach somehow. Fast. Scared to answer wrong, I choose silence instead. If I feel hopeful, maybe I shouldn't? What's normal in a chaotic state? What should or shouldn't I feel??<br />
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Numb. I feel numb. I feel sad. But I can still smile. I still have hope for the future. Not all is dark, black, sullied or soiled. The sun's rays peak through. Grace's wings carry me. Should I let them? I feel guilty. Sometimes. All emotions jumbled together like vegetables in a stew. Which ones are right? Which ones are edible? No easy answers. Sometimes I feel overcooked. Sometimes I feel undone. I'm caught between here and now and then and there. It's confusing. Sometimes.<br />
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Alone. I don't like being alone. My neighbor reminds me "There are worse things than being lonely." I guess. Right now I can't think of any. His hand out of reach, his voice no longer within earshot, his clothes in our closet hanging still that will no longer be worn. By him.<br />
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Someone catch me as I fall.<br />
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I must remind myself I'm never truly alone. I'm really not. I draw on His strength to comfort, to guide, to lead me beside still waters. I will learn to swim again. Right now I just feel the waves crashing down. But I also feel something else. Something stirring inside, slow like a whirlpool. Like stars on a foggy night, hope is still alive even if I can't see it. Even if my eyes are clouded with tears. Hope is still alive.<br />
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I feel hopeful. And that's OK.<br />
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<br />Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02909736508497784368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-30205615133917750242012-08-09T18:36:00.000-07:002012-08-09T18:36:59.928-07:00The Only One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Macy's salesperson approaches me, "May I help you find something?" I quietly answer, "I'm looking for a black skirt." I reluctantly grab two sizes, one will fit, but both will feel uncomfortable. I don't wear black very often. I'm a white-wearer person. I have no choice. The funeral is tomorrow. I must face what I don't want to face, his face. Lying all still and silent. Unmoved.<br />
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They say one makes 5,000 choices a day. I have many to make and none of them seem right. Everything seems wrong and the world looms dark like tar and my new black skirt.<br />
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I open the dressing room door, "How do I look?" I ask my sister-in-law who smiles and answers, "Very pretty." I don't feel pretty. Eyes swollen red. Puffy. I want to leave this place as quickly as possible. I wonder if my husband felt the same.</div>
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Everything about the week seems hard. The first time home, the first time sleeping in our bed, the first time visiting the funeral home, the first time seeing him, the first time touching him since he lay quiet.</div>
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The oak coffin looks heavy. My heart weighs more. I adjust his wedding ring so the tiny diamonds show. He looks peaceful. Flower scents drown the air. My lungs expand to breathe the pretty, the beautiful, the whole. Breathe. I must remember to breathe. It's difficult. Today is a day for brokenness. Dark and heavy, not light-filled and floral scented.<br />
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I kiss his dry lips that I will kiss no more. I touch his arm, his hair, his cheek trying to soak him in as best I can one last time before he's truly gone. My tears drip on his light blue shirt. A part of me goes with him.</div>
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The funeral is sweet, but not without sour. Surreal is underrated. Our love story isn't supposed to end this way. I grab the Kleenex box. Tears roll, shoulders shake, hands clasp. Ones I love are near, but far. No one truly can understand the pain I feel.</div>
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Except One.</div>
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He is right beside me. The only One who truly knows my pain. Jesus. The One who took the sin of the world upon his own weary shoulders. His heart weeps for me like it wept for Lazarus, his dear friend. I must not forget. I am never alone. </div>
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Tomorrow is another day and His grace will guide and comfort. It already has through the hands and feet of friends and family. Tangible Jesus to me.<br />
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He comforts me through Romans 8:28. It's read at the funeral, it's in my daily devotion for that day and it's the same words two unfamiliar faces read to me in my home a few days afterward.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">of those who love him, who</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">have been called</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">according to his purpose."</span></div>
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I will never forget these heart wrenching days, but I will go on. I will draw day-by-day strength from the One, the only One, who promises to deliver. I will weep upon his shoulders and drip tears upon his pure white robe. </div>
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I love the color white.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34:18&version=NIV" style="color: #651300; text-decoration: none;">Psalm 34:18</a></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The LORD is close to the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>brokenhearted</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and saves those who are crushed in spirit.</span></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02909736508497784368noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-40218559668024021142012-07-16T15:35:00.000-07:002012-07-16T15:36:01.222-07:00The Red Sea Rules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This summer I've joined a Bible study called "The Red Sea Rules" (by Robert J. Morgan) with other women struggling with some area in their life. My issue right now is my husband's health. He has been feeling unwell for about six months now. What makes it even more frustrating is the doctors can't figure out exactly what's wrong.<br />
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This study has been helping me focus on "10 God-given strategies for difficult times" and I wanted to share them with you. If you aren't experiencing a difficult situation right now, maybe you know someone who is. Or hold tight to these rules next time you feel boxed in with no where to turn. Remember God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites when they felt cornered by Pharaoh and his powerful Egyptian army? He can part that same Red Sea for you and me!<br />
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Red Sea Rule #1: Realize that God means for you to be where you are.<br />
Red Sea Rule #2: Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.<br />
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Red Sea Rule #3: Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.<br />
Red Sea Rule #4: Pray!<br />
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Red Sea Rule #5: Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.<br />
Red Sea Rule #6: When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.<br />
Red Sea Rule #7: Envision God's enveloping presence.<br />
Red Sea Rule #8: Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.<br />
Red Sea Rule #9: View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.<br />
Red Sea Rule #10: Don't forget to praise Him.<br />
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From Page 72: <i>"When you find yourself between sword and sea, remember that difficult times can sensitize us to God's nearness. He's never so close as when we're shipwrecked on omnipotence and driven by despair into His chambers where we find Him 'a very present help in trouble.' " (Psalm 46:1).</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19.)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>You made a way through the sea and paths through the deep waters, but your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by using Moses and Aaron. (Psalm 77:19-20.)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you. (Deut. 3:22.)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14.)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. (Exodus 14:21-22.)</i></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02909736508497784368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-35490748399812742482012-05-10T18:04:00.000-07:002012-05-10T18:04:45.152-07:00Storage Secrets<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the </span>town <span class="Apple-style-span">where</span></span> I was raised, our family relocated like nomadic gypsies. While we lived in the same small berg for 14 years, we moved five times, an average of 2.8 years in each abode. We didn’t allow much time to let the grass grow before we set our sights on new digs. I’m not certain the reasons behind all these moves from one end of town to the other. I don’t think we were run out of neighborhoods for too many dandelions or breaking a noise ordinance.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> <span style="color: black;">We certainly didn't display our appliances on the front porch.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> It’s not like my parents had 17 annoying children harassing the neighbors,</span> either. Three is a pretty normal number, and we definitely were quite angelic. So, why we moved from house to house, I don’t really know unless my dad has gypsy roots. This hopping around like rabbits resulted in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">purging possessions as frequently as emptying our trash.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In any case, I’ve learned to simplify along the way since for many years, I too, carried this gypsy gene in my veins. Until this last house in which I’ve resided for the last 11 years, I had relocated 15 times in 15 years, a measly year in each place. Goodness, a year is only enough time to move in, unpack and begin looking for a new dwelling! I felt like a squirrel scrambling up one tree, unloading a few acorns, only to set his sights on the next tree, looking for that place to call home. I didn’t have time to become a packrat or a collector of Precious Moments or Lladro. An itinerant lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to piling up possessions like Adele collecting awards at the Grammy’s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, now that I’ve managed to settle down in one domicile for almost an eternity, I’ve stockpiled, stuffed, and stored belongings that otherwise would have been eliminated in one of my 40,000 moves. Four overflowing bookshelves, an army of toys, and ancient relics from the past threatened a coup. Thus, I embarked on a journey to eradicate unnecessary items seeking to bully us from our dwelling. My first stop, the basement storage, which hosted not only Christmas décor, but also those important artifacts from yesteryear that neither hubby nor I could bear to part with. It goes without saying that I keep a few sentimental items from the kids’ baby years, not to mention those valuable high school year books with such meaningful comments as “stay sweet” and “wish’d I could’ve spent more time with you” from friends that I haven’t talked to in 30 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not quite sure why the man of the house complains about my growing mountain of books while he clings to Accounting and Calculus textbooks from ancient times. Surely, combs with teeth missing don’t pack sentimental value. And, why does he continue to save ski maps of Aspen and Vale from 1982? What causes us to cling to these articles that sit uselessly in the dark? It’s like those clothes I simply can’t discard because I might wear them—someday. Lest I place all the blame on my poor partner, why on earth do I keep research papers from college or high school unless I need to spark a bonfire? Do I really want to show my daughter my piano evaluation that displays my hapless grade on practicing and dynamics (the very things she struggles with)? I might not be a packrat in the truest sense of the word, but what objects do I keep hidden away…just.in.case—like the two indoor water fountains that we might display someday, or the million tote bags tucked away, or the tent we’ve never used (nor will we, if I have any say). The list is endless…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so, I simplified the storage. I emptied boxes like my 20-year-old son eats cereal. Forty-old-combs and thirty-year-old maps disappeared, and the “we might use them someday” fountains recycled. The tent was miraculously saved for “one of those years”. The storage closet, now condensed and compact like a smart car, whereas before, navigating that room was like a soldier tiptoeing across a mine field. Boxes precariously positioned and items haphazardly strewn about endangered anyone entering the room.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning out unnecessary items is cathartic. Especially for the soul. What menacing matters jeopardize my heart? What clutters my conscience? Am I hiding, harboring, or hanging onto something like a child refusing to unclench her favorite blanket or stuffed animal to be washed? Do I really think I can keep anything secret from the One who sees all?</span></div>
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<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Psalm 90:8</span></span></em></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So often I convince myself that if no one else knows about my anger simmering like soup, God is oblivious to it as well. Then, I read words about God creating me in the secret place, and I remember nothing is hidden from my Creator.</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.” Psalm 139:15-16</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He, who created me, is intimately familiar with everything that makes me tick. As I ponder this verse, I comprehend how strangely comforting this truth is. The God of the Universe knows me—the terrible thoughts, the shady secrets, the awful attitudes—and loves me in spite of what lurks in my heart. While others might recoil, Jesus embraces me. He exposes my sin in the light of His presence and invites me to experience His forgiveness, like the woman caught in the act of adultery. Her sin uncovered and accusers gone, Jesus forgives and summons her to live differently—to expunge damaging deeds done in the dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so, He calls all of us to walk in the light, to eradicate concealed cargo that we grip tightly to. As we let go, our hearts can be filled with His goodness and grace. Just as our storage compartments are expunged of unnecessary clutter, so our hearts are freed from those secret sins which weigh us down. </span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24</span></em></strong></div>
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</div>Annettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17912804429355113444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-67816580469501687162012-05-02T06:38:00.000-07:002012-05-02T06:38:16.933-07:00A Holy Life Leads to a Happy Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNqfX7i8wv4_epVDdsM8d_EQiJZVgMiYTJqWky8HHy1eYbHm6Hla8CgrY1cuu_x2Nrg0v9pv3faZPtNEIB7WYtHnlQ_qhemtf1q5b7dR6oTYMPOTBdEI1sEGNTACmZAZcLS-03kbQ3Ss5/s1600/Joy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNqfX7i8wv4_epVDdsM8d_EQiJZVgMiYTJqWky8HHy1eYbHm6Hla8CgrY1cuu_x2Nrg0v9pv3faZPtNEIB7WYtHnlQ_qhemtf1q5b7dR6oTYMPOTBdEI1sEGNTACmZAZcLS-03kbQ3Ss5/s320/Joy4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My former Bible study leaders used to describe JOY using this acronymn: <b>J</b>-esus, <b>O</b>-thers, <b>Y</b>-ou. In our world today it seems most people focus on themselves FIRST, others SECOND and Jesus LAST. That's totally backwards from what the Bible teaches. Maybe that's why some of us walk around carrying the world on our shoulders. That's not God's loving desire for us.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Recently I read an article listing the 15 things we need to give up in order to live a happier life. I liked what was listed, but I wanted to give it a more Biblical slant, so I commented and added Scripture to support each point.</span></div>
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<strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pastor David Whitehead comments: This Scripture encapsulates the entire story of Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, taking false charges of rape and enduring years in a dungeon, Joseph has every right to want revenge on his brothers. instead, he sees that God used his circumstances to stage the greatest hunger relief program of the ancient world. </strong></div>
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<b>There are many things we are suffering in now that, when we look back, we will see the sovereign hand of God guiding us.</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e;"><b>2. Give up your need for control.</b> God knows what's best for us. Let's not resist His work in our lives. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><i>Romans 8:28 "</i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Charis SIL", charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">And we know that in all things God works for the good</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Charis SIL", charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">of those who love him, who</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> have been called</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 23px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">according to his purpose." Proverbs 3:5-6 "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><b>Trust</b> <b>in</b> <b>the</b> <b>LORD</b> <b>with</b> <b>all</b> <b>your</b> <b>heart</b> and lean not on <b>your</b> own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.”</em> </strong>Lao Tzu</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e;">3. Give up on blame. </span><i style="color: red;">Galatians 6:5 "For each one should carry his OWN load." </i>Take responsibility for your actions. You can't control others, you can only control yourself.</strong></span></span></div>
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4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk.</strong> "Act the way you want to be and soon you'll be the way you act." - Les Brown. </span></div>
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<tr valign="top"><td class="bluebk3" style="background-color: #f9fdff; background-image: url("http://bible.cc/lline.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat repeat;" width="98%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Deuteronomy 7:6 "For </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"><b>a</b>re</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">a</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">people</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> holy to the LORD </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">r God. The LORD </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">r God has </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">chosen</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">you</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> out of </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">a</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ll the </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">people</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">s on the face of the earth to be his </i><b style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">people</b><i style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">, his treasured possession."</i></span></td></tr>
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“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” </strong></em>Eckhart Tolle</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="22" cellspacing="0" class="mainbk" style="background-color: #b9e3ff;"></table>
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</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Phil 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things."</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5. Give up your limiting beliefs </strong>about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Mark 9:23 " '<b>If</b> you can?' said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
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“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind”</em> </strong>Elly Roselle</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Romans 8:37 "</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>No, in all these things <b>we</b> <b>are</b> <b>more</b> <b>than</b> <b>conquerors</b> through him who loved us."</i></span></span></div>
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6. Give up complaining. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i> </i></span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Phil. 2:14: "Do everything without complaining or arguing" </span></i></strong></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e;">7. Give up your need to impress others. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Romans 12:2-3 </i></span></strong></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> "Don't be</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="boldtext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 21px;">conformed</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.</span></i></div>
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<strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8. Give up the luxury of criticism. </strong><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Although </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">difficult, we must try not to have a critical spirit. Remember, we're all just trying to do the best we can. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> Matthew 7:1"Do not judge lest you be judged."</span></i></strong></span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Romans <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>12:10: "Love one another with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."</i></span></strong></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9. Give up your resistance to change. Life would be pretty boring without change: With winter, comes spring. With night, comes day. With death, comes life. </strong></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Eph 4:22-24 tells us "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. </span></i></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />1 Corintians 15:51 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--"</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />1 Corinthians 15:52 "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."</span></i></div>
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That's one change I'm definitely looking forward to!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvULU4QRWabn0n1hY5h6iRR2erwj85wEn6Qv8M3f2_SQzcw1-jlhcqLftS4tW16ti2EYdrm_OVzAy22RvAxfxFRdH_KjsviMFauraZUrZgHfocN7LiG21Joii_s1SYJhq-PXkX0zE696P/s1600/Joy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvULU4QRWabn0n1hY5h6iRR2erwj85wEn6Qv8M3f2_SQzcw1-jlhcqLftS4tW16ti2EYdrm_OVzAy22RvAxfxFRdH_KjsviMFauraZUrZgHfocN7LiG21Joii_s1SYJhq-PXkX0zE696P/s320/Joy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10. Give up labels. </strong><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We've heard it said: don't judge a book by its cover. Treat everyone the same. Galatians 3:28 says:</span></span><br />
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<tr valign="top"><td class="bluebk3" style="background-color: #f9fdff; background-image: url("http://bible.cc/lline.gif"); background-repeat: no-repeat repeat;" width="98%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="btext" colspan="2" height="20" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Philippians 2:3: </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="btext" colspan="2" height="20" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.</i></span></td></tr>
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<strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"><i>Philippians 2:3-4: "In humility consider others better than yourselves."</i></span></strong></div>
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<strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">11. Give up on your fears. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>1 Timothy 1:7 "</i></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>self</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>discipline</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">." </span></i></span></div>
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Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”</em></strong> Franklin D. Roosevelt</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;"><br /></span><b>12. Give up your excuses. </b></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e;">Yes, we have freedom in Christ but that doesn't give us an excuse to sin, since we know we'll be forgiven. Instead, we must strive to be all Christ wants us to be because of the enormous sacrifice He made to shower His grace upon us. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>Romans 12:1-2 "</i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>Galatians 5:13:</i></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e;">13. Give up the past. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>John 8:32: For you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."</i></span></strong></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be pres</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">ent in the no</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">w.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Times; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></div>
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><i>John 15:19 </i></span></strong><br />
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This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong id="internal-source-marker_0.5504051258321851" style="font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></strong></span><br />15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations.</strong> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Romans 8:31-32 tells us</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"If God is for us, who can be against us?" </span>When Job fell into various life trials, his wife encouraged him to curse God and die. Job was wise enough to realize he is not one to question God's ways. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg722Ov_QYkekZgWWSvdmn4amigh1jgGa0R6HxRvDvCu_wBclyQSyvJtQ6epwsdmCMsrmKUo5DkSOADSHdMi4fnTm06FQQ-fF5sODqDynCuyorvZmD9hgWrthDSepr9nr0UwD4V4IiiMUmf/s1600/Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg722Ov_QYkekZgWWSvdmn4amigh1jgGa0R6HxRvDvCu_wBclyQSyvJtQ6epwsdmCMsrmKUo5DkSOADSHdMi4fnTm06FQQ-fF5sODqDynCuyorvZmD9hgWrthDSepr9nr0UwD4V4IiiMUmf/s320/Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Which do you find most difficult to do? i find not complaining the most difficult.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px;">CHALLENGE: let's try to do this for ONE WEEK and see how we feel afterward! Are you up for the challenge? I am! :-)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Segoe UI", Calibri, "Myriad Pro", Myriad, "Trebuchet MS", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02909736508497784368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-58524376787611336212012-04-23T13:06:00.000-07:002012-04-23T13:06:34.337-07:00Don't Give UpMy daughter planted three seeds. Two of which sprouted within the week she planted them. The last tiny pot showed no signs of growth for two weeks. I had just decided it was a dud, a failure. Then today my hope grew...<br />
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Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather crop if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 NIrV</blockquote>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-41873707849724902752012-04-16T06:42:00.000-07:002012-04-16T06:42:51.051-07:00Guest Writer: Sandee Milhouse<em><strong>written by Sandee Milhouse</strong></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRYq1tFd597lqzMtcNQ5HuLUj5Ylaev2wgPPV5wPPza0WtSxx679p65LAHPI0InIK_bhlu05LhUkyI6XEIhJSbD29jOZZm6VOPKAsSwTfO1h396cJMixLr3mdRm7MXk1hgQbH2ptKfsM/s1600/Papa+ee+Gr+funny+Papa+maybe+1971_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRYq1tFd597lqzMtcNQ5HuLUj5Ylaev2wgPPV5wPPza0WtSxx679p65LAHPI0InIK_bhlu05LhUkyI6XEIhJSbD29jOZZm6VOPKAsSwTfO1h396cJMixLr3mdRm7MXk1hgQbH2ptKfsM/s400/Papa+ee+Gr+funny+Papa+maybe+1971_2.jpg" width="400" /></a>“I wouldn‘t wait until Monday, it may be too late,” I heard at the other end of the phone from the Hospice nurse. My grandfather, who I have always called “Papa” with the deepest adoration, was dying. On the second day of December, I flew to FL to be with him, hoping I would make it in time and have the honor of being with him at the very moment he passed away.</div>
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I was anxious to get there and once I arrived, I was compelled by my love for him to stay by his side as often as possible. I was antsy when family would drag me away to share a meal or when I‘d leave his room to get a sandwich at the Hospice café. I wanted to spend every precious moment with him I had left.<br />
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I easily passed the time with him just being there, content to hold his hand, clean it and apply lotion, play his favorite music on the CD player, my heart heavy hearing 40s songs like, “I‘ll Be Seeing You” and “I Don‘t Want to Walk Without You”. I even found myself singing to him, dropping my fear of the nurses hearing my fluctuating key – pouring my love into “Amazing Grace”, “You are My Sunshine” and any soothing song that came to mind.<br />
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Though he was unresponsive, I wanted him to know I was there, so I kept telling him, “Papa, it‘s Sandee, I‘m here.” I said it to him about every 15 minutes and I would rub his shoulder or hand as I said it. I longed for him to open his eyes and respond to me in some way, but he just laid there, struggling to breathe as his lungs filled with fluid and the drugs kept him “comfortable”. On Sunday, December 4th, at twilight as the Florida sun was beginning to drift from the sky and into the ocean, my Papa transitioned into Heaven to the sound of my urgent last words to him, “Papa! I love you!“… an immediate, deep gasp followed my words, perhaps in response… a pulse check by the nurse, one more breath and he was free.<br />
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A few weeks after he passed away, I realized I can be unresponsive and God is like my presence was with Papa. I clearly see how God is constantly saying to me, “Sandee, it‘s God, I‘m here.” He was speaking those same words to me each time I said them to Papa and He never stops saying them to each one of us. His love for us compelled Him to a Cross, restoring us to Himself, and it compels Him to be by our side every precious second of our lives and even into, and through, the “valley of the shadow of death”.<br />
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As you read this, He is right by your side (Ps. 46:1), singing over you (Zeph 3:17), gently rubbing your hand saying, “(Insert your name), it‘s God, I‘m here.” It breaks His heart when we “lay there” not responding to Him – prayer is responding, talking to the God who can‘t help but love you, who ADORES you so deeply… respond to Him, it might be as simple as saying, “I know You are there, God, thank You. I love you, too!”Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-26088006944328481292012-04-05T10:44:00.000-07:002012-04-05T10:44:43.290-07:00The Lion, My Savior<a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/388/mybanner496aeb0b0295csd2.jpg/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/7220/mybanner496aeb0b0295csd2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Recently, I watched for the second time the newest <em>Disney</em> version of <em>The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe</em>. Aslan, the Lion and allegorical representation of Jesus, captivated me. He displayed an uncommon kindness and gentleness yet every silent lion-step he took exhibited mighty power and ultimate supremacy--Aslan was a force not to be reckoned with.<br />
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For those of you who have seen the movie or read the book, you know the story. I must, however, share a magnificent moment for me from this allegory. Edmund, the boy who betrays everyone to satisfy his fleshly desires, is accused of being a traitor, an accusation that cannot be denied. The antagonist, the White Witch, declares that, by law, every traitor belongs to her and must be killed on the stone table. That exact predicament is precisely what each and every one of us faces in our lives. When we sin, we betray God and the consequence is death.<br />
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Aslan privately arranges with the White Witch a rescue plan for Edmund . Without a fight, Aslan chooses not to exercise his magnificent power that could defeat any opposition and willingly exchanges his own guiltless life to save one mere boy in dire need of salvation. Aslan could have defeated the dark forces in one fell swoop of his mighty paw, but instead, he submitted himself to a cruel, painful, drawn-out murder to save Edmund, consequently the entire race of man.<br />
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My heart is full of gratitude to Christ Jesus, my Savior! I am unworthy, yet willingly, without a fight, He died for me. <br />
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Thank you, Jesus!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-29837152346561296212012-03-03T19:21:00.000-08:002012-03-03T19:21:01.134-08:00Being Holy<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago, a group of women were examining the topic of “holiness” in our study, <u>The Fitting</u> <u>Room</u>, by Kelly Minter. This word drums up all sorts of images in our minds. Some picture monks or nuns in their holy habits, the Amish who have separated themselves from the rest of society, some super spiritual saint, or perhaps a legalistic upbringing. This word doesn’t fill us with the warm fuzzies like “love”, “joy”, or “peace”. In fact in our discussion, one woman commented, “I struggle with a word that means “set apart”. It’s like I think I’m better than everyone else.” And yet, God tells us to be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:16). What exactly does God mean by that, and how can we possibly achieve it?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmh8Eod3OA4/T0PpPywFZAI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/uZKkPZuwN8I/s1600/imagesCAU02FIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmh8Eod3OA4/T0PpPywFZAI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/uZKkPZuwN8I/s1600/imagesCAU02FIP.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unpacking this word is like unloading a moving van filled with trinkets and treasures collected for years. I’m not sure if any person can comprehensively grasp the concept of holiness. However, within the framework of the verses our class is dissecting in this particular study, I’m posing a few thoughts. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colossians 3:12 states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first words Paul writes before he tells us what clothes to wear are that we are chosen, holy and dearly loved. God calls us holy before we have done anything good. How is that possible? I know what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i></b> am capable of—crabby attitudes, corrupted actions and careless words. How does God call me holy when I’ve done nothing to deserve that designation? It’s only because of Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins on the cross that I am viewed holy. Trusting my own goodness to please God is like a student relying on his charismatic personality to pass a test. It’s not good <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">enough</i> and never will be. According to Isaiah 64:6, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kelly Minter says, “Without this imputed righteousness (God thinking of Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us), we are back to the concept of trying to clothe ourselves with clothes we don’t actually own. Righteousness isn’t something you can borrow either, just for the thrifty dressers out there.” How freeing to realize that God calls me holy not because I deserve it but because His Son paid the price for me. The world teaches us the opposite—if we prove ourselves through hard work, we can be someone special. God says you are already special because of My Son, therefore clothe yourselves with what you already possess. Unfortunately, we oftentimes attempt to achieve holiness by mustering up enough willpower to exhibit these virtues rather than realizing that we are incapable of justifying ourselves. We must rest upon Jesus’ finished work on the cross. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Holiness concerns our heart not behavior modification. Parents desire their children to listen and obey because they desire to obey, not because they are forced. I recall as a young girl my mom making me apologize to my sister or brother. “Say you’re sorry, Annette,” she’d say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry,” I’d mumble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry for what?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Sorry for hitting you,” I’d eke out to the offended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Truly heartfelt, right?! How many of us apologized in our youth to our sister or brother because our moms threatened to ground us for a month, take away phone privileges or friend play time? And, how many of us as parents do the very same thing? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Say you’re sorry, give the toy back, hug your sister, kiss and make up… </i>God longs for us to exhibit His attributes because our hearts are transformed. Behavior change doesn’t last unless there is heart change. Kelly Minter emphatically says, “…how I yearn to live altogether differently, not simply because I’ve learned how to manage my behavior but because God has changed me from the inside. And because I desperately desire to draw others to Jesus by a life that is distinctly bright and whole, because He has made it so.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our holiness, then, should draw others to Jesus not cause us to be uppity or snobbish. True holiness is not setting ourselves against or above others as my friend was concerned about. D.L. Moody stated, “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” We should be winsome women, attracting others to us like bees to pollen. Instead of judging, condemning and criticizing unbelievers who, incidentally, cannot be held accountable to live godly lives, we should live and love in such a way that they are drawn to the Savior. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we are holy and wear clothes that reflect who we are in Christ, may those around us find love and grace. May we be the kind of women who walk alongside those who are desperate, depressed and downtrodden. And, may we never portray ourselves as snooty or snobby or stuck up, but rather saved by His grace, made holy only because of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go light your world!</span></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/vhUVHmt6BHs">Kathy Troccoli-Go Light Your World</a>Annettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17912804429355113444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-28016189233976677732012-02-07T07:29:00.000-08:002012-02-07T07:29:41.378-08:00The Stage of Life<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Background: </span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The <em><strong>stage</strong></em> has been a part of my life for a long time. <span class="Apple-style-span">At four, I spoke my first line on stage as a little firefly in a children's Christmas program. At six, I played a cute lamb in another children's musical. T</span>hat <span class="Apple-style-span">was</span> just the beginning of my performance record. From drama groups to high school musicals I always found room for theater in my life. I literally loved the life of performance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Not only is performing on a stage one of my strong interests, but performing, itself, is a dominating aspect of my personality. A large portion of my mental struggles center around performance-based questions like "How am I performing for the people around me?", "How do others perceive me?", or "Am I appealing to the people around me?". I tend to make every scene in my life a part of a series in this climatic, theatrical performance which is merely life, not the stage.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It </span>goes to show that I tend to view the world as a stage. William Shakespeare said it best in the monologue from his play, <u>As You Like It</u>, <em>"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players".</em> That, my friend, is the way my brain<span class="Apple-style-span"> inclines </span>to think.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">As a <span class="Apple-style-span">young</span> teen,<span class="Apple-style-span"> however,</span> I began growing in my desire to follow Jesus and to do His will while simultaneously <span class="Apple-style-span">continuing</span> to pursue my love for drama. The problem that I <span class="Apple-style-span">faced</span> <span class="Apple-style-span">is</span> that the stage usually <span class="Apple-style-span">is</span> about the actors and actresses, fame and the limelight. How can you act on stage for Jesus? It seemed to be a rather selfish profession not a very humble, holy one.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">D</span>uring my junior high yea<span class="Apple-style-span">rs, I believed I found the answer to:</span> "How do you act on stage for Jesus?" <em>Three words: <strong>Audience of One</strong>. God is your audience, not men. Do everything for Jesus.</em> Well, that sounded like a biblical way to justify the life of theater. I mean, Colosians 3:23 even says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men", so it must be okay to perform as long as you do it for God and not for selfish reasons.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">In more recent years, the life of the theater has become somewhat a distant pasttime--my glory days. Rather than peforming on stage, I perform everywhere else: at home, at work, at church. Whenever I find myself analyzing other people's perception of me and worrying about how I am 'performing', I go back to what I learned as a seventeen-year old and recite the three-word phrase: "Audience of One. I have an audience of One! Audience of One", that way I can realign my motives with a godly attitude to stop being so concerned about pleasing people but instead, refocus on pleasing God, and God ONLY.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><strong><span style="color: #444444;">The Light:</span></strong><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;">Very, very few times have I known that God spoke to me, but a few weeks ago "I saw the light" and I am sure it was God speaking directly to me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I had been worrying about disappointing someone, I felt like I let someone down, and the world was disapproving my actions (<span class="Apple-style-span">e</span>ver felt that way?) and so I told myself (like I have for the past fifteen years), "Rebecca, you have an audience of One. It doesn't matter what other people think about you. You are not performing for people, you are performing for God...." A jolt stopped me in mid-thought. God interrupted my rote lines I <span class="Apple-style-span">had articulated perfectly</span> for years and He <span class="Apple-style-span">clearly said</span>, "I am <u>not</u> the audience,<strong> YOU ARE THE AUDIENCE,</strong> Rebecca." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">BAM! My belief system that I had constructed about my relationship with God, suddenly began to unravel before my eyes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPXLisn8FJ4xglCkThlhVNzJHiEnL_EIdWI6LBEcYhZFnSjl893T32GXHulHsbjiboZLH2MHC_z38ZXDJUlQwU1JLt5fKwqPPWtSDGcP5g0IXYCHVFsfDqXSx3ifHoQ4x7pvA0b01rsM/s1600/From+Centerstage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPXLisn8FJ4xglCkThlhVNzJHiEnL_EIdWI6LBEcYhZFnSjl893T32GXHulHsbjiboZLH2MHC_z38ZXDJUlQwU1JLt5fKwqPPWtSDGcP5g0IXYCHVFsfDqXSx3ifHoQ4x7pvA0b01rsM/s400/From+Centerstage.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">View from Center Stage</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Immediately</span>, I flashed back to just a few <span class="Apple-style-span">short</span> months ago when I was <span class="Apple-style-span">alone</span> on <span class="Apple-style-span">a retreat</span> away from home at an outdoor ampi-theater. I stood <span class="Apple-style-span">center on the empty</span> <span class="Apple-style-span">stage</span> before empty seats and my heart painfully longed to be right there, in the limelight of life doing something spectacular. Overcome with the grief-stricken truth of my reality, I dragged my heels and hung my head sadly knowing I had become the girl backstage. I never wanted to be backstage; I wanted to be the star of the show, not behind the scene doing the unmentionable, overlooked work of the offstage crew. Sucking it up and rising above my immature, pity party, I attempted to accept my lot in life, but could not ignore the discontentment that swelled within. Backstage was my future.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3GZf7-1xnzfxctG7ENlNt79udDx9xCyPhef-0JNnS30MrymVXmUTF3UhP_3ef3ptCmv6EchJMGgMx8RrQBR9qnpXa9YFbSfHvau9jVOsoxHfaBqerOUGCNv3KfawmRiwchigS9JQVio/s1600/From+Backstage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="266" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3GZf7-1xnzfxctG7ENlNt79udDx9xCyPhef-0JNnS30MrymVXmUTF3UhP_3ef3ptCmv6EchJMGgMx8RrQBR9qnpXa9YFbSfHvau9jVOsoxHfaBqerOUGCNv3KfawmRiwchigS9JQVio/s400/From+Backstage.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">View from Backstage</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Two months after that experience, God used those images from my retreat to clarify the m</span>essage He wanted me to hear.<strong> I was not backstage, center stage, or even stage right, I was in the audience!</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EnKcv70UNhPvCceFLl6rxFsgZXvcMDhyphenhyphen-N3bb2R9IW-hr_poWrNyAYBdv0avoj-7KwcPumGo0cpa6UoJekTdHjy0ye6fDrS94HQhVGAdeX5XSs7IfDQVFTp4D283OXHdQZc2LixDLbc/s1600/From+Audience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="266" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EnKcv70UNhPvCceFLl6rxFsgZXvcMDhyphenhyphen-N3bb2R9IW-hr_poWrNyAYBdv0avoj-7KwcPumGo0cpa6UoJekTdHjy0ye6fDrS94HQhVGAdeX5XSs7IfDQVFTp4D283OXHdQZc2LixDLbc/s400/From+Audience.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">View from the audience</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;">My mind<span class="Apple-style-span">, suddenly flooded with light, was set free - the burden</span> I <span class="Apple-style-span">had</span> carried for so long had been <span class="Apple-style-span">vanquished</span>. No longer <span class="Apple-style-span">am</span> I held captive by the pressure <span class="Apple-style-span">of </span>performing for ANYONE, not even for God! I am in the audience and all I have to do is respond to HIM and to His work that <u><em><strong>He</strong></em></u> is doing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Philippians 1:6 says,<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Take heart, friends! God does the <span class="Apple-style-span">work. Therefore, i</span>t is really hard (impossible <span class="Apple-style-span">actually</span>) to fail when He is the One doing the work. Life is not a stage, but rather an audience watching God at work. What a relief! All we have to do is ta<span class="Apple-style-span">ke a seat, watch God</span>, and <b>respond</b> to Him. Thank You, Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="Apple-style-span">Revelation 1:12-13,17-18a:</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> having turned I saw seven golden </span><span class="Apple-style-span">lampstands; and in the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">MIDDLE <em><span style="color: #666666;">[center stage]</span></em> of the lampstands I saw one like a Son </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">of man</span><span class="Apple-style-span">...</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">And He placed His </span><span class="Apple-style-span">right hand on me saying, 'Do not be afraid,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> I am the first and the last and the living One... "</span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
</span></span></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-79772185336291087992012-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:15:03.843-08:00Fire in my Bones<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But if I say, "I will not mention <span class="Apple-style-span">H</span>im [God] or speak any more in <span class="Apple-style-span">H</span>is [God's] name," <span class="Apple-style-span">H</span>is [God's] word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.</span> Jeremiah 20:9</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444;">To say the least, Jeremiah had a hard job. God <span class="Apple-style-span">commanded</span> Jeremiah to tell His people the Truth. Jeremiah spoke to God's people about their rebellious, disloyal ways and God's i<span class="Apple-style-span">mpending </span>j<span class="Apple-style-span">udgment</span> and consequences they would experience as a result of their sin. (Not a very popular message, eh? I mean, really, how often do we hear this kind of sermon from the pulpit? "You're in trouble, Church! God is going to punish you for forsaking Him!" No, th<span class="Apple-style-span">at's</span> not a 'churchy' thing to preach.) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Obviously, Jeremiah faced rejection <span class="Apple-style-span">everywhere</span> he turned. The people were not fond of <span class="Apple-style-span">him</span> nor his message and Jeremiah grew tired of telling people the brutal Truth. BUT! <span class="Apple-style-span">He couldn't</span> help it. Jeremiah's passion for GOD could not be restrained. God's life-changing, powerful reality was etched upon his heart and there was no use resisting. Jeremiah had to obey God no matter the cost.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I started thinking about this 'fire shut up in my bones' and I asked myself, <span class="Apple-style-span">"</span><em>What am I so passionate about that I cannot contain it?<span class="Apple-style-span">"</span></em> Jeremiah's fire was God and His word. I tend to be passionate about myself. Pretty pathetic compared to God! I suppose my passion fizzles out so quickly because the fire in me is not lasting. Jesus is the ONLY lasting fire that <span class="Apple-style-span">cannot</span> be put out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">For the LORD your God is a <strong>consuming fire</strong>, a jealous God.</span> Deuteronomy 4:24</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #444444;">God<span class="Apple-style-span">,</span> consume our hearts. Set our hearts on fire, for Your fire cannot be extinguished.</span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-11109758290908106862012-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:002012-01-09T17:29:52.564-08:00What's the Word?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">The mantra chanted repeatedly in circles around this time of year is familiar to most of us. “Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?” spills out of mouths like the greeting, “Merry Christmas.” People’s responses range from scorn because of past failures to excitement for what might be achieved. I’ve failed miserably when making goals. One year I planned to eliminate sweets from my diet. In the midst of eating a piece of cake, I realized I forgot about my goal. The rest was history including that resolution. Since then, I’ve learned tips about making goals more specific and measurable. Perhaps I would’ve succeeded if my resolve were to cut sweets to three times a week instead of never eating them again. I grasped the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> lesson: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><strong>never again make a resolution involving chocolate.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">I enjoy creating goals for the New Year, focusing my energy with God’s help in various areas, such as family, spiritual, physical, ministry and leadership. In recent years, however, I’ve also prayed about a “word” that will characterize my year. Around November, I ponder what word God might speak to me. Many times, this word will crop up as I’m reading my Bible or another book. I may sense that He’s teaching me a trait through a family issue. I always hope it’s not patience because I really don’t want to take those field trip experiences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">A journal writer sporadically since a teen, I love looking back at what I’ve written. In my diary days, I wrote inspiring notes about boys I liked and ugly words about my sister: “She thinks she’s pretty, but she’s not.” It’s good for a chuckle but not much else. As an adult, I’ve vented and vomited words on the page. I’ve prayed and praised the God to whom I owe everything. And, I’ve remembered and recounted the events of each year. So, as I roll back the time to 2010 when my word was “flourish,” I read that it was filled with tough times, and I wrote, “I’m not sure that (flourish) really occurred in my estimation.” It felt much more like failure to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Last year, my word was “God’s Goodness.” Okay, that’s two words, but who’s counting? The year began with “my brain is encased in a thick fog this morning after a migraine that felt like it was going to blow its innards like Mt. St. Helens. My left ear throbs as if someone were poking me with sharp needles.” Off to a great start so far. I began to wonder about my chosen “words” when I spent the first two week s of January 2011 in bed several days with various sicknesses…migraines, dizziness, ear pain and vomiting. Intersperse about a million snow days when the kids were hanging around, and that’s a little too much goodness for me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Yet, what God taught me with those two words over the course of the year was that His goodness had nothing to do with my circumstances. In one journal entry, I wrote, “The year can only go up from here, right?! Right?! My words, “God’s goodness,” for 2011 sound almost humorous. Still I know that just because my circumstances have been bleak doesn’t mean He isn’t good. It’s all in the perspective, right?” Like a roller coaster, the year was up then down, yet I experienced His goodness in all of it. Our circumstances may not be outwardly good, but God can use them for our eternal good. What I found is that God’s goodness permeated each event in my life last year. It’s a lesson I will not forget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">So, what does this year hold? What word am I hanging on to? Drum roll, please….This year, I believe it’s “grace.” Grace for me when I blow it, and grace for me to offer others. Beyond that, I’m waiting to see how the year unfolds and what God will show me! Now, it’s your turn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><strong>What “word” will God give you?</strong></span></div>Annettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17912804429355113444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-81628939436658553672012-01-06T11:27:00.001-08:002012-01-08T12:49:18.438-08:00Learning through LifeWow.<br />
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It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything here. I’m sure some of you thought I just ceased to write or care. That is not the case at all. Rather, God was doing a work in me in 2011 – a work that was hard and painful sometimes; joyful and easy others. It was a work that required me to spend more time with Him than I spent on other things. <br />
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And, it was a work that asked me to be still and silent before Him; to lean on Him instead of my friends and family; to trust that He really did know best, even when my heart was hurting and my head was swimming. 2011 was a year unlike any other I have experienced. And while I won’t “bore you” with all the details, I wanted to come back to Mainstream by sharing with you the lessons I learned while I was mostly silent in the valleys of last year.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trusting God Is NOT Always Easy</b></div>
It’s a simple lesson, and a simple message. It’s one you’ve probably heard a million times, but the reality of it became apparent in my life in 2011. I had to choose in a dark moment whether to trust Him or trust the world. I chose to trust Him. I had to choose to love Him instead of hanging on to what I wanted to understand. I had to love Him when I didn’t know how to love right. I had to give my tears to Him. I realized that I wanted so much to believe that God wanted what was best for me; but it was so hard to see that in the valleys. Learning to trust His plan for my life when I felt like everything was spiraling out of control was and still is not an easy lesson.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God Doesn’t Need Me </b></div>
God doesn’t need me to accomplish anything He has planned, but He does <i>want</i> me to be there, walking with Him and learning from Him. It is naïve and childish to think that God won’t do something just because I throw a (thirty)-two year old temper tantrum about it. But, life is better when you walk with God instead of against Him. He is GOD. He doesn’t need me to do diddly, but He wants me to do so much more than I could ever imagine.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There is Peace in Unlikely Places</b></div>
When it seems like the battles are too hard to fight, it’s funny where peace can be found. For me, I found peace in my job – a job that is crazy, hectic, exhausting and frustrating at any given moment. I found peace in a place where God was everywhere, but I still had a task to accomplish. I found peace in my to-do lists. That may seem silly, but having a purpose gave the cloudy skies a little sunshine. Wherever you can find your peace, go there. And, don’t be surprised when that peaceful place changes on a regular basis.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not Talking about it is Okay</b></div>
One of the reasons I stopped blogging and became somewhat quiet in the world was because I was learning this lesson. I want to share <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i> when I am hurting – but maybe that is not the most helpful approach in the world. Instead of sharing everything with everyone, I shared a little with a few people. And a little with a few more people. And a lot with a handful of people that had walked these roads before. Not talking was a hard lesson, but it gave me an honest perspective on my world and my place in God’s bigger plan.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joy is a Choice </b></div>
This was a big one for me. I learned in 2011 that having a joyful heart and a joyful outlook on life was a choice I had to make myself. It is not an inherent part of my DNA – I could give Eeyore a run for his money on any given day – but choosing to find happiness and joy in life made me realize that everything – big or little, good or bad – was being done for a purpose, and there should be joy in the journey. That doesn’t mean every day has to be happy, but there can still be a deeper sense of joy in the God who wouldn’t give us floods if He hadn’t also promised rainbows.<br />
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I could go on and on, but that’s just a little of why I was quiet and why 2011 was different for me in so many ways. I am excited to face 2012, and am hoping that these lessons aren’t ones I have to relearn!</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161638433069320645noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-35949126129657291722011-12-22T10:14:00.001-08:002011-12-22T19:54:33.023-08:00God's Gift of Peace<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”</i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">peace of God</b>, which surpasses all comprehension,<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phil. 4:7<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> After a routine exam, I got the dreaded “call back” and found myself standing at a cross-roads between two routes. To my left lay Fretful Freeway and on my right was Trusting Trail. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> In similar past situations, I stepped left and trudged down Fretful Freeway. (Not fun! The stomach knots as “what if” imaginations haunt your thoughts, hinder your sleep, and paralyze your usefulness.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Lord Jesus, this trip, I would like to follow You down Trusting Trail. Will You help Me, please?” <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Off we went, the Shepherd and I, strolling down Trusting Trail enjoying pleasant conversation, rich green pastures, and quiet waters along the path that led all the way to Re-Test Day. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">The first round of images…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> Orders for more images…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> Orders for additional testing…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"> Waiting, waiting, waiting.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“These things I have spoken to you, so that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in Me you may have peace</b>. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world.”<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John 16:33<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Alone in the dimly lit hospital room, I marveled, “Father, Your inner peace truly does OVERPOWER outward circumstances! Thank You, for Your Gift of Peace!”<o:p></o:p><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and the government will rest on His shoulders;<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father,<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince of Peace.</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Isa. 9:6<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Two thousand years ago, Sar Shalom, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came to earth, lived, died for man, and rose again. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I pray this Christmas and in the years to come that you, beloved Mainstream followers, will walk with Him through the troubles of this world and live in His peace.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> The technician stepped back into the room. “Benign cyst. See you next year.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">What a waste of time and energy a trip down Fretful Freeway would have been! O Lord, “Please help me stay close to You on Your path of peace - with good reports and bad ones!”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth<o:p></o:p></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PEACE <o:p></o:p></b></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Among men with whom He is pleased.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke 2:14<o:p></o:p></i></div>Miss Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435856838346255638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-21370306162528739882011-12-14T09:12:00.001-08:002011-12-14T12:17:06.431-08:00God's Recipes<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/FE/Apple-Pie-all-american-apple-pie-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/FE/Apple-Pie-all-american-apple-pie-de.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mama’s Double Crust Lemon Pie</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">1 ¼ c. sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 T. flour</div><div class="MsoNormal">1/8 t. salt</div><div class="MsoNormal">¼ c. soft butter</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 eggs (well beaten)</div><div class="MsoNormal">juice from 1 ½ lemons</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 unbaked pie crusts</div><div class="MsoNormal">A sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Instructions:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Combine sugar, flour, and salt.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Blend in butter and mix thoroughly.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Add well-beaten eggs and blend until smooth.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Add lemon juice and blend well.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pour into uncooked bottom crust.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cover with uncooked top crust.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Timing:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake additional 40 to 45 minutes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God’s Recipes</b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Eph. 2:10 </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> The truth that the Most High God preordained specific assignments for each of His believers is quite daunting, especially when those assignments are consistently beyond our own talents and abilities.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thess. 5:24 </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On the other hand, it is quite empowering to know that in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">every</b> work God calls us to do, He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">always</b> enables us to do it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prov. 3:5-6 </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> What assignment has God given you recently? Do NOT fret, worry, or be dismayed! Pastor Steve Blair recently said, “God’s got it! All you have to do is follow His recipe!” Beloved, o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">bey His instructions, find His ingredients, wait on His timing and you will create a work of excellence; a “Master’s piece”!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout…so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isa. 55:10-11 </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">God’s Recipe for Me</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> In 1955, my grandmother wrote a letter telling the story of her adventures as a young schoolteacher in 1916 in the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains. A note scribbled in the margin suggested rewriting the letter as a short story and submitting it for publication.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">His instruction:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Early one morning last September His gentle voice said, “Jill, it’s time to write her story.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">His ingredients:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">1 really old story</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 very green author </div><div class="MsoNormal">1 gracious publisher </div><div class="MsoNormal">3 patient editors</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 extremely talented illustrator</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 high tech printer</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">His timing:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Carefully combine all the ingredients and wait.</div><div class="MsoNormal">When well done, add a ga-zillion readers (hopefully) <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Coming soon:</b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Schoolhouse</i>, a beautiful true tale of faith, determination, danger, servitude, and love in storybook form: the Master's piece.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Miss Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435856838346255638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-41374652111422907482011-12-06T18:13:00.001-08:002011-12-07T18:21:05.063-08:00Hear No Evil, See No Evil <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL1D_4tqtLHX9_xgKv9GrC0fSTTIXCxaFo5gBXtWmkp8LOytQ0fIjzFp5qOVq-qTU3P5-2Ci9GkvprHukd-PXJRZrYJ0TLKKg9ny3MhcvfAPfX0-hcnR30Eh0k23IxLvvwLrNEYKaT1is/s1600/cover_ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL1D_4tqtLHX9_xgKv9GrC0fSTTIXCxaFo5gBXtWmkp8LOytQ0fIjzFp5qOVq-qTU3P5-2Ci9GkvprHukd-PXJRZrYJ0TLKKg9ny3MhcvfAPfX0-hcnR30Eh0k23IxLvvwLrNEYKaT1is/s200/cover_ears.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>image by google</em></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The popular ethical adage "<span class="Apple-style-span">h</span>ear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" is all <span class="Apple-style-span">well and good</span>; I am convinced the wise saying has upright intentions that reinforce the principle <span class="Apple-style-span">"g</span>arbage in, garbage out". In other words, if we listen to bad things and look at bad things, then bad things will come out of our mouth, but if we do not listen or look at bad things, then...you get the point.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">However, as Christians, are we deceiving ourselves when we proclaim, "hear no evil, see no evil"; yet we allow darkness disguised as entertainment or social "norms" to seep into our lives?</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I remember reading Ron Luce's book <u>Recreate</u> when he described how absurd it would be for a father or a mother to passively let a criminal who is known for sexually offending children be in a room alone with their daughter or son. Seems pretty obvious that most parents would not allow, much less promote, such risky, unwise activity in their homes which would put their child in physical danger. Yet, like Ron Luce points out, we, as parents, allow our children's hearts to be vunerable to the world's spiritual molestation when we allow, and many times promote, a variety of media that directly attacks our children's souls.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I have not seen the movie <em>Courageous</em>, but I have heard the song. Some of the lyrics go like this:</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We were warriors on the front lines</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Standing, unafraid</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But now we're watchers on the sidelines</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While our families slip away...</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">May the watchers become warriors</span></em><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Have you ever ignored evil? You see something on TV, but you overlook it (<em>see no evil</em>) and keep watching the show? You hear people disrespecting the God you follow yet you let it slide (<em>hear no evil</em>)? Well, I have. Consider this. What would it look like if we started seeing evil? What would change if we actually started acknowledging what we heard was evil? </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Maybe we would be less of a sideline watcher and more like a front line warrior.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">We can be so hung up on keeping our kids safe or avoiding getting hurt, but the reality of the matter is that our physical bodies are on the bottom of the totem poll in comparison to our, or even our kids', spiritual souls.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, <em>"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Let us be women who are not spiritually blind or deaf in this world, but let us be women who boldly stand up for what is right in our homes, in our community, and in our lives!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong>Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong>Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong>Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong>for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. </strong></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Ephesians 6:10-11; <span class="Apple-style-span">19-20 (amplified)</span></span></strong></span></blockquote>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-77753712833017533692011-11-29T18:59:00.001-08:002011-12-01T18:17:35.521-08:00A Recipe for Heaven on Earth<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dailygossip.org/media/posts/858-340x339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="319" src="http://www.dailygossip.org/media/posts/858-340x339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image by google</td></tr>
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<em><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">To prepare this coffee, carefully open this outer wrap. Place the pre-measured filter pouch in the brewing basket. Then follow the directions on your coffee maker. Savor this moment.</span></em></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #444444;">I read these exact instructions for making coffee and it was as though <span class="Apple-style-span">God said to me:</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">In order to be useful tool for Me</span> (<em>To prepare this coffee)</em>,<span class="Apple-style-span"> get rid of any trash (sin) in your li</span>fe (<em>carefully open this outer wrap)</em>. <span class="Apple-style-span">Take everything that I have given you (your life, your personality, your family, your friends, your desires, your dreams, your talents) and put them all on the alter as an offering to Me</span> <em>(Place the pre-measured filter pouch in the brewing basket). </em><span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, follow your Maker's directions--obey</span> <em>(Then follow the directions on your coffee maker).</em></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Just as steaming hot water poured through dark, roasted grounds produces a rich, flavorful brew of coffee, living water poured down from heaven flowing through us will give the world a taste of God's riches above.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"The river of God is full of water; but not one drop of it flows from earthly springs." </em></span>-Charles H Spurgeon</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #444444;"><em>But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven.</em> Deuteronomy 11:11</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Jesus <span class="Apple-style-span">will</span> flow through us when we are properly prepared.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;"><em>If a {woman} cleanses {herself}...{she} will be a <span class="Apple-style-span">vessel</span> for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.</em> 2 Timothy 2:21</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And, of course, we must not forget to <em>savor this moment</em>!</span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-41943577080245515812011-11-10T18:06:00.001-08:002011-11-14T18:00:57.244-08:00Separation Anxiety<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgothGCPe8crsFOKyAwmDYzm8pSj5H0ZEEAKYytB7uTyUXGlDH8JfnNRMHePUkRFEwz2xhHVMmtzXEJJHKkhkPILYmnaKsKG46muY-NV9ZkwexQVMxWcYpn3yRnD4f3SWt8KYx8uxM2ccU/s1600/happiness2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgothGCPe8crsFOKyAwmDYzm8pSj5H0ZEEAKYytB7uTyUXGlDH8JfnNRMHePUkRFEwz2xhHVMmtzXEJJHKkhkPILYmnaKsKG46muY-NV9ZkwexQVMxWcYpn3yRnD4f3SWt8KYx8uxM2ccU/s320/happiness2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;">You would think after having three kids (all of whom struggled emotionally when separated from their mommy) that I would give in to the notion that my kids have experienced some form of separation anxiety albeit mild or extreme. In oblivious denial, I recently faced the stark reality that my two-year old exhibited obvious signs of separation anxiet<span class="Apple-style-span">y when, ev</span>ery time I left the room, he let out a blood curdling scream. Over and over as soon as I removed myself from his sight, the echos of a distraught little fellow resonated off our hallway walls. Before long, I marched my dignified, motherly-self right back to the place where the little rascal howled and I carefully spoke these words to my son, "Even when you can't see me, I'm still here, buddy." The<span class="Apple-style-span"> friz</span>zle-frazzl<span class="Apple-style-span">ed</span> two-year old tantrum faded into the back of my mind and the gentle whisper of my loving Heavenly Father flooded into the forefront of my mind, "Even when you can't see me, I'm still here, child." At that moment, God made Himself clearly apparent; not just His existence but also His character. I suppose that the Psalmist was <span class="Apple-style-span">cognizant of</span> this same truth about God when he <span class="Apple-style-span">penne</span>d the lyrics "...an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1). EVER-PRESENT HELP. Yep, that just about says it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Often in</span> times we do not 'see' God, we throw a two year-old fit and howl out a faithless prayer like "Why aren't you here, God?" Instead of ignoring or reprimanding us, <span class="Apple-style-span">God remains true, faithful, present, EVER ready, and available to</span> help us just like a mother would her child. We tend to experience separation anxiety when we think God's nearness is untouchable, but the truth of the matter is that He is ever-present and real and ready to help us in our time of need. Our only job is to trust Him and what He says is true. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Do you really believe what God says is true? If so, you can trust that He is real and present in your life. That truth alone relieves a little bit of anxiety, eh?</span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-74170985216769910292011-11-01T12:37:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:37:53.268-07:00A London Encounter<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crowded with people scurrying to catch a train, tube or trek into the city, London’s Victoria Station is a hub bub of activity. Suits speeding to their offices, confused travelers with eyes glued to maps (that’s us), shoppers browsing the stores, they are like ants on a mission. When we arrived via London Heathrow Airport, disoriented Americans dragging heavy pieces of luggage through the mob, we couldn’t conceive the God encounter that would transform us the final night of our journey.</span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yECHxeI-N-Q/TqbGzsG5JkI/AAAAAAAAAFM/FEQfsdp4T8Y/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yECHxeI-N-Q/TqbGzsG5JkI/AAAAAAAAAFM/FEQfsdp4T8Y/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish sheep-Ring of Kerry</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To celebrate my parent’s 50<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary, the four of us spent a week in Ireland with its 40 shades of green, rolling hills dotted with sheep and cows and lovely people with harmonious accents I could listen to for the rest of my days. We traded the calm and serene for crowds and chaos when we transported to London, circling four days in a whirlwind across the city. Hitting the must see sights, we toured St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. A bit consumed with British history and obsessed with kings, queens and castles, I’m slightly disappointed I wasn’t born a royal. Still, the defining moment of this trip brought home to me what is truly valuable. It’s not palaces and princesses, crown jewels or coronations, royalty or robes. </span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mw-z3-525rQ/TqbMbjHV0lI/AAAAAAAAAFU/tba8RXmz9M4/s1600/DSC_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mw-z3-525rQ/TqbMbjHV0lI/AAAAAAAAAFU/tba8RXmz9M4/s320/DSC_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall to wall people in London</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The night before we were scheduled to fly back home again to Indiana, my dad and mom, Tony and I dined at a restaurant on the third floor of Victoria Station. In honor of our last night in London, Mom ordered the traditional English fish and chips with mashed peas. Mashed peas paired with fish and chips makes as much sense to me as tennis shoes with a black cocktail dress. For me, peas of any sort belong with the tea thrown overboard in Boston Harbor. The rest of us chose to eat more appetizing fare—pizza! As we were finishing our meal, a British man interrupted our conversation through the booth’s window cutout open to the mall. His clothes were worn and all he carried was a small bag containing a few items. “Excuse me. I don’t mean to interrupt you, but could you spare any change?” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mom, an extrovert on steroids, responded, “What do you need money for?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ma’am, I’d like to get something sweet.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mom asked, “Are you hungry?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stunned by a question the stranger has likely never been asked, he paused and then answered. “Why, yes, I am.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blasting the bewildered man with questions about what he’d like to order, mom took charge of the situation while the rest of us remained silent watching this interchange. He settled on the pizza and a coke. Smart to skip the mashed peas, like us. Mom then asked the man if he’d rather eat his food in the restaurant or take it to go. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> “I’ll take it with me, ma’am.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well, why don’t you come in and sit in one of the booths, and we’ll talk to the waitress about your food.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The homeless man plodded into the restaurant and plopped down into one of the booths. He wore weariness. No sigh escaped his lips, but I could sense it. Tired, hungry and all he asked for was a few pence for something sweet, as if that would satisfy the hunger pains. His head hung low as if some invisible weight were holding it down. Awkward silence reigned at our table. It seemed sacrilegious to continue casual conversation. A man hungered while we feasted—while I spurned mashed peas. My eyes blurred as I blinked back tears threatening as I watched this worn out creature. And yet, here we sat, part of a divine interaction, our resources covering this man’s need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the waitress brought his to-go food, the man slowly rose and plodded back to the window cutout. “I don’t mean to bother you again, but thank you.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mom said, “God bless you.” The man replied the same and disappeared into the mall to fill his stomach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I confess that had my parents been absent, my response would’ve been different. This homeless man would’ve been an inconvenience on my vacation. Perhaps I might’ve thrown a few pence his way in hopes of hurrying him along. I doubt I would’ve have offered him food or drink. And yet, Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Matthew 25:35) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too often, I am quick to judge, criticize, and wonder whether my gift to someone in need will be misused. I ignore the prompting to offer what I have because I am too busy sizing up the situation. Is this person <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worth</i> it? How many opportunities to be God’s hands and feet have I missed because of the huge log in my eye? I’m like the Pharisees, focusing on the outside of the cup instead of the inside of my heart. When I am compelled to give, I should act quickly without censure, condemnation or calculation of a person’s need or value. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) What happens to my gift offered with love and grace is not my concern. Ignoring the call to give, however, is not only disobedience but also a missed opportunity to be part of someone’s transformation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know the far-reaching effects of this London encounter. Perhaps the meal offered this homeless London man gave him renewed hope that someone cared. Maybe this event witnessed by the waitress sparked an attitude of love and giving. If each told their friends, how might they be changed because of one meal given in Jesus’ name? I only know that I don’t want to remain complacent, stay blinded or become calloused to those in need around me. I ask not only for God to open my eyes but also to instill in me a willingness to give without strings. A meal, a $20 bill, a shirt, a cup of coffee has the power to change a life. After all, a meal in London changed mine! </span></div>Annettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17912804429355113444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-79844961249991838252011-10-24T18:14:00.000-07:002011-10-24T18:15:06.433-07:00The Easy Kind of Hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-JuGq_0IIhSTenHNj8RVYG2Z988Nlejncmc-TS0bYA27QE_74r9yWG2D4BvC_GNLLJL1X3x8ZgP8HkJI3MCVZZ0kQEFCC5HTgi7xLhraAezv6cwsI8tnXy9aK7KEC1CmkUyIZqRxnEBx/s1600/IMG_1172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-JuGq_0IIhSTenHNj8RVYG2Z988Nlejncmc-TS0bYA27QE_74r9yWG2D4BvC_GNLLJL1X3x8ZgP8HkJI3MCVZZ0kQEFCC5HTgi7xLhraAezv6cwsI8tnXy9aK7KEC1CmkUyIZqRxnEBx/s320/IMG_1172.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me at an orphange in India</td></tr>
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A number of years ago, I met a sick woman. <br />
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As I walked into the large, crowded room, the hot dawning sunlight warmed the rows and rows of small gray cots tightly packed together. On every scanty bed lay a woman. A human tragedy. A social disgust. An untouchable, good-riddance. Forgotten and sentenced to a horrid fate. Each solemn face bore the marks of shame and despair. Many ladies looked away, looked down, or bade to hide their curious glances upon my entrance into the putrid room. Just barely able to offer a warm smile, I made my way through the scores of women each residing in her personal chamber of death. To each woman I encountered, I spoke a simple, cheerful greeting and then proceeded to maneuver through the close living quarters. <br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I am not sure if it has been the passage of time or the shocking experience that has erased the names and faces I met on this particular summer day in India at Mother Theresa’s Death and Dying Institute, but I can only remember one woma<span class="Apple-style-span">n - Alice.</span></span><br />
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She was sick. She was hurting. She clasped my hands ever so tightly. She smiled. Her eyes reached deep into her soul and shined the brightest I ever remembering seeing a person’s eyes shining. To my surprise, she spoke a little bit of English and she knew His name—<em>Jesus</em>. I loved her without reserve. I loved her despite of the way malnutrition had conquered her body; her upper thighs were nothing but skin and bone—measuring about the radius of my lower arm. The harshness of life had etched deep, telling lines into the skin that stretched across her gaunt face. To top it off, my new friend was unable to walk, move, or even clean herself. She was condemned to merely lay motionless.<br />
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As it so happened, our small missionary group arrived on the Institute’s bathing day. We worked for hours that morning washing all of the<span style="color: #444444;"> <span class="Apple-style-span">140</span></span> suffering women. For me, it was physically painful, sickening, and traumatic (and that is mildly put!). When it was my new friend’s turn to bathe, I insisted that I care for her. The icy cold water the caregivers sprayed on the women must have hurt because my friend tightly closed her eyes and tried to suppress groans of pain. The caregivers vigorously scrubbed her with a brushed that I would have used on a rugged animal at a zoo. As I watched the unfamiliar way of caring for outcasts of society, I could hardly breathe. <em>At least <strong>someone</strong> takes care of them. Their families left them on the street to die</em>, a voice of reason and justice echoed in my mind.<br />
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I lifted my friend and placed her on a hard wooden bench to dry her like a baby. She shut her eyes as though she could close out the pain and she lay so still that I thought she would die.<br />
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I will never forget her. I will never forget how much I cared for her. It was hard but I loved her.<br />
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Over the years since my short mission trip to India, I have easily adjusted to the ease and comforts of America, but there is one thing paradoxically easier in India than in America. For me, in India it was easier to love when it was hard to love and in America it is harder to love when it is easy to love. Confusing? Take for instance, in my American life as a regular homemaker I encounter <em>needy</em> people who are clean, mobile, fed, healthy, wealthy, and optimistic nevertheless they are needy. Shouldn’t it be easy to love them? Instead, I dig in my heels and demand <em>my</em> rights, <em>my</em> time, <em>my</em> desires, <em>my</em> dreams, <em>my</em> needs, <em>my</em> comforts, <em>my</em> health—all the things I sacrificed to love an objectionable outcast. What’s wrong with this picture?<br />
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Steven Curtis Chapman has an awesome new song called “Do Everything”; the lyrics say: <br />
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<blockquote>
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you, </span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Cause he made you, </span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">To do</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Every little thing that you do </span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">To bring a smile to His face</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Tell the story of grace</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">With every move that you make</span></em><br />
<em><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">And every little thing you do</span></em></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>So whether I am in India or in Indiana, I am to do EVERYTHING, easy or hard, in love.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Do everything in love.</span> 1 Corinthians 16:14</blockquote>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-59090593281722385712011-10-06T17:50:00.000-07:002011-10-06T17:51:02.392-07:00Prayerful Humility vs. Prayerless Pride<span style="color: #444444;"><em>If it's not one thing it's another thing.</em> Have you ever felt that way? If it's not the laundry, it's the toilets. If it's not the vacuuming, it's the dusting. If it's not the phone, it's the email. If it's not the dog, it's the kids. If it's not the kids, it's the husband. If it's not yard, it's the grocery store. And on and on and on.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">For me, in my spiritual life, I've struggled with <em>if it's not prayer, it's pride. </em>My prayer life recently has looked a lot like this:</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">At work, a distraught patient calls in tears. I do not know how to help her. So I pray: "God, I need Your help." And guess what, God helps me help her.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">At home, I feel pulled in twenty different directions and I don't know where to start. So I pray, "God, I need Your help." Lo and behold, God helps me do what is set before me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">At night, when I am tired and ready to call it a day I get a call from someone who is going through a storm in her life. I have nothing to offer her. So I pray, "God I need Your help." You guessed right, God helps me help her.</span></div>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://www.eseton.org/pictures/prayer_hands_gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="http://www.eseton.org/pictures/prayer_hands_gold.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The more I talk to God about more areas of my life, the more I see God work in more areas of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">A</span>t first, I was struggling through prayer<em>less</em>ness, then I faced the temptation of pride. I started getting so comfortable with God answering prayer and life feel<span class="Apple-style-span">ing good</span> that I began to feel good about myself and I became lax about acknowledging to God that I need Him. <em>If it's not one thing it's another thing.</em> <span class="Apple-style-span">Th</span>en I stopped praying as often and little by little I began to feel weak and needy, which is a good thing because I was again reminded to turn to the Lord for much needed help.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<em><span style="color: #444444;">We need You, Lord Jesus! Help us!</span></em></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-14080684342115318702011-10-03T07:45:00.000-07:002011-10-03T07:45:50.708-07:00A Horrible Habit<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/10-things-youd-love-to-say-at-work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="http://michaelhyatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/10-things-youd-love-to-say-at-work.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently, my husband and I were enjoying lunch at Chili’s with our daughter Maddie. I was wearing my “Gripes Be Gone” bracelet which I created in my “Married to Me” study. These highly sophisticated pieces of elastic string containing three beads symbolize my husband and me with God in the center. Each time I complained, whined or griped, I snapped the bracelet against my wrist, a stinging reminder of my lack of self-control. Our waitress’ chatter was a little over the top. After making a cutting remark to Tony about it, I looked down at my bracelet and snapped it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tony asked, “What’s that?” Reluctantly, I explained my lovely new jewelry piece. He laughed knowing the impossibility of this device to take captive my complaints. He asked to borrow my bracelet. Wrapping it around 3 fingers, he stated, “This booth has a really bad odor,” and snapped it. I laughed. Whether Tony was attempting to identify with my dilemma or poke fun, the reality is that a bracelet isn’t capable of delivering me from caustic complaining. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many of us have developed bad habits that have been deemed acceptable among Christian women. We gripe about our husbands, our children, our jobs and our busyness. We complain about slow service, critique sermons and criticize a person’s clothes or imperfect parenting. Philippians 2:14-15 states, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure…” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That little word, “everything,” is tripping me up, how about you?! God wants me to use my words to bless, to encourage, to lift up others. James 3:10-11 says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My (sisters), this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” If we are to be a blessing to others in our homes and our community, we must use our words wisely. We have a choice: we can shut our mouths when we don’t have anything good to say or snap bracelets leaving marks on our wrists and in other’s hearts. Ladies, let’s be different than the culture in which we live!</span></div>
Annettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17912804429355113444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-16617734300182002332011-09-19T18:36:00.000-07:002011-09-19T18:36:34.908-07:00Mommas and Lambs<blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYLz6xYqmg-YmyKedV96K4kbT8MBwD0kAJ7B5IYtYukGw9A8RzmyLL949UFrLal_CNA7cAIOc0IGihrQ6omATLjebvryhUNf505-eqSN3Kt9RCEm65uoMhGJZQbpmAUjwhXksTAaylsSJ/s1600/Jesus-Christ-Lamb-of-God-1LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYLz6xYqmg-YmyKedV96K4kbT8MBwD0kAJ7B5IYtYukGw9A8RzmyLL949UFrLal_CNA7cAIOc0IGihrQ6omATLjebvryhUNf505-eqSN3Kt9RCEm65uoMhGJZQbpmAUjwhXksTAaylsSJ/s200/Jesus-Christ-Lamb-of-God-1LG.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.</em></span> <strong>Isaiah 40:11</strong></blockquote>
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Really, I have nothing more to say. I keep reading this verse and what keeps coming to my mind is that I must share this with all the mamas! Take comfort, sweet moms! Jesus, our Shepherd, loves our little lambs. He actively cares for them and He even 'gently leads' us mothers, too! May this lovely truth bring peace of mind and increased trust in our Good God!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-91439660710595709152011-09-16T17:47:00.000-07:002011-09-18T09:02:33.643-07:00Extreme Makeover<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://karennaber.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/flk_0327.jpg" href="http://karennaber.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/flk_0327.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-2905 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://karennaber.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/flk_0327.jpg?w=1024" height="477" src="http://karennaber.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/flk_0327.jpg?w=1024" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="FLK_0327" width="717" /></a>unwanted. unloved. unworthy.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>Rejected.</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">I used to feel this way.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">All because I let others define me. When they weighed my worth, the scale was always in their favor and I was viewed as a deficit. I never measured up. Trying to earn their love was like trying to lasso the moon. Futile, but I didn't know; I was just a child. So I kept slinging that rope---trying different tactics, different strategies, different angles---but, of course, nothing worked and <em>never</em> would. It was impossible, but <em>I didn't know</em>. I figured it was my fault when I was flogged after every failed attempt, so I kept trying harder and harder and harder to lasso that forever evasive moon. I needed to prove my love so I wouldn't be rejected by the love I thought I needed most. But I always failed. It was hopeless.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">Thus I grew up feeling like a tumbledown barn---splintered on every side---about to implode, crumble and bury myself beneath moonbeams.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>despaired. defeated. dispensable. discarded. dismissed. devalued. depressed. disowned. disheartened. dejected.</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong></strong>SLICE. DICE. SPLICE.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">At some point we've all experienced the painful sword of rejection stabbing us with its brutal blade. (Some of us more than others.) Whether it's in the form of a pink slip, a returned ring, a failed grade, a deformity scoffed, a parent's neglect, a teacher's jab, a skipped promotion, an absent father, a sister's slander, a brother's betrayal, a vow broken, a cold shoulder, a belt's bruise, a schoolmate's snub, an abandoned bassinet, a barren womb...</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Maybe an alcoholic, workaholic or rageaholic raised you... Or perhaps your sister was the talented, pretty and scholarly one... Maybe your bank account, square footage or Friend's List didn't tally up...</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>Rejection, in whatever form, chops a heart like ax to log. </strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Satan's deepest wound is rejection's arrow piercing our heart. Because he was ostracized from Heaven and knows his reign on earth is short term, his goal is to project his rejection onto mankind as fervently as he can, while he can. <em>Especially women</em>. Why? Because we by nature are nurturing. If he can wound life bearers, causing them to reject their offspring, then generations upon generations will be limping on crutches forever scarred. Meanwhile, Satan will hammock swing, sip his Red Devil and revel in all the chaos he created.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">Satan <em>thrives</em> on chaos.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I love the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition where designers perform jaw-dropping makeovers on someone's outdated home. As an artist myself, I love taking something old and transforming it into something new. It's more valuable to me than any tagged item for sale at Macy's. Mainly because I can patiently and lovingly restore it or possibly increase its original value. For example...</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>Does this wicker furniture look beautiful to you? Does it appear valuable? Is it still useful? Or should it be overlooked, forsaken and tossed in a junkyard?</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudGJIRrM_hsQ0BirD5bkQ7qMr5h-H-oHPmSWmUSpeP6gqmgOkLG3bCU48kSnBf7ZIB1mNncx1zkVLMmBQiHgFJpcGf-QRNq0FG4Q-HETu24YSS3GlwsL4F8sMckFn3L-QPhjopksRmRx9/s1600/Wicker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudGJIRrM_hsQ0BirD5bkQ7qMr5h-H-oHPmSWmUSpeP6gqmgOkLG3bCU48kSnBf7ZIB1mNncx1zkVLMmBQiHgFJpcGf-QRNq0FG4Q-HETu24YSS3GlwsL4F8sMckFn3L-QPhjopksRmRx9/s320/Wicker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 72px; font-weight: bold;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 72px; font-weight: bold;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What about now?</span> </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80w1eLKhGhqlW6jb_5gnFNHrzMF60ZQ3BnMjUJGLWb7InLChJ8mWYNah2woZTBejLEHjTQR-bAbO97umN6D2ahHCR9GmkTKA57Box2it0x_vz7tyqQuiWae4TQB4woy6Kfz7-4n0G-z2r/s1600/WickerAfter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80w1eLKhGhqlW6jb_5gnFNHrzMF60ZQ3BnMjUJGLWb7InLChJ8mWYNah2woZTBejLEHjTQR-bAbO97umN6D2ahHCR9GmkTKA57Box2it0x_vz7tyqQuiWae4TQB4woy6Kfz7-4n0G-z2r/s320/WickerAfter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Before I purchased this shabby-looking furniture, I noticed the label and discovered this is a Henry Lane, quality, built-to-last brand of wicker furniture. After realizing its value outweighed the asking price---and envisioning its beautiful transformation after a few coats of paint, new upholstery and a little TLC---I snatched it up without hesitation.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Do you realize your own value, worth and beauty? Do you look in the mirror and see shabby, dirty and discarded or Priceless, Perfect and Precious?</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">Do you see <em>beautiful?</em></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>What label are you wearing?</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><strong></strong>Is it time for a wardrobe change? Is it time to adjust the aperture on your heart's lens? Is it time to rebuild the barn?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>If you don't know how let the Master Carpenter show you.</b></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Notice I started this post with 'I USED to feel unwanted, unloved and unworthy.' <strong>REJECTED.</strong> But now? Now I feel Priceless, Perfect and Precious because God says I am.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The opposite of rejection is acceptance. How do we move from feelings of rejection to the joy of acceptance? We accept God's overwhelming love for us.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Satan can try to force feed me his poisonous lies---pointing out all my failures, flaws and faux pas---but I refuse to swallow. I only focus and feast on the truth now. The truth that tells me: <span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">You knit me together... I am fearfully and wonderfully made</span> (Psalm 139:14). <span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">I am a precious jewel</span> (Malachi 3:17). <span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, [she] is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! </span>(2 Corinthians 5:17).</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>I absolutely, without a doubt, am a new creation because of Him!</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Let's shed, scorn and scorch old junkyard duds and worn out labels of 'unwanted, unloved and unworthy' and clothe ourselves, instead, in our Designer's <em>truth</em>. We are Priceless, Perfect and Precious. God says we are because of Jesus and our faith in Him. We may not always feel it, but that's OK. Our feelings may change, but the facts don't and never will. The truth is the truth.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Never again will you be called 'The <strong>Forsaken</strong> City' or 'The <strong>Desolate</strong> Land.' Your new name will be 'The City of <strong>God's Delight'</strong> and 'The <strong>Bride of God</strong>,' for the Lord <strong>delights in you and will claim you as His bride</strong></span> (Isaiah 62:4)</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you, Lord, for your truth, which counteracts lies and restores broken hearts to wholeness.</strong></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><em><strong><br />
</strong></em></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thank you for your transformation.</strong></em></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thank you for your restoration.</strong></em></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><em><strong>Thank you for your beautification.</strong></em></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">I'm sure the rejection I endured growing up made me the compassionate, sympathetic and loving person I am today.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">If for that fact alone, I am grateful.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oyPBtExE4W0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you</span> (1 Peter 5:7).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up and adopt me as His child</span> (Psalm 27:10).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">Keep me as the apple of Your eye, hide me in the shadow or Your wings</span> (Psalm 17:8).</div><div><br />
</div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02909736508497784368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047513741991629272.post-55281118994304965262011-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:002011-09-07T11:21:15.143-07:00Death<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">To everyone who has faced the death of a loved one or fears losing someone you love:</span></strong></div>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://www.dimensionsguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Train-Ticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://www.dimensionsguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Train-Ticket.jpg" width="320" /></a>When Corrie Ten Boom was a little girl she cried to her father about how she did not want him to ever die. Her father replied, <em>"Corrie..when you and I go to Amsterdam--when do I give you your ticket?"</em></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Corrie Ten Boom thought about it and then answered, <em>"Just before we get on the train."</em></div>
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<br /></div>
Her father wisely explained, <em>"Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we are going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of him, Corrie. When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need--just in time" (</em><u>The Hiding Place</u> by Corrie Ten Boom<em>).</em><br />
<br />
There is hope:<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; <b>H</b></em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>e will swallow up death forever</strong>. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.</em> Isaiah 25:7-8</span></em></span></blockquote>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14096769165672158842noreply@blogger.com0