tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53800106957686582072024-03-13T03:25:28.429-05:00dale carroll-colemanwww.majorinthegraceofgod.blogspot.com
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.comBlogger495125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-11973747176618862912016-01-14T21:29:00.002-06:002016-01-14T21:29:53.439-06:00Closing Time...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Hey Friends! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>It seems it's closing time, or rather moving time so join me at my new address...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>thegirlnamedale.squarespace.com</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>yup... just one d.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>it's okay. </b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-71629100597907526622016-01-14T16:34:00.000-06:002016-01-14T16:34:47.375-06:00Forgive Me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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January arrived and I had no word... which was so fine. The world would continue if I failed to find a word for the year.</div>
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I didn't really want a word anyway. I was tired of words... a couple years of words and I was like... this is too hard, first I have to remember the word, then I have to pursue the word and then I have to live it.</div>
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Exhausting, also the whole point of the word.</div>
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I'm jesting of course, but not really.</div>
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Last year I chose <b>Be</b> and I got busy... weird, right?<br />
See?! Stop picking words... they make no sense. </div>
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Somehow it worked.<br />
I did stop more often to breathe, smell the flowers, coffee, whatever they say we should smell.</div>
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When you choose a word the opposite of action, be prepared to breathe it in and wait on God. To be honest, it was a struggle.</div>
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Good things came from Be. <b>Known Nashville was born. </b><br />
Now bursting at the seams finding it's purpose, gathering women to come close, grow community... through our monthly gathering, dinners, coffee, book clubs and small groups that begin this month. <br />
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It's nothing and everything I imagined!<br />
I did not put walls around it, instead held it up to God and said.. "Here you go."<br />
Of course He handed it to us first, His creation.... we simply hold it loosely and yet<br />
desire, pray and beg it to go deep in joy, laughter, praise and desire for Him.</div>
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Along the way, there were bruises, mostly to the heart. If you want to see your faults, weakness, the ugly you try to cover up, start a ministry. I'm grateful because it forced me to look in the mirror. I had to choose grace and humility... daily.<br />
Surprise... not my natural go to.<br />
Yet, it was an intentional, wonderful place to grow. Proof that we never stop learning or making mistakes.<br />
You learn to forgive yourself and move on.<br />
That is hard for me. I beat myself up daily. Hmm, I bet you can relate to that.<br />
Let's just stop right here, prick our fingers, become blood sisters and quit it!<br />
You are forgiven! I love you! You are amazing!<br />
Really, I would say that to you if you were sitting here with me at my kitchen table. <br />
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<b>Forgiveness.</b><br />
<b>A complicated word that requires a simple choice. </b><br />
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Forgiveness offered to me, from God... and because of His forgiveness, we in turn offer it to others with open hands and not, "<i>but you, did, said, caused, felt, made, you get the idea... and I'll never forget it even though I forgive you (kinda, sorta)!"</i><br />
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Good Lord, we can at least try to forget. <br />
God tells us He does exactly that in Hebrews 10:17, Micah 7:19, Jeremiah 31:34 and Isaiah 43:25.<br />
There are probably more verses, knock yourself out. </div>
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This week provided two conversations with women, one in her late 70's, the other early 80's.<br />
Seriously, they can take all of us down.<br />
They were bad asses in Bobbie socks in their day. </div>
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They are also proof of Dave Kraft's words, in <i>Leaders Who Last.</i> He says you hit your spiritual prime in your 70's.</div>
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I imagine there are a few per-requisite courses to be taken before arrival into prime time. </div>
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Grace 101, Forgiveness 101, Mercy 101...</div>
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and a few others.<br />
Like the N.Y. lottery touts, <i>You have to be in it, to win it.</i><br />
These babes been in it for awhile.<br />
They got it locked down.<i></i></div>
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<i><b>It's not a test in the Biblical knowledge you take in...</b> <b>it's how much Jesus you pour out. </b></i><br />
These two can pour like Niagara Falls after a spring rain.<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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They are vibrant, outgoing, intentional and wise. Both active in their communities, volunteering wherever they see a need.<br />
Both have experienced great loss.<br />
They do not know each other.</div>
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One is my mom. </div>
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The other ... "the mom in love" of a sweet friend.<br />
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Words to me went like this... </div>
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"Remember this.... <b>The will of man can delay God's purpose, but it can never defeat it."</b><br />
Preach it sista! <b><br /></b></div>
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She followed it up with, </div>
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<i><b><span class="woj">“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33</span></b></i><br />
<span class="woj">Peace.... Sign me up sista! </span><i><b><span class="woj"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<span class="woj">Intentional words passed on to me, wrapped in wisdom, for a purpose. </span></div>
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<span class="woj">Words from women who have walked hard paths, and leaned in to their God. </span><br />
<span class="woj">Because of their faithfulness, I can rub against their aged, yet broad shoulders, and lean in. </span></div>
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<span class="woj">My challenge to you and me this year.... look at the people we do life with. What do they look like when you think of grace, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, compassion?</span></div>
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<span class="woj">Maybe another word for this year is - WHO.</span></div>
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<span class="woj">Who builds you up, shares truth, challenges you, forgives you?</span></div>
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<span class="woj">Do they do the same for all others, no matter the bruise received?</span></div>
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<span class="woj"><i>If you want to know who you are becoming, look at the people around you. </i></span></div>
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<b><span class="woj">Who do you Forgive?</span></b></div>
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<span class="woj"><b>Who Forgives You?</b><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="woj">Choose well. Choose forgiveness. Choose who.</span><br />
<span class="woj">It's your choice.<i><br /> </i></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-70864106997249263082015-12-17T09:51:00.000-06:002016-02-02T19:16:27.315-06:00The Power of Words, Stepping up, Stopping Evil...<br />
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The other night I was part of a panel discussion for Known_Nashville. A gathering of beautiful whole hearted women.</div>
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One of the questions was, <b>What breaks your heart?</b></div>
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My first thought was bullying, yet that was not my answer. The question for that answer would have to be, "What pisses me off more than anything?! </div>
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Bullying. Bullies. Hateful people. </div>
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My first memory of being involved in this was the school bus in elementary school. My brother a year older, and taller, found himself in the middle of the aisle, face to face with a punk. I have no recollection of the kid or reason they were about to go at it, but I remember inserting myself in the middle and telling him in 1970's lingo, "To step off!"<br />
He did... or maybe it was our stop. </div>
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From an early age I stood up for the underdog. I had been the underdog a couple of times and I remember how lonely it felt. I didn't want others to feel that way. Simple.</div>
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Later, in my twenties, I was in a bar with my brother and a similar instance occurred. I again inserted myself in between the two men and repeated in 1980's lingo to "Step off!"</div>
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I have no idea what my brother thought either time, he is very chill. Clearly I am not. </div>
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I also drink the sibling juice of, I can talk any &%#@ I want about my brother, but you, young buck cannot!</div>
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Last summer, there was an incident on the fourth of July. This one included some extremely inebriated people who did not want us to park on the public street, because they were setting off fireworks in the public street. First we ignored them, but when the rockets started to red glare at the bumper of our car, we turned around to face the <strike>music</strike> drunks.</div>
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Quickly, ugly words flew from their mouths towards my son, and fists were raised. I pulled out my phone and dialed 911 and guess what... Yes, I inserted myself between said drunk and my son.</div>
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I told him in direct words, "Enough! Step Off!"<br />
It was a thing. </div>
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My main concern was protecting my 21 yr old son from any type of incident that could harm him. </div>
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My son, stood tall, face to face with drunken man, yet never uttered an ugly word or raised a hand. </div>
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I was proud of him and somewhat amused that I still had it and would go the distance with the drunken woman in the mismatched Hee Haw outfit. </div>
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Luckily the always fabulous Metro PD arrived and we moved on. </div>
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My track record shows I do not back down from a bully. Yet these are harmless bullies. They are not IN your life, but merely a temporary inconvenience.</div>
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This fall my husband walked (true story) six miles from his hotel to a work meeting held simultaneously with the Kansas City World Series parade! This moment was hard enough for my husband, a Mets fan. But to be physically inserted in the hundreds of thousands of fans, trying to arrive at his meeting, suit jacket over shoulder, drenched in sweat with a blistered heal. </div>
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He shared with me a couple comments people made to him as he was maneuvering the crowd. They assumed he was trying to get in front of them as they were mapping out their spots. They assumed he had bad intentions.</div>
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In fact, he was trying to weave through the madness to arrive on the other side, where his meeting would take place. </div>
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Uber, you really let us down. </div>
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Sometimes people don't want you to arrive on the other side. They just want you out. So they scream lies to stop your progress.</div>
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They are bullies. </div>
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Sometimes you cannot escape them because they live on your street, go to your school, work in the cubicle next to you or even... go to church with you. </div>
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Adult bullies usually bully with their mouth.</div>
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They puff up their chests and they spew.</div>
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They spew hatred, half truths and innuendo, hoping some of it will stick.</div>
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So what do we do?</div>
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As adults, we usually look on, mouths agape. </div>
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But mostly we do what kids do. Nothing.</div>
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We watch. Sometimes we hope for the best, but always protecting ourselves first. </div>
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This is natural and wise. </div>
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But I can't buy into that.</div>
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I don't believe we were made to be bystanders, rubberneckers of disaster. We are called to be First Responders, defenders, protectors... friend.</div>
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When I was asked that question, <b>What breaks your heart"</b>... my answer was, <i>People living in fear. Afraid of relationships, new ideas, jobs, adventures.</i></div>
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<i>People afraid to live. </i></div>
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I wear a key around my neck that shouts, <b>Fearless.</b></div>
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Does this mean I am immune to fear?! </div>
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No. A solid no... but, I do not stay there. I do not live in fear.</div>
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<b> I live in freedom. </b></div>
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It means this...</div>
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I trust in the One who created me out of the dust. The One who holds my hand when the bully comes after me or mine. </div>
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The One I can trust with my future because He has protected me in the past and His track record is stellar. </div>
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When I walk through the dark valley and the path is rocky and unfamiliar, I know He is with me, sharpening me, and will bring me forth as gold. </div>
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So today, what breaks your heart? What makes you so mad that you YOU are willing to stand up and say,</div>
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"No more!?" </div>
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Use your words, your freedom of fear, your power that comes from good, what breaks your heart...</div>
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go make a difference for someone or something that matters today.</div>
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He's got this!</div>
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And I will always have your back! </div>
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Now, go kick some bully %$#! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-44183606764521893472015-11-21T09:11:00.001-06:002015-11-21T09:11:57.784-06:00Be Radical... in Peace. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love my family, my country, my neighbors... but I cannot live in fear. Jesus tells us 365 times in His Word "Fear not". A word for each day. </div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">"I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world
you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!"</span> </i>John 16:33</b></div>
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<b>Be Brave - Fear Not.</b></div>
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My worst fear is not a radical attacking me or persecuting me. </div>
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My worst fear is me not showing the radical love of Jesus to my neighbors. </div>
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Who are my neighbors?</div>
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This feels like a moment of decision. Am I a Christ follower first or an American? </div>
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This is not my home.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-57893449283157166652015-11-18T14:16:00.000-06:002015-11-18T14:16:23.146-06:00What Is Your Harvest This Fall?<div style="text-align: center;">
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Growing up in New York State, within a stones throw of New Jersey, I should have pondered harvest. The word harvest conjured up pilgrims in my head. Really.</div>
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We were physically close to that history so it was a big deal... regardless of truth or fiction.</div>
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These two beautiful states rank in the top six in the country for corn, dairy, and tomato production. </div>
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They celebrate harvest. </div>
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There is nothing like an ear of buttery Jersey corn, or a slice of sweet, ripe tomato from same soil. </div>
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People unfamiliar with New Jersey think of Housewives and those shore people. They are real... for sure, but it's also called the Garden State. </div>
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When we moved our young family to Champaign, Illinois I thought we hit the motherlode of corn. We did in many ways... corn not being one of them. </div>
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Illinois corn is mainly feed corn. That fact ended summers filled with corn on the cob, tomatoes and New York pizza, but that is another story. </div>
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We grew tomatoes, but they never seemed quite as sweet as back east. </div>
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Maybe it was the memories of my grandparents garden or my husband planting sixty tomato plants, from seeds, the year we married... and my grandmother walking the rows, shaking her head. </div>
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The harvest would not be good without the thinning of the sprouting shoots. </div>
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It was a bumper crop (farmer talk) that year and I asked that same sweet grandmother to teach me to can. </div>
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Sixty quarts of tomatoes were "put up" (canned) that fall. </div>
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I learned what Harvest felt like when I got my hands dirty in the soil, warmed from the prepared canning jars, my face often times splattered with bubbling tomatoes.</div>
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Living in the fertile midwest, I learned to appreciate the harvest in a literal way, often reminded of the fragility of our food sources dependence on weather.</div>
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I've watched Harvest many times since then, in the flowers we would choose carefully, planting, feeding, watering and then waiting. In friendships, neighborhoods, churches. In my children growing from little ones whom I read Sam I Am, and Little House, Big Woods, to adults who create and accomplish beautiful things... a rich harvest. </div>
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I missed moments of harvest, too busy to see. </div>
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Sometimes my harvest was rich, other times I watched it wither on the vine, unable to feed or water it enough to regain its life. Then winter would arrive, the crop dead. Thankfully spring always returned with new opportunities to begin again.</div>
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Last week I was invited to Creative Lectio. Nita Andrews is the beautiful woman who created this space. She opened by sharing her words of the The Harvest.</div>
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If these words were all I heard Friday morning, it would have been enough. </div>
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My heart was calmed, my soul rested in that time. It had been a hard week. When we take the time to be still... lean in and listen, beautiful things grow inside our souls.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<blockquote style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; text-align: start;" type="cite">
<div style="-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">"A day’s harvest</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A season’s harvest</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The harvest of your life</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is a state of mind as much as it is a literal field that you planted two seasons prior and must gather in.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is being conscious of where you are <i>making purchase.</i> Purchase of seeds, purchase of resources like sun, nutrients, and then collecting water. Harvest is making purchase of a field one yard at a time. Slowly and deliberately. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is stopping in the whirlwind of growth and asking:</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Is this the crop I intended? </span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Is this the yield I expected? </span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Is this bringing the joy of hearing Jesus say, </span><span style="color: purple;">“Well done, good and faithful servant”?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is taking stock of the larder for the winter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> Harvest is naming your surplus and <i>sharing it</i> with the needy. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is leaving the corners of your acre untouched so the needy can nobly and anonymously be fed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Harvest is</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>a mindset.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Therefore, Harvest can happen at 10 pm for ten minutes (the conscious examen of your day)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">on Sunday during the Prayers of the People</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">at midnight on New Year’s Eve</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">on April 15th as you hit send on your tax return.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is every graduation.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is every new birth and baby shower.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>Harvest is a first cousin to regret and gritty trust</i>. Harvest is being out of control regarding weathers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is rejoicing and bringing in the sheaves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is Jesus weeping over Jerusalem as he stood on the Mt. of Olives— because the harvest was in ruins.<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">(an event known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumphal_entry_into_Jerusalem#Gospel_accounts"><i>Flevit super illam</i></a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin">Latin</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is Jesus saying, </span><span style="color: purple;">“Today you will be with me in paradise”</span><span style="color: #20124d;"> to a thief.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is John being commissioned to care for Mary at the foot of the cross. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is the big catch of fish after zero on your own.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Harvest is your tears kept in a bottle and your songs being recorded.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is standing in a field of stunted and dried out corn stalks as far as the eye can see.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> Harvest is stopping with a plan to <b><u>see</u></b> the field. To see what's there.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is seeing pew after pew full of worshipping families.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is seeing pew after pew of empty seats. Harvest is stopping with a plan to see the pews. To see what's there.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is the day the papers are served.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is the day you celebrate the 40 years of being married.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b> A harvester is not made by John Deere, It is a man or woman made in God’s image that is willing to ask a question.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">A question that requires courage.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>What am I making with the raw materials I have been given?</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is about something much bigger than numbers.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>It is stories told around campfires of what life became because you were here and naming the ways life would have </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>been impoverished if you hadn’t been here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is giving alms in secret and knowing a private harvest of hope that erupted from your heart.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is an exhausted parent reading to a child at nine o'clock at night.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is writing till your vision blurs--Planting and plucking words until the lines sing</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">with the beauty of language.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is putting your thoughts in an envelope with a stamp to say you remember gifts given.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is having an abundance for October and canning a portion of it for February. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is when you pop the waxed seal open in February and say “thank you”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is building relational capital and keeping it secure before you leave your day job.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>Harvest is bringing all of your friends up on stage with you.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is weeping over the fullness of ice wine.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is saying, “next year” when the birds ate every grape in your vineyard. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is saying. We will rebuild." after a flood</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Harvest is a photo album of 12 years of school pictures.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Harvest is complex management of faith, fear, risk and generosity.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Wealth management <i>can</i> be harvest</b> —<i>but most of the time, it is a fear-based clutching of bottom line number </i></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<i style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">socked away and out of sight for a rainy day.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Harvest stands in the rain and laughs."</b></span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
Nita's words hit me deep.<br />
Then...<br />
Friday got harder and darker as the day went on. Tragedy struck our world again. Truth is, tragedy strikes daily in our world, but this happened in a country we were willing to pay attention to. One that mattered.<br />
The opportunities for harvest are all around us...<br />
I have a choice as to who my harvest will embrace. So do you. So does the world. What will we sow? What will we harvest? Who will we embrace and who will we say no to?<br />
<br />
I want to stand in the rain and laugh, fearless because I know Who holds me and calls me by name. My desire is for a rich Harvest, bountiful, overflowing with goodness and mercy.<br />
Unafraid.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-12110056829216597112015-11-10T17:06:00.000-06:002016-02-02T19:21:29.651-06:00Living The Dream... American Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Live Your Dream | taijitumartini" height="248" src="https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/KVVVIMn7DhFbIYK1bj5F9Q--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9NTYxO3E9OTU7dz05MDA-/http://taijitumartini.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/live-your-dream.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As I sit down in front of the screen to open my blog, I spot my email. I see The New Yorker magazine my husband ordered for my birthday. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">When he told me, I pointed to the week old Sunday papers I had not read yet. He laughed and said, "You are a writer, you need to read this." </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Reality #1. I read, therefore I do not write. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Reality #2. The more I read, the more I realize I have nothing to write.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> Agh, the dangers of not remaining totally ignorant. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Still my fingers continue clicking on emails, finding their way to the Festive Holiday Pillows from Kings Lane. If I continue down this rabbit trail, I will purchase six reindeer candles, balsam kindling for the wood burning fireplace I do not have and a fake fur vest, that I do not need. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Living the American dream... it's hard to stay focused. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Yesterday I had breakfast with two wise women. We challenged each other to be vulnerable. To let God pull us towards Him, knowing the stretch would feel uncomfortable at times. To share real hearts, fears, challenges, directions we feel God is pulling us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We are women who are at a crossroads in life. We have the power, time and opportunity to be game changers. Will we... or will we go to Nordstroms and forget all this uncomfortable stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> Stay focused.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We each have opportunities with new ministries we have spoken yes to. A prison ministry and Known_Nashville, which I began in April. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">As we shared, two famous (very) actors/singers sat on either side of us. No one approached them, made eye contact or acknowledged their presence. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We all knew they were present... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Living the dream... American style. Some days it's hard to stay focused. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I go to a Bible study on Tuesdays. It's led by a women I could listen to all. Day. Long. She is a bad ass, single mama with an adopted daughter, that she is over the moon about. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">She hits me between the eyes each week and as much as I want to be her friend, the chances of that happening are pretty slim, and that's okay. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">She is doing what God puts in front of her and so am I... when I'm not thinking about being her friend. JK. Years ago, my thoughts would have been that. Now, I am just so pleased with her. She is a game changer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">She is a sister, who teaches truth, shares wisdom and I am thankful to be in the presence of these women on a weekly basis. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">She shared a recent trip to Greece. The purpose was support and encouragement for refugees entering the country. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">She wept as she shared the faces of these precious people they greeted, in the cold, black night. They danced with children, handed out care packages with diapers and warm clothes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">They asked if they could pray with the women.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> No one said no.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Sweet, broken, Muslim women. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>When we are broken, no one turns down prayer. </b>When we have watched our loved ones drown, half our group survive the journey, <b>we accept prayer... and we beg it to be true.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">This woman is forever broken from this experience, and to hear it straight from her lips I have the opportunity to be changed. Or not. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">It's my choice as I live my American Dream. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">You see I am consumed with conversations regarding red cups. And if Blake and whats her name are really a couple. Trumps hair, his foolish words and before you know it, I know more about things that have no substance, rather than anything connected to the kingdom of God and eternity. It is all foolishness and I eat it up. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We continue this right through the church doors. We worry about the wrong things... because anything that isn't about building relationships with others, sharing this amazing Jesus we follow, is well... foolishness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Each day my heart pleads for this ministry we are growing in Nashville. The weight of it some days bears down on me, making me doubt if we are enough. If I am enough. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">When I look up, I am reminded of Who holds it and Who holds me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>I don't have to be enough. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Who began the ministry and Who knows the plans He has for it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>He is enough.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">My roll, leaderships roll, the beautiful faces that show up each month, who volunteer, who come empty and hungry, who come full and ready to pour out.... our call is the same. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>To trust the One who loves us. The One who knows our name. </b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>The One who takes care of every detail and promises to provide every need. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">When I remember this I am satisfied and I am undone, by a God so big, who loves SO much. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">In these moments I see the path open wide that God has allowed me to walk. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Whether
in Bible study on a Tuesday morning, sitting in a prison alongside women
worshipping, or these beautiful souls who gather on the third Tuesday of
the month, because they believe <b>being Known and loved matters. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The opportunity to grow among these communities, being undone by what God opens my eyes to in these moments. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>I'm living the Dream because I can think of nothing else that can satisfy my soul, that is apart from </b></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>God's heart</b>. He is in this because <b>He... is in the business of transformation</b> and every soul I see has the opportunity to be transformed...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> No matter what. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Let's live this dream together friend!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-48024447364442586562015-10-02T13:54:00.000-05:002016-02-02T19:22:42.920-06:00Shaken... and Stirred.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUVFjXmlzk6-5kuonw1mgQQBRK09YtqJlzPvsdrWPsCnatBpxRdKTT56S2vCljJm2abaaA92xEQK4O9PlbbgI4-Bc3VC1AXEVtrxatN_8Y5B7arCTt-KDV9F8UAfBqi0qka0m-h7iKV3G/s1600/IMG_3680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUVFjXmlzk6-5kuonw1mgQQBRK09YtqJlzPvsdrWPsCnatBpxRdKTT56S2vCljJm2abaaA92xEQK4O9PlbbgI4-Bc3VC1AXEVtrxatN_8Y5B7arCTt-KDV9F8UAfBqi0qka0m-h7iKV3G/s400/IMG_3680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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There are days...</div>
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You find yourself shaking. </div>
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Then the stirring comes... if you allow it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One more school shooting. People pick up their fight for/against gun control. Meanwhile there are families shattered, parents crumpled on the floor, while we rant over our rights.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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The pictures surface of children crying, hungry, afraid, parents fearing each moment as they try to begin a new life. They want peace, a little safety. </div>
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Similar to what we expect in America...</div>
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yet so different. </div>
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The pursuit of happiness. We demand it. </div>
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They have not asked for 401k's, two weeks vacation or an upgrade to a suite instead of a double. </div>
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They want peace... and a safe sleep for their babies. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At the end of a day I think of conversations of financial,
emotional, spiritual battles... I look up and some days I wonder. I
wonder why? Why, oh God do we battle, suffer, fear... and there are days
I wonder what you think of us? I know you love us. That will always be
enough. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days, the pain I see... my heart feels like lead. Heavy and cold and hard. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I drive home in darkness last night and I watch the young boy in the hoodie duck between the church building and the parsonage. He saw my lights. Did he wonder who I was, the police maybe? He takes the path of least resistance. Be still in the shadows until the lights move on. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't fear him. I fear <u>for</u> him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I repeatedly look outside. Is he home yet or out in this wet, cold night?</div>
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Home can be hard. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't know him, but I know others like him. They believe they will prove themselves on the streets with the very things that could kill them. </div>
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His life is so different then the boy on my couch, yet they stand a few yards apart. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do we bridge this gap?</div>
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How do we heal this ugly scar in our neighborhoods?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think of the messages shared between women, coming together... surrounding a sister who is walking a hard path. The willingness to share ourselves makes my heart pump again and I know... deep down, there is still hope. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I look at these women coming out of the shadows, speaking up and out and for and with... and I am humbled. Humbled by the depth of courage and willingness to be known.</div>
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<br /></div>
My door bell rings because God knows. A friend walks in and we share thirty minutes of gratitude in what God has done in us and for us over the years and then we remind each other of our calling. She pushes me to keep on. We know we must continue, never quit.<br />
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I am grateful. God knew. </div>
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My heart stirs.</div>
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</div>
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In <u>The Reason For God</u> Tim Keller quotes C.S. Lewis, <i>"They say of some temporal suffering,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> <span style="color: #660000;">"No future bliss can make up for it,'</span> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory." </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I read this over and over... and I know it is true. I have lived it. I believe. </div>
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Yes, there is hope, always hope. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are brave. We are warriors. We are conquerors. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content-box-1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="exdous">John 16:33</span>
<br />
<div id="Replacep" style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span class="verse">
</span><br />
<div class="concepts">
<span class="verse"><i>"T<span style="color: #351c75;">hese things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the
world."
</span></i></span></div>
<span class="verse">
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maybe the key is to keep digging into the Word. To be vulnerable and even though my heart will break, trust that He will mend it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">His Word will become bread and wine and life to my soul. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">The heart stirs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">As I shed my pride of rights, desires and self love.... I may see that conquerors and warriors and the brave, grow strong because of Him. It is His strength that grows us into David and Esther and those who are not afraid of being shaken and stirred. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="exdous">Psalm 138:7</span></i>
</div>
<div class="content-box-1">
<div id="Replacep">
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>
<span style="color: #351c75;">Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will
stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right
hand will save me.</span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">There will be days where we are overcome with what He opens our eyes to see. Don't shut your eyes in these moments. He is preparing us to be used, to see what many will not see. Be over-comers, instead of overcome. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Trust Him and in that trust recognize He will provide all you need. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">Wait for Him and let Him do it. Not you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;">In these moments.... Be still and know that He is God. (Psalms)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br />When we find our selves shaken and stirred, when He stirs that inner longing that wakens our soul, and reminds us that though it may break our hearts... He will be there. Grab a hold of it and never, ever let it go. It is what you were created for. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-80947345315080789972015-09-26T09:10:00.000-05:002016-02-09T07:25:28.920-06:00Choose It... Before It Chooses You. <div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Dog tail" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-121" src="http://dogclouds.com/wp-content/uploads/Dog-tail.jpg" height="450" style="display: inline;" width="600" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I chased <i>It </i>for years. I'd like to think if I did <i>It</i> over again I would change <i>It.</i> But I'm afraid history might repeat itself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I wasn't sure what <i>It</i> was, but <i>It </i>wasn't where I was.<b> <i>It</i> was usually the next thing. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>It</i> was more. <i>It</i> was better. <i>It</i> was fortune. <i>It</i> was popular.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>It </i>was... well you get <i>It</i>. <i>It</i> wasn't all <i>it</i> was cracked up to<i> </i>be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><i>It </i>was UNGODLY.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Hear me, I'm not talking about chasing a dream... think more like a dog chasing its tail. <b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I wasted time looking for <i>It </i>when </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I should have been looking for Who.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The One who had plans for me, people to grow me. People to love. The One who had His best for me? The One who knew the days in front of and behind me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> The One who was always calling out to me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The One I mostly ignored. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Feel me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You have an <i>It... </i>think</span><span style="color: #20124d;"><i> </i>about<i> It.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>It's </i>that thing you wrap yourself in, the facade, the way you present yourself, the thing you chase after, worship... that holds no eternal value. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Yet <i>It</i> holds your heart captive.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b> <i>It's</i> your idol. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You know what<i> It</i> is. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You might hide <i>It f</i>rom others but that doesn't change anything. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i>It's </i>still running your life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">John 13:35. <b>"By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another"</b>... instead of the word Christian I see disciple. And I ask myself... am I?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I think I found my<i> It.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Sister, only One thing deserves to be your<i> It. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><i>Love God. Love People. </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">What does the Lord require of you...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Micah killed it! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I don't like the word Christian. Jesus followers never called themselves Christians... the other guys did. It wasn't a compliment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">It still isn't unfortunately. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The word Christian is broad. Good and bad come to mind with that word. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I will leave it there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Disciple though... one who follows, learns from, then shares what they learn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /><span class="ssens"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">The original disciples died horrible deaths. All but one is the way the story goes. The odds are in your favor you won't share their story. At least their ending. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Stoned, hung, martyred, flayed open, brains beat out... and the one who hung himself after handing over his Lord. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Then John, exiled to Patmos. Don't think Greek Island with white washed buildings, donkeys waiting to take you to the bottom of the steps. Think hot, lonely and hungry. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Patmos means, <b>my killing</b>. It was a sterile land unable to produce anything. It was fruitless and yet God brings John the book of Revelation on that barren island.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Don't miss how God works. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">For those of us who live in America I'm gonna bet the farm we probably won't face this if we call ourselves disciples of Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">But how do we live?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Do we live like disciples or wishy washy, luke warm talking the talk but not really walking it folk? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Many of us live our lives in constant crisis, searching for<i> It. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You're broke as a joke, but you keep buying. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You date losers because you think that's the best you deserve. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You repeatedly say yes, when your life is crying for boundaries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">NO is not a four letter word. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Count.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You have a limited number of days to shine your light on someone, so choose well... or it will be chosen for you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You call yourself Christian because you surround yourself with people by that name. You go to church with them, you do life with them... heck, you party with them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">But are we missing something? Are we changing into the likeness of Jesus, in our words, actions, choices? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">If we are repeating the same things we did before we chose to wrap ourselves in the Christian snuggy... maybe we need a time out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Maybe check ourselves for a hot second. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Something is missing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Something big, vital, obvious. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Just for a minute, let's exchange the word Christian for Disciple.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Disciple... <span class="ssens">One who accepts and assists in spreading the teachings of another. </span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span class="ssens">A follower, a doer, a pupil, adherent to the teachings, dedicated.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens"></span>Choose disciple...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">How does your life change? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">What do you exchange the <i>It </i>for?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Father, Counselor, Messiah. God of heaven and earth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Christ needs to be our <i>It. </i>Our <i>Who.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Good Lord... no really, Good Lord, help us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Help us see the truth. Help us choose well and draw boundaries in our lives. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Throw out the old ways and live in ridiculous grace and mercy towards one another. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Love as Jesus loves us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Love unrelentingly today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Want to make a difference for the One you claim as Lord?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><span class="ssens">Be a servant.</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">Yup... humble yourself and be a servant. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="ssens">And be quiet about it. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> Let's be freedom fighting women who fight passionately for one another. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Let's break the chains of sin in our lives. Let's lift each other up, always wanting and believing the best for one another. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">If Christ is my <i>It</i>, my Who ... that means I get to love you unrelentingly, with grace, mercy and compassion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><i><b>"By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Choose <i>It</i> before<i> It </i>chooses you.<i><br /></i></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-59547730056465171682015-09-21T15:01:00.000-05:002016-02-03T07:21:56.387-06:00More Than Coffee...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouZ3WodSuE06F3nLWqK_KpxBgH56oQhU695N50PBiVNgypsvrqzc9drDR7V28RSSFAsqkYwKr84Ec-HVEhyphenhyphenq0C8W8G9aobQ5aqpLjXWCkPJEmIYbGB8mKpCYsB1hRH27UxklkwOoU6Q-Q/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQqzjG-4B7iTsjruH7UUs09kEKiC0sX2Us3xn6xNeCmyp1PpCc4f6ulAzqlGda5xuMkdBpmeScQFMv-TnBfN-PAY0_IXO83w9dEAGQclCKocf7RebGALJ6FKWzl16y93BkwNkA9ivY3d/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQqzjG-4B7iTsjruH7UUs09kEKiC0sX2Us3xn6xNeCmyp1PpCc4f6ulAzqlGda5xuMkdBpmeScQFMv-TnBfN-PAY0_IXO83w9dEAGQclCKocf7RebGALJ6FKWzl16y93BkwNkA9ivY3d/s400/IMG_3155.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My heart was full when my exhausted body hit the couch last night. It was only 9 pm.</div>
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I stayed for the <i>after party</i>, after Cross Points 6:30 service. A fall picking party of sorts, translation, fabulous music, food and fellowship. </div>
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The nino was doing some video and drone filming of the band... and it turned into a perfect fall evening in Nashville. </div>
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I considered the text from sweet friends, who after church were watching the Packers game at a local spot down the road. I love these friends and I knew it would be fun. </div>
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I thought of the woman I call friend, who's husband is a coach for Green Bay. I was all in for rooting them on. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Yet, I had an early morning coffee with a friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nessa, who I met last winter at a Cross Point connecting dinner. She sat at my table with friends and she shared how glad she was to have found Cross Point.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As I was walking out the door later that evening, the parking lot mostly empty, I spotted Zach, a friend and pastor sitting with Nessa. He called me over and shared that Nessa had just found Jesus. </div>
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<br />
I hugged Nessa as she explained she hadn't wanted to leave after the dinner. Instead she started cleaning up.</div>
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Zach spotted her and asked what she was doing. He continued to pursue the conversation, asking her if she was okay and then, "You want to sit and talk?"</div>
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"Yes" came her reply.</div>
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Zach is good at this.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast forward this morning. </div>
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We sit on the patio at Crema overlooking the downtown skyline. The morning is crisp as the sun shows off behind me. We sip strong coffee, as Nessa shares her Buddhist background, in that it was a word associated with her name, her family, not a faith lived out. </div>
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She mentions high school friends going to Bible study, talking about Christianity. </div>
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She wasn't one of them... and was never invited to decide for herself. </div>
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<br /></div>
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When she found herself at Cross Point church she said it felt different. She felt different.</div>
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She didn't feel shame, instead joy. </div>
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The night of the dinner she told her friends to go home without her... as she remained standing in the large, now dark room where 350 people had gathered for a meal. She stood alone, feeling something stirring in her.</div>
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This room, a place to connect the Body of Christ. To grow community, disciple, transform. A place where new dreams come to life, and fears are laid down low, buried in the old.</div>
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She chose Christ that night and though the inward change came immediately, the journey would be continuous and daily. </div>
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<br /></div>
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She found herself driving to Cross Point some nights just to be close to where life changed. Where she found hope.</div>
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The tears start for me as she speaks. </div>
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This girl drove to a desolate parking lot in the middle of the night.</div>
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She was pursuing her Maker.</div>
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I told her I was sorry I hadn't been there for her.</div>
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She reassured me she doesn't make this drive now, recognizing that He lives in her heart and soul.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The journey of faith is incredible and unique for all of us. I watch as the Holy Spirit is stirring in Nessa as she shows me the Bible she bought. She is so excited.</div>
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She is hungry or Him. </div>
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God is good. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Nessa is pursuing God, because He is pursuing her. <b><i> </i></b></div>
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<b><i>1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us." </i></b></div>
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When we give ourselves to The One who created us, a spontaneous, mysterious shift occurs. Transformation of the heart...</div>
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<br /></div>
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When I witness this, I feel an uprising in my soul that is hard to express. It reminds me of why I am here in Nashville, alive, breathing.</div>
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I have the sweet opportunity to walk beside Nessa as she dives deep into the Word, the love story God wrote to her.</div>
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I thought we would have some coffee this morning.</div>
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Instead we had some living water.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The opportunities are all around us, when we turn to the left and the right...we will see thirsty people, if we take a moment to look.</div>
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Offer that drink. Get that coffee with someone God has allowed you to know. </div>
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Don't miss the opportunity.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Nessa is going to change the world with her faith. One drink of water at a time. </div>
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Thank you Nessa for listening to that longing, that pull... that was drawing you close to God.</div>
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All joy it is to my soul. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-5979873636314038662015-09-10T16:12:00.003-05:002016-02-02T19:27:14.755-06:00You Are Enough....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/39/7b/06/397b06ff1fed70507ce340f496af4df3.jpg" height="375" id="yui_3_5_1_2_1441918697074_917" style="height: 375px; width: 500px;" width="500" /> </div>
<br />
<br />
She followed me out of the store. I started the car, locked the doors, and checked my phone for messages. <br />
<br />
I looked up and saw her approaching, smiling. I put my window down. She told me she had seen me in the store, noticed my hair and wanted to compliment me. I was ready to share the names of Erin and Sarah, my stylists. <br />
<br />
I thanked her and then she said...<br />
"Can I ask you something personal?" I don't remember if I said yes, but she began a detailed, fast paced description of her marital situation. Honestly the words were falling so fast I couldn't keep up. Separation, separate beds, back together, husband's desire to reconcile...<br />
<br />
My first thought was, here we go, she is going to ask me for money. I figured there was a point to this one sided conversation. I have heard it all and sometimes even believe it, sometimes helping with some dollar bills. <br />
<br />
Yet, that hadn't been my first thought when I saw her approach my car.<br />
I listened and started to realize she was asking my opinion.<br />
The opinion of a stranger.<br />
She told me she had bought some lingerie and a candle and maybe she should buy some wine.<br />
They had clearly been separated a long time and he wanted her back, all of her.<br />
<br />
She was flustered, embarrassed really and said, "I don't know if this is enough, maybe I should buy a bottle of wine." Second time she mentioned the wine. <br />
<br />
I looked at her, in her thrown together outfit and long, thinning dark hair, and I thought to myself, <i>Woman, never in a million years did you think you would be standing here asking a total stranger about your love life. </i><br />
<br />
She doubted herself, was nervous about the intimacy aspect of reconciliation and was desperate for someone to speak into her. Even a stranger.<br />
<br />
I looked her in the eyes and smiled. I said, "<b>You are enough."</b><br />
She mentioned the wine... again.<br />
I said <b>"You are enough. You are beautiful and you are enough."</b><br />
She looked at me and started to tear up. She mouthed the words back to me.<br />
<i>You are enough. </i><br />
I said, "Don't forget that."<br />
<br />
She backed away from the car and we said goodbye.<br />
I caught my breath and reached a hand to wipe my wet eyes. . <br />
<br />
Later I wished I had done more. Made sure she was okay, invited her to Known. I wish I had given her a card. I wish I had turned off the car, taken her to lunch.<br />
<br />
I wished she knew she was enough.<br />
<br />
Friends, we are enough. Right where we stand this moment. Too fat, too skinny, too young, too old, too loud, too quiet. <b>We Are Enough. </b><br />
<br />
<b>You Are Enough.</b> Never forget that and know that your Father God loves you... Just Like You Are.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-719627006996511312015-09-08T11:52:00.000-05:002015-09-08T11:52:36.408-05:00Leading Well In The Polls And In Your Hood...<br />
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<img alt="MTV VMAs 2015: The Best And Riskiest Outfits (Which Didn't Quite Pay ..." src="https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/kW_iZVtBrS6wth0ticMz6A--/YXBwaWQ9c3JjaGRkO2g9Mzg3O3E9OTU7dz02MjA-/http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03424/kanye_west_3424149i.jpg" style="height: 387px; width: 620px;" /></div>
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Leadership haunts me, wakes me up at night, reminds me of my words... usually where I've failed. </div>
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I follow leaders, hang on their words, mulling them over, deciding if they equal leading well to me. </div>
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We are all leaders in some form. </div>
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The sooner we recognize that, the less opportunity to trounce on people's dreams and failures, realizing later the horrific damage we offer through our words and actions. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We told our kids growing up, be a Jeter. Translation... be a leader. </div>
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Any baseball fan, regardless of favorite team... i.e. hatred for N.Y. will acknowledge Jeter's leadership. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Leaders are influencers. They draw people. They create energy. They build platforms. They change the status quo, the game, the direction.</div>
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Look at Kanye. Okay, maybe don't look. </div>
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We can lead for good or bad, but we will all lead.</div>
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Trump is leading in the poles. </div>
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I don't even have words for that. </div>
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My take away... people are desperate for a leader to follow.</div>
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Many times, they don't know what they believe and will follow anyone with a new idea.</div>
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That does not a good leader make. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It's just different and different does not equal positive leadership. </div>
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It's just different. </div>
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See above... Kanye and Trump. </div>
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Now there's a team.</div>
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Notice, we did not say be a Kanye to our offspring. </div>
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Not hating... just saying. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The most important role in<b> good leadership </b>is to <b>love your people. </b></div>
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<b>Leaders love.</b> </div>
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Military, business, pastoral, teachers, parentals... you have to love and care for your people in order to be effective. </div>
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The saying, "<b><i>People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care,"</i></b> </div>
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is true... and people know.</div>
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I get that... </div>
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they may not be easy to love. </div>
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Figure out a way.</div>
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See them as Jesus sees them. </div>
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The same way He sees you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders initiate relationship.</b></div>
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Put your phone down, look around and recognize it's not all about you. </div>
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Okay, none of this is about you. </div>
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It's about the people around you. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders laugh at themselves. </b></div>
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Have a sense of humor...</div>
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please for sake of the rest of humanity.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders want to hear from you before they speak. </b></div>
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This is hard, but just DO IT.</div>
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There are actually other good ideas besides your own.</div>
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Leaders understand that we must learn to disagree in healthy constructs, allowing others to speak without fear of retribution.</div>
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<i>Listen to others and allow for tension. </i></div>
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<i>Tension is NOT bad. </i></div>
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<i>It is a process that can lead to growth</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders recognize different personalities call for different approaches.</b></div>
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We are not a one size fits all group of humans. Take a breath and figure out what makes each of us tick. We will all get along so much better.</div>
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Instead of pushing people into our square box, </div>
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recognize <i>we actually all live under a circus tent and we all get a turn at being the clown.</i></div>
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<b>Leaders are humble.</b></div>
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Write this ten times. </div>
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And again.</div>
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But really, arrogance and pride are ugly.</div>
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I once had a boss... first time I met him was at a combined meeting of our thirteen centers.</div>
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He began by berating his staff, all women. </div>
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I saw pride.</div>
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The words, <i>"Pride cometh before the fall</i>," fell from my mouth...</div>
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almost out loud. </div>
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I disliked him in five seconds and told my immediate boss that his time was limited. I could sense his arrogance and it stunk up the room. </div>
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No one spoke from fear as he shamed with his words. I looked around at these amazing women, their heads down, crushed spirits.</div>
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I wanted to get up and punch him in the throat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I didn't think that would fare well as our introduction, so I refrained.</div>
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Within a year he was removed, I will spare you the gory details. </div>
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<b>Leaders are humble.... I have never forgotten this. </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders do not fight every battle.</b></div>
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I am a fighter for people. </div>
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I will err on the side of love for people. </div>
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Everyday.</div>
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Do for them, feed them... every time you see them. Clothe them, fill them up. </div>
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Love them too much. </div>
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Overdo it! </div>
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That is what Jesus did! <b> </b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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Because you know what????</div>
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You CAN'T overdo it. </div>
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Not by His standards. </div>
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But...</div>
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I can't fight every battle, because I will lose the war.</div>
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At the end of the day, I want to win the war.</div>
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The war for people.</div>
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So there are times you are going to do things I don't agree with, and somehow I am going to have to stick a sock in it. </div>
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But I can still think it is dumb, and wonder why you don't get it. </div>
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I'll pray for you brother. </div>
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Get on my level. </div>
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But really, don't fight every battle.</div>
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<b>Never lose the relationship with someone over proving a point. </b></div>
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As one of my favorite Texan women (Jen H.) would say, <i>that's just jackassery. </i></div>
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At the end of the day, I am not so concerned that you like me, but that you respect me. </div>
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So, I will try not to be a jackass. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Leaders desire others to reach their potential. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leaders cause others to rise up, becoming leaders. We hold this torch lightly, recognizing what we are creating will be held in someone elses embrace... sooner than later. </div>
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Leaders push and stretch others, causing a tide that rises, bringing new ideas and unlimited potential. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We mentor. </div>
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We release control, as we build new leaders. </div>
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Hold things lightly... they are from above. </div>
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You don't own them. </div>
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God simply used a willing vessel. </div>
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Stay willing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Leaders are sensitive, yet strong. </b></div>
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Don't beat others up.</div>
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Don't be a wishy washy, people pleaser. </div>
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Listen, validate, be willing to compromise....</div>
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but never integrity or credibility. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Leaders have integrity. </b></div>
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Be careful of your words and actions. </div>
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One silly word or action will kill your credibilty.</div>
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<b>There is NO substitute for your integrity and character. </b></div>
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A leader is dead in the water without these. </div>
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See the sharks circling.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go home. </div>
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Order a pizza and start House Of Cards on Netflix,</div>
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because your hand just folded. </div>
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Game over. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>A leaders role is to serve. </b></div>
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Not to be served.</div>
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Look at Jesus time on earth. He served in the humblest of ways.</div>
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He washed the filthy feet of men the night before he was betrayed by one of them, beaten and hung on a cross by all of them. </div>
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We all are guilty of His death. Our sin put Him there, yet He chose to die for us, because He loves us that much. </div>
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<b>Christ is our ultimate leader. </b></div>
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<b>Our example. Our goal. </b></div>
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You can read all the leadership manuals you can gather in your arms, but unless you look to the Messiah you will miss true leadership. </div>
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<b>Leaders never stop learning from others. </b></div>
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I always say,</div>
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<i>"I never learned anything new when I was talking."</i><b><br /></b></div>
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Leadership is for all of us. </div>
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Because we keep learning, our list will grow.</div>
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What does your list look like?</div>
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Make me a better leader. </div>
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And for the sake of our nation... pay attention to the leaders around you and don't vote for you know who.</div>
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Brought to you by concerned parents everywhere.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-20736750280959520422015-08-25T11:45:00.001-05:002015-08-26T07:42:43.850-05:00Known Community...<div class="iholder">
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8pRPkdxVOjEAqD4unIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIyMWtscGwwBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM2MjlkYTYxZTI2OTJmYmI3MzFjOWRiNDY0Njk1MzBmMgRncG9zAzEEaXQDYmluZw--?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3DBeing%2BKnown%2Band%2Bloved%2Bsaying%2Btim%2Bkeller%26n%3D60%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dyhs-mozilla-001%26fr2%3Dsb-top-images.search.yahoo.com%26hsimp%3Dyhs-001%26hspart%3Dmozilla%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=500&h=500&imgurl=s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F78%2Fd7%2F99%2F78d79910ca90f436c2fe3672b2d2e8c1.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpinterest.com%2Fpin%2F118289927688287420%2F&size=30.1KB&name=%3Cb%3ETim%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EKeller%3C%2Fb%3E&p=Being+Known+and+loved+saying+tim+keller&oid=629da61e2692fbb731c9db46469530f2&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&tt=%3Cb%3ETim%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3EKeller%3C%2Fb%3E&b=0&ni=256&no=1&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11c4kmehm&sigb=166aa1pk5&sigi=12fd5nvv3&sigt=10ou5ctn2&sign=10ou5ctn2&.crumb=LRLCTpNwDUD&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1440518479964_763" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1440518479964_762" src="https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.N26OrDg3VUBIUYon8eVh%2bA&pid=15.1&P=0&w=300&h=300" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">We grow up known as someone's daughter, sister, girlfriend, roommate, best friend, wife, mother.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">We have tags added to our names, adding up over the years and yet many of us are not known... for who we are, deep inside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Most will never know our deepest desires, dreams, fears.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">It's easy to do, hiding behind our tee shirts with words claiming freedom and love. Keys around our necks holding big words, or beliefs someone has suggested we should claim. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Being known is scary.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">What if people reject us once they know us?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Once we shed the layers?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I have had the opportunity a few times to be known.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">My hometown, where I was a daughter, sister, wife, mama, young widow. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> I was only half known. Too young, too broken. Still crawling to freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Then a new town where I grew deep friendships, because I was allowed and challenged by many to be known.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I started to see that my deepest longing was to be known as God's daughter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">My purpose was only fulfilled when I looked upward, not inward.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Words put to music are a flame to my deepest soul craving. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Sometimes I struggle to find my own words.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">When I hear my favorite boy band, Needtobreathe, the words from Brother, More Heart, Less Attack, Multiplied, Washed By The Water, The Heat and so many others... I am gut checked. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">These deep truths echoed in gravely voices, cut me... in ways that remind me and point me, to what I am about, what I believe, what I crave.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Relationships </b>that leave me raw, because truth is shared. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Truth isn't neat and tidy, wrapped in a bow. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">It's not always pretty, yet so much better than lies wrapped in pretty paper. When we open those, they crumble in our hands, like old newspaper, leaving us dirty and smudged from time and wear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Two more moves for me, the first I liken to my time in the desert. Was it worth the effort to be known? Who cared to know me? Looking back, there are a few sweet ones who did care and were my lifelines. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">God and I grew deep roots, me mostly miserable, Him reminding me of His faithfulness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Then the move to Nashville. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As I took steps into this new chapter I looked up, holding my hands wide open. I knew He was faithful and I was confident He was not done with me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I claim my confidence in Him. I claim all of it, gifts, wisdom, integrity, passion... all of it is from above. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">None of it from me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">None. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A month later, I remember standing at my sink one morning. I spoke out loud to Him (God) suggesting that we were good, but I needed more. Really. I suggested he bring women into my life, to grow <b>community</b> with.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">It was time. The final box of unnecessary, but pretty items I surround myself with had been opened.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Time to move on, to the worthy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Within days things changed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">And now, looking back over sixteen months... I am in awe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Awe of what God is willing to do, desires to do and loves to do, for His daughters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">He has created a beautiful space of love, grace, safety. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">A place where we can be known, because it matters. It matters that we become the sisters, friends, daughters, He has called us to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">To be the leaders, movers, game changers He offers us to be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">When we enter into <b>relationship</b> and become known...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">we gain Freedom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Freedom allows us to do ALL that He calls us to.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I believe this<b> community</b> of #KnownNashville is a pleasing aroma to God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">A <b>community</b> of women from diverse backgrounds, where we share this journey of faith, find our voice and calling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">A place to be known and loved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">To walk this journey together is a gift. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Each of us has the opportunity to offer this gift to those we walk alongside. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The truth is...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">We all want to be included. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">We all want to be valued.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">We all want to be loved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">This moment, this space is a stepping stone into <b>community.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Community </b>being built through monthly gatherings and small organic groups we are already witnessing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">A place where in the words of Henri Nouwen we believe, "The better we tell our stories, the better we will want to live them." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The story that God is writing for us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Friends, you are game changers and this God ordained moment is rich with opportunity and blessings. Don't miss it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Pass it on. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Let's be game changers for the women of Nashville.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Friends, thank you for being willing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Willing to walk in the doors each month. Willing to breath deep and share your wisdom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Willing to bring friends who are hungry for this. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Willing to be known.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">You are loved.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-31720565076062870962015-08-09T12:49:00.004-05:002015-08-09T20:57:15.313-05:00A Woman After God's Heart...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597" data-noload="" data-ved="0CAcQjRxqFQoTCMjZ7YHCnMcCFQOsgAodlWQEHA" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCMjZ7YHCnMcCFQOsgAodlWQEHA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.womeninthebible.net%2F1.2.Hagar.htm&ei=iozHVcjsGoPYggSVyZHgAQ&bvm=bv.99804247,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNEEU9XK0t0ZAJE3xgJ_n8vFQhCOUA&ust=1439227262411353" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://www.womeninthebible.net/images/1.2.Ha1.jpg" height="400" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="296" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">1st Samuel opens with Hannah. Grace is the meaning of her name. If ever there was a woman who needed grace it was Hannah. Childless. She prayed continually, at the temple... from anguish and resentment, Hannah prayed. She received. She gave back... what she was given, her son Samuel. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Sam-2-1" id="en-MSG-3213" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #20124d;">Hannah prayed:</span></span></div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">"I’m bursting with <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>-news!</span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I’m walking on air.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I’m laughing at my rivals.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I’m dancing my salvation.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Nothing and no one is holy like <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>,</span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">no rock mountain like our God.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Don’t dare talk pretentiously—</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">not a word of boasting, ever!</span></span></span></div>
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</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">For <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> knows what’s going on.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He takes the measure of everything that happens.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,</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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">while the weak are infused with fresh strength.</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,</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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">while the hungry are getting second helpings.</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The barren woman has a houseful of children,</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 1Sam-2-2-1Sam-2-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">while the mother of many is bereft.</span></div>
</span></span></div>
<div class="poetry top-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">God</span> brings death and <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">God</span> brings life,</span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">brings down to the grave and raises up.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> brings poverty and <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> brings wealth;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">he lowers, he also lifts up.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">He puts poor people on their feet again;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">
</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">a place in the sun!</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
For the very structures of earth are <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>’s;</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step,</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark.</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle!</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>’s enemies will be blasted out of the sky,</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">crashed in a heap and burned.</span></div>
</span><span class="text 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> will set things right all over the earth,</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">he’ll give strength to his king,</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 1Sam-2-6-1Sam-2-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">he’ll set his anointed on top of the world!"</span></div>
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Samuel grew up in the presence of The Lord. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Samuel became a prophet, always pointing his people to The Lord. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The books of Samuel are a history and heart lesson of Israel's story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Men cried for earthly kings to rule them, instead of the One who had delivered their people out of Egypt, provided manna, fire, shade... every basic need. They still grumbled.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><i>Man will always cry for more.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">God gave them what they cried for, earthly kings. David was the second after Saul.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">David was called,<i> <b>A man after God's heart</b>.</i> Yet, he sinned, schemed, murdered... and his family was a train wreck. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Read 2 Samuel for all the dirt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Yet, some of David's last words share the wonder that God would use him for His purposes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I remember a time, when I read Hannah's story, her heart cry to God. I was pregnant with my first child. A child wanted, already loved and I was already making deals with God. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">"God, I will give her back to you, as Hannah did." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Okay, she would not be dropped off at the Temple... but still. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I pleaded and begged. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I promised I would raise her up to follow Him, love Him, do His work... if he would save her daddy. He was dying, before my eyes as she was growing inside my body. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I was desperate, as Hannah was. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b><i>Let's make a deal God!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">God had a different plan. His plans are always good, even when we are crumbled on the floor. This child of mine, grew to love God, follow God and do His work. God brought her a daddy who loves her, cherishes her, protects her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">She has another daddy who loves her from above.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">God doesn't call the pretty, the neat, the perfect. He calls the willing. He works through our torment, our sin, our pride and worst fears. He works in spite of our train wrecks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Still... we can be </span><i style="color: #20124d;"><b>Women After God's Own Heart.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">No matter where you find yourself today, crumbled on the floor or arms open wide on the mountain top, God has you. He has this moment in time, and He calls us to be women after His heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Remember the women of The Bible, who never gave up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">These women of strength, grace and fiery will. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">They knew Whom they were loved by.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">He loves you sister with a passion we cannot fully know this side of Heaven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Rise up and fall into His arms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-78000594905270009442015-07-27T10:24:00.002-05:002015-07-27T17:29:01.706-05:00Feed My Sheep. Sometimes A Pizza. <br />
<a class="irc_mil" data-noload="" data-ved="0CAcQjRxqFQoTCPzMh6bF-8YCFUmfgAodA-ILfQ" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCPzMh6bF-8YCFUmfgAodA-ILfQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmobiclip.vn%2F181421%2Fhoat-hinh-shaun-the-sheep-muu-ke-mua-pizza-cua-dan-cuu.html&ei=u0K2VZvDNYuXNsbIg1g&bvm=bv.98717601,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNF9tZ_-VbVyfp18nXSi-BA5lga2wQ&ust=1438094396217070" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0px; text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://mobiclip.vn/static/img.video/0/0/177/181421_large.jpg" height="374" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 10px;" width="665" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I watch the three young men walk in the church. They welcome people. They stand out. They stand tall. They speak different. They look different. They are goofy, loud and annoy some people. Occasionally they mess up a golf cart.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cry me a river...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They are a work in progress. Lets help them progress.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They are part of the youth group. Not your white bread, young life camp, singing around the fire youth group.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is real life for many kids in my neighborhood. The kids that need us a bit more than the kids with two parents and the white picket fence.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Inner City kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dad is in prison, mom is pissed and you better watch out. They know what it's like to sleep in their car, four or more deep, get beat by their mama and go hungry... on a consistent basis.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Reality. Sucks and I hate it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A couple of the boys and I were talking in between services...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I asked...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have you been here all day?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Why?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have you eaten today?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, but we had to leave for awhile. (I'll leave that right there)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because home is a hell hole.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No, but it's okay. No one owes us anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They quickly remind me it's okay, they are fine, they don't expect anything, no worries...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I appreciate that and I tell them they should not expect things handed to them, but prepare.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But lets be honest here, if you live in a hell hole how do you prepare? How do you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and bring it to church when there isn't any bread in your house?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And when did it become okay to put that on children.... especially as the church?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, fifteen is still a child, even if he stands 6'3.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To coin the phrase.... What Would Jesus DO? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes we have to go to the obvious.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think as the church we miss the boat, literally.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Raising hand in guilt.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Repeat.... don't miss this please.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We talk about jumping out of the boat. But maybe the church is in the wrong boat.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Somedays the Church boat is bogged down with agendas, mantras, statements and we become fat with fish.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Share your fish Church.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Otherwise our boat is going to start stinking,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and then sinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know everyone wants a piece of our fish... I know it's never ending... but we are the church... we are made for this... created for this... designed for this... have two hands for this.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are fishers of men.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Remember Jesus?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did He not give us the best proof <b>ever</b> that He will provide all the fish we need, with leftovers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
to spare?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Later, two young female mentors take these three tall young men to dinner. They feed their hungry bellies. These young men ask them about their home lives. They ask about their relationship choices. They repeatedly ask, "You have good mamas, don't you?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These boys are hungry for healthy community, they have been starved of it, just like their bellies.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When it was time to drive the boys home, they dance, tell jokes, anything to put off getting in the car, closing the door on a night of laughter.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Summer is a long reality for inner city kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These boys spent most of the day in the church building. They felt safe, yet they were still hungry. Hungry for food and I wonder also if they were hungry for community.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you saw them yesterday, did you reach out to them?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did you feed His sheep?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They are all around us, no matter where you live, attend church, streets you walk.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Invite them into your life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of the day, my sweet brothers and sisters we must remember our mission.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are the hands and feet of Jesus.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We must not forget the faces in front of us.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look up.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From your phones.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The sheep are all around us. Feed them, sometimes a pizza.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-49131318106289786152015-07-24T15:38:00.001-05:002015-07-27T17:26:42.557-05:00Friends... I'll Be There For You.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a class="irc_mil" data-noload="" data-ved="0CAcQjRxqFQoTCInIrPzD9MYCFQeTDQodU8oANQ" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCInIrPzD9MYCFQeTDQodU8oANQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tv.com%2Fshows%2Ffriends%2Fcommunity%2Fpost%2Fthe-best-friends-episodes-as-rated-by-tvcom-users-1377648315%2F&ei=2ZWyVdSlJMimNvrmk6gK&bvm=bv.98476267,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNGt1LC_l48TbhBBxEqFumLQZY6a6w&ust=1437853537293348" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0px;"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://img2.tvtome.com/i/u/28c79aac89f44f2dcf865ab8c03a4201.png" height="335" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 29px;" width="600" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Friends...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">When I texted my new friend today, the one I met last month. The one who wore a British cap, leggings (yes, they make those) and brought half (yes, half) a British ice cream cake to my house in 100 degree temps. She texted me from her car, after leaving her son's birthday party. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">His birthday is in January (I think) and asked if I had freezer space. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Where do we start with that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The birthday party... the freezer space? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">She was on her way to my house along with 75 other women and this is what she asks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">If you think for minute there's a chance I could not have this woman in my life, no way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">This is my kind of quirky, crazy, bring it on friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> I need more of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> Let's go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">So I texted her this morning and her response... "I can't talk right now, I'm about to go on TV." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">What?!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">So, there ya go. Can I pick em or what?! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Friends...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one who asks me to help her with something</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> in her house, and we get together with our sweet husbands and share dinner. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">They are solid, the husband is crazy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> (I like that)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">"How exactly did your hot air balloon land in Canada and you get arrested?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">"Awesome!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"> This woman I find I have much in common with, she is so easy to be around. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one I met through the one I love, who invites me to the Hillsong concert and her small group and her life. She is going to be a life long friend. I can feel it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one who goes to the Tomato Festival with us for a second year in a row because we are family. This time with a baby tomato on the way (sorry:)) This family that I love so much. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The ones I sit on my porch with on evenings and share life, heartache, joys, sorrows. These souls that laugh loud and make my stomach hurt. They are mostly young and I love them so. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one I met who writes beautiful words. We connected because of loss and we fill something in each other. I will never be her mom, but there are moments I want to hug her and call her daughter and tell her how much her mama loves her and how proud she is of her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one I met and immediately knew her character and integrity. The one who's mom is dying and I tell her I am here for her, though I know I cannot do anything... really, but I care so much for this sweet woman, who loves her mom so much. She is a good daughter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The ones, neighbors who ask if they can get married in our backyard. We have rich conversations about important things and we love them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The one who went through a serious illness at 23 last fall, slept many hours here, binge watched Friends on Netflix, never complaining, only smiling. This same one laughing on our porch last night after sharing with me how she has been accepted into Law School. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The ones who walked through our gates Tuesday night, to connect with other women. Seventy six women... who sat on the floor, shared space and gave voice and ear to one another. The ones who held cameras and phones and did new things and were not afraid. The ones who spoke because they knew what they had to say mattered. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">These new friends. Each one of them I consider a friend, and I cannot wait to get to know them better!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I gotta shout it out! When you tell God you are totally available... watch out!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">He brings the goods and thankfully it's in my love language... People!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">We don't forget, the people we love who we raised our babies with, who we share blood with and who we did life with. We are all still family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">But we add and multiply and we share the joy of this sweet life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">I must shout out my praise to my God because I am grateful, always grateful. </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-55078892216439340332015-07-16T11:22:00.002-05:002015-07-27T17:24:52.698-05:00I'm Cheating On You...<br />
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<a class="irc_mil" data-noload="" data-ved="0CAcQjRxqFQoTCIKf9ImG4MYCFUmdgAodpmMLjw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCIKf9ImG4MYCFUmdgAodpmMLjw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpicklebums.com%2F2011%2F07%2F&ei=oNinVYLPNsm6ggSmx634CA&bvm=bv.97949915,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNFbrUmorQE5YUuzKxa4h6w8y3fSCw&ust=1437149287346814" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="border: 0px; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mi" src="http://picklebums.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blogging-this.jpg" height="390" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), -webkit-linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 54px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hey sweet blog. The one who held my heart and formed my words when I was in dark places. The one who reminded me that I was enough, could fight through, claw my way up. The one who made me laugh and cry... yada, yada... Yeah, you.<br />
I remember you. But... I've been cheating on you.<br />
<br />
Of course you've noticed. Late nights and early mornings when I didn't show up, my side of the screen blank, obviously never logging on.<br />
<br />
I traded rich words for clever phrases... profound pictures (most with hands cupped into a heart, sun streaming behind) but can you blame me? No one wants to read a blog anymore... they are too busy connecting to Periscope, tweeting and checking their bio on Crystal.<br />
<br />
Instagram stole my heart. But I'm sure it won't last. There will be others who come slinking around, peddling their empty promises, wrapped in hearts popping into the air as I share truths and...?<br />
<br />
Periscope, you are calling me with your sultry words.... Carol from Denver "do you like clowns?"<br />
Nancy from Des Moines, "butter or margarine?" Sheila from Jersey, "What do think of those housewives? We don't really tawk like that!"<br />
That whole thing terrifies me... I've never been good with a filter, I mean without one... and well, you can't stuff it back in once it's out there.<br />
<br />
Maybe we can share our worlds dear kind hearted, nurturing, key sucking blog.<br />
I'm not leaving you for good. Just don't want to go steady anymore.<br />
<br />
I'm at <b>thegirlnamedale </b>on instagram.<br />
dale carroll-coleman on Periscope... when I dive down that rabbit hole.<br />
Twitter too... but who cares? I'm looking for the next big thing.<br />
<br />
Let's connect.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-67723741944255251342015-06-04T07:48:00.000-05:002015-06-04T07:48:17.383-05:00Treading Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfUhxnhRhX3G8jgtgen6WKDzxI9VBmMEJv8IgrCwjvJ9QxnvW5c0OGDDveCAe4o4ZlL_UPOVWBx7ZDfvUnGSRzC0VDHned6M71ORMLE3PQV8afUwoEeWiRRrlKlyUbGebvS5ee-RUFAwT/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfUhxnhRhX3G8jgtgen6WKDzxI9VBmMEJv8IgrCwjvJ9QxnvW5c0OGDDveCAe4o4ZlL_UPOVWBx7ZDfvUnGSRzC0VDHned6M71ORMLE3PQV8afUwoEeWiRRrlKlyUbGebvS5ee-RUFAwT/s400/IMG_1460.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Distractions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> They call from email, text messages, Facebook, sometimes even my phone. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They are constant, like the prairie wind I found when we moved west years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over time they erode my perspective and desires,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">like dirt that blows off the fields in spring. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before I know it I have fallen into the pot of self doubt and comparison.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not a far fall really. More like a hop, skip and jump.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not that I want to crawl back in that boat I jumped out of years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I simply forget the direction I am swimming in.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I trade swimming for treading water.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Treading water is a dangerous place for me. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Treading water is like drowning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's boring, tiring and I'm not going anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three things I dislike.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Niggling in the back of my mind or soul is the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know it's there. I just refuse it... for a moment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> A moment can be long.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then I start taking in water and I grab hold.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I look up. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I open the pages and I breathe in.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Literally, somedays this is what it feels like.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God does not make this hard. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He knows who He created.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am a simple woman.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am broken and bruised.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I forget the beauty around me and trade it in for distractions that many times include videos of puppies, kittens and monkeys.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the moment... sometimes the second I dig in, He is there. Like the calm in the storm, He whispers to me, and my hope is renewed and I swear I will never forget again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I will.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And He will be there. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But in this moment, I am never more thankful for His abiding love and mercy on my life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A simple woman with a simple faith in an amazing God. </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-22396122771124857282015-04-27T11:11:00.003-05:002015-04-27T11:11:48.769-05:00The Next Big Thing...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>God is always preparing you for the next big thing.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Just remember... </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Keep Him in the center of the next big thing.</i></span></b></div>
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"Commit your work to the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, and your plans will be established." </div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"He must increase, but I must decrease."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> John 3:30</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-43003046749149580042015-04-12T13:50:00.003-05:002015-04-12T19:43:37.909-05:00The Week In Review. The Funny, The Ridiculous and Please Pray for All My Friends... <br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQkUOSgAdLEFH1CZ4_uJOkRn5kPf6nv7R5rJwZ0lnOX_tiTb3SXWSUziIanspmyhdzA3FVjcEaJEoF_kCmYL4jWBy7bcCVRUFbertaaROsqJjCgptjuQvljj49wmi-w0ji7G_IbuqQ/s1600/dog+drinking+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #3a8bb5; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Canine Papilloma Virus" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQkUOSgAdLEFH1CZ4_uJOkRn5kPf6nv7R5rJwZ0lnOX_tiTb3SXWSUziIanspmyhdzA3FVjcEaJEoF_kCmYL4jWBy7bcCVRUFbertaaROsqJjCgptjuQvljj49wmi-w0ji7G_IbuqQ/s1600/dog+drinking+fountain.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" title="Canine Papilloma Virus" /></a></td></tr>
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I am sitting on my back deck, the sun wonderful, yet making it hard to type. The temps will hit the low 80's today. Behind my house is a church by a name that is too long to remember and attended by people who's voices sing rich and clear and cannot be contained inside brick and mortar.<br />
Hallelujah, can I get an amen?!<br />
Easter was a week ago, a high point of our first year in Nashville. The hubs and I opened our doors wide and forty people walked in. If you know me, you know I had a smile a mile wide. It was glorious as each person has a story, some I know, others I plan to know. They painted a beautiful picture of Easter for me.<br />
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This week offered me the chance to meet two local artists, one who's art work greets you as you enter our house. We drank tea from cups that my grandmother and her friends drank from forty years ago. It was sweet moment. These women, singers, songwriters, painters, teachers, showed me a glimpse of their world and I am richer for it.<br />
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The week brought opportunity to meet with young women, struggling with hurts and fears, some trying to take them down for good. Each week I meet someone struggling, believing lies, yet trying to claw their way to freedom. It is one of the main reasons we have chosen to live here, to be a voice of Truth and grace. I am not sure where this will lead, but if I am being obedient, trusting God with the details, then I have no worries.<br />
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Life is full of hard moments and caring about others, praying for them is serious, heavy stuff. Yet God is wisdom and love and grace and He allows laughter and joy and even silliness to fill our lives some days. He carries our burdens and brings joy to our souls.<br />
A week is not all one feeling or one opportunity, but a variety of experiences that make us rich.<br />
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Yesterday the daughter and I tried a new place for brunch/lunch. The hubs was stuck in Oz on call and I never arrived in Oz because of the week's horrendous weather in those ten hours that separate us.<br />
I reminded him today that he is probably better off not being here as the Monday morning airport commute will be a zoo, with 70,000 NRA folks trying to depart our fine city. This would mostly annoy him as he is not a gun enthusiast, possibly the long years spent in Newark, trying to save peoples lives from gun shot wounds. He might consider embracing the locked and loaded mentality, but I wouldn't put all my ammo in that basket.<br />
He is however married to a woman who carried a pistol permit in N.Y. and an Illinois Foid card and knows where the bullets are. He would go for a golf club no doubt.<br />
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Back to brunch. The daughter ordered something that one might put ketchup on.... a burger. She asked for ketchup and the waiter, with a haircut and beard like an amish farmer, kindly stated they didn't carry ketchup. My daughter quickly smiled and said, "Is this a stance you guys are taking?!" He and I burst out laughing. He repeated her line walking away and later brought us some home made barbecue sauce.<br />
Seriously, Nashville farm to table restaurants..... stop taking yourselves so seriously. It's exhausting. Besides, most of us grew up farm to table with grandparents who grew gardens the size of your city lots. These people knew the value of good food and a buck. Remember the depression? Of course you don't. Me neither... but it happened.<br />
These folk also had the good sense to buy a bottle of Heinz 57.... Instead of making their own out of cooked down, smashed down, labor intensive, tomatoes.<br />
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It was all good, he was nice, and the best was him walking away repeating her words. The hubs says she missed her other calling, Alexandria Badass Coleman, Attorney At Law.<br />
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I'm learning since our move that my husband cannot be trusted.... with a credit card. He has always been a saver but since he quit cable TV he is out of control. Never did I think I would welcome the $200 monthly cable bill.<br />
Three seasons now he has bought Broadway Series tickets for a city neither of us live in. Yes, I kind of think he is the most romantic guy ever for doing this, but don't tell him.<br />
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This morning he asked me if I wanted to go see a Preds/Blackhawk Hockey game. What?! No. I'd rather have liposuction or a new road bike or well, anything but a hockey game. That's nuts buddy... and expensive.<br />
An hour later he sends me confirmation of ticket purchase and something about... A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. He was headed to his closet to look for his Blackhawk Jersey. I think I got rid of it during our last move. I mean come on, those things are weird, right? Don't mention this to him if you see him.<br />
So if you see me Friday night, I'll be the one with the cow bell... not, and something slightly more attractive than an oversized sports jersey with an unbendable logo on the front. Speaking of bullets, I swear they must be bullet proof. And what's up with hockey season anyway... it never ends!<br />
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The week would not have been complete without the birthday parade that occurred down the street yesterday. It was a combination Mardi gras, birthday, drag queen, best three minute parade I've ever seen, all in honor of someones 60th birthday.<br />
Beads were thrown, cheering occurred and I imagine much imbibing and revelry was had as they paraded on to the Lipstick Lounge, a local joint.<br />
For the record, I want a parade for my 60th birthday! Many, many, many moons from now. Geesh.<br />
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The weird person highlight of my week was last night. We took the two young weimeraners to the dog park as the sun was setting. At one point I glanced over to the doggie water fountain and saw this dude stooping down, cupping his hands in the communal water bowl. He lifted hands to his mouth and drank up... then repeated, saying with much bravado to those staring at his crazy #$%, "Hey, it's not gonna hurt you."<br />
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Minutes later I watched him bypass the entry gate and jump the fence. He then reached over and pulled his dog up by the arm/leg pits. Hmm. Perhaps a phobia to fence gates or latches or.... other dogs. He did state to someone, "My dogs not real good with other dogs, so watch your dog." Dude, why are you here? It's a dog park. Friends, your voting public.<br />
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The best, the belly laugh of my day was when another dog walked by the water bowl and lifted his leg, while other dogs happily continued to drink. I wanted to shout,"Hey buddy, come back, I have a treat for you." I'm sure he would have scooped it up stating, 'It's sterile you know. "Speaking of hoping things are sterile...<br />
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I hope you had a week full of joys and blessings and celebration. Keep looking up and remember to fill yourself with Truth, so when you meet those who are hurting, fearful and afraid, you can share out of the overflow of your life. Make good choices and don't always feel you have to drink out of the water bowl.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-87613175764600297542015-04-01T14:05:00.000-05:002015-04-01T22:24:02.947-05:00And Then I Remember... The Wonder Of Him.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d;">My written words come slowly. Seeking His face each morning, asking to see Him new, filling me with His Spirit, so I will understand. That words will find themselves on paper. I plead with Him to keep me from my foolish ways, remaining silent, I wait. There has been a long silence. I am okay with this. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">My thoughts are full, but there is a place inside me, that recognizes when I ask to write His truth, it is like asking to understand the night sky or the intricacies of a baby growing in her mother's womb. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">My words are inadequate to Whom I speak of.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Asking to speak the truth of the God of the universe, I am humbled, bowed low to think how dare I. We speak so easily of the One who made all, knows the hairs on my head, the breaths I will take, the One Who gave His body up for us. In return we throw around His name as a cast off sweater, taking it on and off as the need arises, always our need... no thought to the cost.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Many mornings I have started to write of the wonders He has shown me this year. Wonders in the way of people. The way I count wonders.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">The wonders who nurture me, fill me with hope. The names grow and I am every time... every single time... changed. My joy is increased. He has shown me His steadfast love through those He brings my way. My joy, hope and resolve for this life is increased when a new wonder enters my world.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d;">Yet, I hold back because words are inadequate to explain who He is and what He has done for me. The season of Easter brings Him so close, the pain, the gift, the joy. All because of me and also for me. This morning I read...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Isaiah 53:4-6</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">"</span><span style="color: purple;">Yet, He himself bore our sickness, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;">But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities, punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;">We all went astray like sheep; we have all turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of all of us." </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Then I read...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Luke 23: 33-38</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;">"Then Jesus said, "Father forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing. And they divided His clothes and cast lots. The people stood watching and even the leaders kept scoffing: "He saved others, let Him save himself if this is God's Messiah, the Chosen One! The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine and said, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself!"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;">An inscription was above Him:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><b>This Is The King Of The Jews</b>."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I am speechless my friend. How do I begin to write what He has done for me, saved me, protected me, provided for me, in this life, this day?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">In this year... when all things were new and scary?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">When my needs and hopes were met by Him, because He cares for His daughter. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">He died for my sins and I still turn my back on Him in my selfishness more times than I will ever admit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>The King Of The Jews loves me</b>... His daughter. He hears every word I cry out to Him and each morning I have new hope and joy because of the Truth that He is who He says He is... and that horrible cross that held His mangled body was real. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And then I read Matthew 25:40 where Jesus talks of taking care of one another.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">"Truly I tell you what you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And I remember...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">why He gives us voice. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">To love, encourage, nurture, set free,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">those He brings along our path. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Friends, we are free to live in Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Free from death, anguish and uncertainty. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">And then... I remember,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I must live these words He left us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Or I do not truly believe in Him or His ways.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Oh... dear God,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">how I have failed You,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">when you have never once failed me, turned away from me, only.... always giving me more.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">More hope, more joy, more of You.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As I think of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, may I bow down in humble gratitude for what my Savior has done for me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">May I think on the words He shared with us, calling us to be changed because of His sacrifice. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Sacrifice demands change. His sacrifice changed the world and conquered death.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">His sacrifice deserves a change in me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">May I think on the Wonder of Jesus each morning and remember why.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>The King Of The Jews Loves Me... and You.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>Celebrate Him. </b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-25896415363644851492015-03-20T10:35:00.000-05:002015-03-20T10:35:21.433-05:00Henri on Love... No Words Necessary<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fcntrymomma%2Fwords-to-live-by%2F&ei=FiUMVZedJcSbgwSXnIToAQ&bvm=bv.88528373,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNEnXqHzSw2md6STYM41WqiabNfysA&ust=1426945552123916" id="irc_mil" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk;irc.il;" style="border: 0px;"><img height="236" id="irc_mi" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/81/7c/c0/817cc0f4760cd8a9305328b4f8736988.jpg" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 79px;" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri Nouwen said,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"We have to trust that our stories deserve to be told. We may discover that the better we tell our stories the better we will want to live them."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a little book of Henri's that I read each year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In The Name Of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I <strike>want</strike> need to be reminded why, who and what I am... I open this book, the words leaping across my heart, clinging like a vine, digging into my soul, where I find new breath... reminding me to live a better story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri reminds me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"It is Jesus who heals, not I; Jesus who speaks words of Truth, not I; Jesus who is Lord, not I."</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Jesus has a different vision of maturity. It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go."</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri strips away pride, replacing it with vulnerability precious to my faith, important if I am to be available for the Kingdom...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> brushing shoulders with another soul, offering a word, a moment, to love another human being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>What could I offer you today more important</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Than Love?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri hungered after the things of God, never buying into the ways of man.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Dutch Catholic priest who came to the U.S., taught at Notre Dame, Harvard, Yale. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He lived among Trappist Monks, the poor of Peru,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">yet what he did next...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he traveled to Trosly, France and ministered at L'Arche, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a small community of adults with developmental disabilities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later to Canada, serving a similar community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twenty years an academic, to a small community...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"Harvard to L'Arche, from the best and brightest, wanting to rule the world, to men and women who had few or no words and were considered at best, marginal to the needs of our society. It was a hard and painful move..."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He goes on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"The first thing that struck me when I came to live in a house with mentally Handicapped people was their liking or disliking of me had absolutely nothing to do with any of the many useful things I had done until then. Since no one could read my books, the books could not impress anyone...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In his new role Henri says...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"I was suddenly faced with my naked self, open for affirmations and rejections, hugs and punches, smiles and tears, all dependent simply on how I was perceived at the moment."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri calls this the most important experience of his life. People, without pretense forced Henri to discover his true self.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He saw the value of these precious souls who would throw no accolades or roses at his feet, who showed him true love in Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple, unadorned, pure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henri's life reminds me of all that I desire to accomplish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">"The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is <b>All</b> I am here to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>To be in love with Christ and share the Love that He Is and Does. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This will be enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has to be.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-32254042681977967272015-03-10T13:58:00.003-05:002015-03-10T14:04:29.601-05:00A Year... The Winds Of Change And Not Wasting The Opportunity. <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.usnews.com%2Fmoney%2Fretirement%2Farticles%2F2015%2F01%2F05%2F7-ways-to-jump-start-your-retirement-savings-in-2015&ei=2zv_VPviPMSpgwSXqYLoBw&bvm=bv.87611401,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNF8ZxV_P9GQtyq9xgnabLuCi3JLrw&ust=1426098895360673" id="irc_mil" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk;irc.il;" style="border: 0px;"><img src="http://www.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/2592364/2147483647/resize/652x%3E/quality/85/?url=%2Fcmsmedia%2F8a%2F52%2F68d7455f421abc8f4daee33024cd%2F2015wood.jpg" height="393" id="irc_mi" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="589" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March marks one year that my husband and I decided to part ways... well, not in that way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In the best of ways, if there ever was one. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a way that seemed to call out to us... live differently, daringly, trust Me, I've got plan for you two, and it will prosper us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The us being the kingdom of God. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kind of how we have trusted God all the days of our marriage. We haven't always done conventional, typical. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does God call us to that?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never found typical in scripture, more so in man made wisdom... live safely, comfortably. Don't take too many risks. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This means we live apart more than together. I have no words to describe how hard this can be or the peace that God has given us. Surely, God is good and His plan can be trusted. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet, I remind my husband the day he is over this, decides he wants his wife back 24/7 he needs to let me know. I will trust that if I hear those words, God is in it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, my husband is a glass half full, or overflowing kind of guy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He sees the choice we make as one that is honoring to God... even when we are unsure of what exactly it is God is calling us to do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may be thinking... then what the heck are you doing? Why? What's the deal?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>When you are planning things with God, you wait on Him.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Instead of plowing ahead, you seek wisdom, discernment. If you want to do a work that will last, with excellence and eternal results, you wait for the Master to give directions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took a year for the dust to settle, for the hubs and I to create a new routine, to be ready and steady to go forward. Many times it is better for the game to come to you. Use your giftedness, abilities and wait for the return. This is how you find your sweet spot, that place that God has put you, to serve Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least for me this is how it is happening.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my passions is helping women recognize their God given potential and giftedness, seeing themselves as Christ sees them. Creating a community of women that seek to build one another up, living in freedom from the lies and hurts that some have been sold as truth. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring a group of women together that have an interest, whether young or mature in faith, it will be amazing what will occur. Leaders will rise up, hearts will open, forgiveness and healing will be found. This is community and this is what God has delivered in my lap.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a choice... and yet do I?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>This is what I am praying wisdom and discernment over... in these moments.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It is what wakes me in my sleep, seeking clarity and a desire to do His work with excellence. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I look to Hebrews to remind me why...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus..."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hebrews 12:1</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My desire is to run this race in front of me, with passion, endurance and the eyes of a runner looking to the finish line.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh yes...Jesus, let me fix my eyes on You, and Only You.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A year from now I will look back and read this. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Will I have moved forward in wisdom, doing a work God has delivered to me?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>In truth, what I have asked Him for... do I recognize it as answered prayer? </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Or will I have wasted another opportunity?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is God calling you to this year and will you grab hold of it and honor Him with excellence or look back with regret next year?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-54894186101632461192015-03-04T19:18:00.000-06:002015-03-04T19:18:00.857-06:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 30px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
Do You Think The Disciples Had TB?</h3>
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<br />I wrote this post back in September of 2013... in my other new town. In this new town I have decided I can no longer do anything that involves getting a TB test, as I'm convinced they are watching me... whoever they are.<br /><br /><br /><a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.joshharris.com/2010/08/the_disciples_talking_in_heave.php" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px none; color: #888888; text-decoration: none;"><img id="irc_mi" src="http://www.joshharris.com/Thomas%20Cartoon.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I went to one of our local hospitals for training to become a volunteer Chaplain.</div>
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I am comfortable around people who are hurting, sick and in need of encouragement. This fills my soul and</div>
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I thought perhaps this would be a good fit for me in my new town.</div>
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I know I need to stop calling it new... but it still feels that way.</div>
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<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The training was going so well and then I was asked when I had my last Tb test. I felt like I should have an answer for this question but I was dumb struck. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I mumbled something like, "I don't know, maybe when I was a kid, maybe at birth, wait, um, no, I have no idea."</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Brilliant answer.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They sent me to Occupational Health for a blood test. Easy peasy.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Until they called the next day with the results. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The nurse explained that I tested positive for TB and that I would need a chest xray. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Wait, what?</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I asked her if these tests were ever wrong as I was sure I did not have TB. What is TB anyway? I asked if it was serious. Really.. I said those words.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I said a few other stupid things. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The nurse joined in as well.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
"Well, I've never actually had anyone test positive so I am not sure what is next. You have to register with Public Health and they will counsel you."</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Wow, thanks for the reassurance. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Wait... am I now on a watch list? Do I get a leg bracelet? Can I enter school property? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
What do I need counseling for? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Is there a detox program included? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Is there a spa involved? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
My mind was whirling.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
WebMD was sure to put my mind at ease, right? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We set up an appointment the next day for a chest xray.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I texted my hubby and said, "Guess who has TB?"</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
He replied...."You do not!"</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Actually, that is his response to 90% of the stuff, i.e., intelligent words I say to him.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I remember telling him that his 4 yr old son had a hernia. It had popped out in the bathtub and I gently pushed it back in, realizing what it was.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
He came home from the hospital that night and replied, "He does not!"</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The boy turned 20 last month and hubby is still giving me the same reply. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Slow learner.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I went for the xray. The tech gave me a CD and told me to take it to my Public Health appointment. The one I did not plan on going to. Come on.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Instead I took it to my hubby and he gave it to his radiologist to read.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
It came back clear. This means I have no active TB but possibly had it as a child and my healthy body fought it off. A common occurrence.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Two days later, I receive a phone call from Public Health wanting to set up an appointment with me, while explaining the levels of treatment available. Nine months or as short as four months, while needing to go into the clinic once a week to take the multiple course of heavy antibiotics.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Maybe it's me, but it seems we are getting a little excited before we know the end of the story here.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Slow down sister nurse.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I am driving during this discussion and the hubby is next to me. He is turning red, while saying, "You are not taking those treatments." </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Now I know I'm on a watch list.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for the call from Occupational Health telling me it was clear. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
It's been two weeks. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They tell you they will let you know and then nada, zilch.. they leave you in a dark room with no light switch and no exit. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Not everyone is married to a Doc who can ask his radiologist to look at a film.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
It seems some may have fear or concerns and be left waiting, for weeks. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I mentioned this situation to a friend and her response was priceless.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
She said, "Imagine what diseases the disciples had."</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I laughed out loud.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br />I imagine they had more aches, pains and diseases without cure than I could count.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We know Paul asked three times to have the thorn in his side removed. We don't know what his health concern was, but if Paul asked three times it had to be considerable.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
That guy was a stud. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They probably had some Hyssop oil as well as wine and myrrh for pain. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Hmm... sounds similar to today.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Let's face it, some days there isn't anything better than two Advil and a diet coke.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Makes me wonder if I would have said to Jesus, "My head really hurts today, I'm gonna lay here with my wine and myrrh compress till I feel better"... like the next century.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
What a wimp. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
How do we keep from becoming so pampered and spoiled that we are useless in sharing the Gospel of Christ?</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We fill our bodies with comfort and ease, but our souls are empty without Truth. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We have lost our saltiness.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
The disciples, though far from perfect, should give us hope. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They were common men accompanied by common women... but they were shining lights to those in need of a Savior.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They fought about stupid things, like who should be first and where they should sit.. and according to the above picture, nicknames were an issue.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They were just like us... and yet so different. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They did not put their needs first.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They gave up their lives, for a Savior they didn't quite understand.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They did not have the comfort of an extra tunic, or a bed to lay their head.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
They were at the mercy of others. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We would do well to lean on one another instead of our compresses and medications.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
We are who He calls us to be, the common man and woman... created in His image and purposed for His glory. </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Christ sees us as shining stars and precious jewels.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
He asks us to be obedient and purposeful for Him... even in distress and uncomfortableness.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I am grateful for modern medicine and advil.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
I'll always be a wimp compared to the early disciples, but I recognize God does not compare me to them.. or you.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
He expects me to do what He puts in front of me, regardless of headaches or TB.</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
And thank goodness for WebMd. That cleared up a whole lot of questions. Yikes!</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
What is holding you back today? </div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-92007659364579800112015-02-27T11:34:00.000-06:002015-02-27T11:58:44.376-06:00The Silver Lining in... Baking Cookies. Breaking Windows. East Nash Thugs. Growing Community. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://wonderfuliswonderful.com/?p=5491" id="irc_mil" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk;irc.il;" style="border: 0px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img height="400" id="irc_mi" src="https://d13yacurqjgara.cloudfront.net/users/77400/screenshots/478470/attachments/31330/chalk-lettering-silver-lining-full-reverse.jpg" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="313" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I was baking cookies for the hubs and nino, actually, seventy of ninos best friends. His track team, heading to Indoor Track Finals this weekend.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was also preparing for my IF dinner, a monthly gathering of ladies who share a meal, talk Tinder to terrible two's to terminal things. Gosh if Tinder isn't terminal... Lord help us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was listening to music that made my heart sing, talking to God, thanking Him for His provision. He is so good, my life so rich. In March it will be a year that we pulled up roots and hauled our worldly possessions and hearts to Nashville. I don't have to look far, literally across the street, to see people God has brought to my life that I care deeply about. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyday I thank God for a husband who is spiritually, emotionally and physically strong, which allows me to fly free. He pushes me to find my sweet spot in God's kingdom and that is where I find contentment and purpose. He is watching me blossom here and he is my biggest fan. Without him, I could not do this. We are a team, though our teams play in different states most days. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I pondered this yesterday I was overcome with the joy in recognizing that sometimes it takes years to find your sweet spot. I thought my purpose was one thing and actually it was another. By letting God lead, instead of pushing through, I learn and prosper for Him. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I am pondering these things in my heart and praising God when my phone goes off. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the daughter.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can I check her house? Alarm is going off.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably dogs she says.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hmm.... it's not dogs, my spidey sense says.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her house is 3 blocks away. I'm gone!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fly over. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a detective. Checking the alley on my way. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open the door to house... slowly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tazer in hand.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walk in sideways to alarm. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look around. See window. Broken.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curse.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call 911.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Officer asks where I am.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Respond.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He orders me out.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tell him, It's fine, I'm fine. Start to give him a run down and tell him I have touched nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should I dust for prints?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is now screaming in phone at me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tell him I have testified against a mob boss. As in, The Mob. He went bye bye for life. I'm still standing. I aint scared of no piece of crap thug. We are gonna have a chat about Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay... I did not say all of that to him, but it's all true. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 5 minutes I am surrounded by the most amazing police officers I've ever met. Nashville's finest, really are the finest, especially the East Precinct, mostly women. Amazing women. I recognize the lead officer. She says,"Hey we have to stop meeting like this." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They dust for prints, we talk, I text the woman I mentioned earlier who lives across the street. It seems before I hit send, she has responded,"That's horrible, I'll send my guys over to board the window." I look at the officer and tell her how much I love this gal. Fabulous neighbors, friends who I can count on. God, you have blessed us so... silver lining moment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my day was going so well...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but you know what?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was still a good day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing terrible happened. We have things in place to scare off intruders. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is risky.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't want to take risks, don't get out of bed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Side note... I did go home and make sure my bullets were where I thought they were. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so proud of these women that live in this home. They are strong and will be stronger for this. They will be wiser for this. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thank God for His provision. We had just installed an alarm two weeks ago that protected this event. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God expects us to be diligent and have discernment. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not live in fear. We live in knowledge and peace of the One who created us and loves us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can only thank and praise Jesus for His provision yesterday and His peace this morning!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Jesus, our Provider and Protector. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380010695768658207.post-68212379347158903002015-02-12T00:43:00.002-06:002015-02-12T00:53:20.917-06:00Fifty Bales Of Hay... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.nealrantoul.com/posts/topics/hay-stack" id="irc_mil" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk;irc.il;" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/nealrantoul/postimages/large/87/haystack-2012-02.jpg?1355051476" height="393" id="irc_mi" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="589" /></a><br />
<i>We baled a lot of hay.</i><br />
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<i>Early in our marriage my husband and I had two horses and a pony in the hundred acre woods where we lived. A log cabin with stone fireplaces, built from the slate of the land was nestled at the top of a lake that sat between the horse pasture and cabin. The wood we burned was cut by my husband from trees that had fallen along the forest floor. </i><br />
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<i>In the winter the husband would haul bale after bale of hay to his horses. Twice a day he would make sure they had water, hay, oats, shelter. </i></div>
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<i>Our barn was stacked full of the fresh smelling life. </i></div>
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<i>I remember crisp, cold winter mornings, the sun so bright and snow so deep, the husband would be frozen from shoveling, cutting a wide path to the horses. One winter it seemed to snow every Tuesday and Thursday. It was beautiful but I started to think we were living a real life, Little House In The Big Woods, that we read with our daughter each night. </i></div>
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<i>It was hard work. He would lace his LL Bean boots, heavy coat and gloves and be gone early in the morning, before his 8 am O.R. schedule.</i></div>
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<i>In the spring the horses would be restless and the pony would start the gallop through the field searching until she found a broken fence post. The horses would follow her out into mischief. The husband would get in his truck, searching the country roads, sometimes a phone call would come in, letting us know the three amigos had been spotted. He would lead them back to safe pastures, mend the broken fence. </i></div>
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<i>It's been more than a few years since we lived on that land, but I remember clearly. Hard work and green earth leaves impression upon us. </i><br />
<i>Fifty bales of hay popped into my head as I was hearing commotion about</i><i> Fifty Shades Of Grey,</i><i> just in time for Valentine's day.... That was the plan I'm sure. A romantic movie for your valentine. Nice. Fifty bales, fifty shades, couldn't be more different, but they rhymed. A little.</i></div>
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<i>When I think of what my husband does that makes me love him, desire him, feel proud of him, hug him hard when he comes home to me...</i></div>
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<i>I think of bales of hay, working hard, day and night, being available to me, never quitting on us. Affirming me, pushing me, believing in me, loving me well. He never made me wonder if he loved me, or still loves me. </i></div>
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<i>So how should we, I, feel about Fifty Shades Of Grey?</i><i> I have heard enough to understand the premise of the book and movie. I'm a reader. No, I did not read this book.</i></div>
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<i>Why?</i><br />
<i>I can read a variety of books and have a take away from most. </i><br />
<i>I chose not to read this book. </i></div>
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<i>Here are the questions I ask myself.</i></div>
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<i>1) Is this movie a picture of how God intended my relationship with my husband to be? Is it healthy? </i></div>
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<i>2) Is it explicit and is that something that I should/will be comfortable with? Okay, cut to the chase. Is it porn? Is porn good for us, really? Really? </i></div>
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<i> Then you can ask what moms ask their kids... </i></div>
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<i>3) How would you feel if God was sitting with you in that movie theater... Because He is you know. You know that, right? Duh. He's God.</i><br />
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<i>So, if you believe it to be edifying, will help your marriage, increase your love and respect for one another, and be an enjoyable night together... because you must go as a couple, right? Oh, men don't really want to see this movie ?! Gasp. No kidding.</i><br />
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<i>I think number 3 is the question we should ask ourselves most days, in most situations. It cuts through the crap we tell ourselves, the lies we believe, making us comfortable. </i><br />
<i>If God lives in you, He goes where you go, as part of your soul. </i><br />
<i>Think about where you want to take Him. </i><br />
<i>Pretty simple.</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15500876704937065714noreply@blogger.com0