tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52101417244264678912024-02-24T01:48:49.582-05:00In His GracesPamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-14818555132750276802014-02-12T05:58:00.003-05:002014-02-12T05:59:18.912-05:00To Live the Width of Our Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From a Mother's Heart to Her Daughters...<br />
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Dear Daughters,<br />
Today our hearts are heavy again, grieving for a life ended by cancer at an age too young. You knew her, you went to school together. Cancer doesn't care who it chooses but this classmate of yours fought it hard. Kori may have only live a few short years-20 was it? But she lived it wildly doing more than most of us do in our lifetime. Amazing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/i-ROK-Foundation/105602206152241">https://www.facebook.com/pages/i-ROK-Foundation/105602206152241</a></div>
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The length of her days may have been shorten in our view but she live the width of those days. She lived well. Can we say that? Her testimony was about serving and loving loud and Jesus was spoken in her actions and in her words. <br />
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Girls, our hearts breaks for her family in this loss but our faith should help us celebrate her life. May her legacy motivate us all to not just live the length of our day but the width of our days. May Kori's testimony spur us to live loudly and to cling to Jesus. <br />
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Reach out to others girls. Serve fervently. Find your purpose and live each day with all you got!!<br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-87347587356684316302014-02-01T17:51:00.004-05:002014-02-01T17:51:57.376-05:00Snake Eggs in Your Head<br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple;">From a Mother's Heart to Her Daughters</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Girls, the next 5 words may be the wisest words I could pass on to you. I ashamedly know these words all too well...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Every Sin Begins With a Thought.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjipXJ6uQXY5MmzfNgezy3_e1foPgBoZeijlcIlWFYvt9pInHTL-cZ8yT_hPY_hu_v8GeSDEMkwotHJrqtS8XbyG3pvnDTklOI2PC5JVrIHWC-E9MhSybgAeznmdYAPiytr94fzpZHM8/s1600/Spirit+of+Python.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjipXJ6uQXY5MmzfNgezy3_e1foPgBoZeijlcIlWFYvt9pInHTL-cZ8yT_hPY_hu_v8GeSDEMkwotHJrqtS8XbyG3pvnDTklOI2PC5JVrIHWC-E9MhSybgAeznmdYAPiytr94fzpZHM8/s1600/Spirit+of+Python.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Jentezen Franklin has really nailed this thought in his book "The Spirit of Python: Exposing Satan's Plan to Squeeze the Life out of You". That's what sin does...it takes parts of your life away from you, it can even take your life. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Satan has been referenced as a snake in the Bible. In Genesis, the serpent (satan) persuaded Eve to sin and satan is no different today. As a snake lays eggs to hatch more of its kind, so too does satan lay eggs in our life to keep us from what God created us to do. Whether though another person, media, music or whatever, we see, we like, we want. Sometimes this can be used to produce good in our life. Sometimes it only produces something bad in our life.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. ~ James 1:15</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #783f04;">The greatest battle for your soul is not the war going on between angels and demons; it is the war going on between your ears. The battle starts with how you think and the "snake eggs" you allow the enemy to lay in your head." ~Jentezen Franklin, The Spirit of Python</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>What you allow your eyes to see, your ears to hear, your mouth to speak effects your being. It effects your </strong><strong>atmosphere</strong><strong>. It flows into your living.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:35 (RSV)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">We allow images or thoughts to take over our mind because we think it will make us happy or fulfill a desire. The constant thinking on these things, be it good or bad, will eventually work its way into our heart.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. <span class="text Matt-6-23" id="en-NCV-23202"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. And if the only light you have is really darkness, then you have the worst darkness. ~ Matt 6:22-23 (NCV)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Eventually these images or thoughts becomes an action. Satan can convince you that it (the imagine or the thought) is good for you. Maybe its the thought of a relationship with someone, a party to go to, whatever it is, the more you think about it, the more satan will feed into it if it is wrong for you.</span></strong> <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">The weapons of the war we’re fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His truth. <span class="text 2Cor-10-5" id="en-VOICE-28111"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>We are demolishing arguments and ideas, every high-and-mighty philosophy that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One. ~ </span>2 Cor 10:4-5 (The Voice)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">You have to make it a habit to measure your thoughts against Christ or his Word to know if it is something you should allow into your life. You can't control every thought that comes into your mind but you can control how long you dwell on it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Don't let stans eggs be planted!! Don't let the things of this world influence you away from the things of God. In his book, Jentezen reminds us that the devil works like a python to restrict your growth and limit your influence. When a python squeezes its victim, not only does the breath stop but its movement is also completely restricted</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Anchor your heart and your mind in Christ. It is your only protection against the python!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">I love you!!</span></strong><br />
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Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-80272798265687654832013-12-31T09:22:00.000-05:002013-12-31T09:22:00.049-05:00No Resolutions, Just a Revolution<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">From a Mother's heart to Her Daughters...</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Dear girls,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">A new year quickly approaches and many people will make a fresh start, claim new year resolutions, and hope for something better. I heard a pastor James Merritt (from Touching Lives.org) this morning speak to this and he gave us a much better approach to this new year...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">"No resolutions-just a revolution"</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"> Drawing from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philipians%203&version=HCSB">Philippians chapter 3</a>, pastor Merritt laid out a practice I am well familiar with. and I share it with you here. This is so vitally important to life and I have practice it for years. I haven't been perfect in the process but it has grown me into a better person and I have bloomed in my spiritual life and closeness with our God. You can too.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Read the following passage and read the three steps I encourage you to take in your own life:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text Phil-3-12"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29432U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. </span> <span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-HCSB-29433"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Brothers, I do not<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-29433c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philipians%203&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-29433c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29433V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> and reaching forward to what is ahead, </span> <span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-HCSB-29434"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-HCSB-29434d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philipians%203&version=HCSB#fen-HCSB-29434d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> call in Christ Jesus.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29434W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> (HCSB)</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><em><u>Forget what's behind</u></em> (Phil 3:13b). Where you have been is only important in how it has gotten you to where you are now. Look at what you have become. you can't forget your past but it can influence you. only allow your past to influence you in a positive way-what can you learn from your past? How can it grow you? You know you have learned from your pass wen you can talk about it.</span></strong><br />
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<span class="text Phil-3-12" id="en-TLB-26454"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-TLB-26455"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, </span> <span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-TLB-26456"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. (Living Bible)</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text Phil-3-14"></span></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text Phil-3-14"></span></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><em><u>Focus on one thing</u></em> (Phil 3: 13& 14). Focus on what God as for you in today and the days to come. What one thing can you focus on for this new year? For me, it how I can be more anchored in Christ as I wrote about in the last post. Ask yourself "what goal would God have for you in this new year?" Pray about it. Diligently pray about it. Be in God's Word daily. The greatest thing you can do on a daily basis is to seek Him and hear from</span></strong> <br />
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<span class="text Phil-3-12" id="en-AMP-29432"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-AMP-29433"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-AMP-29434"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. (Amplified)</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text Phil-3-14"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></em></strong></span> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><em><u>Press on</u></em> (Phil 3:12 & 14). Fulfill what is ahead of you. Live each day surrendered to Jesus, honoring Him with your thoughts, your words, your living. Our life was given to us by God for an eternal purpose. What is your eternal purpose? What has God created you to do with your life for Him, for eternity's influence?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Don't make resolutions for the new year. Resolutions are too easily broken. Make this new year a revolution! Make God your first focus of each day-the anchor of your living. Change. Grow. Bloom.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">I love you!!</span></strong><br />
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Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-62157122693581297772013-12-22T14:30:00.002-05:002013-12-27T05:10:03.138-05:00Anchored<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="background-color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">From a Mother's Heart to Her Daughters</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Hey girls, we are closing out another year. It's a year I would freely give back, to live differently in so many ways. And now I am looking ahead as I always do, searching for a spiritual focus for the new year ahead of us. A focus that will make me a better mother for you, a better wife for Joe, and a better maidservant for God. I think I have found that focus within two words this year...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Enough & Anchored</span></em> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Our days of 2013 and the word <em>Enough</em> have produced for me the word Anchored for 2014. Enough comes from walking through these days in 2013. Anchored is the action to turn 2013's <em>enough</em> into a healthy E<em>nough</em> in 2014. Hang with me here...let me explain....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><em>Enough</em></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #444444;">I don't want my <em>enough</em> from 2103 to mean "I have had enough"...God knows I feel that way in work, in our home, and with our losses this year. I'm sure you do too. This <em>enough</em> has caused me to lose my spiritual footing in each of these areas. No, I want <em>enough</em> to represent a different type of E<em>nough</em>. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Enough</em></span> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Like Phillip said to Jesus, this too is where my heart and my mind have settled...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">“Lord,” said Philip,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-26677A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> “show us the Father, and that’s <span style="font-size: large;">enough</span> for us.” (HCSB)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">I need for God to be <em>enough</em>. We need for God to be <u>enough</u>.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">It requires an attitude shift. It has to be a longing of the heart and of the mind combined. 2013 was not a year to keep for the most part. I would like to erase parts of it completely but instead, it has pointed my heart and mind to my need for more of God in my life, more reliance on Him, more dependence on Him, more resting in Him...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">As a family we need to make God our <em>enough</em>, grasping to His truth more and embracing His peace that surpasses all understanding.</span></strong> <br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong><em>Enough</em>. More of God, less of me. More of God, less of you. How? Here is where the birth of my word, our word for 2014 comes into play....the action of our <em>enough</em>:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Anchored</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>God the anchor of our 2014. The assurance of His presence in our life. The steadfast embrace of His leading. Anchoring us to what matters most. Keeping us on course for His eternal plan with our lives. Praying more. Savoring His Word and applying it to our living. Being Jesus to others.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: purple;">This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. ~ Hebrews 6:19</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>2013 threw some pretty tough storms our way. Some days I fell into the arms of God, other days I withdrew into my own emotions of the pain and my feet failed to take me where my Comforter was waiting. My faith weakened in my pain when it should have grown stronger in His grace. Instead of calling upon God's name in our losses, I allowed the waves of grief to flood over me and I missed His rest. I did not mirror to you a life that trusted in God's timing and accepted His plans. Forgive me girls. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>Forgive me Abba.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>I need more of God in 2014. We need more of God in 2014. So I pray these words from the song below and I pray it also becomes the prayer of your heart.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders<br /> Let me walk upon the waters<br /> Wherever You would call me<br /> Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander<br /> And my faith will be made stronger<br /> In the presence of my Savior</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">I will call upon Your name<br /> Keep my eyes above the waves<br /> My soul will rest in Your embrace<br /> I am Yours, and You are mine</span> </em></strong><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xoZE2RsthRg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoZE2RsthRg">Oceans by Hillsong</a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">I love you girls. More than ever I want to radiate God for you in 2014. To lead you closer to the Anchor of our souls. You are His and He is yours.</span></strong> <br />
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Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-50555585889514156292013-10-15T10:31:00.000-04:002013-10-15T10:33:05.101-04:00Living through Grief<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">From a Mother's Heart to her Daughters</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Dear Girls,</span></strong><br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Grief seems to be our main "something" these days. Losing two grandfathers in 5 months is difficult. No, it is more than difficult, it's painful! One grandfather fought death to the end, the other peacefully gave in to it. One death unexpected, the other expected. Both a man after God's own heart. How lucky we are to have had them in our lives.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xt09oEtNd7bAhFCgoNig-7COpLSl5yT-rFiCpCeUqIbwmA_So4bORJssXA-j6CQEVEjebeCEsVVaOGnBHNb2CazIEYIy6lgAmoMRec5sOOgnvIp72ohrO0t0djznE51yaDwW4QI3Fzo/s1600/Robert+Earl+Arnold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xt09oEtNd7bAhFCgoNig-7COpLSl5yT-rFiCpCeUqIbwmA_So4bORJssXA-j6CQEVEjebeCEsVVaOGnBHNb2CazIEYIy6lgAmoMRec5sOOgnvIp72ohrO0t0djznE51yaDwW4QI3Fzo/s200/Robert+Earl+Arnold.jpg" width="165" /></a></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">D</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #444444;">isease is like a sin. It can creep up on us and suddenly attack and destroy like the unknown virus your Grandpa Durnell had. Or it can come to you almost innocently and hide itself in your soul and quietly erode at your core until it can take over like the heart failure and COPD your Grandpa Arnold died from. But no matter the grip of sin in our life, we ultimately have the final control over it if we have God on our side.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Death did not kill or destroy your grandfathers. Death was only the means for them to enter into eternity where they are promised that perfection of living with their Jesus in a new world and in a new body. A promise they have always since that first time when they called on God and said "I believe. I want you in my life". Sin and death can take away our earthly body but it cannot take away our eternal body. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">But death leaves us with grief. There is such a sadness and void in our hearts and in our minds. Yesterday my morning devotion took me to the story of where Jesus was praying on the Mount of Olives right before he was to be taken captive and crucified on the cross of Calvary. Remember that story? Remember how Jesus was praying and he would come to the disciples to ask for their support and each time he did they were sleeping? Well, I read Luke's version of the event and Luke cast a new light on it for me in this season of our grief. Read it...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Luke-22-39"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>Jesus went out as usual<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25904B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> to the Mount of Olives,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25904C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and his disciples followed him.</span> <span class="text Luke-22-40" id="en-NIV-25905"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup>On reaching the place, he said to them, <span class="woj">“Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25905D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Luke-22-41" id="en-NIV-25906"><sup class="versenum">41 </sup>He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25906E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> and prayed,</span> <span class="text Luke-22-42" id="en-NIV-25907"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">42 </sup>“Father, if you are willing, take this cup<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25907F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25907G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Luke-22-43" id="en-NIV-25908"><sup class="versenum">43 </sup>An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25908H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Luke-22-44" id="en-NIV-25909"><sup class="versenum">44 </sup>And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Luke-22-45" id="en-NIV-25910"><sup class="versenum">45 </sup>When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.</span> <span class="text Luke-22-46" id="en-NIV-25911"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">46 </sup>“Why are you sleeping?”</span> he asked them. <span class="woj">“Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22-NIV)</span></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Did you catch why the disciples were sleeping? They were exhausted from sorrow. Jesus had warned them that they were losing Him, their friend, their mentor, someone they loved very much. It was so painful to them that it stressed them to the point of mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. Their mind could not comprehend why death had to happen. Their bodies were drained of any strength from the sadness and depression of this loss. Spiritually they could not even pray.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Death does the same thing to us today...if we let it. As I have walked away from the death of my most precious father and your grandfather, I experienced all three of those effects. Mentally and physically I withdrew. It has been hard to formally pray but I determined to keep talking to God, to keep in His Word knowing it would carry me though. Losing my precious father-in-law is no different so I am even more determined to talk to God and allow Him to carry me through this. In that determination I still grief but that grief is met with a peace that can only come from God.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry1QeMXVCX48PYu6KSh9MZZGtm5ums4GYMzEU4MM-AF9aaZQ4a7Ingy7nxHL-wo8Q4YESSouWBOhYG-yKGVDlv69l70YCi1J8JV3wNDxqRArYUuqP5pdo2juVsk_EaEio0kEm1ziVNk0/s1600/God+is+the+reason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry1QeMXVCX48PYu6KSh9MZZGtm5ums4GYMzEU4MM-AF9aaZQ4a7Ingy7nxHL-wo8Q4YESSouWBOhYG-yKGVDlv69l70YCi1J8JV3wNDxqRArYUuqP5pdo2juVsk_EaEio0kEm1ziVNk0/s1600/God+is+the+reason.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Your grandfathers would want you to do the same. Jesus was important to them. They sought God in their living and they pass that legacy down to you. Embrace that legacy. It will get you through the toughest of times. I know. I want you to know this. Experience this.</span></strong><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-39178680288554833522013-10-01T20:44:00.003-04:002013-10-01T20:49:20.781-04:00Your Life is Like a Leaf....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ofUB-7QBAqiNRy7InonB3VfFyB666JemjnKa-ytVWPxkjYRHe-YG03XQI5CDgcIGciLOk-VodqxUPo3w6W2GM9BAgc_3wSSHHFohWuIIUS0WJPjb9oGJp6T8gaSj9X6kOCZOiX22awU/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ofUB-7QBAqiNRy7InonB3VfFyB666JemjnKa-ytVWPxkjYRHe-YG03XQI5CDgcIGciLOk-VodqxUPo3w6W2GM9BAgc_3wSSHHFohWuIIUS0WJPjb9oGJp6T8gaSj9X6kOCZOiX22awU/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple;">From a Mother's Heart to Her Daughters</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong>Dear girls,</strong></span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">To everything there is a season, <span class="text Eccl-3-1">A time for every purpose under heaven...~Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)</span></span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">This week I am in Michigan as I begin this post. It's Oct 1st and I have been driving North. It is such a beautiful drive. The changing colors of the leaves in red, oranges, yellows, & browns mixed in with the greens are beautiful. I was told today that the next two weeks will be the most colorful but I find this weeks canvas of fall colors just perfect. This picture from the car really doesn't do justice to what I was seeing:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Seasons. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Change.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Your life is like a leaf...with changing
colors in seasonal adaption. Life gives us seasons of joy, of sorrow, of
growth, of death. There is the season of infancy to childhood to
youth to adulthood to the advanced years of aging-each adapting
and changing colors. </span></strong><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">With each of these season we mature. For
some us we will age back into a resemblance of infancy through illness and
diseases. For others life will be cut short. Seasons of color.
Seasons of adaption.</span><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">We have seasons of success and seasons
of failures. There may be season of sins, seasons of selfishness and there may
be seasons of sacrifice, of giving, of redemption. Seasons of color. Seasons of
adaption.</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong>All of the colors found in our life are
under the watchful eye of the Eternal One. Whether we want Him to be or not,
God is in control and He does have a purpose for the colors in our seasons...</strong></span><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><i><span style="color: #741b47;">And
He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He
gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. ~
Daniel 2:21</span></i><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Fall can have a two-fold significance.
The changing colors can represent hope or the changing colors can represent
impending death and loss. But without the hope, without the loss there
would be no re-birth, there would be no growth. </span></strong><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong>The trees lose their leaves and go
dormant for a season only to be rebirth to even bigger foliage in the next
season. Spiritually we can be like the leaf with seasons of colors,
seasons of dormancy, seasons of change, seasons of rebirth and growth. What
your mother has learned is that it all means nothing unless I keep focused on
God.</strong></span><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><i><span style="color: #741b47;">You
will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its
inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to
You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. ~ Isa 26:3 (Amplified)</span></i><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">No season is beyond what we can endure.
In the good times and in the bad, there is always a </span><em><span style="color: #666666;">hope</span></em><span style="color: #666666;">
that can bring us through and it only comes from looking to God.</span><o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
</span><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><i><span style="color: #741b47;">[God's] hope
is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us
back behind the curtain to where God is... ~ Heb 6:19 (The Voice)</span></i><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;">
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong>So no matter what season you are in, no
matter the color of your life, take it to God. Praise Him no matter how hard it
gets. In the end you will find peace.</strong></span><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Trust
in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour
out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high
tower). </span></i><span class="selah"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">Selah ~ Ps 62:8 (Amplified)</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God is our safe place. Many
times in my difficulties, in my grief, I wish I had gone to Him sooner. For
when I did, I was able to experience that </span><em><span style="color: #741b47; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">peace that surpasses all
understanding (Phil 4:7)</span></em><em><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></em><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I want that for you. </span></span></strong></div>
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</span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAf8AHoWvw1aYWmy71Va86A4mgcY9KI2vkkw3dpWrQhNeeDrOMMzqLskgfxucMd66azCTxYvLDCZRu4h0GLVoe4sdb5TrvLGEY4EDe2XEhY5b1q_oIisascjSrFOa2tKsykyOtx4cukA/s1600/love+mom.png" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-54603710771607289532013-09-08T10:12:00.001-04:002013-09-08T10:12:18.130-04:00When He Reached Down His Hand for Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZngNhU2CsaLyvXORWfJmDJ5jUp0zF5keG-ez4TunTe7lVW8K9cqkcjtVvJORR7XpNpbabm2gixa-PUSv2WUKWXkKLFKQwHp8NmDjePiZCZoRCzOP1JJotToR9NdalZNGYj2qJv2bhqk/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZngNhU2CsaLyvXORWfJmDJ5jUp0zF5keG-ez4TunTe7lVW8K9cqkcjtVvJORR7XpNpbabm2gixa-PUSv2WUKWXkKLFKQwHp8NmDjePiZCZoRCzOP1JJotToR9NdalZNGYj2qJv2bhqk/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>From a Mothers Heart to her Daughters....</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>Dear girls, </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>This morning as I was listening to a minister on TV and he mentioned this hymn. Though I grew up in the Southern Baptist church, I do not remember ever singing this song. What powerful words. Here is a modern version of it from YouTube:</strong></span><br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Zt6a_4iEjBM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Zt6a_4iEjBM&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Zt6a_4iEjBM&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;"><u>When He Reached Down His Hand for Me</u> <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">Once my soul was astray from the heavenly way <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">I was wretched and vile as could be <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">But my Savior in love, gave me peace from above <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">When he reached down His hand for me<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #666666;"></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">When the Savior reached down for me <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">When he reached down His hand for me <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">I was lost and undone, without God or His Son <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">When he reached down His hand for me<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">I was near to despair when He came to me there <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">And He showed me that I could be free <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">Then He lifted my feet, gave me gladness complete <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">When He reached down His hand for me<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">How my heart doth rejoice when I hear His sweet voice <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">And the tempest to Him I can flee <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">There to lean on His arms, safe secure from all harm <o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">Since he reached down his hand for me<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">I have not been able to find the author or the circumstances behind the writing of this song. This is what I do know....when life is crashing around you...when grief grips your every emotions...when pain suffocates you and you feel like you cannot breathe...listen to this old song. Close your eyes and allow God's Spirit to cover you. There is a transforming spirit of peace and release. I cannot explain it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">My failures in life and my losses have really weighed heavy on me this year...this summer especially. I do not know how I could breathe each day if I didn't first lean on God. No matter how bad I felt, no matter how much I wanted to give up, I have found healing in praising God anyway. Nothing else has been able to comfort me more than those things from God-reading the Psalms, hearing old songs like this, prayer. Nothing on this earth can numb me enough to escape the harsh realities of this year but I can feel an incredible peace and joy and it only comes from God. He is my sanity.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDM_aHbNaIbM9DlRtulDVT6FLoZHr0su9SvlVorpFFviLWL-rObfxB5aqlxUTkxdvDJuVsqRaMmxPjm58VqZJy7L7woxdzSIrpEjsUxECyGIsvVg_ac6bVV12DVXYB6gf-n1lXxf41Ac/s1600/if+it+stops+you+from+getting+closer+to+God....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDM_aHbNaIbM9DlRtulDVT6FLoZHr0su9SvlVorpFFviLWL-rObfxB5aqlxUTkxdvDJuVsqRaMmxPjm58VqZJy7L7woxdzSIrpEjsUxECyGIsvVg_ac6bVV12DVXYB6gf-n1lXxf41Ac/s1600/if+it+stops+you+from+getting+closer+to+God....png" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">I am working on letting some things go. It's keeping me from His healing. It's keeping me from that peace and joy God has for me in my pain and loss. You will have to do the same. Life will never be easy nor will it be perfect. No matter what you face, seek Him girls. Make Him your life. And learn to praise God in all things. You will be stronger, happier, and even content in the worst of times. Mama knows.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmmsHm54Oo91FID4w5rMZ05dWC7TYtUQwVDbnOdI3B6ssvxp0kK9LZJZVAgbmZZQOCugFz2_UGD0bT7-cE9aNg1b4NPIiwP4fqqScBMQpHAWDsByxsBOUGEPcCBlLVRKm3cFGl5_crec/s1600/love+mom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmmsHm54Oo91FID4w5rMZ05dWC7TYtUQwVDbnOdI3B6ssvxp0kK9LZJZVAgbmZZQOCugFz2_UGD0bT7-cE9aNg1b4NPIiwP4fqqScBMQpHAWDsByxsBOUGEPcCBlLVRKm3cFGl5_crec/s1600/love+mom.png" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-61294926174045062312013-08-31T16:28:00.000-04:002013-08-31T16:28:46.951-04:00To Die Daily<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtqVuNREyzyRNLFp6m9K5lDG72zD4JruoLbIu6J-m-CtWLJofEsFAqxhODaAwcyVJ72jt2mGv4w3-IijLictX_vVvkwrJb0X6BHykdSY-g7VpkOMixH3XXS28M7sYEd9Fno8tctnf6tQ/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtqVuNREyzyRNLFp6m9K5lDG72zD4JruoLbIu6J-m-CtWLJofEsFAqxhODaAwcyVJ72jt2mGv4w3-IijLictX_vVvkwrJb0X6BHykdSY-g7VpkOMixH3XXS28M7sYEd9Fno8tctnf6tQ/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">From a Mother's Heart to Her Daughters...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Hey girls, This was a response I penned to a Beth Moore blog. Thought I would share it with you too....</span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Newspaper Heading: Science is mystified: Death Comes Daily and Yet She Lives</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A 50 year old lady from the state of Missouri dies daily. She acknowledges this as a choice and this has stumped the health care industry. It cannot be explained by science but its evidence, this daily death and new life, is real. And it is spreading like a virus to others!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Unlike most virus scientist have examined under the microscope, this one causes death followed by new growth. It takes the infections diseases and ailments from a persons life and restores its cells with the grace and mercy of new cells. The outward manifestations of the disease are transformed before the very eye. Strangely enough and what baffles the observer and scientist the most is that this process is controlled by its host.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Like most, this host the 50 year old Missourian, acknowledges a life full of the infections of heartache and failure. Pain from the loss of people she has adored and loved to some decision that have left consequences sometime too unbearable for her to carry weaken her. She admits her own selfishness and self centeredness has been the primary disease of her heart and mind. It has metastasized to her words and actions.<br />
</span><span style="color: black;">Here lies the evidence of the viruses that take her life each and every day. More and more individuals are coming forward to be tested positive for this. There is a vaccine that will prevent the daily deaths but most are choosing not to get it. They choose the Cure.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The cure is simple to put on paper but observed to be more difficult to arrive at. The Cure is always available but not always sought out. The Cure requires a daily death, a dying to self with a physical, emotional and spiritual surrendering to the Creator and Sustainer. One can observe the host death as a reverent release and letting go. This writer observed that most days you feel as if you are on a battlefield. There are tears, sometimes there's blood, and the host can show you the scars of this daily death. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">There are no words to describe the new life. You witness a calm assuring confidence in the One who resurrected the host life. There is an unspeakable joy even though the environment displays a different scene. There's a sense that this life is not their own and there is an awakening to a greater purpose. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Science cannot explain this, the host can only live it out. You will witness it in this 50 year old Missourian. She is not alone...</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Praying your heart understands this because of the reflection of my life and my heart for God.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">I love you!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqrkwz1vKYTsL0XOlTHYfobm8PgCUsHHMAVyuIDWy0JLZ8FCrAzUGbOYOVuUW0MVDUDOtsrYU8grj57UN6Yv8w5_2LHX-jjZv13zzixG5liYXSjZ1Lm_k6o0caXth8_JsTjxM_3j18r4/s1600/love+mom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqrkwz1vKYTsL0XOlTHYfobm8PgCUsHHMAVyuIDWy0JLZ8FCrAzUGbOYOVuUW0MVDUDOtsrYU8grj57UN6Yv8w5_2LHX-jjZv13zzixG5liYXSjZ1Lm_k6o0caXth8_JsTjxM_3j18r4/s1600/love+mom.png" /></a></span></strong></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-36699533861720048772013-07-23T19:21:00.001-04:002013-07-23T19:21:09.393-04:00Legacies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P9Ci-Hq9JFejwJZjdBzsXaONy_j1x__3FvWg0KzIC4mgYQKjwtkSMkGJAiTXsUDgHtCGFZRwin_YHS-rtTI45EHGB2X8z6WGMkdugPaTPzJNDq6br-5AzGaWNzPyG7D1KdRCnRdHz44/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P9Ci-Hq9JFejwJZjdBzsXaONy_j1x__3FvWg0KzIC4mgYQKjwtkSMkGJAiTXsUDgHtCGFZRwin_YHS-rtTI45EHGB2X8z6WGMkdugPaTPzJNDq6br-5AzGaWNzPyG7D1KdRCnRdHz44/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" title="" /></a><strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">From a Mother's Heart to her Daughters....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Dear girls,</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">As you can see from my last post to you, something has gotten in the way of my writing to you. Its a time I wish we had never lived through. As a spiritual person, much less a hospice nurse, I would have thought death to be a little more easy to handle. It has devastated my world.</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Even now, more than a month later, the tears just flow and you know your mother is not one to cry. My faith and my relationship with God has carried me through so much in life yet the devastation of losing your grandpa, my dad, has crushed me emotionally and spiritually.</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Maybe if his sudden illness had given us time to prepare I would be stronger? Probably not. The frequent traveling of this job has not helped. I needed to be near you, near Joe. Some days I feel as if I can't catch my breath when I allow myself to think about my father, your grandpa. </span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">I learned so much from my father. I wish you could have experienced him as I did. Our pastor Michael Craft a few years ago in a Father's Day message stated that often our own view of God when we are children is learned from our earthly father. I guess that's why it has been so easy for me to see God as good and loving even in the roughest of times. Grandpa will be the first to tell you he wasn't perfect but I will be the first to tell you he was the perfect daddy.</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">This is what I most remember about your grandpa:</span></strong><br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_rXpragC6sMrZYieoxwf4zhIv9Xm17052ifPYrWEjwlMr9svb-ik_rAiaYgDUw3tgFVzl5r-nCoCud2RrEa0Owlrw-dE-TZMJdHp7P06u3egdIyAC2GwQu5PJbEA1sAyF5Bze7EEN70/s1600/dad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_rXpragC6sMrZYieoxwf4zhIv9Xm17052ifPYrWEjwlMr9svb-ik_rAiaYgDUw3tgFVzl5r-nCoCud2RrEa0Owlrw-dE-TZMJdHp7P06u3egdIyAC2GwQu5PJbEA1sAyF5Bze7EEN70/s1600/dad5.jpg" /></span></a>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>He loved unconditionally: </strong><strong>You could not do anything to lose his love</strong></span></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was forgiving-he never held anything against you, even if you wronged him</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was supportive: He may not have like or approve of your decisions but he would always be there when you saw for yourself that there were better options</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He always prayed for you-he told you so</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was patient, kind and long-suffering</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was attentive and could pick up on the unspoken word</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He generous, giving of his time to serve someone in need</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was selfless and always put others first</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was a man of commitment, be it to grandma, his family, his church, his work</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was diligent and prudent with his life</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was not known to swear</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was an encourager, he only had your best interest at hand </span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was faithful, never knew a stranger and was every one's friend</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was content with what he had and wasn't afraid to work harder for something he wanted</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was obedient to those in authority over him</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He knew how to use discernment & sensitivity with life's issues</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was thankful</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was a peace-maker</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was thoughtful and kind, even when he didn't feel like it</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was godly and full of grace</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was dependable</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was fair to everyone</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was courageous in life</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was self-controlled and slow to anger (I don't ever remember him in an angry fit)</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was faithful and honest</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was understanding-he was tolerant without compromising his own beliefs</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He communicated with tenderness and authority</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was a man of utmost integrity</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was a respectable</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was teachable and he was the teacher</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He lived a life of conviction and humility</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #666666;">He was reverent to the things of God</span></strong></li>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">As I write these things I am amazed...what a legacy. And I just realized the tears have stopped as I put this list together. Like medicine on a wound I feel healing trying to creep into my soul. </span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Can we learn from grandpa's life? Grandpa would guide us to put our focus back on Christ, the healer of our grief. When Jesus walked this earth, He was all those things above plus He was Holy-Perfect. When He left this earth He said "Follow ME"...in other words, be Jesus to this world. That is how grandpa lived his life. </span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">If we could only come close to measuring up to that kind of legacy...what an honor it would be not only to grandpa but to the name of Christ. I am choosing to trust God with my grief. I am choosing to follow in my daddy's footstep and in my Heavenly Fathers footsteps. I hope my legacy to you from this day forward leaves the same kind of impression on you that your grandpa has left on us.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief,</span></em></strong></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-10-14">that you may take it into your hands;</span></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-10-14" style="color: #a64d79;"><strong><em>the helpless commit themselves to you;</em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-10-14">you have been the helper of the orphan. Ps 10:14 (NRSV)</span></span></em></strong></span></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-10-14"></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #666666;">I love you...</span></strong><br />
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Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-66741603722996123332013-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-30T08:00:13.697-04:00Quiet Reflections: Undone<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">From a Mother's Heart to her Daughters....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Dear girls, I want you think about a word and what it means. That word is "undone". </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">What does it mean to you? Your first thought?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Did you think of a hair bow and how it can become undone? A shoelace? Your hair? Typically our thoughts go to something that was completed that is suddenly back to its original state. Right?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">A bank account can be like that. You deposit your check and that amount becomes "undone" as you spend the money.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">You spend an hour cleaning your room and within 5 minutes of having friends over it becomes "undone".</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Your gas tank works the same way, right? You fill it up and eventually it becomes "undone" again.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">There are some things that cannot become "undone"....your homework? The words you say? Going against a rule? Or a moral value?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">To be "undone"...is it a good thing or a bad thing? Can choices we make in life change us beyond the ability to be who we were intended to be? Can our mistakes chain us down and debilitate us? Is that what makes us "undone" or is there something else more powerful to being "undone"?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Listen to this song...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Can I encourage you to look at being "undone" in a different view? A worthy view? A spiritual view? Can I implore you to consider that the best thing we could do is to be "undone" for God? Isaiah from the Bible had an opportunity to taste heaven and to see God and when he came back to his reality on earth, look how he responded....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! ~ Isaiah 6:5</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">That small glimpse of eternity broke him to his core. He realized how selfish his life had been and he was a man of God, someone spiritually strong like our pastors. If he was shamed with his life after seeing heaven, where does that leave you and me? </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">OUCH.....</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Dare I call you and myself to live a life "undone", focusing on the eternal over the here and now while on this earth? Can we live "undone" from the chains of our past mistakes and live for God? Can we live "ruined" by the worlds standards but "undone" for eternities standards?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Oh girls, we so need to live "undone"..."ruined". We should live as if we believe Isaiah 53:5</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">But he was pierced for our rebellion, <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-53-5">crushed for our sins. H</span></span><span class="text Isa-53-5">e was beaten so we could be whole.</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-53-5">He was whipped so we could be healed.</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Does your life demonstrate you understand the journey of Calvary and the Cross?</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Is He worth being "undone" for? Is He worth being "ruined" for? </span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">He must increase, but I must decrease. ~ John 3:30</span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Lets live this out together...for our God. I love you!</span></strong><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-89749231669740138732013-04-14T18:13:00.002-04:002013-04-14T18:13:19.468-04:00Quiet Reflections: From Your Heart Comes....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs0pXvTXq8VTuc5tXz4DTDiT3BXIkzKj8lKZlS8e1IpE1JxqEV2GPl91lSnSVL0eikdVEruxDBG4OSlPN-B8ebAMFWlh88_sITHClo_iUS6MAkZAs_uN4Y2vQ_mIS2S-mp1EmeWuxIK8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs0pXvTXq8VTuc5tXz4DTDiT3BXIkzKj8lKZlS8e1IpE1JxqEV2GPl91lSnSVL0eikdVEruxDBG4OSlPN-B8ebAMFWlh88_sITHClo_iUS6MAkZAs_uN4Y2vQ_mIS2S-mp1EmeWuxIK8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Letters From a Mothers Heart to her Daughters....</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqDXfnRBj3PPN8HhdzO0-MKmeL0NnaLWrvnuKSc0P2HrLpiwsWqVsCDwCTQi7BfSbalrSvWZtWdzg8nvy4_FqFkpqdKGnKqbk1aCbFJN6lvsKywi-ArYP1SjHA8Q0IIKldC7rw1eWvO0/s1600/Her+mouth....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqDXfnRBj3PPN8HhdzO0-MKmeL0NnaLWrvnuKSc0P2HrLpiwsWqVsCDwCTQi7BfSbalrSvWZtWdzg8nvy4_FqFkpqdKGnKqbk1aCbFJN6lvsKywi-ArYP1SjHA8Q0IIKldC7rw1eWvO0/s200/Her+mouth....jpg" width="133" /></a><strong><span style="color: #660000;">Hey girls, we had a situation this week in which one of you made a comment that you could not see as an inappropriate response to another person's joy. No matter how much I tried to explain the wrong, you couldn't...or wouldn't...see it. Then, literally within hours of our conversation I saw this on Pinterest:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Think about it. How many times do we speak without thinking? And when we do that how many times do we ask our self why we responded in that manner? I challenge you to look closely at your heart next time this happens and examine your emotions to your response.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Too often we do not want to admit we can have some raw and even ugly emotions or feelings buried deep within our inner being. If we don't face those emotions or feelings for what they are, they will come out in one form or another. It may be in words. It may be in a gesture. It may be evident in what we don't do or how we don't respond.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Look at Luke 6:45 as it was written</span></strong><strong><span style="color: #660000;">:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">"A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." ~ Luke 6:45 (HCSB)</span></em></strong><span style="color: #663366;"><br /></span></div>
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">If your emotions and feelings for that person who gets under your skin isn't dealt with, you most like will say or do something that will cause pain on that person.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">If you cannot forgive someone or a situation where you have been hurt, your response to something related to that person or situation will most likely reveal your heart in it.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">How can you hold a grudge on someone and have a good heart? How can you live with unforgiveness in your heart and live with a good heart? Good and bad cannot unite or live in harmony. You have to choose which one you want to have in your life.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Even if life has been unfair, if you have been mistreated or wrongfully accused, you have to guard your heart and your mind from the bad within it. The easiest way to do that is to match it with truth. The best truth you can find for any wrong can be found in Scripture (*). Such as...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I feel worthless...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: You are precious and loved by Me</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Y</span><span style="color: #4c1130;">ou are precious and <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-43-4">are honored in my sight, and...I love you. (Isa 43:4)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: Everyone is against me...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I am for you!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Rom 8:31)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I just want to quit...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: Be strong and do the work!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. (1 Chron 28:20)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I'm nothing special...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God Says: You are a masterpiece.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">For [you] are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Eph 2:10)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I feel so ugly...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I think you're beautiful.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em>The king [is] enthralled by your beauty; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-45-11">honor<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14609B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> him, for he is your lord. (Ps 45:11)</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I'll never change...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I am transforming you.</span></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Cor 3:18)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: My life is too hard...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: Let Me help you.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">When they call on me, I will answer; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-15">I will be with them in trouble. </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-15">I will rescue and honor them. (Ps. 91:15)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I can't figure things out...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I will direct your steps.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with all your heart; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-5">do not depend on your own understanding. </span></span><span class="text Prov-3-6" id="en-NLT-16438">Seek his will in all you do, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6">and he will show you which path to take.(Prov. 3:5-6)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">You Say: I feel so alone...</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I will never leave you or forsake you.</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Be strong and courageous.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> Do not be afraid or terrified<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> because of them, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God goes with you;<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> he will never leave you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> nor forsake<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5735E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> you. (Deut 31:6)</span></em></strong></span></span></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">You say: I can't forgive myself...</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">God says: I forgive you.</span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong. (1 John 1:9)</span></em></strong></span></span></div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"><strong><span style="color: #660000;">What we hold in our heart effects what we say, how we react or don't react, and how we feel about ourselves. Guard your heart with God's word and you will have so many less struggles than your mother had. I love you.</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzcIDe9L-6Da5H6Z_h9FFhC3BLxLVg8N13bqTJ8gGdnz7Is2FvrDi9jzoo7RMa7gA3M0CRCE4CsMSeYKp3SuHo3bJpJJjcPLybkhBctGKTByAdAEuMoQSjHEz8wpkaMCReUV0IdLH7nU/s1600/love+mom.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzcIDe9L-6Da5H6Z_h9FFhC3BLxLVg8N13bqTJ8gGdnz7Is2FvrDi9jzoo7RMa7gA3M0CRCE4CsMSeYKp3SuHo3bJpJJjcPLybkhBctGKTByAdAEuMoQSjHEz8wpkaMCReUV0IdLH7nU/s1600/love+mom.png" /></a><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-3-6"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000;">* You say/God says taken from Renee Swope's book "A Confident Heart"</span></strong><br />
Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-39558594536604838092013-03-01T07:00:00.000-05:002013-03-01T07:00:10.013-05:00Quiet Reflections: Generational Heritage<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Letters from a Mothers Heart to her Daughters.....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Dear girls, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I came across this verse yesterday and immediately thought of you. so, lets go there today</span></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ~ Rom 12:2 (NLT)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">You have grown up in a tough world in many ways. I think back to the world my grandparents grew up in. Grandma remembers when they got their first car, got their black and white TV and I think I was in 3rd grade when they finally got an indoor bathroom. I didn't like using an outhouse for a bathroom when I would visit, or taking a "spit bath" on the porch with a bucket of water then, but I cherish those memories now. Life was hard then. They didn't have much or buy much. Most of their food was grown in the garden or taken from the livestock they farmed.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Your grandparents had it much better. They had schools like yours. They went to movies and they had school dances. Grandma wore dresses a lot and modestly was a value in their dress code. They hung out at the local pharmacy sharing a coke or root beer float if they had a nickle or dime to pay for it. They worked on the farm and I am betting grandma would tell you she read a lot. Reality TV didn't exist, TV didn't exist for her period. Life was simple still and they earned any extras they had in life. If you ask your grandparents about their wardrobe, I imagine they could count on their hands how many outfits they had in their chest drawer.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I grew up primarily in the 60's and 70's. Change happened. Rebellion happened. It suddenly became about one's rights and one's wants. It became about spending not saving. It was a generation who enjoyed having fun because there was an abundance of so much and limits began to fall away. Even though we were lower middle class, I never had to know what it meant to "not have enough". Mom stayed home to raise us and she made most of our clothes. Our home was simple and our cars were bought used. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I will never forget the Easter my dad came to me to tell me there wasn't enough money to get me an Easter dress for church. I always got a new dress for Easter. I think I was 15 or 16. I said okay but I remember I was disappointed and a bit embarrassed at the thought of going to church that weekend without a new dress (remember, this was the generation where we took family pictures wearing matching outfits that grandma made). I don't remember the specifics but I remember walking into my bedroom that Easter morning and a new terry cloth dress laid on my bed. It was simple, peach in color (if my memory serves me right). But no matter how plain the dress was, I was never more excited about a gift than that one. Dad said to me "I couldn't let my girl go to church today without an Easter dress". His words hugged my heart and continue to hug my heart all these years later . I put that dress on an and felt so beautiful! It felt so soft against my skin, like a hug, like the hug of my dads words. Several people commented on that dress at church that morning which made it even more special. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I had to drive my parents station wagon to school. I had to buy my first car with my own money (at the age of 17, I bought a green Hornet for $800-rust and all!). I worked a part time job and had to have Sunday and Wednesday off for church activities. I had to double-date at 16 and the boy had to meet dad first. TV was not a nightly ritual...I had homework every night. I wrote letters to my friends, we occasionally called each other but usually it was only because we had a question to be answered-did I menmtioned we had a "party line" when I was in grade school. That is a phone line shared by four families, each with their own ring tone (you could pick up the phone and hear someone elses conversations!). Summer camp was a huge anticipation. We played outdoors, used our imagination, and sleepovers were only occasional.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Life became busy. And it has continued to grow that way. Fast forward to your generation. Somewhere it became "all about me". You have more activities, more clothes, more TV programs, more wants, more options for everything. You don't have to wait to hear from your friends-you can text them even in class). or Instgram them a picture you just took. Everything happens quickly. If you imagine it, it can be. You drive nicer cars than my parents ever would have imagined even owning when I was a kid. Homes are bigger and nicer. You can determine your destiny without your parents guidance because the state says at the age of 16 you can make your own decision. As a parent, I have been stripped of my rights to protect you and nurture you. That has made it harder on you though you don't see it that way.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">To keep up with everyone is hard in your generation. It cost a lot to look good-braces, hair colors and styles, name-brand clothes. If you don't fit in than you are a "loser". Media sets the stage & tone for how you think life should look. They call it "Reality TV", I call it "make-believe". Wearing less is best, rules are dumb, and sex is for fun. BUT....</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Kids from your generation are smarter, more inventive, and more successful than any other generation. You are more grown up, more independent and more daring. You have the world and its history at your fingertips in a matter of seconds, and you multi-task like no other. You thrive on excitement, self-growth and self gratification. You will make it happen, no matter the cost.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Is that bad? Yes and no. You have many generations of living under you. It is up to you to take the best from all of them and make them your best. God created us to be the best we could be but we needs to be careful in what we choose for our life. re-read the verse I posted for you...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ~ Rom 12:2 (NLT)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">We are living in this world God created but he cautions us in becoming one with the things of the world. He cautioned us in this way several times throughout scripture. </span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-13"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-13">Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30386B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> and set your hope<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30386C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30386D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> of Jesus Christ. </span><span class="text 1Pet-1-14" id="en-HCSB-30387">As obedient children,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30387E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. </span><span class="text 1Pet-1-15" id="en-HCSB-30388">But as the One who called you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30388F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> is holy,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30388G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> you also are to be holy in all your conduct; </span><span class="text 1Pet-1-16" id="en-HCSB-30389">for it is written, <span class="ot">Be holy, because I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:13-16</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-16"><span class="ot"></span></span></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><span class="text 1Pet-1-16"><span class="ot"><span style="color: #999999;">and</span></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-16"><span class="ot"></span></span></span></em></strong> </div>
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text 1Pet-1-16"><span class="ot"><span class="text 2Tim-2-22" id="en-NLT-29810">Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. </span><span class="text 2Tim-2-23" id="en-NLT-29811">Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. </span><span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NLT-29812">A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.</span> <span class="text 2Tim-2-25" id="en-NLT-29813">Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.</span> <span class="text 2Tim-2-26" id="en-NLT-29814">Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. ~ 2 Tim 2: 22-26</span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-2-26"></span><br />
<span class="text 2Tim-2-26"></span> </span></span></span></em></strong><strong><span style="color: #999999;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #999999;">You can "be all that" and more in this world with God. He, God, should be a part of every goal you set. Whatever you do, wherever you go, God belongs there. If you don't like where your at in life, let God change that. My happiest, greatest joy's in life have been when I was active with God, seeking Him daily, talking to Him constantly, relying on Him to guide me.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">Guard your heritage girls. It has been a confusing life for heritage. Divorce tries to take that from you. But you can embrace the values that have been set before you by the generations before you. Paul instructed Timothy in the same way. Put your name where Timothy's is and read this verse as a message from your mother's heart to you...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29807AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup> avoiding<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29807AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29807AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup> <span class="text 1Tim-6-21" id="en-HCSB-29808">By professing it, some<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29808AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup> people have deviated from the faith ~ 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (HCSB)</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I wonder what it will be like growing up for your children?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #999999;">I love you.</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-47375451356367291952013-02-11T07:00:00.000-05:002013-02-11T07:00:05.599-05:00Quiet Reflections: Holy Cow<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzhafW3WEwnczA8mxEAQvdvvsNB6vwkGLgCv764jLHJ7xBJGf1-sNxduS66CmdKEvHJtyGBMRiiQQY4Lkan4Q0OnCsugSTIOAIGQ6on33-S48PpQFmwokk4pgyxcuy1Xddb0uCG7eptw/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzhafW3WEwnczA8mxEAQvdvvsNB6vwkGLgCv764jLHJ7xBJGf1-sNxduS66CmdKEvHJtyGBMRiiQQY4Lkan4Q0OnCsugSTIOAIGQ6on33-S48PpQFmwokk4pgyxcuy1Xddb0uCG7eptw/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Quiet Reflections from a mothers heart to her daughters....</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Dear Daughters...as we write these letters to you I wonder about the time when you will actually read them? Where will you be in life? Still in school? College? Married with children? Most importantly, I wonder where you will be spiritually with God in your life? I thin that is why I am so compelled to write these spiritual letters, to share my love for God and what He has done in my life.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">As you know, during this time of my life, we attended Saturday night church services and Joe and I would get up Sunday mornings and have our first cup of coffee with several of our favorite TV pastors. This morning we heard a sermon that I knew I had to share with you. You will find the actual sermon at the end of this letter.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">I love the Old Testament. Some pieces of scripture in the OT is hard to read and understand-the killing, the wars, the practices. But this time has such rich spiritual implications for out now and that is how Jentezen Franklin married the two in this sermon <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22http://player.vimeo.com/video/59265899%22%20width=%22400%22%20height=%22300%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20webkitAllowFullScreen%20mozallowfullscreen%20allowFullScreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E">Holy Cow</a>.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Read this passage Jentezen Franklin used from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2019&version=NLT">Numbers 19.</a> God instructed Moses and Aaron in the practice required to be cleansed or purified from sin. Pretty crazy, hu? Can you imagine if you had to go through this process for every wrong that you did in a day or a week? I want you to concentrate on these verses...</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpstSYQ0qBbwswZ4leE4Iv2FjOT4AcObphc2TghdQtyfI-GCdpOPlWIyBzV2ZqMMxOi5N2ZQxjrVcHEvipNWY2niQUu94FYVhKupzWFnV2y1D1nAUiNazKPbegaSGTp7QgYumcHfn0Z-4/s1600/red+heffer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpstSYQ0qBbwswZ4leE4Iv2FjOT4AcObphc2TghdQtyfI-GCdpOPlWIyBzV2ZqMMxOi5N2ZQxjrVcHEvipNWY2niQUu94FYVhKupzWFnV2y1D1nAUiNazKPbegaSGTp7QgYumcHfn0Z-4/s200/red+heffer.jpg" width="200" /></a><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Num-19-2" id="en-NLT-4268"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>“Here is another legal requirement commanded by the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer, a perfect animal that has no defects and has never been yoked to a plow.</span> <span class="text Num-19-3" id="en-NLT-4269"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Give it to Eleazar the priest, and it will be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.</span> <span class="text Num-19-4" id="en-NLT-4270"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Eleazar will take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tabernacle.</span><span class="text Num-19-5" id="en-NLT-4271"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>As Eleazar watches, the heifer must be burned—its hide, meat, blood, and dung.</span> <span class="text Num-19-6" id="en-NLT-4272"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Eleazar the priest must then take a stick of cedar, a hyssop branch, and some scarlet yarn and throw them into the fire where the heifer is burning.</span></span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Here is what you need to know about a red cow-a red heifer- related to this time. It was rare, uncommon, to find one perfectly red without any other colors or blemishes. Jewish custom was to present to God perfection and God command to His people in this OT passage that He wanted a perfect sacrifice represented in this red heifer. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Here is the first thing I want you to take from this from His sermon:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><em>Something becomes common when it loses its values. In other words, something is more powerful and more valuable when it is rare, when it does not fit in.</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">When I think of you in your current life what is of more value than anything else? It's not your friends, it the the car that we get you when you turn 16, it's not the clothes you wear of the house you live in. It's your love. It's your character. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">The more you value who you give your heart to, the more valuable it become to the one who commit to to eventually. Save your heart and your love for the perfect person that God has waiting for you.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">The more you stand up for what you believe in and know is right in God's sight, the more you will be. It may mean you don't hang out with the "popular group". It may mean you don't fit in with the main crowd. That's okay. In the end you will have less regrets and more satisfaction with your life, even though it does not fill like it at the moment.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Determine to have your life, your heart, represent a red heifer.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Here is the second thing I want you to take from this passage from Jentezen Franklin. I have learned this the hard way and it has been a struggle for me to work though it...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;">Your history can destroy your destiny if you don't learn how to get cleansed from it.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Look again at verse two and verse twenty...</span></strong><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Here is another legal requirement commanded by the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a red heifer, a perfect animal <u>that has no defects and has never been yoked to a plow....</u></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><u>But those who become defiled and do not purify themselves will be cut off from the community,</u> for they have defiled the sanctuary of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>. Since the water of purification has not been sprinkled on them, they remain defiled</span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">In between verse 2 & 20 the priest and people were instructed how to be cleaned from impurities or in touching something dead. Dead things can bind us, way us down. A yoke of a plow weighs a cow down and confines it and keeps it from the rest of the community or the herd. Sin is like that. Our past is like that. Our hurts and pain are like that. All too often as we grow older he keep touching the dead. We keep living in the past. We do not let go of those things that caused us so much hurt, so much pain. We can't get over something we have done. We can't let go of something we no longer have. It cuts us off from others. It may even cut us out of society. It often cuts us off of God...it keeps us from Him.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">So how do we learn to be cleansed from it? This is were the OT and today unite. Look at Hebrews 9:14 from the New Testament (NT):</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Do you see the connection? Even from that OT time recorded in Numbers, people continue to fail. People continue to sin. People continued to make mistakes, to live in pain and regret. God decided to make a final sacrifice to cover all of our sins-a perfect Sacrifice, without blemish...Jesus.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">We don't have to take the ashes of a burnt animal, mix them with water and bathe in them to purify yourself from your sins, from our past, from our pain. Christ did it for us. He did it for all of us, not just for His chosen people the Jews...all of us.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. ~ Hebrews 13:12</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">We can't miss this important point. If you go back to our passage in Numbers, The priest had to go outside the walls of the city to sacrifice the red heifer. So also was Christ sacrificed outside of the city walls. The significant here is that the sacrifice was not just for those within God chosen people. The intent was that Christ was not just for those within the walls of religion or the walls of the church. If Christ had died inside the city, it would have been for the people of the city. Christ dies outside of the city for all. God did not want His son's sacrifice to be boxed in to religion or to a particular group of people.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">And Christ became more powerful in his death than in His life. He sent us the power of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor to walk life with us, to help us to know Him better, to know conviction, to know freedom and healing from our past, our pain, our regrets.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-26734A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-26734B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> ~ John 16:7 (NLT)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Girls, we are called, commanded to walk away from our past, our history in the power of God's love, and God's forgiveness, and God's grace. A perfect example of how to do this is seen with King David in the OT. When he made another man's mans wife pregnant, had the husband killed and married the women, the prophet told David the child would die because of his sin. David mourned and fasted for the life of that child. He messed up and he admitted it to God but the child still died. He still had to face the consequence of the sin. But instead of living in that regret, instead of living in that past, look what the 2 Samuel 12 passage said he did...</span></strong></div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-12-13"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.”</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em><span class="text 2Sam-12-13">Nathan replied, “Yes, but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.</span> <span class="text 2Sam-12-14" id="en-NLT-8277"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NLT-8277a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%2012&version=NLT#fen-NLT-8277a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> by doing this, your child will die.”</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em><span class="text 2Sam-12-15" id="en-NLT-8278"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>After Nathan returned to his home, the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> sent a deadly illness to the child of David and Uriah’s wife.</span> <span class="text 2Sam-12-16" id="en-NLT-8279"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground.</span> <span class="text 2Sam-12-17" id="en-NLT-8280"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused.</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-12-18" id="en-NLT-8281"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?”</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-12-19" id="en-NLT-8282"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked.</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-12-19"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em>“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-12-20" id="en-NLT-8283"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the </span><span style="color: #741b47;">Tabernacle and worshiped the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span> <span style="color: #741b47;">After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.</span></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">What did he do? He changed immediately and He worshiped God. He moved on. And that is what we need to do also. Move on with God. Leave the yoke of slavery to the past and move on with God. He didn't forget the loss of his son but went in and comforted his wife and they had another son-Solomon, the wisest of all Kings ever born.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">I struggled with this-moving on. I even struggle with it today at times. But when I feel a need to struggle with my past, this is the verse I turn to-Philippians 3:12-14:</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Phil-3-12"> don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. </span><span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-NLT-29395">No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, </span><span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-NLT-29396"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Press on girls. Find your destiny. Don't let anything in your past hold you back. Don't live as the common world lives but live as a rare and valuable daughter of Christ.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">I love you.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Mom</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/59265899">Holy Cow</a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Juna9Hqvl1M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-30106669063326859912013-02-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-02-10T09:52:36.868-05:00Quiet Reflections: Being Misled<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGTmoaV8_VHHxQoipbTl-oUE2dXdN86xuIHS2WDTNwKExfqlTzSAp5KvDIZI9MQQj-GQisYaaBcFkyVo2xqdzSUXXmD-jUHirQ1l9M4wLSVRxmMPXOrsGgEahVhaGU5F9MRY4l_3tEO8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGTmoaV8_VHHxQoipbTl-oUE2dXdN86xuIHS2WDTNwKExfqlTzSAp5KvDIZI9MQQj-GQisYaaBcFkyVo2xqdzSUXXmD-jUHirQ1l9M4wLSVRxmMPXOrsGgEahVhaGU5F9MRY4l_3tEO8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Quiet Reflections from a mothers heart to her daughters....</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Dear Daughter, </span></strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Today I want to talk to you about what it means to be "misled". I came across this verse and it stirred my heart to think about my own life and the times I have been "mis-led".</span></strong> </span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Gal 6:7-8 (NLT)</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I had to dig deep and look back at what it was like as a teenager and how I was mislead then. You know my memory is not good but I wanted to put myself where you are as much as possible even though we are talking about two very different time periods, right?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">As a teenager your thoughts and actions are driven by your heart more than your mind. You are influenced by your friends-their habits, their approval, their beliefs. You are influenced by the media and what the world labels as popular and accepting. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">When a teenager is faced with a decision, that teenager tends to look more to what others would do in the same situation or what others will think of them verses what the outcome of that decision might be. I know. I lived that. I also know some decisions are very black and white. You steal, you go to jail. You use drugs, you get kicked out of sports. Yet you know of kids who were mislead in even those actions don't you?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">How do you protect your self from being misled? I really think there is one factor that opens one up to being misled. It is a word we prefer not to address with our self but too often it does describe us. It is an ugly word. A nasty word. A dangerous word. A painful word...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">SELFISH</span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">A selfish person is all about them and them only. Sometimes they cannot even see this in themself. A selfish person is first concerned with their needs above the needs of others. And this leaves that person wide open to being misled. Let me show you how from Scripture:</span></strong><br />
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<em><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>"Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character." (I Corinthians 15:33)</strong></span> </span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">A selfish teenager is more concern how her friends make her look than how they influence her. A selfish teen is blind to see the difference between a friend that has a positive influence on her than a negative one that can harm her. This teen is misled.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Titus-3-8">Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. <span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NLT-30242">These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.</span> </span><span class="text Jas-1-16" id="en-NLT-30243">So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.</span> <span class="text Jas-1-17" id="en-NLT-30244">Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.<sup> </sup>He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ~ James 1:14-17<sup> </sup></span></span></span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">A selfish teen is all about what she wants. In getting what she wants that she thinks will make her happy she gets lost in her desires and pleasures and before she knows it, it controls her thoughts and her actions. The selfish teen will break rules and hurt others to get what she wants. This teen is misled.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I know this. I lived it. I didn't see it then as well as I see it now. Selfishness doesn't stop with the teenage years but continues to grow old with the person if the person doesn't get control over it. I am thankfully able to see it now that I am more mature (or older as you would say) but it remains a struggle. Too often I see my own selfishness after the action of being selfish. I am still learning to stop it before it makes me react.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">So how do we control this selfishness so we can avoid being misled? Again, can I take you to Scripture?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. <span class="text Titus-3-4" id="en-NLT-29888">But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,</span> <span class="text Titus-3-5" id="en-NLT-29889">he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.<sup> </sup></span><span class="text Titus-3-6" id="en-NLT-29890">He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.</span> <span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-NLT-29891">Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”</span> <span class="text Titus-3-8" id="en-NLT-29892">This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. ~ Titus 3:3-8 (NLT)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text Jas-1-17" id="en-NLT-30244" style="background-color: white;"><sup></sup></span></span></em></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">We avoid being misled by two key steps: </span></strong><br />
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<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">We see it as it is, an ugly sin and we give it to God.</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">We make God our priority in life. </span></strong></li>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">As I look on those mis-led times I have experienced when I was young like you are now and those misled times I experienced as I grew older, I could pinpoint it all to my selfishness. These misled times resulted in pain, in regret, even shame. In the misled time, in that moment, it seemed like life was good, the the action was what was best for me at that moment. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I was not holding the hand of God in those times even though I may have been actively claiming to know Him. In those selfish times I was not putting God at front and center in my thoughts or actions or by making Him my best friend. It was all about me, my wants, my desires. All the pain, regret and even shame that came from being misled thankfully has been forgiven by Christ love as we read in the Act 3 passage above. Read it again...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, <span class="text Titus-3-5" id="en-NLT-29889"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.<sup> </sup></span><span class="text Titus-3-6" id="en-NLT-29890">He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.</span> <span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-NLT-29891">Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”</span> <span class="text Titus-3-8" id="en-NLT-29892"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. </span></span></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Titus-3-8">These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Acknowledging the selfish part of our being and making it take a back seat to everything else protects us from being misled. Eliminating our selfish being from EVERYTHING ELSE...our friends, our desires, our activities, our thoughts, our love can only happen with God front and center in your life. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white;"></span></strong> <em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong>In</strong> <b>the</b> <b>beginning</b> <b>God...~Genesis 1:1</b></span></span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">In the beginning God. The first four words of the Bible. Words you can take and apply to every area of your life, every decision you need to make, every actions you need to take. Put these four words to action in your life. How?</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #444444;">When you wake up in the morning, begin your day with God by simple prayer, the reading of a devotional or piece of scripture. </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #444444;">When God is your first priority, selfishness can't live or breath in your actions or relationships. </span></strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">When you have a decision to make, ask yourself what God would want you to do? How would God react to it? Will it bring honor to Him? Can you take this action with God by your side? Anything that honors Him will bring good for you. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">Such wicked people are detestable to the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, but he offers his friendship to the godly. ~ Proverbs 2:32 (NLT)</span></em></strong> </div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Make God your best friend. Imagine hanging with Him, working with Him, partying with Him. If your concerned about whether your friends are good for you or not, ask yourself if they would allow God to hang with you also? Would you and your friends "talk like that" or "act like" that if God was there? If there is a new job or event to go to, can God go to? If there is someone for you to love, will they also love Him?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">The <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. ~ Psalm 25:14 (NLT)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Keep in mind you could also be misled in the good things. Doesn't make sense does it? How does that work? You could sign up to do something good but if that isn't where God wants you then it isn't good for you. You need to look at the motive of being involved with the good thing. here are some examples...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">When you hang with that popular person do they help you as a person or do they compromise your relationship with your best friend God?</span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"> </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Should you fall in love with that really great guy even though he doesn't believe in God? </span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Are you taking the job for the money even though it will put you in situations that you couldn't take God to? </span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"></span></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Are you involved in a church ministry because of how it makes you look or because of what God can do through you?</span></em></strong> </div>
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I would love to save you from being mis-led in life. If I could protect you from everything wrong or painful I would. The only protection in life we have from being misled can only come from God. Your mother has learned some life lessons the hard way and they have grown me as a person but I would never wish the negative effects that have resulted from being misled on you-EVER! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">My daughters, you can have many friends, but I implore you to have a best friend, that one person that will never do you wrong, that will never reject you and will always listen and guide you in the good times and the bad times. God wants to be your Best Friend. Embrace the best friendship that only He can give you. Develop it now, while here on earth and imagine the reunion you will experience when you meet Him face-to-face one day. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Your mother regrets all the years she lived selfishly and did not have her Best Friend front and center in her life. I can only imagine how much better it would have been. You don't have to regret wasted time from being misled. You don't have to wait or imagine what that relationship may have produced in and through you. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Find your Best Friend!! </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I love you, </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Mom</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-47726907346858903972013-01-28T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-28T08:00:10.421-05:00Quiet Reflections: Spiders in the Shower<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Quiet Reflections from a Mothers Heart to her Daughters...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Dear Daughters,</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">This morning there was a spider in my shower. He did not belong there. I don't like spiders. We was too big to wash down the drain and the hot water seemed to have no effect on him. There wasn't a shoe for my to smash with with in the bathroom so I did the next best thing and took my toothbrush holder and put it over him until I finished my shower and could get my weapon-a shoe-to alleviate his presence from my shower.</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCENDTP_qXac3DO4bqMa3zwxK1GZa-LSkK_1pEGdrAEKK0pEgT0A2qetYImxB-2G8KjvfEm2OH-mze5_CQbxOZfnv0x0PUZ5Egrvd-ISWJwHLubABzQTlObLbrODiGkykEHxV9jO5n6FI/s1600/spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCENDTP_qXac3DO4bqMa3zwxK1GZa-LSkK_1pEGdrAEKK0pEgT0A2qetYImxB-2G8KjvfEm2OH-mze5_CQbxOZfnv0x0PUZ5Egrvd-ISWJwHLubABzQTlObLbrODiGkykEHxV9jO5n6FI/s200/spider.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">During the whole shower I keep looking at that upside down container making sure it didn't tip or moved. Washing my face was a challenge. I allowed the fear of that hairy little spider paralyze me from something that could have been so enjoyable and relaxing. As I think on it now that was so stupid!! My bare foot alone could have stomped that unwanted guest out of existence-I was so much bigger then he was. GRIEF.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Life is like that. Too often we allow the "unwanted" to enter our life and paralyze us from what God has in store for us. The unwanted, like that spider, can be a rough time or a sin that God never intended for us to live with but we allowed it in. It comes from satan with the sole purpose to keep you from God. We allow it in by not keeping our house (body, mind and spirit) protected. We allow it in by choosing to be in places where we cannot honor God. We allow it in by not facing up to it and covering it up like I did that spider in the shower.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Anything not of God can represent that spider. It can paralyze you from reaching your full potential in life or from having the best that God has in store for you. When I was fresh out of high school my life became my life and I lived it for me. For 10 years my selfishness yielded plenty of regrets...regrets I still have to live with today. Though God's grace and forgiveness and relieved me of the responsibility of carrying those regrets it doesn't free me of their consequences-most of which I will not fully comprehend until I come face-to-face with Christ.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">I don't want that for you. Be smart. Be realistic about what satan puts into your life. Choose to be on God's side of life and watch Him blow you away with His protection and interventions...watch Him stomp satan right out of your life!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #666666;">And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus! ~ Rom 16:19-20 (Message)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">There is a simple action that can keep you from experiencing those spiders in your showers. That simple act? Keeping your focus on God. Seeking Him daily through His Word, talking to Him constantly, growing your love for Him and becoming desperately dependent on Him. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Your momma has done this. It is living this way that I have found I have less spiders in my shower. And when those unwanted guest show up, I know I can count on God to stomp them out of my life. Instead of fear for these spiders, I learn from their presence and I grow stronger when I allow God to be in control of my life-all of it.</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhg0CeYX8M8ZE8JBjRC4WmErcK044BKRHgqy0z_LUsJoYWAbsmGB61-Z5aNXLZuQx-t_H0e5XzLrIwV_NmZEcle93rOmFGQ0QiLyQ7os1BQ8OKfoYCl6yuX3c6JLFLG7ZcRiVn9-kzzo/s1600/love+out+loud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhg0CeYX8M8ZE8JBjRC4WmErcK044BKRHgqy0z_LUsJoYWAbsmGB61-Z5aNXLZuQx-t_H0e5XzLrIwV_NmZEcle93rOmFGQ0QiLyQ7os1BQ8OKfoYCl6yuX3c6JLFLG7ZcRiVn9-kzzo/s200/love+out+loud.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><span style="color: #a64d79;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">So what did I do with that spider in my shower? It met the back side of a summer sandal as soon as I had dried off. Next time I won't wait so long to take action. I encourage you to do the same!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Love Out Loud girls!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">I love you!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #a64d79;">Mom</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-46639624777657244922013-01-14T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-14T07:00:04.856-05:00Quiet Reflections: Chain Reaction<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"></span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Quiet Reflections from a Mothers Heart to her Daughters.....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><strong>Dear Daughter, </strong></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-116-16"><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666;">God has really laid on my heart the need to leave you His truths. I tried to live them out but I am afraid the failures of our life have created a blockage for you to see them.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> This verse motivated me to write these blogs just for you...</span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-116-16"><strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it. Col 1:23 (NLT)</span></em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-116-16" style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><strong>I want God's truths I found in my relationship with Him to be a chain reaction in your life.</strong></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9IMgllFAmMqFt2rx12-JztujZMGZphyphenhyphentEn8bhqTlxPIHqONiXf1gMhJHo7w9Jem4j5UUQJn6iX_o8Hfk1hFZkXsIiPI_rBkHZXopDLxBXIXIZ09tyC01qDG8bhhHrCZAyU9NCY_28Ig/s1600/making+a+chanin+reaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9IMgllFAmMqFt2rx12-JztujZMGZphyphenhyphentEn8bhqTlxPIHqONiXf1gMhJHo7w9Jem4j5UUQJn6iX_o8Hfk1hFZkXsIiPI_rBkHZXopDLxBXIXIZ09tyC01qDG8bhhHrCZAyU9NCY_28Ig/s1600/making+a+chanin+reaction.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">You have seen the TV commericals, heard the stories where one act of kindness causes a chain reaction of kindness, right? A driver let's you in their lane on the busy highway, you allow another driver that close parking space you came upon first, that person holds the door open for an elderly couple, that couple pays the extra money the single mother at the registered is in need of....and the chain reaction continues...</span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Chain Reactions. They can be positive like I wrote above, they can also go the wrong way. Paul and Silas set a chain reaction that models living a life with a servants attitude, loving other unconditionally (Diakono's Living). </span></strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NLT"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Acts 16</span></strong></a><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"> reads how these two men were push to the limits but in their reaction of being chained they choose to respond in a way that is not typical. I want you to learn from this reaction and encourage you to incorporate this response into your life when times get tough. I have and it works!</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhb0bfFCYC_lpABUw-u1oXwheutPEmYQhyMnX8nhYnkRS20Sc48I0wmGjhtimgBR8P4yotairxCzwzGyN0o7n12QmhhqKvIl1QJ7qe9dliJdylbFcIc9kb4SgAycLD54KxUHAk4k6U9Q/s1600/220px-Chapeltown_Stocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhb0bfFCYC_lpABUw-u1oXwheutPEmYQhyMnX8nhYnkRS20Sc48I0wmGjhtimgBR8P4yotairxCzwzGyN0o7n12QmhhqKvIl1QJ7qe9dliJdylbFcIc9kb4SgAycLD54KxUHAk4k6U9Q/s1600/220px-Chapeltown_Stocks.jpg" /></span></a><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white;">A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. <span class="text Acts-16-23" id="en-NLT-27470">They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.</span> <span class="text Acts-16-24" id="en-NLT-27471">So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. (verses 22-24)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Paul and Silas were chained to their situation. Their feet were in wooden stocks. They were beat up and in pain. It looked hopeless for them. Death seemed more likely than freedom.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Our bad times can feel like this. Our pain can put us into stocks...chains...and keep us from moving forward with our life. Many people live in chains of alcoholism, depression, abuse, shame, fear, pain. I have lived in chains of unforgiveness and regrets for decisions that have hurt those I love the most. It's debilitating. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Is there something that chains you-, that prevents you from moving on? </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">People don't have to live chained to these things. You don't have to. I don't have to.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. <span class="text Acts-16-26" id="en-NLT-27473">Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! (verses 25-26)</span></span></em></strong> </span></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Instead of a pity party, Paul and Silas step out in faith and others followed...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="background-color: white;">The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. <span class="text Acts-16-30" id="en-NLT-27477">Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”....He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God (Verses 29-30, 34)</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">A chain reaction. Once person steps forward, another follows, then another. Love handed out unexpectedly from one person to another and passed on yet to another. One family member believing in God, living that faith, passing it on to another family member and yet another and another...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">The other day on the way to work I was in line at the drive through getting my favorite peppermint mocha. When I went to pay the cashier stated the car in front of me had paid for my order. WOW. I have done this before for others but never been the recipient of such an act of kindness. I decided to pay it forward so I paid for the order of the car behind me. A chain reaction was started!</span> </span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDAmNadiHB-Tx08ikb6YgP-2q0yRH1ioWxrXcydTkMTgBKxmoUTWok2Juj21LIkqr6vNfI0KqmzyOgLvBnYoysA0ETPEjAzXBJzr0L7D0B2FqfvdUCXCJ6a2LZRD_ct2XtkUYFpwsRP8/s1600/chainreaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDAmNadiHB-Tx08ikb6YgP-2q0yRH1ioWxrXcydTkMTgBKxmoUTWok2Juj21LIkqr6vNfI0KqmzyOgLvBnYoysA0ETPEjAzXBJzr0L7D0B2FqfvdUCXCJ6a2LZRD_ct2XtkUYFpwsRP8/s320/chainreaction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I encourage you to do this when you can...offer an act of kindness to someone. It doesn't have to involve money, an considerate action or a thoughtful word can cause the same kind of reaction.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">And when the going gets tough, turn your reaction into praise and worship for how God is going to use that situation for something better in your life. I want to be that person, like Paul and Silas, who steps out and does the unpredictable and openly praises and worships the One who is above anything that chains me.</span></strong><br />
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<em><span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;">God places the lonely in families; <span style="font-size: large;">H</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-68-6"><span style="font-size: large;">e sets the prisoners free and gives them joy</span>. </span></span><span class="text Ps-68-6">But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land ~ Ps 68:6 (NLT)</span></span></strong></span></em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Praise and worship, as displayed by Paul in Silas, is a key act for breaking those unwanted chains. Coupled with acts of servanthood-doing for others, a positive chain reaction can happen from person-to-person, generation-to-generation.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Love out Loud girls. And when life hands you some tough times, give them back to God by praising Him instead of crying in your pain. And I am always here to walk with you in the good times and the bad times.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I love you.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;">Mom</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-51889739777728827262013-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-05T12:03:44.261-05:00Quiet Reflections: Love<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Quiet Reflections from a Mothers Heart to her Daughters.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Dear Daughters, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I begin this new year with a new focus...a focus on you. As I have reflected back on almost 50 years of living, I am burdened by my failures. One of the things that I regret most is that I was not the perfect mother for you. Everyone will say it is impossible to be perfect but every mother wishes for that. But no matter how many flaws I had, one thing remained constant...I loved you, I love you even more today.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Love can be amazing. Love can be tough. Love can feel good, it can hurt. Love makes a wrong decision right such as when I have to choose to disciple you for a poor action. Love is comforting and safe, such as when I could reward you for something well done. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Can we love enough? Yes, but too often we allow other things to get in the way. Did I love you enough? Yes, in my heart but I allowed other things to get in the way of my actions. How we should love was model for us by our Maker with an unconditional love.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Unconditional love. To love "</span><span style="color: #741b47;">without conditions or limitations; absolute". That's how I want to love. That means no matter what one does in life, you love them fully. The perfect model of this is God.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is merciful and compassionate, <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-145-8">slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. </span></span><span class="text Ps-145-9" id="en-NLT-16306">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is good to everyone. </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-145-9">He showers compassion on all his creation. ~ Psalm 145:1-2 (NLT)</span></span></span></strong></div>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-145-9"><strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">For his unfailing love toward those who fear him <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-11">is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-12" id="en-NLT-15538">He has removed our sins as far from us </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-12">as the east is from the west. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-13" id="en-NLT-15539">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is like a father to his children, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-13">tender and compassionate to those who fear him. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-14" id="en-NLT-15540">For he knows how weak we are; H</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-14">e remembers we are only dust. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-15" id="en-NLT-15541">Our days on earth are like grass; </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-15">like wildflowers, we bloom and die. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-16" id="en-NLT-15542">The wind blows, and we are gone—</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-16">as though we had never been here. </span></span><span class="text Ps-103-17" id="en-NLT-15543">But the love of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> remains forever </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-17">with those who fear him. H</span></span><span class="text Ps-103-17">is salvation extends to the children’s children </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-18" id="en-NLT-15544">of those who are faithful to his covenant, </span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-103-18">of those who obey his commandments! ~ Psalm 103: 11-18 (NLT)</span></span></span></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">We are instructed by God to love as He has loved....</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2 (Message)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">We are to live in love as Christ did...</span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:1</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ~ 1 Peter 2:21</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. ~ 1 John 2:6</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">The one who says he belongs to Christ should live the same kind of life Christ lived. ~ 1 John 2:6 (NLT)</span></strong></div>
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<sup></sup><strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." ~ John 8:28-29</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 2:5</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Here is what I can promise you after all these years together...you can do nothing to take my love away from you. I may not be able to support some of your life choices but I will always love you. I may not always say what you want to hear but I will always love you. I may seem critical or not understanding but I will continue to love you. I may be upset and angry with you but I will love you more.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I may not have loved you perfectly in my actions but I have loved you perfectly in my heart. I have found that I cannot live this life with out clinging to my faith and belief that God is Ultimate and Absolute. His ability to love me and forgive me through all the ugly has been my strength and my healing. I want you to love as Christ has loved to avoid the mistakes I have made. I want you to know Him like I know Him, to crave Him like I crave Him and to seek Him as I have, daily. There is no love like the love of God!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">And my prayer is that from this day forward, you can say you experienced this kind of Christ-like love from me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I love you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Mom</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-19602233019045753752012-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-31T08:00:12.167-05:00LOL: Diakonos Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30256A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> ~ Hebrews 13:16 (HCSB)</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">It's time to close out 2012. It's time to look back and examine what God set my heart my to do - to "Live Out Loud", to examine what I learned and how I have practiced it. It is also the time to open my heart to God's purpose for my 2013. As I do this, seeking my greatest need spiritually and physically, a word jumped out to me during a quiet time: diakono's (dee AH kah nahs). It is a Greek word (</span></strong><span class="greek"><strong><span style="color: #444444;">διάκονος, οῦ, ὁ, ἡ) that frequently refers to a person who attends to others needs.</span></strong> </span><br />
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<span class="greek"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><strong><em>"The term diakonos, like many biblical words, has both a
broad general meaning (servant) and a specific technical meaning (deacon). Most
of the instances of diakonos in the New Testament have the broader sense. In
other words, they are not referring to the specific office of deacon, but
rather to the general role of helping or serving. " ~ Robert H. Thune, Deacons: A Theological Study</em></strong></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="greek"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Diakonos living is to love out loud. To be Jesus to others. It is having the heart to do something radical for God.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="greek"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><strong>My heart is not seeking the deacon approach of this word but rather the general role of helping and serving. My heart is seeking less of me and more of Him, more of what I can do for other for Him. To give out loud, to love out loud. </strong></span></span><br />
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<span class="greek"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Last year I explored living out loud my faith. </strong></span></span><span class="greek"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><strong>In this new year I will explore what it means to Love Out Loud (LOL) my faith, my Jesus.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="greek"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><strong>As I look back on my almost 50 years of life, I often see the selfishness of my living. I yearn to change that. A new desire grows for servant-living. It will start in the home first and foremost, and then should extend to my church family and to my work family. It should include the community I live in. It will require much of me I am sure but I have a new mission to explore-a mission of servanthood.</strong></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #990000;">2013 word: Diakono's</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">2013 theme: Loving Out Loud (LOL)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">Spiritual Goal: having the heart to do something radical for God</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">2013 Scripture: </span><span style="color: #741b47;"><em>Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-30256A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> ~ Hebrews 13:16 (HCSB)</em></span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7dEIhkKkgarTprauYIY3Y8GuwRqjP_AwyV2ReJw6a3kB9817iTlFoIoVHZmPbN7taiBGNF4q8YAFgiUcY80XxorP-cOJBbQ831AT6YZa5P4Dli8mOeCgw0P8R9fjyoftBDrK2_HVlF0/s1600/God+within.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7dEIhkKkgarTprauYIY3Y8GuwRqjP_AwyV2ReJw6a3kB9817iTlFoIoVHZmPbN7taiBGNF4q8YAFgiUcY80XxorP-cOJBbQ831AT6YZa5P4Dli8mOeCgw0P8R9fjyoftBDrK2_HVlF0/s320/God+within.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">To live a diakonos life. Giving out loud. Loving out loud. Looking <u>daily</u> to do something radical for Christ. I'm excited about this new charge God has given me. If you are reading these words, I pray this journey will also lead you closer to the Master.</span></strong> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCIJEU4cYzkltqRTXP8jsJIafC4ZKqX2NTxnmBhQCJP1K8DDFfVvJz0xwz7DjkdPB8w2J7CHHRJ7qTaHdOIHzAJwyMlOpDyfI-8CG9TXU94NjXOj7xEJG-I2wYqiGVY9DPfiHlTgBqP8/s1600/quiet+reflections+2.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Diakono's living is the call on my life-the action of my living. As I said above, it will start in the home. So this blog will change it's focus. As a mother, my heart aches for our girls to live a life with a heart like ours that yearns for more and more of God. There are so many things that I feel I have failed in as a mother to them, especially spiritually. This nagging feeling has been with me every time I come here to post a blog...the feeling that I should turn these posts into letters for our girls. Reflections from my heart to them about the grace and love of God. Legacy letters. Spiritual nuggets of life lessons learned.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Here's to a happy productive New Year for our Lord in 2013!!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #660000;">LOL~ Pamela</span></em></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-72013783417748415382012-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-22T08:39:53.554-05:00LOL: Putting on Christmas<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires. ~ Rom 13:14 (HCSD)</span></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Living Out Loud (LOL) Christmas...putting on Jesus! Literally the most beautiful wardrobe you can wear. But why can it be so hard to put on, to leave on, to lend out?</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6smA-rKyZeZMbolPYM7bkJsCFHZhWxCoM_FdSNu2Ac2SoJrZ6ue0jlCuYt3e1-De1afJOnN-__X8morapHzN1yepBMh3tZlLOPdDSUM420-CXA6UHO5dqKFwJHBo1D5_DIn4hqPxEeXA/s1600/manger+and+the+cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><strong><span style="color: #7f6000;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6smA-rKyZeZMbolPYM7bkJsCFHZhWxCoM_FdSNu2Ac2SoJrZ6ue0jlCuYt3e1-De1afJOnN-__X8morapHzN1yepBMh3tZlLOPdDSUM420-CXA6UHO5dqKFwJHBo1D5_DIn4hqPxEeXA/s1600/manger+and+the+cross.jpg" /></span></strong></a><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><strong>What did Paul mean when he wrote Rom 13:14? Romans, a long letter written while he was in Corinth to the churches, Paul is laying the boundaries down between the current age and the age to come. The current age representing Christ salvation at work in and through us, the coming age representing the completion of our salvation. That salvation that started in a manger and manifested on a cross.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” ~ Matt 1:21 (HCSB)</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><strong>To unwrap this more, look at the verses preceding Rom 13:14...</strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Rom-13-11" id="en-NLT-28239"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.</span> <span class="text Rom-13-12" id="en-NLT-28240"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.</span> <span class="text Rom-13-13" id="en-NLT-28241"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">Paul is calling us to step out of spiritual lethargy. Salvation rescues us from the dominion of darkness and the night of sin, and a new realm of light is exposed. We take off the dirty clothes of sinfulness and dress up in Jesus. Walking as He walked. Seeing as He saw. Hearing as He hears. Speaking as He would speak. Living boldly as He lived. We know that putting on Jesus is a daily act of obedience and submission to mirror Him. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ~Matt 5:14 (NLT)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">I encourage you to examine your heart. Is there any lethargy in your faith? Are you living Jesus out loud? Are there any areas of your life where His presence is hidden? What can you gift to Jesus on this His birthday?</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">As this Christmas season peaks, may we be alive with Jesus-celebrating His salvation, anticipating it's completeness in the age to come. As we enjoy the time with family snuggled around warm fireplaces or decorated tables...as we appreciate the Christmas lights and special holiday adornments.... and as our taste buds dance and savor the holiday foods, let us keep focus on the reason of this season...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">He meant more for us than to be created from dust to return to dust. We were created to have fellowship with Him...for eternity. Wrap your mind around His love, cherish the gift, be humbled by His sacrifice, and live anticipating His return!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">Put on CHRISTmas.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">Put on Jesus.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #7f6000;">Merry Christmas ~ Pamela</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-14218545921013010882012-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-10T08:00:06.450-05:00LOL: Living Beyond the Manger<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy]..." Ecclesiastes 3:11a (HCSB)</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Living Out Loud is above all things <em>Living Beyond the Manger</em>. As we walk through yet another season of Christmas, should we not be convicted to live beyond the manger? I know I am.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">What is living beyond the manger? It is being moved by the wonder of Christmas and looking beyond the manger to the cross. The wonder of Christmas...prophecies foretelling His arrival come true, the integrity and honor of a young man set to marry his bride who now carries the Son of God, the tough journey of the determined Magi to find their King, the heavenly invasion witness by the shepherds, and the faith and willingness of a young girl who embraced her miraculous assignment that was conceived of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the most adventurous and amazing stories ever told...and lived. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">In the wonder of this story though we must look beyond the manger, beyond the birth to the purpose. Everything about Christmas leads to the cross...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Read more “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. </span></em></strong></div>
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<span class="text John-3-16-John-3-18" id="en-MSG-11214"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup class="versenum">16-18 </sup>“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.</span></em></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text John-3-19-John-3-21" id="en-MSG-11215"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup class="versenum">19-21 </sup>“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”</span></span>here: http://www.bradenton.com/2009/11/28/1879429/beyond-the-manger-the-meaning.html#storylink=cpy</span></em></strong></div>
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<em><strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">“No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. <span class="text John-3-16-John-3-18" id="en-MSG-11214"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. </span>God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. </span></span><span class="text John-3-19-John-3-21" id="en-MSG-11215"><span style="color: #4c1130;">This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”</span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">~</span> John 3:13-21 (Message)</span></span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Choosing to live out loud this holiday in the truth and reality of God's light, the gift of His son to a broken and fallen humanity. Living out loud beyond the God-work of the manger to the God-work of the cross-our gift of eternal salvation. If He loved me enough for that, how can I not love Him back with my life? </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">I came across a song with the title "<em>Just Beyond the Manger</em>" written by a Joseph Martin. You may have heard it before, I hadn't. The words reflect my heart as I embrace this Christmas season in 2012.</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #660000;">YouTube has several versions of the song which you can hear</span></strong> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=just+beyond+the+manger&oq=just+beyond+the+manger&gs_l=youtube-reduced.12...0.0.0.2798359.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0...1ac.">here</a>. <strong><span style="color: #660000;">I encourage you to pause and soak in the lyrics.... </span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0c343d;">Just Beyond the Manger by Joseph Martin<br /><br />Just beyond the manger<br />I hear
no lullabies,<br />I see no golden hay, <br />I feel no star light<br /><br />Just
beyond the manger<br />I hear the hammer fall,<br />I see the rugged cross<br />I feel
the chill of night<br />Just beyond the manger<br /><br />Just beyond the manger<br />I
see no swaddling clothes<br />I hear no angels sing<br />I feel no candle
glow<br />Just beyond the manger<br /><br />I see a lonely hill<br />The Savior crying
still<br />I hear the thunder roll<br />Just beyond the manger<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Forgive us
Lord<br />and grant us eyes to see<br />In every Christmas, Calvary<br />Implant it in
our hearts<br />Help us recall<br />'mid trees of red and gold<br />On another tree
raised long ago<br />We hung God's brightest star</span><br />Just beyond the
manger<br />I hear no lullabies<br /><br />I hear no lullabies<br />Just beyond the
manger </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">As you celebrate the 2012 Holiday season, focus on the glory of the Christmas story-the birth of our magnificent Savior then look beyond the manger to the purpose of the birth and the purpose of the cross for you an for me. Then live what your heart experiences out loud as a gift to God.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.~ Hebrews 12:28</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Shalom~Pamela</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-67033962805254628782012-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-02T08:56:45.327-05:00LOL: Unwrapping Christmas<strong><span style="color: #444444;"></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. ~ John 1:1-2,14 (NLT)</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Living Out Loud (LOL) Christmas...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">What does that really mean? When you hear the word Christmas most think of decorating that perfect trees and hanging bright lights on our homes. This is fun but....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">There are Black Friday sale's and long lines at the check out counters as we find that great deal or that perfect gift. This is trying yet worth it but....</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">There will be family gatherings with an abundance of food and warm drinks by a fireplace. All this is good, but... </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Many families will follow the tradition of reading the Christmas story from God's Word before exchanging their gifts for each other. This too is good but...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Many people will go above and beyond to help someone else in need by their giving of time or monies. This is great but...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Is it living Christmas or is it living the holiday?</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM2Y4ZehOa_X3_FlNFwaNtajGw47926K7t0y2DBPtSHn_K3rds0X4nKKAjxeB5l-okOllzFngiIBm-woIgcanP0PQufunCyESAzMrJd_ZWUpFbBO2Tp8djg283VgnJsKZ2rhFcn8aQyE/s1600/Unwrap+the+gift+of+the+Holy+Spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMM2Y4ZehOa_X3_FlNFwaNtajGw47926K7t0y2DBPtSHn_K3rds0X4nKKAjxeB5l-okOllzFngiIBm-woIgcanP0PQufunCyESAzMrJd_ZWUpFbBO2Tp8djg283VgnJsKZ2rhFcn8aQyE/s1600/Unwrap+the+gift+of+the+Holy+Spirit.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">I believe living Christmas Out Loud can be all of these but more importantly it is living out our salvation that came from the baby in the manger. It's unwrapping salvation's story. My Pastor <a href="http://desperationchurch.com/#/meet">Michael Craft</a> said it so well in his message this weekend...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;"><em><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Could the word Christmas be a verb...and a mission? God interrupted history and was birthed into the world. He was what everyone needed and what everyone was craving. Jesus wants to Christmas (birth himself) in you and through you and you have the chance to birth Him anywhere and everywhere that you go."</span></em> </span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC6SXGz_jcbBSwby8x17poOpOmXVE7fSuSSdgr1VZNFUvq0tx1E3anA3zt9MSSPfujKy2frgp1UFVj2j1beRNNrzPBXHqxnIPEpgqPmU0RQGIeD8DWLQLKJjOBUEgsCjXCRZc5AXGTnk/s1600/Jesus+is+the+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC6SXGz_jcbBSwby8x17poOpOmXVE7fSuSSdgr1VZNFUvq0tx1E3anA3zt9MSSPfujKy2frgp1UFVj2j1beRNNrzPBXHqxnIPEpgqPmU0RQGIeD8DWLQLKJjOBUEgsCjXCRZc5AXGTnk/s1600/Jesus+is+the+gift.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Jesus Christmases in us. Christmas in action. Our salvation in action. Living like God is with us and in us. The gift of God himself coming to earth, the gift of His Holy Spirit left for us when Christ returned to his Father's side.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="ot">See, the virgin will become pregnant </span><span class="text Matt-1-23"><span class="ot">and give birth to a son, </span></span><span class="text Matt-1-23"><span class="ot">and they will name Him Immanuel</span>, </span><span class="text Matt-1-23">which is translated “God is with us.” ~ Matthew 1:23 (HCSD)<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-23168A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Christmas is living out loud Jesus all year long.</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #444444;">Making it our mission. No matter where our life has been, what we have done, how we have lived, we allow God to interrupt our life and to be everything we need and the one thing we crave the most.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, <span class="text 1Tim-1-13" id="en-NLT-29670">even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-1-14" id="en-NLT-29671">Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.</span> </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span class="text 1Tim-1-15" id="en-NLT-29672">This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:<span style="font-size: large;"> “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners</span>”—and I am the worst of them all.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-1-16" id="en-NLT-29673">But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.</span> <span class="text 1Tim-1-17" id="en-NLT-29674"><span style="font-size: large;">All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen</span>. ~ 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NLT)</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMfIXkMwp3RyXfLGS8MK_VCPK2xBG_8xSE9N2EEbiknCZ_Z84enZLUrml5yTojawMN8xj4tK4KR-af_583bx1Ee8-vKWKLVyryCpiXD20ocPiTAhKe6_hVi9jxtomiDi_X-3C8cnLy2w/s1600/Jesus+the+greatest+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMfIXkMwp3RyXfLGS8MK_VCPK2xBG_8xSE9N2EEbiknCZ_Z84enZLUrml5yTojawMN8xj4tK4KR-af_583bx1Ee8-vKWKLVyryCpiXD20ocPiTAhKe6_hVi9jxtomiDi_X-3C8cnLy2w/s1600/Jesus+the+greatest+gift.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color: #444444;">Christmas is seeing the gift of salvation found in the manger lived out on the cross. Christmas is to embrace a love so undeserving to the greatest of sinners-you and I. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Christmas is embracing the love of Jesus and gifting it back to Him by falling in-love with with Him more and more each day. It is Christmasing Jesus into the lives of other.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. <span style="font-size: large;">Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. </span>Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:1-2 (Message)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Beth Moore penned it well when she wrote the poem (Jesus Day By Day, 2008):</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">He is Jesus.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">The One and Only.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Transcendent over all else.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">To know Him is to love Him.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">To love Him is to long for Him.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">To long for him is to finally reach</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">soul hands into the One true thing</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">we need never get enough of.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Jesus.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Take all you want.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Take all you need.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Till soul is fed.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">And your spirit freed.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Till dust is dust.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">And Face you see.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">Jesus Christ.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">He's all you need.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Christmas in action. Christmas as a mission. Unwrapping salvation's story. Embracing God. Jesus Christmases in us.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, <span class="text Ps-115-1">but to Your name give glory </span><span class="text Ps-115-1">because of Your faithful love, because of Your truth. ~ Psalm 115:1 (HCSB)<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-15832A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Striving to live Jesus Out Loud~Pamela</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-84237860076481080592012-11-26T08:00:00.000-05:002012-11-26T13:44:48.425-05:00LOL: Conformed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e8w1uCZss-e5yT8Efx33DgiX_WJd0RC7yQcnyH5DnKufZ21K5kr6xK8fRBEtOZNMXviWd0_lJ9hHj1TUE6yJF_-2suZDob1bAJfskMnbRcalLEDr2cGGWQO1bN3F1zcFSH4g11ezsWI/s1600/LOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e8w1uCZss-e5yT8Efx33DgiX_WJd0RC7yQcnyH5DnKufZ21K5kr6xK8fRBEtOZNMXviWd0_lJ9hHj1TUE6yJF_-2suZDob1bAJfskMnbRcalLEDr2cGGWQO1bN3F1zcFSH4g11ezsWI/s1600/LOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil.<span class="text Rom-16-20" id="en-HCSB-28356"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>The God of peace<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28356C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> will soon crush Satan<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28356D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. ~ Rom 16:19b-20 (HCSB)<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-28356E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span></span></em></strong></span></span></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Came across these verses in my quiet time the other day. Just couldn't navigate my mind away from from them. Another golden find for this time of my life. Another set of scripture to turn into a most powerful prayer!!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">But whats the story surrounding this heavenly find?</span></strong><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Paul is closing his letter to the Roman church. He is preparing them for his visit. He wanted </span></strong><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">to present the gospel and its implication to their present life and their life in eternity. He is proud of their spiritual growth and the spiritual fruits they have established for eternity. He is appealing his readers to work out their Christian faith in practical ways, both in the church and in the world. </span></strong><span class="text Rom-16-20"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Read his words to the church again in the Amplified version:</span></strong></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-16-20"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">I would have you well versed and wise as to what is good and innocent and guileless as to what is evil. <span class="text Rom-16-20" id="en-AMP-28355">And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you.</span></span></span></em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">No other letter written by Paul so profoundly addresses the Christian walk. The Christian walk. This has really laid heavy on my heart and soul these past few months. The whole concept of living and breathing Jesus in our everyday, not just at home or at church where it tends to be easier but in the world.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TBV4srSNO6vEh_dwfrMn4SuCCSt0i7s5aLIPtutHQ4xWC38ppSOTC-x-4kUz9NBj-4-wdpkeeSjaM60b-9OuSoqlm386RtfoRwWgr-SymPjKJXnBz7Qxg3AgYk6G7IpsMD9DA6V_UnM/s1600/jesus-at-a-pharisees-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TBV4srSNO6vEh_dwfrMn4SuCCSt0i7s5aLIPtutHQ4xWC38ppSOTC-x-4kUz9NBj-4-wdpkeeSjaM60b-9OuSoqlm386RtfoRwWgr-SymPjKJXnBz7Qxg3AgYk6G7IpsMD9DA6V_UnM/s200/jesus-at-a-pharisees-house.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Jesus lived bolding in the world. He didn't shy away from the sinners or even their places. He could be dab smack in the center of the Pharisees home and still not be one of them. That is want I want of my life. To be in the world but not of the world but clearly visibly belonging to Jesus.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. ~ Rom 12:2 (Amplified)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">To be wise about what is good. This begins in knowing God and loving Him above all else. Beth Moore put it so well in her devotional book Jesus Day-by-Day:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #660000;">"The exquisite beauty of loving Christ is that it makes it impossible to keep only one commandment. The Word tells us that the person who truly loves God will pursue the obedient life and be far more likely to persevere in trials. Loving God is the vital lifeline to all other commandments." (pp.65)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">[And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. ~ Titus 3:7 (Amplified)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Christ walked His journey here on earth so that we could follow in His footsteps. His grace and mercy through Calvary should empower us to live to do good in His name. It should become what our living is about. Can you say that? My living too often has just been about me. Waisted living. Once again, in these verses I hear His whisper on my heart...</span></strong><br />
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<span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">But still, I want you to understand what is good and not have anything to do with evil. <span class="text Rom-16-20" id="en-CEV-26267"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Then God, who gives peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. I pray that our Lord Jesus will be kind to you. (<span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20">Contemporary English Version)</span></span></span></span></span></em></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Seeking the good, staying away from evil. And the outcome? This is what is so awesome about these verses...read it in the Message version:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">That is so calling out a victory dance!! That's the kind of victory I want to see in my own life-the peace of God coming down and stomping anything of satan right into to the ground!! Then to live to enjoy the best of Jesus. That's living conformed!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">I want you to be wise about good things and pure about sinful things. G<span class="text Rom-16-20" id="en-NLV-28357">od, Who is our peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the loving-favor of our Lord Jesus be yours. (NLV)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
<span class="text Rom-16-20"></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-16-20"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">That's living conformed and living in His favor-enjoying the best of Jesus!! Let's make it a goal to live each day to enjoy the best of Jesus here on earth!!</span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NLT)</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Shalom~Pamela</span></strong><br />
<span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"></span></span><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"></span></span></span><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20"><span class="text Rom-16-20" id="en-HCSB-28356"></span></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-312402722993841112012-11-12T08:00:00.000-05:002012-11-17T20:26:20.715-05:00LOL: Copy-Cat Living<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkkWcywgRoFrTARMZ9fkXbei_IlNleXRxqbePrZbYUCn1gtzshJKWtafGQIL230NIq_yfrizkP-wgNXkDOF9bOHD9DGquvWPTApB1-qQNi4mP1EzlKSsm5kKtI_mLJf82hXIEBcxpUyo/s1600/LOL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkkWcywgRoFrTARMZ9fkXbei_IlNleXRxqbePrZbYUCn1gtzshJKWtafGQIL230NIq_yfrizkP-wgNXkDOF9bOHD9DGquvWPTApB1-qQNi4mP1EzlKSsm5kKtI_mLJf82hXIEBcxpUyo/s1600/LOL.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes...Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. <span class="text Eph-5-2" id="en-NLT-29267">Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. ~ Eph 4:23; 5:1-2 (NLT)</span></span></em></strong></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="background-color: white;">Remember when you were little on the play ground at recess and you heard a squeaky voice shouting "Copy-cat! Copy cat!"? It wasn't necessarily a good thing. Yet, as we have grown older, we still find ourselves wanting to copy others, usually for positive reasons</span>. </span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04;">Maybe you want to copy the recipe of a new dish you just tried at a church pot luck dinner. It was popular at this event, maybe it will be just as popular for your next family holiday gathering. Or maybe you'll sing a new song that has been recently recorded and released. She sang it so sweetly but maybe your voice can reflect an even more tender version. Or maybe you are into success, climbing the career ladder and you want to achieve an outcome that was successful for your peer. It work for them so it should work for you, right?</span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04;">You and I know it doesn't always happen that way. The recipe flops in the oven, your voice cracks during the chorus, and then the position you have worked so hard for is now being eliminated. Not all copy-cat living works out. <span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't always reflect the original.</span></span></strong><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></strong></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="background-color: white;">Living Out Loud does have a component of "Copy-Cat Living". God put people in our life so we can learn and grow from them. Have you ever known someone who seems to live life to its fullest? What is it about that person that draws you in and makes you want to copy them? Maybe it the joy they live out loud? The humility? The sweet, gentle, quiet spirit?</span> </span></strong></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26492A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and have it to the full. ~ John 10:10 (NIV)</span></em></strong></span></div>
<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #783f04;"></span></strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhrhyphenhyphenhezxJT-xZP5rjqf3SV7vHIOmbUntjVk0GTWgnhyZl-oKDp1ZwDyf5aR8GtNzY9-Iv5zJith6ws9yUadJc7VGH1f04HtlYRZXREoHno7vmo9pk7xYM-xYhauNpMjOX9DInUocX5U/s1600/JESUSCHRIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhrhyphenhyphenhezxJT-xZP5rjqf3SV7vHIOmbUntjVk0GTWgnhyZl-oKDp1ZwDyf5aR8GtNzY9-Iv5zJith6ws9yUadJc7VGH1f04HtlYRZXREoHno7vmo9pk7xYM-xYhauNpMjOX9DInUocX5U/s320/JESUSCHRIST.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04;">There is one person above all others that we should want to copy-cat our living by...Jesus. Did God not love us enough to give us His Son to be a living breathing example we can copy living by? It wasn't just the Christians that were draw to Jesus, the sinners were drawn to Him also.</span></strong></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-5-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af;"><strong><em>"One reason people loved being around Jesus was that he gave the people around him breath, life, energy, peace, and joy. He came to restore our relationship with God and to put fresh air back in our lives." ~ Chris Hodges, Fresh Air (pp.70)</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04;">I love how Chris Hodges describe Christ above...breath...life...energy...peace...joy. I yearn to be like that...like Him. Someone who loves others like He did. Not the introvert that I tend to be but a compassionate, caring, humble person who doesn't center on her own needs before the needs of others.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="color: #76a5af;"></span></strong></span> </div>
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<span class="text Eph-5-2"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af;"><em>"...my life message is to encourage people to draw closer to Jesus. That's because I know what it's like to move from a life-draining, exhausting, self-propelled faith to one that's life-giving, invigorating, and Spirit-propelled." ~ Chris Hodges, Fresh Air (pp.75)</em></span></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have lived a life-draining, exhausting, self propelled faith. It got me no where spiritually. It was definitely lacking in joy. It was a faith built on duty, grounded on rules. Paul spoke on this all throughout his letters to the churches (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians). Circumcised verses uncircumcised. Legalistic works verses obedience. Living faith out of a sense of duty vs living faith out of your relationship with God.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #783f04;">I choose a relationship. I chose to be a copy-cat of Jesus. Living to be life-giving, invigorating, Spirit-propelled. Living Out Loud Jesus. More than anything, I want to live like that. <span style="font-size: large;">I want to reflect the original</span>.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">May the words of my mouth <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-19-14">and the meditation of my heart </span></span><span class="text Ps-19-14">be pleasing to you, </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-19-14">O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, my rock and my redeemer. ~ Ps. 19:14 (NLT)</span></span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-72970614189134454992012-11-05T08:00:00.001-05:002012-11-05T08:00:03.688-05:00LOL: the Jehoshaphat's Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memory/Meditation Verse:</span></strong> <em><strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">“In Him we live and move and have our being,” (Acts 17:28 NIV).</span></strong></em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">This verse crossed my path and captured my heart. It literally wraps up what Living Out Loud is based on-it is all about Him. Then I am reminded of one of my favorite Old Testament stories and today, I take you there...2 Chronicles 20. Read it </span></strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20chron%2020&version=NIV"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">here</span></strong></a><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">...every verse and then come back here.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Davids son Jehoshaphat understood what it meant to Live Out Loud. In the footsteps of his father, King Jehoshaphat included God in his everyday. Imagine living in that time. We are dealing with political battles, different parties fighting for what they think is right for our country. Not necessarily to the magnitude of Jehoshaphat's time. He was dealing with a political battle...a battle in which his enemies wanted his territory. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">How did King Jehoshaphat respond?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and he proclaimed a fast<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-11591F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> for all Judah. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">His first response? He became alarmed. Any time someone is invading our space, or threatens something dear to us, we will react that way. King Jehoshaphat's men came to him with what they knew and He heeded the words of his men. He didn't brush them off. He wasn't too busy to listen or to care.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">His second response? He turned to God and he gave it to God. He called on God in this most beautiful prayer, a prayer that confirmed his faith and trust in his God. A prayer that we should all use when we are feeling overwhelmed:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text 2Chr-20-6">"Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11594E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11594F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-7" id="en-HCSB-11595">Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11595G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11595H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> Your friend? </span> <span class="text 2Chr-20-8" id="en-HCSB-11596">They have lived in the land and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name and have said, </span> <span class="text 2Chr-20-9" id="en-HCSB-11597">“If disaster comes on us—sword or judgment, pestilence or famine<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11597I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11597J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:5-12(HCSB)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">His third response? He reacted. He reacted in faith. He took the threat seriously. He knew on his own he could not stop his enemies. But he knew His God would react to him. He reacted by fasting.</span></strong><br />
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<em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”~ Matt 6:33</span></strong></em></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Though Matthew 6:33 had yet to be penned, King Jehoshaphats faith knew this.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white;">Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has ever given us for our daily lives...Although fasting lasts for a short season, it brings long-term results, which sharpens us, enabling us to face the challenges of life in His strength ~Jentezen Franklin</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Nothing was more important to him then being as close to His God as he could be. He knew God was bigger than him. Our passage reads on to show God coming through when His spirit came on a man in the congregation, Jahaziel, with these words:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is what the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ~ 2 Chron 20:15b<span class="text 2Chr-20-16" id="en-NLT-11580"><sup class="versenum"></sup></span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">The battle is not yours. If only we would recite this line every time we confront the invasion of the unwanted or the impossible. The battle is not yours. What a beautiful confirmation for King Jehoshaphat that his reaction and commitment to God was the right step towards this threat. But he didn't stop there. Even before the enemies were defeated, what did he do?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text 2Chr-20-21">“Give thanks to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-21">his faithful love endures forever!” </span></span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text 2Chr-20-21">~ 2 Chron. 20:21</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;"><strong>He gave thanks. He praised God in advance for His work He would do. that's faith. That's trust. That's walking life with God. You know the rest of the story if you read this chapter like I asked you to in the beginning. I don't think the ending is so much about winning the battle as it was the result of God's action in their lives....</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. ~ 2 Chron. 20:30</span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Peace. Rest. What a blessed reward. I believe this same reward awaits us is we live out loud as King Jehoshaphat did here in this chapter. When life hits you hard, live your faith out loud by:</span></strong><br />
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<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Be alarmed. </span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Resolved<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-11591C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> to seek the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">React</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Remember, "the battles is not yours".</span></strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Give thanks and praise to God from the beginning.</span></strong></li>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f6000;">Then rest in Him. Wait for His peace. Live Out Loud Jehoshaphat's way!</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s1600-h/Pamela2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207396755652813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4r_7c49ESkCcQUy-KBF-OALuOhargyiy-Pn6k5n9pvkPwQb6mQOeJEcQ1PtPtnuhrvYoi4DTeJg_TqkopUDScYPuk-gBKsb9-nar0abbHOM5kAwDqiGd5Xanil6HGicwRsG2nnDuoQ/s200/Pamela2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<br />Pamela (His maidservant)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15611570804370035595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5210141724426467891.post-76568202093716353252012-10-21T18:09:00.001-04:002012-10-28T18:17:44.649-04:00Sweetly Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Scripture/Memory Verse:</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Be still in the presence of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-37-7">and wait patiently for Him to act. ~ Psalm 37:7 (NLT)</span></span></span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I have recently returned from a women's church retreat in which a lot of "strongholds" were laid before the cross. The retreat was called "Sweetly Broken" and encouraged us to live in that beautiful spiritual state.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I haven't been doing that. I thought I was but God showed me differently. I have been living "broken" but in the wrong way. God revealed to me that I have been a slave to the shame and pain of the sin that brought me to my brokenness. That is spiritually unhealthy. It has been preventing me from living, truly living in a healthy brokenness-sweetly broken.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">We don't have to live enslaved to the shame of our brokenness, nor does God expect us to. God made it very clear to me He wants us to live sweetly broken. There is a difference. Do you know that difference?</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Everyone I know who has hit rock bottom or found themselves in a pit will tell you they have cherished that milestone in their life as it was in that desolate and desperate time they found God in the most deepest, precious way. It set the stage for their next step in the journey to a deeper and richer life with Him.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Brokenness is intended to lead to beautiful. It is meant to help us live humbly and reverently for God. As I look back to that time I was brought to complete brokenness, I was embraced by God's grace and love. He became all I needed. It is the guilt and shame that leads to the brokenness. You cannot have one without the other. His salvation is the embrace of grace, the spiritual CPR we need to continue to live this life.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #76a5af;">"The key is to focus on what happens <em>in</em> you, not <em>to</em> you." Chris Hodges, Fresh Air (pp.82)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">His salvation in those circumstances is not just life-saving, its life-changing. Yet, too many of us remain enslaved to the shame and regret of what landed us there. It is painfully easy to walk in the shame of our sin in an unhealthy way...beating ourselves down for the mistake, hiding from the world in fear of the rejection that awaits you, allowing satan to label and lame you by his constant reminders of your sin. This type of brokenness is not beautiful but debilitating. This type of brokenness is not sweet but bitter.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af;">"People who have God's breath inside them...remember the past without remaining in it. They enjoy the present as a tremendous gift. They anticipate the future with great hope. They have influence and use it to positively encourage and shape those around them." Chris Hodges, Fresh Air (pp.71)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Sweetly broken allows the shame to keep you grounded and focused on God. To be sweetly broken allows you to embrace what you have become and not to live in what you did wrong. To be sweetly broken allows you to live out loud as a testament of what God can and will do with the ugliness of our lives. To be sweetly broken one joyfully lives in the melody of His redemption for the eternal.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">I get it. I am there....finally. Though satan continues to try to beat me down with the cause of my brokenness, I fire back to him the scripture that supports who I am in God. It is a process to get to this point. Some days are easier than others. It is possible to move from a shameful brokenness to being sweetly broken.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">This verse came across my quiet time again as I was reflecting through my scripture spiral cards for this year. I blogged on it </span></strong><a href="http://inhisgraces.blogspot.com/2012/07/lol-in-praise.html"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">here</span></strong></a><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">. It is such a sweet reminder of how we are to live sweetly broken:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">"..don't stay in the stronghold. Leave and return to the land of Judah." ~ 1 Samuel 22:5 (HCSB)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">To be sweetly broken you acknowledge the sin that put you there but you don't stay in the shame. Remember it but don't let it enslave you from moving forward in God's plan for you life. Seek the forgiveness of God and those who were affected by it. And don't forget to forgive yourself, as often times this is the hardest thing for us to do.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Against you, you only, have I sinned <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-51-4">and done what is evil in your sight..." ~ Psalm 51:4 (NIV)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">To be sweetly broken you have to leave the sin. How? By focusing on praise (Judah)...praise for the One who you now focus life on. Don't dwell on what could have been done differently or how others could have reacted to you. It is what it is. You can't change it but because of what it is, you are now a changed person. Embrace that! Don't hide from this most important concept. Though there are consequences to our sins, there is healing in looking at where it has brought you spiritually. It will set you back if you dwell on the sin itself.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">Is this even possible? Oh yes, it is! When rejection knocks at your door, praise God for accepting and loving you and being all you need. When the illness returns, praise God that He is in control and has a plan in it. When the pain you inflicted on another is again relived, praise God on what He is going to do in that person's life despite the pain. Praise Him with scripture. Praise Him with song. PRAISE HIM</span>!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">Be still in the presence of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-37-7">and wait patiently for him to act. ~ Psalm 37:7 (NLT)</span></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;">So how does Psalm 37:7 fit into here? The most potent healing in any situation of brokenness comes from God. Being able to hear Him, see Him, or sense His presence is the cure.</span> </strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;">My life is too busy. I bet yours is too. Noise is constantly around me...deadlines to complete, school activities to attend, meals to fix, a house that needs to feel like a home, voices from from family, voices from the workplace, voices from church....it can be so loud you cannot focus. The only sanity in all this is to be able to "be still" daily. I don't know about you but this can be so very hard.</span></strong> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><strong>It's in the being still that we live out loud what it means to be sweetly broken. Bringing praise to our God by repeating a verse over and over or singing a praise song will open the door to allow His presence to enter in. Meditating on scripture followed with silence will allow the peace that passes all understanding to spill over into the moment and calm us. Silence...stopping the activity within our mind to allow God in to savor Him, listening for His voice, allowing His presence to fuel the sweetly broken spirit we need to live in. Prayer covers us with spiritual energy and helps us live our days glorifying Him in our words, our actions, our thought.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Sweetly broken. Grateful for the fall. Humbled by His embrace. Committed to Jesus by seeking Him daily in His Word. Praying to Him. Trusting Him. Growing in faith. To be sweetly broken is to be so in love with Jesus that He knows you and you know His voice. It's a choice.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me—John 10:14 (Amplified)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Sweetly broken...</span></strong><br />
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