tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13822398139853510332024-03-14T10:50:08.284-07:00By Faith and CoffeeByfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-2570801376462021312022-07-22T04:05:00.003-07:002022-07-22T04:05:50.277-07:00Finish fishing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZmIGAlP9EjrLtuz9n8fNDYa1kSmBOQbAi6IsfXXfzdS41NzIkI2v4Td1pt4PrINhs5w3eJx7Q1haczTmFyvPA-JWw0ICF42Lgp4dndheua8hoJi3FbZ7Ccwy0CdPoN-hphFTnJ8ilgOnoyAGBx3IyxCiiASAPXZu1ICKfr9BtO60NkssEzk21cbwQ/s301/ryderfishing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="226" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZmIGAlP9EjrLtuz9n8fNDYa1kSmBOQbAi6IsfXXfzdS41NzIkI2v4Td1pt4PrINhs5w3eJx7Q1haczTmFyvPA-JWw0ICF42Lgp4dndheua8hoJi3FbZ7Ccwy0CdPoN-hphFTnJ8ilgOnoyAGBx3IyxCiiASAPXZu1ICKfr9BtO60NkssEzk21cbwQ/s1600/ryderfishing.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Frank loves to fish. Frank loves his grandchildren. So Frank loves to take his grandchildren fishing. Recently on a beautiful morning, he invited Ryder (our 4-year-old grandson) along to throw in a line!<p></p><p>Thirty minutes in... the trip was deemed successful as Ryder had reeled in 10 fish ALL. BY. HIMSELF. As the 11th fish was being taken off the hook, in Ryder's words, "PopPop hooked my finger!"</p><p>There was a moment of distress as a drop of blood emerged. Determined to be brave, Ryder fought hard to maintain his composure. PopPop gently whispered, "Buddy, it's okay to cry; I know your finger hurts." Permission granted... tears flowed... ice applied to finger.</p><p>Frank waited and a few moments, then asked, "Hey Ryder, do you want to go home now, It's okay if you do."</p><p>Ryder wiped his eyes, and offered a resolve reply. "Oh no, PopPop, I want to finish fishing."</p><p>As I listened to Frank, and then Ryder, recount their experience, I so identified with Ryder's thought and emotion.</p><p>Go with me for a moment.</p><p>Walking with Jesus, following His lead, surrendering to His will is always the best option. It doesn't always feel like the easiest option.</p><p>Recently, we've walked through a difficult health issue. Not our first difficult health issue and likely not our last. </p><p>Weariness had engulfed me - both physically and emotionally. I found myself tearful, overwhelmed and discouraged. Trying to maintain, I clung to the idea of yes, holding it all together. Not aloud, but certainly with "loud" clarity, I heard, it's okay to cry; I know this hurts. Moments, well really, hours later, my decision crossroads came. For me, the question was a need for resolve. Did I trust my Heavenly Father to walk with me, to lead me, to offer His will and purpose in this moment? Resolve is a great beginning, but I knew my strength was lacking; I simply could not pull myself up by my bootstraps.</p><p>Truth I know reminded me, "He said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." That reality comes directly from Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9.</p><p>My resolve was simple. Our God is trustworthy. I do trust Him. And then my prayer simply became, "Help me trust Your grace, Your strength, Your power in my weakness".</p><p>I think I could have uttered, "Heavenly Father, I want to finish fishing."</p><p>Friend, what about you? Are you at a point of simply needing permission to cry, to cry out, to express discouragement, to admit that you are experiencing hurt? </p><p>Are you in the midst of realizing your decision-making point of resolve, or needing to acknowledge weakness and the power in God's strength?</p><p>His grace, His power, His strength is always available to His children. He created you, He loves you, He knows your hurt, He calls you by name.</p><p>Ryder knew his PopPop was trustworthy. Frank heard his hurt and comforted him in it. When the decision to finish fishing came, Ryder's weakness was made strong through his confidence in Frank.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Join me, won't you. I'm choosing to finish fishing.. knowing the One who called a motley crew of fishermen to simply follow HIM... who changed the world.<p></p>Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-49786026601188334932022-01-01T17:04:00.002-08:002022-01-01T17:09:56.443-08:00Finishing Touches<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiBQ2h64Gxj479ba1yT2mWn-p31gj2619Czp4f5-egNjrjasffv-Jn_FuFHjdzcypcCn2e141J5cuI0oxtib5nlxa9pVCYWVaGMJi8X-1jJ2fj_Fr63pyPVs4e_UeliM4XNWshgdGxJTMSueOEdpEGH5kojG-5UJJUGWQVtBabIirQe_O8nIIb4r0oHA=s509" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiBQ2h64Gxj479ba1yT2mWn-p31gj2619Czp4f5-egNjrjasffv-Jn_FuFHjdzcypcCn2e141J5cuI0oxtib5nlxa9pVCYWVaGMJi8X-1jJ2fj_Fr63pyPVs4e_UeliM4XNWshgdGxJTMSueOEdpEGH5kojG-5UJJUGWQVtBabIirQe_O8nIIb4r0oHA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> So many Sunday mornings, our family would be in the car ready to head to church. Missing one <i>unnamed</i> daughter, the consistent routine unfolded. Frank would rush into the house, calling to <i>unnamed</i> daughter, it's time to go, what could you possibly be doing, you've been dressed for an hour!?! Following the predictable pattern, the answer was always the same...<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>"Finishing touches, Dad, finishing touches!" </i></p><p style="text-align: left;">And here we are...</p><p style="text-align: left;">Just another Friday [yesterday] leading into a weekend.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Just another Saturday [today] raining and a bit dreary.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Maybe with a dramatic musical overture, we remind ourselves, with much emphasis.... we <b>ended</b> 2021 which means we <b>began</b> 2022 in the past 24 hours.</p><p style="text-align: left;">How does your brain process that thought - questions like the ones below?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Are you...</p><p style="text-align: left;"> a goal setter?</p><p style="text-align: left;">a word for the year chooser?</p><p style="text-align: left;">a determined number of books to read planner?</p><p style="text-align: left;">a brand new blank journal writer?</p><p style="text-align: left;">a redo the budget manager?</p><p style="text-align: left;">an exercise starter?</p><p style="text-align: left;">a read-the-Bible-in-a-year accomplisher?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Honestly, I think about all those questions, and some of them are good questions to be answered or at least thought through.</p><p style="text-align: left;">But my mind is still pondering a bit of the <i><b>finishing touches</b> </i>needed on 2021. Let's really be honest enough to say that some of those <i><b>finishing touches</b> </i>might be lurking around from 2020 or 2019 or 2015... you understand, right?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Maybe I've thought through another list...</p><p style="text-align: left;">Who do I need to forgive?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Who do I need to ask for forgivenss?</p><p>What has God brought to my mind and heart this past year, maybe before, that He is calling<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> me to do?</p><p>What have I learned from the past twelve months that I'll use to encourage someone else?</p><p style="text-align: left;">When might I choose to follow God in ALL things, ALL aspects of my life?</p><p style="text-align: left;">When should I have shared the good news of Jesus with a friend... with a stranger?</p><p style="text-align: left;">How might I help mend a hurting relationship?</p><p style="text-align: left;">How might I need to re-evalute an unhealthy relationship?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Can I encourage you, even challenge you, to spend the beginning of 2022 putting needed <i><b>finishing touches</b></i> on 2021?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Looking back and looking ahead had been a powerful reminder to me of the constant, never-changing power of God's word... the Good News.... the Bible literally at our fingertips. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Hearing Paul's words freshly reminding me... looking back, looking ahead, living present...</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, <br /></i><i>since all members of one body, you were called to peace.<br /></i><i>And be thankful.<br /></i><i>Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Colossians 3:15-17</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span> </span><span> </span><br /></i></div>Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-33849632917788468802020-07-17T21:01:00.002-07:002020-07-17T21:08:42.063-07:00A thousand HallelujahsWhen I participated in children's choir at church, we often began our practice time with a fun, active song. Anyone remember:<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise Ye the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Each time we sang "Hallelu" or "hallelujah", we would sit down or stand up in progression. By the end of the song, giggles filled the room, and we'd beg to sing it again. When singing that chorus, there are 12 Hallelujahs offered to God.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Even now, as I found myself singing along, my face lit up with a sweet memory and a precious moment of worship to the Lord who is worthy of ALL praise.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Often, when I come to the Lord in prayer, my lists of needs is long. I have much to talk to Him about, much to ask Him for, and much to maybe even "convice" Him regarding what I believe I must have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you notice how many "I's" there were in that paragraph. Praising our Heavenly Father doesn't always drive our prayer, does it?<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Message paraphrases Psalm 96:4 with these words, <i>"For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs." </i>Hold that thought for just a minute.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It must have been 1986. We were living in South Carolina, and my best friend and I had taken the afternoon to go shopping at our local department store. This wasn't just any normal shopping trip. You see, this particular store was offering an unbelievable treat. We understood the details perfectly. One of the employees was secretly named, "the mystery person." Whoever said the specific word to that mystery person won a $100 gift card to the store. Sounds simple enough. Only one stimulation: the winner had to the 100th person to say the specific word to the mystery person. We were up for the challenge. We went to every employee in the store and repeated the word. No one pronounced us the winner, so we devised a winning plan. We really did this - we went to each employee in the entire store and took turns saying the mystery word... 50 TIMES EACH, so we made it clearly to the 100th person to speak the word.</div><div style="text-align: left;">We didn't win. We still don't know why. 😊</div><div style="text-align: left;">The suspense is heavy here... what was the specific word we said hundreds of times that day. I honestly can't remember. I even called my friend, and she can't remember either. What we DO remember is how silly we must surely have looked in our strategic quest. We intentionally spoke the word hundreds of times that day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is God really great?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Is God really worth a thousand Hallelujahs?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In speaking of Himself in Job 38-41, God brings dramatic questions recounting HIS power and majesty:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Who marked off the dimensions of the earth's foundation?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Can you raise your voice to the clouds?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Who has wisdom to count the clouds?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Can your voice thunder like His?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our great God is worthy of all the praise and honor we can muster.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So on this day, I'll commit to offering Him a thouand Hallelujahs.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It might just take me all day... Join me, won't you?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEtSPDFpIKpos13ISXy_GZ4H1Tkg_uTJTsyRBI2nPcoBE9oXMoxpp4rdy3huGPG_g7bC_Uo9LKQJh_sk2vmr-SZhkFk7bxn34YwSmsNso_Ovaw5Ft1983lBPN8-GYbIzS8A1tCUxlEfUN/s2048/Worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEtSPDFpIKpos13ISXy_GZ4H1Tkg_uTJTsyRBI2nPcoBE9oXMoxpp4rdy3huGPG_g7bC_Uo9LKQJh_sk2vmr-SZhkFk7bxn34YwSmsNso_Ovaw5Ft1983lBPN8-GYbIzS8A1tCUxlEfUN/s320/Worship.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear Heavenly Father,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Holy is Your name,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I sing Praise Ye, Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I shout Hallelujah to you!</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are worthy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Great are You, Lord...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-80699155067702090422020-01-07T19:36:00.001-08:002020-01-07T19:36:07.621-08:00Who's the Boss?Do you remember the sitcom by that title, <i>Who's the Boss</i>? The show aired in 1984, and the premise was this: a former baseball player becomes the housekeeper for a "type A personality", divorced, successful businesswoman. She has a son; he has a daughter. As per the title, the discussion often happens as to who really was the boss here?? Who really is in charge??<br />
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These words have come to my ears a few times... "You aren't the boss of me!"<br />
I've heard that from my own children; I've heard it from students in my 4th grade class; I've even heard it once from a precious grandchild. 👦<br />
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I can tell you my reaction to each of those different children elicited a different response and even attitude from me. What I have realized is the end result/goal in my reaction to each one was to simply remind him/her that "yes, indeed, in this instance, I am in fact, the "boss" of you! Then they had to decide how they would respond/react to that reality.<br />
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As we walk into a new year looking hard for "2020 vision" (no pun intended), it make sense to establish the true identity of who actually is in charge of me? I found numerous books, memes, acronyms, and pictures noting clearly that our general society would tout,<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I AM IN CHARGE OF ME!! </span></div>
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And let's be honest, that sounds just great. I'm reasonably smart; I have a college degree; I have some experience (I have 57 years in...); I've been married to the same guy for 35 years; I've been a parent to four children, I've taught 3rd and 4th grades for several years, I've had a lot of coffee with a ton of friends... and gained much wisdom from them.</div>
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I should be in charge of my words, my actions, my reactions, my thoughts, my ideas, my assessment of any given situation, right??</div>
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or</div>
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I have the opportunity to surrender all that "charge" to someone else...<br />
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<b>to the God of the Universe</b></div>
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<b>to the God who sees all</b></div>
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<b>to the God who knows all</b></div>
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<b>to the God who created all </b></div>
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<b>to the God who is everywhere </b></div>
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<b>to the God who speaks life over death</b></div>
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Some days, I have trouble simply deciding what to plan for dinner!?<br />
Maybe I am willing to surrender just a few things out of my charge and into HIS.<br />
What if... today, we agree to choose to surrender our day, every day, not just a few things, but ALL the things.<br />
Let's begin there.<br />
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<i>Dear God,</i><br />
<i>You are worthy to be praised,</i><br />
<i>You are almighty, You are above all things,</i><br />
<i>Today, I surrender my day to Your will.<br />I ask that You remind me this day that You are in control, and that I am not.</i><br />
<i>Guide my steps, my thoughts, my words, and my actions.</i><br />
<i>In the powerful name of Jesus I pray.</i><br />
<i>Amen</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoBz4Esmj3ZdXiXlHJAdKQGdS5qTqPunCJ3A9m3qXqxemYYFz79YSdWvSMzl4NgToPdKw8nnvmYpss_7nxQwLt28iCoiuiXcidlnFE8av2_CwI6Wi8VM2cfETbptPLQEme4Dsv4UHism9/s1600/priscilla-du-preez-etzeCeDY-t8-unsplash+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoBz4Esmj3ZdXiXlHJAdKQGdS5qTqPunCJ3A9m3qXqxemYYFz79YSdWvSMzl4NgToPdKw8nnvmYpss_7nxQwLt28iCoiuiXcidlnFE8av2_CwI6Wi8VM2cfETbptPLQEme4Dsv4UHism9/s320/priscilla-du-preez-etzeCeDY-t8-unsplash+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="text 1Thess-5-16" id="en-NLT-29598" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>"</b></span></span><span class="text 1Thess-5-16" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Always be joyful.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Thess-5-17" id="en-NLT-29599" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Never stop praying.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-NLT-29600" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</span></i><br />
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<i>May you find and choose joy in surrendering to the will of the Father.</i></div>
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-81870304637130198632019-06-28T07:43:00.000-07:002019-06-28T08:08:51.266-07:00Beach thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gazing out, still forever mesmerized, by the powerful waves rolling passionately to the sandy beach, then recoiling at just the appointed line... my soul rests.<br />
The Gulf Coast, Panama City Beach, our favorite place. Frank brought me here first in 1983. I'd seen the ocean, but joining his family in their lifelong tradition was new. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, siblings, friends, new husbands and wives, and one fiance' (me!).<br />
They rented beach houses side by side. Houses with gritty tile floors included a bedroom designated for each family. Cooking responsibilities were shared, so that the most valuable moments were spent on the beach.<br />
"Coffee Club" created a morning option for those early risers. Some mornings, family concerns were discussed, world problems were solved, and business decisions were made. Other mornings, conversation was minimal; simply the overwhelming sights and sounds the ocean offered: dolphins playfully jumping, a swooping pelican diving deep for a morning snack, and the water - crystal clear and peaceful.<br />
I didn't like the feel - the grittiness of sand then. My knight in shining "swimsuit" (Frank) carried my chair, my book, my water bottle and my sunscreen down to just the right spot by the water. He'd come back to guide my steps to my beach towel-laden chair. And then, knowing my sand aversion, he met the water with a bucket, filling it with sand-free water, pouring it on my sandy feet. Wow, he's a keeper.<br />
Thirty-seven years later, I sit with my toes buried in the warm familiar sand. Memory moments of sun-kissed, okay, sun-burned faces of our children begging for just more wave ride on those styrofoam boards. It didn't matter their flaming red bellies came from the scraping of the board not the sun. Family, friends, precious moments.<br />
So many times, at this water's edge, I've shared heartache and hopes, fear and failures, uncertainty and understanding with the Lord.<br />
On this day in June, I watched intently, two boats opposite each other - like the starter had shouted go, they began their race toward each other.<br />
One looked to be a small fishing boat headed out to a 4-hour excursion. The other, much bigger, resembled an important task-defined vessel - maybe Navy or Coastguard on a clear mission. From my chair, the pull of magnetism seemed to be forcing one straight toward the other.<br />
<br />
They are headed for collision - I stood - more out of angst - knowing I was less than helpless. The horizon view seemed clear - this was an impending catastrophe. I, and a few others seated on the beach, observed in horror.<br />
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As the gap closed, I braced, whispering, </div>
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<i>"Lord, protect them." </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Seamlessly they passed each other. Now I could gain proper perspective. They were many yards apart. They had no fear or thought of my fear. My vantage point was simply that: mine. My perspective was wrong.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Oh Father, </i></div>
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<i>Once more, at the water's edge, You teach me. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I begin to reflect on recent events, recent joys, recent struggles... and then to not so recent challenges. Some reminders flooded my mind and heart of what I so didn't understand in those moments, but I so clearly see and understand now - God's purpose in them. Others, still I see dimly.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been studying the book of Habakkuk lately. It's in the Old Testament near the end - only 3 chapters. The prophet, Habakkuk, begins his "complaint" to God with these words, "How long, Oh God, will I cry out to You for help, and You do not listen."</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, can I just say, as I read those words, I couldn't help but wonder, is the lightning going to come straight down on this prophet's head??</div>
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<br /></div>
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No, God allowed his questions, his complaints, and then God answered.</div>
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<br /></div>
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At the end of chapter 3, Habakkuk still doesn't fully understand the ways of God, but he so completely trusts his powerful God. And so do I. God's perspective is perfect, planned and purposeful... for my life, for yours, for His creation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I ended my perspective beach moments, praising God with the words of Habakkuk:</div>
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Join me on this new day with these words of intention:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Thought the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines.</i></div>
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<i>Thought the olive crop fails,</i></div>
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<i>and the fields produce no food.</i></div>
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<i>thought there are no sheep in the pen</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and no cattle in the stalls,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>YET</i></div>
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<i>I will rejoice in the Lord,</i></div>
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<i>I will be joyful in God my Savior.</i></div>
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<i>The Sovereign Lord is my strength,</i></div>
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<i>He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,</i></div>
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<i>He enables me to tread on the heights.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian. But the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God’s idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to him of all that I am and all that He wants me to be. – Elisabeth Elliot.</em></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-16731639022658452482018-12-27T07:06:00.002-08:002018-12-27T07:06:27.203-08:00T'was the night beforeT'was the night before Christmas... well, actually it t'was the night before the night before Christmas eve...<br />
start again:<br />
Twas the night before Christmas eve,<br />
when all through the halls, many creatures are trampling the malls.<br />
Some cookies adorned, be them slice up and bake<br />
in hopes that icing would cover for times' sake.<br />
Stressed parents aren't sleeping, well maybe slumped on the couch<br />
after shopping online and spending... well, ouch!<br />
<br />
Clearly. a poet I am NOT. Although one can barely hear those words, "Twas the night before Christmas" without finishing the sentence and conjuring the beautifully illustrated "visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads."<br />
<br />
Though truthful admission, my cherished moments of this season often appear late in the night... donning my frayed pink checkered pajama pants and Frank's favorite Dallas cowboys t-shirt. Wrapped snuggly around a cheerful Christmas mug filled with steamy coffee or the occasional apple cider (a newly discovered treat), my hands are free to enjoy the moment, forgoing my insatiable need to "write it down". <br />
<br />
With the glow of dimmed radiance mingling with torn, handmade, memory-filled ornaments, the tree gently stands at attention. Clothed in layers of white, our familiar angel atop the tree gently smiles down on the quiet moment. <br />
<br />
Where do my thoughts wander? <b>Everywhere</b> about <b>everyone</b> trying to remember <b>everything</b> while desiring to simply guide my attention to a simple reminder of the purpose for all things we are trying so desperately to accomplish.<br />
<br />
And then, once more, I'm drawn to Mary... mother of Jesus. Follow a simple outline of Mary's "life and times" with me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>She perceived and received the news:</b></div>
<i>But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus." Luke 1:30-31</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>She praised God about the news:</b></div>
<i>My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. Luke 1:46-48</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>She participated in the news:</b></div>
<i>While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. Luke 2:6-7</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>She pondered the news:</b></div>
<i>But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Friends, I can... you can... follow Mary's lead in experiencing afresh the wonder of this life-changing, world-changing birth of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Might you join me... not just in this evening before Christmas, instead let's spend a few weeks... or even a few months, responding in just the Mary did. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Perceive</b> once more the news of His birth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Praise</b> again the news of His birth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Participate</b> intentionally in the news of His birth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ponder</b> each day the good news of His birth</div>
<br />
and then, <b>practice</b> daily our response to <i>this good news of great joy for all the people</i> as we have the privilege of loving others in our words, actions and reactions.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Praising God and saying,</b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512266152198-e90ed3389be2?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2551&q=80" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512266152198-e90ed3389be2?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=2551&q=80" width="320" /></a></b></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Glory to God in the highest heaven, </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-46552548806349762712018-11-21T09:32:00.000-08:002018-11-21T09:32:29.441-08:0060 years and counting...celebrating legacy<br />
Before you have to ask, no, I am not yet 60... 😁<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsewP2tg_g78AmRadINr8p_xgECFbkLd8-Ke-H3Qs8-0baWmHr7BIX86PUvQZYMhyphenhyphenxUynAgsDaxyIG9vsDy959HyMorjXRviLjCEKXtkwahZlOlHC7xdtW46ZF2B8AXOW73xUw5gYZgRq/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsewP2tg_g78AmRadINr8p_xgECFbkLd8-Ke-H3Qs8-0baWmHr7BIX86PUvQZYMhyphenhyphenxUynAgsDaxyIG9vsDy959HyMorjXRviLjCEKXtkwahZlOlHC7xdtW46ZF2B8AXOW73xUw5gYZgRq/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="240" /></a>November, 2017 began a year of celebration for our family. My father-in-law began the festivities as he turned 80. Much to his surprise, his family showed up in Florida - children, their spouses, all the grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren including the youngest at just 2 weeks old. <br />
<br />
As we gathered for dinner, Frank offered a prayer for the blessing and the legacy his dad has created as a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a husband, and a friend. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_HRfMLmxOmfGntBTkxWmAzTC-xe64ZYqDzeYNKOcC9oMxj2uEmrrGyWBOBKFg9lVqKRgj05GaQqXCw-HhbaS2nDK7v801RYfPqYYWs55hOOutYzLRYIikIKQDztjMbMHnuWV8dR9rBRP/s1600/dad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_HRfMLmxOmfGntBTkxWmAzTC-xe64ZYqDzeYNKOcC9oMxj2uEmrrGyWBOBKFg9lVqKRgj05GaQqXCw-HhbaS2nDK7v801RYfPqYYWs55hOOutYzLRYIikIKQDztjMbMHnuWV8dR9rBRP/s320/dad.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The year of birthdays continued in April as my dad achieved that 80th year birthday milestone as well. His love for the sport of pole vaulting offered a perfect backdrop for the day filled with surprises. Once again, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren along with extended family joined in the fun. (Yes, my dad still pole vaults in Senior Olympics as he has for over 25 years now.) He even offered an exhibition performance for all. And, no, I didn't give it a try!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwByOWCOjdJMYgXOmJnHVRxReVdzzusk_wasPD5Jo0PgsY9QNM-Jnv1MfqbyI9Ovy5fHEsg7ZH-T57zQh3ZKOyn12sERThnMsqOCA9UJC9ASmzAdmMd3o3O8t5_4yVjTCQA70kDc0cCOGJ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="640" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwByOWCOjdJMYgXOmJnHVRxReVdzzusk_wasPD5Jo0PgsY9QNM-Jnv1MfqbyI9Ovy5fHEsg7ZH-T57zQh3ZKOyn12sERThnMsqOCA9UJC9ASmzAdmMd3o3O8t5_4yVjTCQA70kDc0cCOGJ/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The year of milestones culminated in the celebration of my parents' 60th wedding anniversary in September, 2018. My mom, who never enjoys being "fussed over" appreciated that we gathered at a small restaurant in Tennessee - just their three daughters and husbands. We laughed about memories and listened intently as our parents shared their history together. Traveling to Winchester, Tennessee, we visited the house my dad built, drove through downtown by the First Baptist Church, and listened a bit more to gain advice and wisdom.<br />
<br />
Today, I am overwhelmed with a grateful heart realizing the legacy of love, faith, commitment, hard work and perseverance we've had a front row seat to witness. To God be the Glory!<br />
<br />
What are you thankful for today?<br />
<br />
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<span class="chapter-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Ps-100-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Make a joyful noise to the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, all the earth!</i></div>
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Ps-100-2" id="en-ESV-15511" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15511C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15511C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Serve the</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">with gladness!</span></div>
</span></span></span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15511D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15511D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Come into his presence with singing!</span></div>
</span></i></div>
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<i>Know that <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15512E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15512E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, he is God!</i></div>
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">It is he who <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15512F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15512F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>made us, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15512G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15512G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>we are his;<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-15512a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-15512a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+100&version=ESV#fen-ESV-15512a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></span></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">we are his <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15512H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15512H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>people, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15512I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15512I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the sheep of his pasture.</span></div>
</span></i></div>
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<i>Enter his gates with thanksgiving,</i></div>
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and his <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15513K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15513K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>courts with praise!</span></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Give thanks to him; <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15513L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15513L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>bless his name!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">For the</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">is good;</span></i></div>
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-100-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">his steadfast love endures forever,</span></div>
</span></i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><i> </i></span><span class="text Ps-100-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><i>and his <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-15514N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15514N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>faithfulness to all generatio</i>ns</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-100-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Psalm 100</span></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-156807956404520832018-11-11T17:24:00.005-08:002018-11-11T17:24:56.105-08:00Sweet little memory - surrender<br />
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<a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1482100199117-a4a38a64e7e3?ixlib=rb-0.3.5&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&s=655a6308761afb5029af8113441720fa&w=1000&q=80" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="tilt shift lens photography of person lifting hand" border="0" height="212" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1482100199117-a4a38a64e7e3?ixlib=rb-0.3.5&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&s=655a6308761afb5029af8113441720fa&w=1000&q=80" width="320" /></a><i>Author's Note: Many of you know that I've been </i></div>
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<i>writing since the year 2000. </i></div>
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<i>We've been doing some cleaning out lately and have come across many of the letters I wrote to the Women's Sunday School class I was honored to teach for 12 years. Below I've copied one the letters I wrote in November, 2004. Clay (now 21) was 7 at the time. I'm thankful that the truth of God's word is timeless and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training... and I'm hopeful that my writing ability has improved just a little. 😁</i></div>
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November 2, 2004</div>
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"Hands up, you filthy animal, you better surrender!" Clay likes to catch me off guard with those words. That line is his own combination derived from the movie, <u>Home Alone,</u> and a couple of old Western movies or cartoons. He does actually know the word "surrender" means, at least in this context. Clay recently learned a hard lesson about his own surrender or submission to the authority of our garage door. He often like to "challenge" the door as we are leaving to go somewhere by pressing the button at the back door and running/sliding under the door just in the nick of time. I know that when a bike or a bat get in the way of the closing garage door, it stops and goes back up, don't you? Frank, Mollie and Clay were headed to get a pizza. "Mother" Mollie gently reminded Clay as he pushed the button that it wasn't a good ideas, and he now heartily agrees. Half his body landed inside the garage, while the other half rested on the driveway. In retrospect Frank said he looked like a turtle in distress, arms and legs flailing. It took all Mollie's strength, with an extra push from Frank, to get the door back up. Clay has some scrapes and bruises on his back, probably due more to the "flailing" than the actual door. He was a little shook up, and later told Frank he just wasn't ready to go to Heaven yet. So, he's now a little more respectful of the garage door.</div>
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Sometimes I really wish we could learn some lessons without the hard knocks and bruises that often come with our "hard" heads. As we studied the second chapter of the book of Esther on Sunday, I couldn't help but think of her obedient surrender. Surrender to the authority of the King's decree, surrender to the authority of her surrogate parent, Mordecai, and surrender to the wise counsel of Hegai, the King's eunuch. We aren't told exactly how willingly she surrendered, but given the tone of the book regarding her, I believe it must have been with a genuine strength of character and grace.</div>
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Our society often equates surrender with losing, or giving in to a stronger opponent. Some you know I am again working through Rick Warren's book, <u>The Purpose Driven Life</u>. If you have a copy, join me in the 10th chapter. Warren says, "surrendering to God is the heart of worship." He offer three barriers that he believes block our total surrender to God. </div>
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#1 our lack of trust in God</div>
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#2 our pride, adding here that our desire, to have complete control, is the cause of so much stress in our lives,</div>
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#3 we don't really know what surrender means. </div>
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"Instead of trying harder, you trust more," Warren writes, "Genuine surrender says, 'Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's, please don't take it away. In Jesus' case, He agonized so much over God's plan that He sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work.'"</div>
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When questioned about why he felt God had used and blessed his life, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, said, "When I was a young man, I made a contract with God. I literally wrote it out and signed my name at the bottom. It said, "From this day forward, I am a slave of Jesus."</div>
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I guarantee that Clay will not again challenge our garage door. I know that Esther's decision of surrender was a part of God's plan to save the jewish people from destruction. </div>
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Can't help but wonder a little, what part of God's plan involves and uses my surrender?</div>
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<i><span class="text Esth-2-8" id="en-ESV-12733" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12733H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12733H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12733I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12733I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> </span><span class="text Esth-2-9" id="en-ESV-12734" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-12734J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-12734J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"> Esther 2:8-9</span></i></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-60469869639905768622018-11-04T16:35:00.000-08:002018-11-04T16:46:33.523-08:00so very busy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe2MpYh53QbG9_ZOSHlhDykMiq_dUiHBx9vkRne1zp4QuB-kyQ3eRv4MBHUd3TizEH2VZNCCz4PV-iEc9cjoieXgXaydnMghb7kIzAVDSglHqKAihk6EfIeYlhbL_mPnCt2tZ-HrHlsuw/s1600/karen-lau-653956-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe2MpYh53QbG9_ZOSHlhDykMiq_dUiHBx9vkRne1zp4QuB-kyQ3eRv4MBHUd3TizEH2VZNCCz4PV-iEc9cjoieXgXaydnMghb7kIzAVDSglHqKAihk6EfIeYlhbL_mPnCt2tZ-HrHlsuw/s320/karen-lau-653956-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've missed you, friends! Many of you know how much I love to write, how much I love to share what I am learning from God's word, from others, and from circumstances... its is joy for me! <br />
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This fall has been F.U.L.L! What about you? Can you really believe we've just turned the calendar page to November - you realize November is the 11th month of the year... the one right before December... the F.U.L.L.N.E.S.S. of the coming season is here.<br />
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One of my goals this year has been to cut out the word "busy" from my vocabulary. Have you noticed what happens when we begin a conversation with the word, busy? Here's how it might unfold...<br />
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We run into a friend at the Mall..<br />
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Oh my goodness, it's so good to see you. </div>
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<b>and it's great to see you, too. I've been meaning to check in with you, but I've been so busy. Let's get together for coffee... soon.</b></div>
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<i>Then you think, but, for sure don't say aloud...</i></div>
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<i>I understand, friend. Even now, you have a mission to accomplish. Coffee probably won't happen.</i></div>
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or</div>
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Your phone rings... and your screen reveals your friend calling - love that sweet friend, but you remember she called two weeks ago and asked that you return her call... no hurry, just whenever you have time. Truth is... you've been so busy, you haven't had a chance to call. </div>
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Better let that call head on to voice mail. Maybe you'll call her on the way home.</div>
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And, there's one other thing about the response of "I've been so busy..." Instantly your, well - my responsibility is absolved. It's okay, we respond, when we are the recipient of the busier friend... no big deal. And here's why we respond with, it's okay.... because we are also "so busy".</div>
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So... let's make a deal 😏</div>
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As we look ahead to the next 8 weeks - a time of thanksgiving and gratitude and a time of celebration of the birth of our Savior, will you join me in avoiding just "busy" and agreeing to those things, those activities, those traditions that are determined from a posture of intentionality.</div>
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If your best intentionality comes through a list, start making it tonight. Maybe you make this list, then take some time to pray through each item/event on the list... then even begin crossing off a few unnecessary things.</div>
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So this evening... I'm looking so very forward to having lunch with a couple of sweet ladies that we've talked about/thought about and have been too busy to gather for months. </div>
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I'll see you at noon tomorrow, friends! Looking forward to seeing you!</div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-70907544045303825692018-08-26T20:26:00.000-07:002018-08-26T20:26:13.315-07:00Look who's talking TOO"Look Who's Talking, Too" was the sequel following closely the same plot as the first movie. This time, the children, a toddler and a baby, were the stars of the show as they talked to each other without the parents' awareness, while the audience enjoyed the entertainment and humor. Now with a toddler and a baby engaged in conversation, the plot changes. <br />
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Think about it... in the original movie, the audience simply heard the thoughts of baby. In this sequel, the conversation involves both children's thought an perspective.<br />
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Can you believe he said that?<br />
Did you hear how she talked to him?<br />
Would you have ever thought they would do that?<br />
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We girls do love to talk, don't we? Let's face our own faults together, conversation can convert quickly to gossip.<br />
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If I only tell one person, is it still gossip?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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If what I tell is true, is it still gossip?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the one who told me didn’t state, “don’t tell anyone and
I tell it, is it still gossip?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I only tell so that the person can pray, is it still
gossip?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the person I tell promises confidentiality, is it still
gossip?<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I’ve answered all the questions… and the answer is a
resounding yes! Do you agree?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Honestly…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have started a conversation with, "can you believe?' and "did you know?" or "have you heard"?</div>
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I have shared more than necessary information in the form of
prayer request at Bible study.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have offered unnecessary information to justify my own
words or actions with others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
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Often it seems, gossip is intended to lift me up while pushing someone else down. Surely it will make me feel better about myself, about my circumstance, about my choice or decision. </div>
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Gossip has no place in our conversation.</div>
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1 Corinthians 13 is well known as the love chapter in the Bible. Many wedding ceremonies include the entire chapter as words to live by in marriage.</div>
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As I read through this chapter again, while pondering the gossip thought, I realized that verse 7 of that chapter could and should guide not only my thoughts, but also my words. Those absolute words like never and always tend to leave me feeling inadequate and under qualified for most any task. Maybe, though, I could memorize and allow this one verse to influence and direct me. Can you imagine? </div>
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<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">It [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</span> '</div>
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1 Corinthians 13:7</div>
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Let's challenge ourselves this week... in our marriage, in our families, in our work... replace the word love with your name...</div>
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Susan always protects, she always trusts, she always hopes and Susan always perseveres.</div>
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Gossip quickly become a non-issue and is replaced with protection, trust, hope, perseverance in word and deed. Are you in?</div>
Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-29567149989963343282018-08-05T14:29:00.003-07:002018-08-15T11:51:06.259-07:00Look who's talking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH2CfO7oUTPg1xZSofzoeu2N3ySGSlyCppbkdFAj7HK05DtiLojGm4hB3oHcaukoFV6piJ_iBu_qykkUvDfqESIB3ELtMTUau4nuhIB5Ztq3U-oJQWChQ2kCZzEBZmEf2feke94W77RA/s1600/bady-qb-112559-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTH2CfO7oUTPg1xZSofzoeu2N3ySGSlyCppbkdFAj7HK05DtiLojGm4hB3oHcaukoFV6piJ_iBu_qykkUvDfqESIB3ELtMTUau4nuhIB5Ztq3U-oJQWChQ2kCZzEBZmEf2feke94W77RA/s400/bady-qb-112559-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The premise of the 1989 comedy, <u style="font-style: italic;">Look Who's Talking,</u> was simple - build a movie around the thoughts, being spoken aloud to the movie goers, by a baby. Of course, the other characters in the movie cannot hear the words being spoken, but the movie watchers giggle at how the baby views the world, each new circumstance, and his parents. <br />
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Being at the beach recently with our 8-month-old grandson, we often "guessed" what he might be thinking:</div>
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<i>Hmm.... </i><br />
<i>that huge blanket of white grainy floor </i></div>
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<i>that moves under your feet </i></div>
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<i>and seems to get pushed around by the big bathtub</i></div>
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<i> filled with crystal clear green water.</i><br />
<i>What's that about?</i><br />
<i>I'd like to get in that big bathtub,</i><br />
<i>but it looks like I might just get swallowed up.</i><br />
<i>My daddy got swallowed up once,</i><br />
<i>but it spit him right back out. 😮</i><br />
<i>My mommy did let my toes touch that water once... </i><br />
<i>but then she lifted me up really high really quick, </i><br />
<i>so I think she's very afraid!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAQlKD7QVil5zP1dMwq1lc_z3vkDQVEFTrTDXoT-nSYAxqC_KZNaTKz-QPY8NiTB797XVRkm77V143PE8g51FcJnI5ZV0vIKCOn2DlKrAJpYWnTLZ3mf4b3S778ERaLVP2B6w2-PBrTQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIAQlKD7QVil5zP1dMwq1lc_z3vkDQVEFTrTDXoT-nSYAxqC_KZNaTKz-QPY8NiTB797XVRkm77V143PE8g51FcJnI5ZV0vIKCOn2DlKrAJpYWnTLZ3mf4b3S778ERaLVP2B6w2-PBrTQ/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>I do like this big blue chair and my favorite book, though!!</i></div>
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<i>Or maybe I'd be happy to ride this crazy fish </i></div>
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<i>in the other bathtub that doesn't taste so salty!</i></div>
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They say a picture is worth a thousand words. HIs precious smile is worth much more than thousands, for sure!<br />
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Would you agree with me ... thoughts we have don't always have to or need to actually become words? I must say I am thankful that others can't "hear" some of my comtemplations. 😞<br />
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While raising our kids, we agreed with a "motto" we watched other friends adopt.<br />
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Before you speak, ask 3 questions...</div>
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Is it true?</div>
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Is it necessary?</div>
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Is it kind?</div>
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The answer to ALL three questions should be YES before speaking.</div>
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Let's play that out in a normal conversation?</div>
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Maybe I think I really don't like your dress.</div>
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It is my opinion, I don't like your dress... so I can answer yes, <b>it is true</b>.</div>
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Just because it's my opinion doesn't mean you want to know... so no, <b>it isn't necessar</b>y.</div>
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And even though I believe it to be true, you probably DO like your dress, so it would <b>not feel at all kind to you.</b></div>
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Ahhh, sweet little example, right?</div>
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Oh friends, even this week, have I allowed words out of my mouth that should have been stopped and "taken captive" in my mind long before they flew out?</div>
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Words flying out... would have to include words that I texted, typed, tweeted or tossed out on Facebook or instagram, too. </div>
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Remember James, the brother of Jesus. He had much to share about our words. I wonder... Had he learned much about his own words as he came to understand and know Jesus, his half-brother, as his Savior?</div>
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In his five-chapter New Testament book, James acknowledged our tongue as a small part of our body likening it to the bit placed in a horse's mouth that turned the animal, to the very small rudder of a ship which turns the entire vessel, and to a small spark that has the power to ignite a blazing fire.</div>
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<i>With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, <b>this should not be</b>. James 3:9-11</i></div>
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This friend, James, sure doesn't beat around the bush, does he? </div>
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He continues in chapter 3 by guiding us toward what helps us control our own words... wisdom. </div>
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And where does wisdom come from? From heaven... and here's how he describes wisdom:</div>
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<i>But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17</i></div>
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The Bible gives us ample examples of how powerful - both life-giving powerful and damaging powerful - our words can be to others. </div>
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One of the first verses I memorized from the Bible:</div>
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<i>I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. </i>Psalm 119:11</div>
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The more of HIS words I read, think about, learn and memorize, the more I am reminded and guided by HIS wisdom in my words, my thoughts and my actions. </div>
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Join me in a challenge this week... write your own script for the movie...</div>
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Look, who's <b>NOT</b> talking...</div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-19-14" id="en-ESV-14183" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-19-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">be acceptable in your sight,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-19-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">O <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, my <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14183A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14183A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>rock and my <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14183B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14183B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>redeemer. Psalm 19:14</span></span></i></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-6416392648850696052018-07-15T12:12:00.002-07:002018-08-15T09:27:33.793-07:00Warning so that<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2<sup> </sup>Timothy 3:16 states, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">All Scripture
is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Numerous sources agree there are approximately</span> 800,000
words in scripture ultimately encouraging us to be more like Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
humbly confess to times when I wasn’t interested in being taught, being admonished,
being corrected, and especially not trained to be righteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attitude ruled with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>selfishness and pride, uttering, “I am in
charge of my own life, decisions and future; and that seems to be working just
fine for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a recent trip to the beach, a crystal clear picture
unfolded before my eyes of this tendency most of us have to “lean on our own
understanding”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At every public beach
access, a flag system instructs beachgoers of the current ocean conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6ZE-ebtsZatNM6W_ONhQjD9HF0Gh5eseTmvJ_Bx9AB9mqpO_CGrE-jbQBSrrkEbBMu5Xm-4XZL5Y0Qr9OubiGs4JhUGF40JHqz9P6oOx9aZItd6cfHhfNns91GmWP0o6pkTZRCxzBHAH/s1600/0020-SIGN2-0020-SIGN-beach-warning-sign-metal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6ZE-ebtsZatNM6W_ONhQjD9HF0Gh5eseTmvJ_Bx9AB9mqpO_CGrE-jbQBSrrkEbBMu5Xm-4XZL5Y0Qr9OubiGs4JhUGF40JHqz9P6oOx9aZItd6cfHhfNns91GmWP0o6pkTZRCxzBHAH/s320/0020-SIGN2-0020-SIGN-beach-warning-sign-metal.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This sunny afternoon, the
double red flag was flying. Clearly displayed concise understanding:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WATER CLOSED TO PUBLIC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rule followers obediently embraced the
warning of a double red flag… those “others” trusted their own decision-making,
determining their own rule of safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Several self-sufficient souls ignored the warning flags and ventured
into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waves crashed around one
young man who, at first watch, embraced the unpredictable crests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moments later the massive whitecaps erupted
around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Emergency responders were
already in route to summon the swimmer to shore – the scene changed quickly:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">from <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“call him out of the water with a sharp
reprimand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“save him from the water with a lifechanging rescue.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This young man’s regard for
the flag system skyrocketed to a healthy reverence… as did the gathered crowd
witnessing the incredible rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Watching this dramatic rescue
was powerful to the bystanders, but the young man who lived the rescue will share
the story with a breathless enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His experience, his story, his appreciation for his salvation can and
will be useful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I wonder if he might briefly
share this way:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I fully understand that the
authority of the flag system is in place <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to
teach me, to correct me, to train me in the right way for good, </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so that</b> I stay safe and now, I can tell
my story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My experience is now useful
for myself and others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t
aware of the flag system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Maybe, just maybe, he hadn’t
known of the system’s value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Maybe, just maybe, he didn’t
seek the wisdom of the authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Our Bibles are available to
us 24/7 literally at our fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Christ followers, we have chosen to place ourselves under His authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We speak clearly in the waters of baptism, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, my Lord and
Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Those words of
declaration, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lord of my life”</b>
demonstrate surrender, giving up my control, my attitude, my decisions to the
authority of God through the sacrifice of Jesus and the power and presence of
the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Pick it up,
tune it in, get the app – Open your Bible and find His promises, His ways, His
heart for your life, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so that </i></b>you can share the good news
of Jesus through your story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">May the
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so that</b> by the power of the Holy Spirit
you may abound in hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 15:13</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-229242730233391132018-07-01T19:22:00.001-07:002018-08-15T09:29:18.624-07:00It's a little thing <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DneOc_NYHkqGEdDGwvI578e_KwwgYkS4Kkjwc0bIgn0jLsnmSe5l0IETFUjGUxMAFak9uQIRf1F5drtE96hx5tZqIsqqof3vvSs67R9p52mbdHeCbyjTh0GEqSej8fIO-96mA4ztDNE/s1600/taylor-hernandez-497481-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DneOc_NYHkqGEdDGwvI578e_KwwgYkS4Kkjwc0bIgn0jLsnmSe5l0IETFUjGUxMAFak9uQIRf1F5drtE96hx5tZqIsqqof3vvSs67R9p52mbdHeCbyjTh0GEqSej8fIO-96mA4ztDNE/s400/taylor-hernandez-497481-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Pausing unexpectedly, just before guiding the giddy bride
and groom to repeat their wedding vows,
the pastor turned to the wedding guests lining the crowded pews. Speaking for the happy couple, he simply
said,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In honor
of our sweet couple, they have asked a favor of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men, if you are sitting next to your wife,
would you take her hand and tell her you love her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The young bright-eyed couple gleefully watched a humble
request blossom into a powerful precious moment sparking smiles, giggles, and
even a tear or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It was a little thing</b> that encouraged a roomful of guests.. and the
couple themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Numerous informative books offered on marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I searched, and the result was overwhelming –
33,600,000 available for research, review and purchase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gloomy statistics offer 40-50% of marriages, whether Christian
or not, fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the startling statistics and the plethora of resources
available, where do we turn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many books
give communication tools, others offer date night tips, while several encourage
gift giving guides. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank and I have read, recommended, and found wisdom
extended and insight gained in many of these books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, though, (maybe it’s an empty nest with 34 years of
marriage), we’ve found our advice for marriage significantly simplified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two words actually:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve selflessly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sharing real life examples brings effective evidence, so in
a recent stroll down the beach, we brainstormed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love
to cook, and I love to eat anything you cook, so there’s a win!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days, you work late, and as much as I
love to eat whatever you cook, I throw a couple of baked potatoes in the oven
and call it dinner, hoping that will relieve even your thought of dinner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It is a
little thing.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do love
to cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to cook for you, but can
I tell you what a gift it is for me to walk in the door to yummy baked potato
aroma… especially when you add my favorite sweet potato!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It is
a little thing.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more monumental gift my husband offers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>every single night before going to bed, he
makes coffee and sets the timer so that when I wake up in the morning, fresh
coffee greets me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am served!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every morning before leaving before work I make our
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank has battled chronic pain for many
years, and even though he will likely return to rest within an hour, the smooth
inviting place of rest awaits him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
served.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if we wondered aloud to our spouse, “How can I serve
you today?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most helpful Book we’ve read about marriage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Book, the Bible, offers this charge to
serve with absolute clarity:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests
of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as
Christ Jesus. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Philippians 2:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Can I just challenge us all…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Go make the bed<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Fix the coffee<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";">Grab the hand of the one you said, “I do” to, and
say again, I love you.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-66030304266839323702018-05-14T19:05:00.002-07:002018-08-15T09:34:38.250-07:00All I want for Mothers Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzADh_o1xNQaBPwehn-I2yiprQn01uDvIheaAXIa-Ev8pFPHYhcihlYphjRbtZcQwEThwIUgwQ8Jt8Vfy3p6WGCZ16XLiK9Q4N4JRL7pUyV1yVIJCZMdkJEHip14Lo67gLdmXIXb5LOc/s1600/wijdan-mq-601205-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzADh_o1xNQaBPwehn-I2yiprQn01uDvIheaAXIa-Ev8pFPHYhcihlYphjRbtZcQwEThwIUgwQ8Jt8Vfy3p6WGCZ16XLiK9Q4N4JRL7pUyV1yVIJCZMdkJEHip14Lo67gLdmXIXb5LOc/s400/wijdan-mq-601205-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When our kids were younger, the question came year after year,<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<i>Mom, what do you want for Mothers' Day this year</i>?" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The answer, for many years, was both predictable and seemingly unattainable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"What I really want is happy children who will get along with each other for just one day."</i></div>
So, they tried... and most often, by 9:27 am, just as we were arriving at church, someone had become frustrated with someone else, and my simple request was, once more, <b>denied</b>.<br />
My kids were just normal, and most Sundays by 9:27 am, just as we were arriving at church, someone had become frustrated with someone else, and to be honest, it wasn't always the children... 😉<br />
360 days later the same question came again. This year I was ready with a plan...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<i>Mom, what do you want for Mothers' Day this year</i>?" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The answer, for this year was both unpredictable and surprisingly attainable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"What I really want is many, many gifts... just a ton of presents!!"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Their bewildered looks spoke volumes. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What happened to happy children? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is she serious? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Do you think she really does want lots of presents? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is this really our mom?</i></div>
<br />
We've laughed about that particular time for many years. I've often wondered if my desire for my kids to simply "be happy and get along" was more about evaluating my "success" as a mom than about their relationships with each other. More importantly was it about their learning to look and act more like Jesus, not more like what I simply wanted their behavior to be - void of conflict?<br />
<br />
Our children are grown now, and laughingly, even this year when questioned by one about what I wanted for Mothers' Day. I chuckled a little and began to say... "<i>Happy children who</i>..." and she finished my sentence.<br />
<br />
What do I really want for Mother's Day? I'd like to share with my husband, my daughters, my son, my sons-in-law, and my grand boys that my greatest joy come truly from knowing that they are walking with and seeking to be obedient to God.<br />
<br />
On second thought, I'd like to share with anyone and everyone that would listen...<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of newborn fog<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of exhausting potty training<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of teenage drama and saga<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of the new reality of empty nest life<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of navigating young adult children getting married<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of becoming Mimi or Nana or Grandma or Gigi<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of loving teenage grandchildren with grace and patience<br />
to mothers who are in the midst of beginning to allow adult children to help make decisions<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So here are just a few of the many gifts HE gives us.</b></div>
<br />
You are LOVED by the God who created you, Who knew you before you were formed<br />
You are LOVED by the God who saves you, Who sent HIS precious only son to pay for your sin<br />
You are LOVED by the God who knows your name, Who calls you HIS beloved one<br />
You are LOVED by the God who promises to walk beside you every minute of every day<br />
You are LOVED by the God who chooses to see you through the righteousness of Jesus<br />
You are LOVED by the God who assures you that your identity is in Christ - nothing else<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are LOVED</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">See what great love</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30581A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> the Father has lavished on us, </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">that we should be called children of God!</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30581B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>And that is what we are! </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1John 3:1</span></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-28151326530108543592018-04-22T18:23:00.001-07:002018-08-15T10:30:29.789-07:00What about her?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5qGtpKyYPGlh4Vs6WABHBTxCvedj9_tGKOMCjJ5Tyh63ppmPRED4ZDxBccWc7bx05Jmp9FRx1tV4BsRvVEQL1c6-idpK4wWG8y7Sc8o3pGmQ4JXIFKGljT815fdIKQqrVGvIAXU0RrI/s1600/priscilla-du-preez-149914-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5qGtpKyYPGlh4Vs6WABHBTxCvedj9_tGKOMCjJ5Tyh63ppmPRED4ZDxBccWc7bx05Jmp9FRx1tV4BsRvVEQL1c6-idpK4wWG8y7Sc8o3pGmQ4JXIFKGljT815fdIKQqrVGvIAXU0RrI/s400/priscilla-du-preez-149914-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Raising three daughters (and one son) was a challenging blessing beyond any joy Frank and I could ever have imagined. Occasionally that "blessing beyond joy" was withheld down to a bare stick... absent of joy and filled with misery. As they/we navigated teenage years (16 straight teenage years including Clay), seldom did a week make it to Friday without three powerful familiar words,<br />
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<i>"<b>THIS</b> isn't fair!" </i></div>
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or an occasional</div>
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<i><b>"THAT'S</b> not fair!"</i></div>
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Now that three-word emphatic reality spoke volumes about their perspective on any given situation.<br />
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Truth is... it "fit" many situations.<br />
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Why does she get to go to bed later than I do?<br />
That's not fair!<br />
She got to ride her bike past the top of our street and down another, and I can't.<br />
That's not fair!<br />
He got ice cream after dinner, and I didn't.<br />
This isn't fair!<br />
I made my bed and didn't receive any extra allowance.<br />
That's not fair!<br />
She said very mean words to me, and all I did was respond,<br />
This isn't fair!<br />
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I could go on and on and on. No, seriously, on and on and on. My mom would likely agree with me as she and my dad raised my two sisters and me - on and on and on.<br />
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"Fairness" - at least their interpretation of it, became the measuring stick of choice. The challenge with the conversation was the need for another to be compared to for the lack of fairness to be charged. The exclamatory,<br />
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"THIS isn't fair!" </div>
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was most often followed by, </div>
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"What about her?"</div>
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My daughters weren't the only ones concerned about fairness or the "what about her" question, are they? It has permeated our society, our friendships, and our families. </div>
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Comparing our lives..</div>
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comparing our dreams...</div>
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comparing our expectations...</div>
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comparing our everyday moments...</div>
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Does it encourage you to know that we're not the first to ask those three word questions? </div>
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How often have I heard it said, </div>
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"if only we had walked alongside Jesus on the earth, we'd follow HIM so closely without question."</div>
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"if only we had been close to Jesus and heard Him teach, we'd never question HIS authority"</div>
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"if only we had seen with own eyes the healing of a blind man, we'd have unshakable faith"</div>
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And there they were. Jesus had come, walked with them, taught them, prepared them, and then completed God's plan of redemption as He died and rose from the grave in victory. Several of the disciples has gone fishing, and Jesus appeared on the shore. After an intense conversation with Peter reminding him of Jesus' call to care for the sheep God had entrusted to him, Peter realized John was nearby.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text John-21-21" id="en-ESV-26908" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">When Peter saw him [John], he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text John-21-22" id="en-ESV-26909" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Jesus said to him, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“If it is my will that he remain <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26909AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26909AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>until <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26909AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26909AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I come, what is that to you? <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-26909AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26909AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>You follow me!” John 21:21-22</span></span></span></i><br />
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Jesus response was clear and concise: You stay focused on what I've ask you to do: Follow me. <br />
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I know I would added a bit of additional commentary: <br />
Don't worry about:<br />
what anyone else has,<br />
what anyone else does,<br />
what anyone else posts,<br />
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Follow MY path for you. <br />
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Dear Father,<br />
Guide us in Your ways. Remind us that Your word is a lamp unto our feet, and (THE) light to our path.<br />
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Amen</div>
Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-25462880778198806182018-03-25T17:24:00.001-07:002018-08-15T12:11:34.681-07:00Cleaning Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXf2wbmbC8Sw_tplwgjShjMbmb5NMk20s0Oqz3bU_lcsywR2pRMm73ucgwM17W8RYppp_rkDbU9op2nHWBE8vlaO16i-MQHoISa41pFSlv4vvn6c4PANBMADL-vUUdozDj9c1zF3twmA/s1600/rawpixel-777268-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXf2wbmbC8Sw_tplwgjShjMbmb5NMk20s0Oqz3bU_lcsywR2pRMm73ucgwM17W8RYppp_rkDbU9op2nHWBE8vlaO16i-MQHoISa41pFSlv4vvn6c4PANBMADL-vUUdozDj9c1zF3twmA/s400/rawpixel-777268-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>A dear friend of mine was sorting through some boxes in her basement and came across a little "book" that I put together YEARS ago with the catchy title of <i>Giggles and Grace. </i>She sent me her favorite page... thought I'd share it (with a few revisions)... still true today, although it reminded me... I don't clean nearly as good as I used to... 😏</b><br />
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I was recently doing some cleaning - bathrooms, mainly, my favorite!? Something very important was brought to my attention that I simply had to share. There are three commodes in my home - two upstairs and one downstairs, and I noticed there was a distinct difference while cleaning one of the "thrones". Recently I bought one of those new drop-in type bowl cleaners, and to my surprise... it really works! I only bought one to give it a try, so my results were easy to compare.<br />
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Apparently, this little cake of cleaning power is strong enough to protect the bowl from allowing dirt and grime to attach itself forcing it to flush away with every use. How DOES that work? <br />
I figure it must be:<br />
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<b>#1 the strength of the chemical,</b></div>
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<b>#2 the coating of the chemical on the inside of the bowl</b></div>
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<b>#3 the lack of resistance from the germs and grime, </b></div>
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<b>likely because of reasons 1 and 2</b></div>
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We know that often self-control is our decision NOT to allow the things of the world, the attacks of Satan, and the evil desires of our flesh to control us. These evils also include what goes into our minds and what comes out of our mouths. The protection comes when we strengthen ourselves with the protection of the Holy Spirit when we come to God accepting HIS grace to not only save us, but also to position Himself as Lord and Master over our lives. The "coating" of that protection comes when we make choices based on the mandates and commands given to us. So, maybe it looks something like this:</div>
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<b>#1 We serve a Mighty God. </b></div>
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<i>Ah Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power </i></div>
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<i>and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17</i></div>
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<b>#2 God has given the power of the Holy Spirit to protect our hearts and minds. </b></div>
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<i> Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, </i></div>
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<i>you may be able to stand your ground, </i></div>
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<i>and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13</i></div>
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<b>#3 His strength and protection allow us to grow deeper</b></div>
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<b> in grace and understanding of His ways. </b></div>
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<i>But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, </i></div>
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<i>for MY power is made perfect in weakness." </i></div>
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<i>Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, </i></div>
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<i>so that Christ's power my rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9</i></div>
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Seeking <b>first</b> the kingdom of God and His righteousness automatically leads us toward obedience to God in all areas of our lives.</div>
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-7957547859036687822018-03-06T05:42:00.000-08:002018-08-15T09:50:34.670-07:00How did we get here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How many times have you asked yourself that question? How did we get here?<br />
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Sometimes it is in a comical way...<br />
... we took a wrong turn and ended up on a dead end street. <br />
... GPS took us in circles around the address we were trying to find. <br />
... the chosen restaurant didn't quite live up to the advertised expectation.<br />
... the free gift offered for our "time" turned out to be a $5.00 gift card instead of the new television<br />
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Sometimes it is not so comical...<br />
... the little white lie became an enormous black hole of deceit.<br />
... an understanding listening ear exploded into an unintended inappropriate relationship.<br />
... a word spoken in frustration burst into flames of anger and bitterness<br />
... information shared in strictest confidence destroyed a friendship as trust was broken<br />
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Just this week in a moment of frustration, I lashed out at Frank with words, even though soft, clearly communicated anger, disappointment and unkindness. As he re-entered the kitchen a few moments later, my heart ached at my selfishness. <br />
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My anger and disappointment had little to do with anything he had said or done, but his one question had unleashed my bitter words. Oh my, even there, friends... did you catch my wording of blame: "his one question unleashed my words". His question DID NOT unleash my words... my attitude and my mouth is the only vessel through which my words are released.<br />
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Thirty-three years of marriage has taught us much about forgiveness, about grace, about love, about response. My apology was immediate; his forgiveness was just as immediate. My thoughts raced back to a time that must have been almost 20 years ago. <br />
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It was a Sunday afternoon, and we were certainly NOT practicing rest during that season of life. Seems I remember one of the girls had a birthday party to attend, and although I had the address, we had no GPS leaving my uncertainty of direction. Somehow if my memory serves, Frank must have been deep into some car repair or garage rearrangement causing the discussion of me putting all four of the kids in the van to drive to the unfamiliar site of the birthday party and then entertain the other three for an hour and a half before trekking back home. <br />
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Packing the diaper bag, adding snacks for the extra riders, wrapping the birthday present (Yes, of course, I was wrapping it right before going to the party... doesn't every busy mom do that. Hey, at least I had BOUGHT the present!), gathering crayons and activities to entertain the extra riders while we waited for the party to end, and somewhere in there... realizing "I was REALLY REALLY tired, and I certainly couldn't EVER remember a time when I had been left at home by myself to complete any task"... caused an explosion of anger that was deposited right on top of Frank's head in the garage. I spoke words to him that had never before and never since entered my heart in order to come out of my mouth. I am ashamed at the thought, even now.<br />
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How did we get there? I could give you a list one and a half miles long to justify my feelings and my words, and honestly, I could even offer a convincing argument that you would see my side and agree to my hatefulness. <br />
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Sharing with a friend recently about quick words and reactions brought this story to my mind. I grin a little as I think of the word I shared with her that became my best friend in learning what the Bible calls <b>self control</b> listed in the list among the nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. <br />
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The word was simply, <b style="font-style: italic;">"BREATHE". </b>I know, you were hoping for something a bit more profound. Trust me, it is profound when you actually do it. You see, in order to breathe, you have to stop, to pause. Breathing, when intentional, stops you in your tracks. <br />
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I don't have the strength on my own.<br />
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Breathing has taught me how to rely more fully on God's presence and power to slow my reaction giving me the opportunity to allow HIS truth to permeate my thoughts... and then, my actions.<br />
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Breathing has reminded me how to pause in an overwhelming moment asking God to calm my heart BEFORE I respond.<br />
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Breathing has offered me time to stop before I speak. Learning HIS word has given me words to guide my thoughts.<br />
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Thankfully, my "how did we get here" possibility is becoming a "stop right here" probability. Pause with me and breathe for a moment, won't you?<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The </span><span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> himself will fight for you. </span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>Just stay calm. Exodus 14:14 NLT</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">The </span><span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"> merely spoke, and the heavens were created. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">He </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">breathe</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">d the word, and all the stars were born. Psalm 36:3 NLT</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-46-10" id="en-NLT-14601" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Be still, and know that I am God!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will be honored by every nation.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-46-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10 NLT</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Ps-46-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>All Scripture is breathed out by God </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16</i></span></div>
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-71614792319943245682018-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:002018-08-15T09:57:15.042-07:00Left hand blue, right foot red, right hand yellow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Do you recognize the game? It was a favorite at birthday parties and events... I'm thinking I even remember it being an option in PE class in 6th grade on "free" choice day. If my memory serves me correctly, some friends and I thought it would be a great idea to join in.... soon deciding it might not be the best plan when the call for me was right hand - blue, which landed my right hand on the only reachable blue circle already occupied by the large smelly sock foot of some "creepy boy"... at least that's how I remember it! 😳<br />
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One redeeming quality of the game of Twister is the fact that with each spin, all players are dictated by the spin of the arrow - the only decision you own is how to contort your body to get to the prescribed circle. Your challenge comes as you do your best to follow the caller's direction while all other players are completing the same instruction. Officially. one is eliminated when "they fall or when their elbow or knee touches the mat."<br />
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How often have you said, "if only God would tell me exactly what He wanted me to do now, I'd do everything possible to follow His direction." Can you only imagine if God had some great big cardboard spinner divided into 4 colors/plans, then with each spin, HE dictated your "move" with instructions to take this job or move to this state or accept a date with this guy or attend that school. With each spin would come the "hold your breath" moment of ...<br />
Will this be the instruction that I can't manage? <br />
Will this be the direction that causes my elbow to touch the mat resulting in a disastrous fall? <br />
Will this be the command that I just can't handle? <br />
<br />
The will of God, the plans for our lives... hardly can be compared to the game of Twister. <br />
<br />
The questions continue though, don't they? Here are just a few of the answers that are guiding my thoughts and actions. So many more "specifics", but an intentional beginning guide...<br />
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I believe scripture confirms that God's will for me is to accept Christ as my Savior and Lord.<br />
I believe scripture confirms that God's will for me is to share with others the good news of Jesus.<br />
I believe scripture confirms that God's will for me is to be sanctified... to be more like Jesus.<br />
I believe scripture confirms that God's will for me is to bring HIM glory with my words and actions.<br />
I believe scripture confirms that God's will for me is love and honor my husband.<br />
I believe scripture confirm that God's will for me is to give thanks in all circumstances.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Rejoice always, pray continually, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>give thanks in all circumstances, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>1 Thessalonians 5:17-18</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And what does the Lord require of you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To act justly and to love mercy</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and to walk humbly with your God.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Micah 6:8</i></div>
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-57986632808966127182018-02-04T18:00:00.001-08:002018-08-15T10:00:35.651-07:00Snow, shingles, best laid plans...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
So... <b>January 7th</b> of this brand new year, I wrote the first blog post! So very excited to set a hopeful expectation... to issue a new challenge - to write every week. I got distracted. :( <br />
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Shingles moved in with a vengeance... I was determined to NOT be slowed down, to NOT be affected, to NOT defeat my hopeful expectation, to NOT disappoint my new challenge. Shingles, not the kind on your roof! I'd never had much thought or research about shingles, having no need to know. All of a sudden, shingles research became my time-consuming hobby. Conversations were centered around their cause, their treatment, their affect on others. Immediately I enjoyed a commonality with others in the club - they had survived to tell about their experience and recovery, helping me to realize that I would, in fact, recover.... not any too soon.<br />
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So... <b>January 8th </b>of this brand new year, I had a mile-long list of "to-do's" for work and ministry - plans in place for a coming meeting of encouragement and ideas for this semester. Another long list of meetings to schedule, people to visit, and items to be picked up. I got distracted. :(<br />
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Snow fell... Not a crazy 19-inch snowfall or anything that significant, but enough to disrupt many of those intended plans. Couple that with the continued shingles' battle... and here we are...<br />
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So... <b>February 5th </b>of this brand new year, shingles have vanished, no snow to speak of... and a second blog post.<br />
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Oh friends, what about you? Are there distractions in your day? in your week? in your year? That's the understatement of the century, huh? So what do we do? Accept defeat? Determine to disappoint? I'd offer a resounding NO! Even more, I'd offer a resounding word from the word of God simply to encourage our hearts:<br />
<br />
No matter our circumstances, His word speaks... our expectations, our challenges, our distractions, our "unexpecteds"...<br />
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So... <i>LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD WITH A SINCERE HEART AND WITH THE FULL <b>ASSURANCE</b> THAT FAITH BRINGS, HAVING OUR HEARTS SPRINKLED TO CLEANSE US FROM A GUILTY CONSCIENCE AND HAVING OUR BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER. LET US HOLD <b>UNSWERVINGLY</b> TO THE <b>HOPE</b> WE PROFESS, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS <b>FAITHFUL</b>. Hebrews 10:22-23</i>Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-49822892736419730542018-01-07T18:52:00.001-08:002018-08-15T10:06:41.288-07:00Love Lavished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Frank and I had been married just over 2 years; our first daughter, Katie was ten days old. It was my birthday - I was 24. <br />
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My mom was still staying with us, helping teach some basic "how to take care of a baby" techniques. You know, the really heavy-duty stuff like... how to change a diaper, how to give a baby a bath, how to swaddle that baby, how to burp a baby... <br />
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We didn't know much, but we sure knew we loved that baby girl! So, as you can imagine, all our time and energy was focused on her as it should have been. My mother (still the wisest person I have ever known) strongly encouraged us to plan to take advantage of her time with us and go out to dinner... just dinner - an hour and half out of the house.<br />
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Frank came home that evening from work, and while I was still upstairs, he created his little surprise for me. My mom watched with excitement as I entered the room.... There were eight beautifully wrapped boxes on the table - the largest box on the bottom, with each additional box strategically placed so that they created a stair-step Christmas... no birthday mountain. The top box was a 2 x 2 square box - all had perfectly tied ribbon and bows. <br />
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My mom already thought the world of Frank, so she was overwhelmingly impressed with his diligence. Dictionary.com defines lavish as, "to expend or give in great amounts or without limit." or "to bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon."<br />
That's how my mom would define how tenderly Frank loved and cared for me. And he does. <br />
<br />
Now, I have to tell you the truth here, (just so you know, Frank didn't share this tidbit of information with my mom or me for months) Frank had visited a local boutique. His plan was simple. He surveyed each mannequin in the window, found the first sales attendant and said, "I want everything "she" has on in a size 8.. Yes, the shoes, the belt, the jewelry, everything! And could you wrap it all up... in separate boxes... with pretty bows??" 😊 I have been called his wife for 33 years now; he has loved me so well, and I am so thankful.<br />
<br />
My thoughtful gift of eight stacked, beautifully wrapped packages and many other thoughtful gifts and sacrifices over the past 33 years are so appreciated. And Frank has lavished love on me with as much passion and thoughtfulness as possible... but not without limit. As kind as he is, he doesn't have it in him - there are limits: we are limited...<br />
<br />
but, oh sweet friends, we serve a God who has no limit... in power, in love, in grace...<br />
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He simply loves us... loved us enough to send His son as the sacrifice for my sin,... your sin...<br />
How can we NOT be overwhelmingly thankful every single day for the promise of His love and the truth of eternity with HIM!! Can you even fathom HIS love? He grants us the privilege of reading His words of love... literally at our fingertips. Open this letter of lavished love. Trust HIS word... Trust HIS love for you.<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">See what great love the Father has </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">lavish</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">ed on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! I John 3:1</span></i><br />
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-20365018831403425212017-12-28T05:57:00.001-08:002017-12-28T05:57:29.453-08:00Simply praise<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Many people
begin each year choosing a word to focus on for the year, to learn more about,
to look for, to grow in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone have a
word for 2017… Maybe it’s a word that you are praying through… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Relief<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Hope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Faith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Intentionality</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">This year
my own word was something terribly profound:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
word, BUT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that might not be too impressive…
so let me explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to
understand that so often we use the word but to negate something we’ve just said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I really
like your dress, <b>but</b> I think it would better if it were green not blue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The dinner
was delicious, <b>but</b> I would have preferred chocolate cake as dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">You did a
great job on this project, <b>but</b> there’s just one little problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Clay, you
got 2 A’s this semester, <b>but</b> that C in Math isn’t so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The service
was so worshipful today, <b>but</b> that last song was off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So… for
this year, I’ve really tried to replace the word <b>but</b> with the word <b>so</b>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">It just
changed a negative turn… to, at least, a different thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: arial;">So</b><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> what? Recently I've read through the accounts of Matthew and Luke about the birth of Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Always drawn to Luke… probably </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">because</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> of the familiarity, while t</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">rying to see the story
with new, fresh eyes.</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Luke 1:28 reads, "The angel went to her and said, Greeting, you who are highly favored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary was greatly troubled at his words and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be.."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">She didn’t
know what the greeting would mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to believe the Lord says the same words to us often… and we are also
greatly troubled… because we don’t know what is coming… what He may be asking
us to do… not in our own power… but in His.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
conversation with Gabriel continued with some details of what is to come….
Crazy details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So Mary
responds with grace… I am the Lord’s servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>May your words to me be fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So then…
she really responds…beautifully, humbly with an overwhelming 9 verses of
praise… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Can you see
this scene:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth says, “Blessed is
she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cue the lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dim everything except the spotlight on
Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinda like the scene in Charlie
Brown… Linus… reciting Luke 2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So even
though she didn’t fully understand what was coming, she chose praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next verse brings the lights back up with
the words, Mary stay with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned
home.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I can't claim to get inside her head, but I have to think Mary surely was "paused" by the sudden announcement she received. She did not ask for or
seek this role in God's plans; God has simply stepped into her life and brought
her into His service. Her response was the choice to be faithful. Faithful
to serve… faithful to praise… faithful to His guidance..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So we are
being called… sometimes daily, sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes with little
warning…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Do we
respond in praise and faithfulness… or in uncertainty and fear…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">I so want
to be like Mary… faithful…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">So, I’ve
tried to take the “but” out of my responses… and then … Jesus is born, the
shepherds come..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">And verse
19, But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Instead of
fear, instead of angst,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>instead of
questions for all the details… But Mary … I think she could do that because she
was faithful… so just maybe I’ll put the word <b>but</b> Susan back in my vocabulary…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;">What do you
think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> For today, let's focus on responding to God's call simply in praise to Him... the Mighty One...</o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">And
Mary said:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i>“My soul glorifies the Lord</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i>for he has been mindful<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">of the humble state of his servant.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i>From now on all generations will call me blessed,</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">for the Mighty One has done great things
for me—<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">holy is his name.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">from generation to generation.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">he has scattered those who are proud in
their inmost thoughts.</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span></b></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">but has lifted up the humble.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">but has sent the rich away empty.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i>He has helped his servant Israel,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "courier"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">remembering to be merciful</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i>to Abraham and his descendants forever,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-73483236371155155842017-12-03T18:58:00.000-08:002017-12-03T18:58:39.717-08:00No phone, no lights, no motor car...<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">Can you finish the jingle? </span><br />
<br />
No phone, no lights, no motor car...<br />
Not a single luxury, like Robinson Crusoe, it's primitive as can be.<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit;" /><br />You may recognize the theme song... from Gilligan's Island. The show actually aired on CBS from September 26, 1964 to April 17, 1967 according to Wikipedia. I remember watching the show in the afternoons when in the 70's.<br />
<br />
My two sisters and I would pretend to be the characters... my oldest sister got first choice, so of course, she was Ginger, the movie star. Second choice for the middle child gave me the title of Mary Ann, and that left my younger sister with the classy, "Lovey - Mrs. Howell". She was probably 4 or 5 at the time! :) We acted out scenes and could certainly belt out the theme song.<br />
<br />
This week, however, my thoughts are focused on two words from the song... "no phone". Frank and I found ourselves in the car headed out for an evening of dinner and hopefully a movie. As we turned out of our neighborhood, I reached for my phone... and realized "in horror", I had left it at home. The discussion to turn around to get it was quickly steered toward the fact that, "surely... I could be out of touch, unreachable... for a few hours without the world coming to an end." So we continued...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Out of habit, even during dinner, I reached for my phone.</div>
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Out of habit, as we slid back into the car, I reached for my phone.</div>
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Out of habit, as the movie started, I reached for my phone.</div>
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Out of habit, as the movie ended, I reached for my phone.</div>
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Out of habit, as we rushed back to car, I reached for my phone.</div>
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Are you noticing the pattern?? I'd like to honestly tell you that I really only checked for my phone those five times... but that isn't true at all. I tried to find a statistic on it... the results vary from 80-150 times per day. Just taking a middle number of 120 - hoping we sleep/shower 8 hours or so, that means our phones are checked at least every 10 minutes.... every 10 minutes... that statistic doesn't show how many minutes are used WHEN we check that phone. Does that boggle your mind just a little? </div>
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You've been to dinner... let's be honest, we've been THAT family seated at a table with the majority of the members attached to the phone of choice.</div>
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Can I challenge you... challenge us. Choose a time of day... maybe a full day, that you take a break... not just adjusting your phone to vibrate or even silent/airplane mode. Really push the button, turn it off... for an hour... half a day... give it a try, and in its place, listen to some beautiful Christmas music, read a book to your kids, sit in silence, be still to ponder God's grace and mercy through Jesus, His son. </div>
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Mary took a moment in Luke 2 to simply, "<i>treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart."</i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">No phones... no lights... no motor cars... Choose the day.... Choose the time... </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Oh, by the way... my phone was in the bottom of my purse the whole evening... silenced...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">:)</span></span></div>
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-87741060568840743412017-11-19T19:43:00.003-08:002018-08-15T12:06:30.694-07:00See the person in front of you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sitting next to Frank in a hospital bed was a foreign thought for the first 20 years of our marriage. The scene has unfortunately become more "normal" during the past fourteen. Our most recent hospital stint came with such turmoil and borderline unimaginable angst. <br />
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After many miserable days of insomnia, perpetual movement and much craziness, understandably the first goal for Frank's care was simply allow his body to rest... literally sleep.</div>
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Reclining in the stiff chair, my little corner of the room was dimly lit by the gloomy drizzle that pelted again the window with the occasional clap of thunder. He was finally asleep, and I was wrapped up in a fluffy soft blanket my friend had dropped off. My thoughts... then my eyes turned to the purple journal and the big pink Bible peeking out of my stuffed bag. Breakfast had already been delivered and the tray retrieved, so I knew the time would likely be quiet. </div>
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He was resting... still, even peaceful, after such seeming days of chaos. So I wrote..</div>
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<i>Good morning, Father.</i></div>
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<i>Being reminded this morning of Your great love. </i></div>
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<i>Sitting in room 444 with Frank. </i></div>
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<i>Thank you bringing him rest... </i></div>
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<i>for sustaining us through the past few days.</i></div>
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<i>I will, with Your help (figure out out to) boast all the more gladly about my/our weaknesses, </i></div>
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<i>so that Christ's power may rest on us....</i></div>
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<i>Would you bring answers for us..</i></div>
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Just then, the door opened - my hope - it would a quick check of vitals and then the quiet would again envelop our dim room. As she whispered her introduction and began her tasks, we were struck by the startling illumination of the room and the immediate follow of the booming greeting of a grumbling thunder rattling our bones! We both about jumped out of our skin!! Some storm, we agreed - sure took us by surprise. She walked out to gather some supplies promising to return in a moment. HE didn't speak out loud, but the Lord sure spoke to my heart clearly, "Ask T______ about the storm in her life?" My response was raw and honest... I'm pretty much having my own thunderous storm right now... and that's about all I can handle for the moment. I'd prefer to just continue writing my prayer right here in own little journal in my own little corner.</div>
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She walked back in, and against my will, I muttered, "That was some crazy thunder and lightning earlier. How about you? Any storms happening in your life?"</div>
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Her words came with little hesitation; her tears followed with even less hesitation. She shared of some really hard circumstances in her life. I asked if I could pray with her - and she was so appreciative. Moments later an orderly came to take Frank for an additional test. We thought he had been so sound asleep. As they wheeled him out of the room, he turned to her and said, "You are a beautiful daughter of the King - just like I've always told my own daughters, you deserve to be treated like a princess. Listen to my wife, she's giving you wise advice."</div>
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T____ and I giggled as he was whisked away. She shared more of her story and her walk with Jesus. Her words were tender, "I just needed someone to hear me - I prayed for a friend this morning... and here you are." </div>
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I didn't tell her how strongly I didn't want to ask about her storm. She was simply right there in front of me. Who will be in front of you... and me... tomorrow. </div>
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Get ready today:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px;"><i>“Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NLT)</i></span></div>
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Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-91020492496951056832017-10-15T16:36:00.001-07:002017-10-15T16:36:50.083-07:00How did I get here?<i>Hindsight is 20/20. Seeing is believing. Looking back allows us to move forward. </i><br />
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Just for fun, google sometime... "quotes about looking back"...<br />
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Where are you in the "looking back" department? Our teaching pastor recently led us back through his journey of walking backward through his life to answer the question, "how did I get here?"<br />
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It's a fun, not-so-fun, journey. As I gave it a try, my mind recreated many specific, unexpected scenes. The memory path took me back through specific career moves... teaching school where God clearly reminded me of some forgotten realities of challenges in raising young children as well as the truth of learning many strategies of a "new" job... late nights, early mornings, weekend catch-up. Back up a little further to a year in children's ministry, then a step into teaching for several years. Way back to 15 years in the preschool education world... how very much I learned from others about how to listen better than I ever had before.... Throwing in the joys and sorrows of raising teenagers, the precious memories of the birth of our four children, the loss of two our of babies who never took their first breath here on earth. Meeting, dating and marrying my husband, Frank... a paragraph of love.<br />
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Sprinkled through all, I saw our life of indescribable joy, eternal hope, excruciating pain, unthinkable sorrow, overwhelming hurt, acceptance of the unexpected, devastating disappointments..<br />
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and the Lord was with us. <br />
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Several chapters in Genesis recount the story of Joseph. I wonder, sometimes, how he would recreate his story... his life was a roller coaster of events - many of the circumstances came because of the decision of others. He was sold into slavery by his brothers; his honesty landed him in charge of Potiphar's house; his integrity then landed him jail as he refused the sexual advances of Potiphar's wife. He correctly interpreted dreams of two cell mates, the only one that could have helped him... forgot him. He was finally remembered as the dream interpreter and was placed in charge of all of Egypt during seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. <br />
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and the Lord was with Joseph.<br />
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Friends, how did you get where you all... the good, the bad and unimaginable? If we believe God's word to be true, we believe that He is with us... today, tomorrow and forever. Can you just think on that for a few moments? Wherever you are, however you feel, the Lord is with you.<br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lord</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">was</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">with</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> Joseph and showed him steadfast love... Genesis 39:21</span></i><br />
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and the Lord is with you too...<br />
<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382239813985351033.post-85612450886512458262017-10-10T10:49:00.001-07:002017-10-10T10:49:56.954-07:00This is us... THIS is joyChristian artists, Casting Crowns, wrote a song called <i style="text-decoration: underline;">Thrive</i> in 2014. The theme of the song is that we, as believers, should be living in the promise of thriving, not simply surviving. The song is upbeat and encouraging. One bridge in the song repeats with intensity the following chorus:<br />
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<i><b>Joy unspeakable</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Faith unsinkable</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Love unstoppable</b></i></div>
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<b><i>Anything is possible </i></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">My three grandsons have loved this song... we often sing it together in the car, but as you might imagine, the tempo intensifies during this bridge. Somehow this Mimi seems to get a bit mixed up in the words... joy unsinkable, love unspeakable, faith unstoppable, but I always catch up by the line, "anything is possible"... with Jesus.</span></div>
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...Speaking of those three grand boys... once again we've experienced such joy unspeakable as we welcomed grand boy number four to our growing clan. Ryder Clay Anderson made his grand entrance into the world on Friday evening just before 6:00. As we anxiously awaited his birth, words and phrases from Psalm 139 spun webs of apprehensive anticipation and unimaginable excitement. </div>
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<b>Ryder</b> was knitted together in Kellie's womb. </div>
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God, the marvelous Creator, formed each of <b>Ryder's</b> parts. </div>
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<b>Ryder</b> is fearfully and wonderfully made.</div>
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Nothing about <b>this child</b> is hidden from the Father.</div>
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God's eye was on this <b>precious baby</b> before he was even formed.</div>
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The day <b>Ryder</b> was born was determined by our loving, powerful, ordered God.</div>
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As I write this very sentence, Ryder is exactly 2 days old - he has much to learn as he grows and navigates this world... His parents, Tim and Kellie, understand Ryder's precious, priceless worth in their eyes, and in the eyes of 2 sets of grandparents that are "over the moon enthralled" with this little boy, as well as a wealth of aunts and uncles, cousins, great grandparents, and numerous friends. We understand that he is loved deeply, created by and for a relationship with his Heavenly Father through Jesus.</div>
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Oh friends, our Heavenly Father feels that very same about you and me. Joy unspeakable - We are loved, created and never hidden from him.</div>
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This is us and this is joy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsM15v_9SH1myohOt6GQe1mBFYLJUd7_pj3LQIyG57Br86fsVeQDvceSn8kAbV42rBq_9-tvpw6JVQuhy-yS0FLTCNtQaH9hyphenhyphenO4VXI2xOLnmjSlmTKt8UkoVmXSv9b56TzjPksu6qo5Sk/s1600/ryder+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsM15v_9SH1myohOt6GQe1mBFYLJUd7_pj3LQIyG57Br86fsVeQDvceSn8kAbV42rBq_9-tvpw6JVQuhy-yS0FLTCNtQaH9hyphenhyphenO4VXI2xOLnmjSlmTKt8UkoVmXSv9b56TzjPksu6qo5Sk/s320/ryder+joy.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-139-13" id="en-ESV-16253" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">For you <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16253P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16253P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>formed my inward parts;</span></i></div>
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<i><i><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">you <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16253Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16253Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>knitted me together in my mother's womb.</span></span></i></i></div>
<i>
<span class="text Ps-139-14" id="en-ESV-16254" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-14" id="en-ESV-16254" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-16254a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-16254a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139&version=ESV#fen-ESV-16254a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></span></i></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-14" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Wonderful are your works;</span></i></div>
<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16254R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16254R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my soul knows it very well.</span></span></i></div>
</span></span><span class="text Ps-139-15" id="en-ESV-16255" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16255S" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16255S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-15" id="en-ESV-16255" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">My frame was not hidden from you,</span></i></div>
</span></span><span class="text Ps-139-15" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">when I was being made in secret,</span></i></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">intricately woven in <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16255T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16255T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the depths of the earth.</span></span></i></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-ESV-16256" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-16" id="en-ESV-16256" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Your eyes saw my unformed substance;</span></i></div>
</span><span class="text Ps-139-16" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Ps-139-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">in your <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-16256U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16256U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>book were written, every one of them,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">the days that were formed for me,</span></span></i></div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text Ps-139-13" id="en-ESV-16253" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Click here to listen to Casting Crowns: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8URVJDFuTtg">Thrive</a><br />
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<br />Byfaithandcoffeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17062701111073739402noreply@blogger.com0