tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43143406955376290362024-03-13T08:00:00.341-07:00The Naked TruthBaring it all for the sake of authenticity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-59698969092280086312014-11-13T12:58:00.003-08:002014-11-13T12:58:20.753-08:00The Before and After<u> </u><br />
<u><br /></u>
I've recently signed up for unlimited yoga. I can go as many times as I want for $50 a month and it is a three month membership. I completed my first class two days ago and today I have my next class. In the midst of preparing for take two of my attempt at becoming flexible, the notion of taking a before and after photo crossed my mind. Considering I'll be doing this for the next three months, there are bound to be changes in my body that will be worth seeing. The before sitting next to the after would surely be a sight to behold! You should also know that I've done this before. I began a weight loss journey almost three years ago and lost 55 lbs. I am the proud owner of pretty great before and after picture from that one! That being said, the idea of creating the first half of another one of these before and after photos is quite appealing and motivating to me. Yet, as I thought about which outfit would reveal the most change a new thought hit me...<br />
<u> </u><br />
Why are we so drawn to before and after pictures?<br />
<u><br /></u>
Scrolling through Facebook and flipping past commercials, it seems so many of us (myself included) are drawn into the contrast of a good before and after photo shoot. Someone lost 150 lbs, this guy has a full head of hair again, look at this room before and after a $5.75 makeover, a model before photo shop and after, celebrities with makeup and without, or my favorite, the "my acne disappeared overnight" photo. A snapshot like that compares two moments in time of the same person. This is the magic of a before and after picture; somehow the journey with all it's struggle, pain, and persistence, gets wrapped up in one 4x6 color photo.<br />
<br />
As I notice the strange phenomenon of comparing one second of ourselves to another, I am struck with how much this craze ignores the journey that commences between the two. Do we even care about that part of the picture or are we too obsessed with what we'll be at the end? Is it far enough from where we started? Isn't the important part the journey? Or is it the end result? Some might feel differently on that point but personally I think the part that matters most is all the seconds in between the dreaded before shot and the candid after. If only we could capture the seconds inside a photograph and all that transforms outside of a simple still image.<br />
<br />
I don't think I'll be taking a before and after photo for this particular transformation. I think instead I'll do my best to track the day to day changes within me; the changes beyond the surface, the difference that a photo cannot capture. Maybe it's strength, resilience, determination, or patience but whatever it is, I think I'll point a different lens at myself this time around. A different lens will seek out and challenge everything in-between the before and after. I will strive to embrace each second of the journey instead of culminating everything into frozen image.<br />
<br />
It's about each moment not just the one where you start and the one you end up in.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-2765620470493827652014-11-07T07:32:00.002-08:002014-11-07T07:32:45.287-08:00All Things <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PVGNdWXDVlU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You are in all things. All things.</div>
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[ Romans 8:28 ]</div>
<br />
When I look around the darkness that surrounds me, Yahweh, you are suddenly everywhere-hovering in the cool fog yet somehow I feel incredibly far away from you, here, in this lonely place. Despite the fact that your very breath is beading upon my skin, my heart continues to sink with the earth.<br />
You've ordained this darkness and that is becoming more and more obvious each time my attempt to escape it fails. I can run but I can't hide and I ask myself, "Why run? Why hide? Why not face the darkness that chases me?"<br />
<br />
Evertime I try and cling to a light other than your own Lord, it suddenly slips from my grasp like an elusive lightening bug. It hovers away, taunting me as it flashes it's life light asking,<br />
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"Where is yours?" </div>
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<br />
It's a dark, cold, and quite forest. I'm paralyzed in waiting. The season of self-salvation is over and my own strength can no longer pick myself up as it seems to have evaporated into the air around me. Now, I need a savior who will come gently in and save me from my slumber.<br />
<br />
But, there is first something here in the "all things" that is desperate for me to discover it. So, I'll put my hands by my side and give way to the insane idea that this cold, dark season can actually produce fruit and truth. As the harsh winters of this earth are divinely ordained-this must be too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-52770723912313411852014-11-06T11:34:00.000-08:002014-11-06T17:02:14.192-08:00Blessed<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isaiah 30:15-18</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in <i>quietness</i> and <i>trust</i> is your <i>strength</i>, but you would have none of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You said, ' No. We will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You said, ' We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yet the Lord <b>longs</b> to be gracious to you, He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessed are all who <b>wait</b> for him!"</span><br />
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u>Quiet: hushed, still, motionless, calm, or serene</u></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><u><br /></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You tell us where our strength is when the enemy presses in. You tell us our posture and you even call out the instinctive fears within us-<i>flee and flee quickly. </i>You tell us how to be and where salvation is but since this goes 100% against this world and our limited common sense, we flee and we flee quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the end, you are still compassionate God and you call those who wait on you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">blessed.</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'll wait on you in trial and pain as a mother waits upon her baby in childbirth. A great blessing is coming-be still and quiet. Do not flee but endure this waiting for those who wait on the Lord are blessed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't think about how long because that will cause anxiety. Think about your Lord and exist in this difficult place. Let the darkness strengthen you and the agony build your patience like a great wall not easily broken. The refining fire is incredibly painful and will lap up all that should not be. It will burn and burn and only when it's refined everything in its grasp to a soft white dust will it go out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wait. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't douse your refining fire. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let it burn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-84682182172752487412014-10-15T17:32:00.004-07:002014-10-15T17:32:41.203-07:00The Canopy<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;"> I’ve
found myself a bench underneath a canopy. Vibrant yellow, red, and orange leaves sway carelessly, illuminating the blue sky. Water drips delicately off each leaf glimmering like a
crystal. The fall air is crisp and earthy. The ground is quite after the rain.
Everything seems to be inhaling as the storm slips away and the sun chases
after it’s shadow. Here I sit. Amidst it all. The give and take of the earth
and sky. Observing the inevitable changes that cannot be denied their right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To sit with an open wound is harshly against
human nature, yet, nature itself rests quietly while its flesh is incessantly
torn open. Storms rage through its delicacies and frost strangles the color
away from its face. There it goes. Letting it all happen. Quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">To sit with an open wound is
uncomfortable. Thinking about allowing the air to swirl freely inside it, where
ever it may please, is discomforting and painful to think about. Letting go of control so desperately sought. The pain lacks consistency and the ache
stretches across every crevice. Vulnerability is not something coveted by the
strong, yet allowing oneself to be exposed to the elements brings about
incredible changes and awe-inspiring beauty. Scars in the land become lush
valleys. What is lost, prepares for what is to come. Brokenness is never wasted in nature. Ever. It allows itself to
embrace the intricate facets of vulnerability on every level. If only humanity
would allow itself to experience this wonder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">So here I sit, on a damp bench
underneath a canopy, pressing my palms into the soft aged wood and desperately
trying to allow the vulnerability in my chest to breathe in the crisp, earthy
air. I'm resisting the urge to throw my arms around myself and cover the brokenness
left by the storm. Protect it. I’ll attempt to follow after the trees and make myself
available to the great Creator who acknowledges and orchestrates every seed let
go from a tree. I’ll allow myself the honor of exposing my vulnerability to the
elements and here I’ll sit, anxiously awaiting the changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-90226726493771538162014-10-09T08:23:00.000-07:002014-10-09T08:34:56.102-07:00Whisper <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style'; text-indent: 0.5in;">Who
am I to plan for tomorrow when I cannot safely say what will happen in the next
five minutes? We must write in our spiritual calendars with pencil because pen
is too painful to erase. You, Oh Lord, often share your most intimate messages
through a whisper. A shout overcomes the ears but a whisper penetrates the
heart. “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” [James 4:8] </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style'; text-indent: 0.5in;">All of our most
impactful relations as humans are shared intimately, near and close to each
other. To draw near to the Creator of the Universe-so close that the breath of his nostrils is felt against your skin and His whisper can be
heard-my soul trembles at the thought. How incredibly unworthy are we. How
magnificent Yahweh’s love that He would rather draw us in close with His whisper,
near enough to hear His heartbeat, than shout to us from a distance.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaWk3CCf65sspaWV9ysiRuFnEGXgjphyphenhyphens_MZQ0nHHNzuJmdNOrt7KNCNVWDlCkqik-DOiFmMtn2vCp8PKShSPLCzawNmOoGFVc3aFqXo2kCvz-P5wxzk3bvzE1gvF0eBoP0j6ezzaf-Q/s1600/Night-Sky-Tree-Universe-Wallpapers-For-Smartphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaWk3CCf65sspaWV9ysiRuFnEGXgjphyphenhyphens_MZQ0nHHNzuJmdNOrt7KNCNVWDlCkqik-DOiFmMtn2vCp8PKShSPLCzawNmOoGFVc3aFqXo2kCvz-P5wxzk3bvzE1gvF0eBoP0j6ezzaf-Q/s1600/Night-Sky-Tree-Universe-Wallpapers-For-Smartphone.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-68273636671114148692014-05-18T11:51:00.002-07:002014-05-18T11:52:30.048-07:00Beyond Understanding<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">[Philippians 4:4-7]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. <i>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus</i>." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">{Italics added}</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Transcend:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> to rise above or go beyond, outshine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">out rival or rank, surpass, exceed, superior to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not peace because of, created by, drawn from, derived of understanding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> No. Peace that is <b>greater</b> than understanding. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Greater than. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-15963117695427395122014-05-13T10:33:00.002-07:002014-05-13T10:33:14.133-07:00Receiving HandsWhat is the most incredible present you can ever remember receiving? I'm talking the whole process of receiving this gift was down right awesome. Great wrapping paper, price tag blacked out, batteries included.<br />
<br />
I have one answer for this question. I tell it every time I'm asked and I will tell it again. Bear with me.<br />
<br />
I think it was Christmas 1999 and the whole family gathered at my aunt's house in Monroe, Michigan. Our family traditionally opens gifts before the meal so the lot of us gathered in the living room and the cousins instinctually sat in a circle around the outskirts of the living room, anxious and excited. Presents were passed out and, following tradition, the youngest gets to open the first gift and it proceeds up to the oldest.<br />
<br />
There I sat in my jean dress and white turtle neck get up, eyeing the boxes piled in front of me. This Christmas was far more suspenseful than the seven before it because this Christmas I had asked for the most incredible gift a young girl like myself could ever ask for; an American girl doll. I had every catalog printed as leisurely reading and confidently cleared a space in my room expecting that I would be coming home with Kirsten, the newest and greatest gift to ever enter my realm of belongings.<br />
<br />
Falling somewhere in the middle of the age line up, I anxiously fidgeted on the plush green carpet as I awaited the moment my name was called out and permission was given to open my first gift. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, my name was called.<br />
<br />
"Kaitlyn, you can open your gift now. Here, open this one first."<br />
<br />
My aunt knowingly picked out a long rectangular box and placed it in my lap. This was it people. This was the gift I had been washing dishes for, being "good" for, resisting fighting my brother for, and pining after all year.<br />
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The next few moments were somewhat of a blur but family pictures serve as a reminder to the shock and total enthrallment that I experienced when I opened the box and saw Kirsten inside. If you've seen The Lion King and are familiar with the opening scene in which Symba is lifted up by Rafiki over all the animal kingdom, then you also have an accurate picture of me lifting my new doll high above my eye-rolling, totally disinterred cousins. Tears of joy rolled down my face and I was lost in the excitement. In fact, I was so distracted that everyone else had opened another gift and it was already back to me. Sitting behind me, my mother nudged me that it was yet again my turn. I suddenly became torn. I loved this one so much I was quite content to stop right where I was. Besides, no other gift could compare to this one (my apologies family but it was a hard gift to top). I didn't want to put it down to open another one. With some coaxing, I gingerly sat Kirsten right next to me and picked out the next gift. Long story short, the remaining presents consisted of a myriad of accessories for my new doll, including bedroom furniture and an entire wardrobe, all of which enhanced the greatness of Kirsten.<br />
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I tell this story not to bore you or suggest that I may have had the most epic gift receiving experience ever created by one family. I share it because I hope to point out a beautiful truth that applies to both Christmas morning and the far more complicated nuances of life. The simple truth is this:<br />
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In life we accept gifts in all different shapes and sizes; relationships, jobs, things, dreams, desires. Most anything can be viewed as a gift. Even the breath entering your lungs this very moment is a gift. Yet the only way to take the next breath is to empty your lungs of the one it's holding onto. In the same way, we must empty our hands of the current blessing in order to accept the next. I loved that doll so intensely and to put her down and even consider opening something else was entirely too difficult for my seven year old self to fathom. Little did I know that every gift after that would only make having her better. If I had never opened the remaining gifts, my doll would have had one outfit and zero accessories. If you are familiar with dolls, half the fun is in the accessories!<br />
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Whether it is a relationship that has been involuntarily broken, a job suddenly lost, a dream left to die, or expectations of any kind, all these things that were once blessings must be let go (whether we like it or not) and hands emptied in order to fully embrace and accept the next blessing. This process by no means intends to forget or diminish the beauty and blessing of the gift let go, but is done in faith and remembrance that the next one will only enhance it.<br />
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I have no idea where you're at in life right now or what you need to let go of. Maybe it's a new job and you're hesitant that it won't meet your expectations. Maybe you've lost something or someone and your staring at your empty hands in despair and bitterness fearing they will never be held by another ever again. I'll give you the naked truth about where I am. My hands have been painfully emptied of a great deal this year only to be filled with the hopeful promise of what is to come. The only way I can receive what is coming is to faithfully put down what I am clinging to and audactiously open my hands up to God in humble dependence that He will not send me away empty handed. I choose to trust that He will continue to build upon the great things He has begun in my life. I only need to let go of my timing, expectations, and desires, and adopt His.<br />
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In the end, it all comes down to this; Do you know about the One who gives the gift? He is good and faithful [Psalm 86:15]. His love is mind blowing [1 John 3:1] and He simply will not leave you or forsake you [Deuteronomy 31:6]. If you trust in the <i>being, </i>not the<i> blessing,</i> of the One who gives good gifts then, in faith, let go of what you're holding on to and know that what is to come can only be received by empty hands.<br />
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"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"</div>
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[Matthew 7:11]</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-23012990581338296362014-05-04T21:04:00.000-07:002014-05-04T21:12:22.082-07:00The Seventh Day PromiseA good friend asked me how I keep my peace in times of turmoil. I pondered for a moment and decided that the "peace" I have been keeping lately is an awful lot like the peace Joshua may have kept as he marched around Jericho. Merriam Webster says that peace is a <i style="text-align: center;">state in which there is no war or fighting;</i><br />
<i style="text-align: center;"> a state of tranquility or quite;</i><br />
<i style="text-align: center;"> freedom from disquieting and oppressive thoughts and emotions...</i><br />
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Despite popular assumptions, peace must not be confused with the sensation of comfort or <i>the <b>lack </b>of any physical/emotional unpleasantness. </i>The distinction being that peace can make company with discomfort. It is<i> freedom </i>from oppressive and unpleasant thoughts/emotions <u>not</u> the absence of them. </div>
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I bet myself a good cup of coffee that Joshua was most likely uncomfortable as he marched around that city. He risked looking like a fool for his cause on a daily basis and Jericho, being a fortified superpower, could put a stop to his little parade at any moment. I'm sure unpleasant thoughts marched around his brain at a startling speed and the last thing he found was an inner sense of tranquility. I could be wrong, but I would also bet an even better cup of coffee that Joshua had peace; a God given peace. What's the difference? </div>
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A promise.</div>
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<i>"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous! See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with it's king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days...On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound on a long blast, have all the people give a shout; the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."</i></div>
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[Joshua 1:5-6, 6:2-5]</div>
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Talk about a pep talk! I'm sure this was a promise that Joshua clung to day one through six and on the seventh day until the very last man stopped shouting. But what about day one through seven into that final hour? What a spiritual battle it must have been! Raging thoughts of "Are you there God? Will you show up? Are you sure? Seven whole days? Why not two days?!" I would have to assume that he did find freedom from such thoughts as he faithfully obeyed the Lords command and (spoiler alert!) those walls came a tumbling down! I know what I would be repeating in my head if I were him, "Seventh day, seventh day, seventh day!" How did he do it? How did this man faithfully wait on the Lord and accomplish an impossible task? By the peace of the seventh day promise and a rigid trust in the God who gave it to him. </div>
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So, how do I keep <i>my</i> peace? I remember the promises I've been given and I cling to them. Like Joshua and the seventh day promise, I cling to a God who has promised and is faithful [Hebrews 10:22-23]. It doesn't feel good. In fact, my peace is in unfortunate company with discomfort and pain on a regular basis but a God given peace surpasses all understanding and provides freedom not a hall pass. It is based on something greater than what is merely possible and to have freedom something must exist to be freed from.</div>
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I know what wall I'm walkin around but I don't know what city your marching towards. What I do know, and cling to nearly every minute, is that God made a promise and I will hold on until the seventh day. Letting go and giving up in the last hour would be an unbearable tragedy. </div>
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<i>"I am confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord." </i></div>
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[Psalm 27:13-14]</div>
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<i>"I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchman wait of the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning."</i></div>
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[Psalm 130:5-6]</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, </i>the wall collapsed<i>; so every man charged straight in..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">[Joshua 6:20]</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Tel Jericho]</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Jericho, Israel:The place where the wall <i>used</i> to stand.]</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Tel Jericho]</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-86304453448384185152014-05-01T09:40:00.001-07:002014-05-01T18:22:26.991-07:00Into the Wind <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am two days away from running my first 10k. On Saturday May 3rd, I will bring full circle two and a half months of rigorous training. I am so looking forward to beating 6.3 miles to a sweaty pulp. That being said, I discovered something new today as I fit in one of my last required 3.5 mile runs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About a mile into my run, what was a refreshing breeze quickly transformed into a 25 mile hour wind. That may not sound like a lot but next time your driving around the neighborhood stick your head out the window and consider running in it. Conveniently for me, the wind also chose to charge against me rather than with me for approximately 2.5 miles of my 3.5 mile run. There were many moments in which I considered slowing down to a walk since the wind was already insisting I do so. I began to get extremely frustrated with this invisible obstacle and shamelessly pouted at God for His poor choice of wind placement today. But I pushed on with positive encouragement's of "You can do this! Food! You get to eat food after this!" and "Just keep running. Don't stop. The wind has to die down eventually." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I approached my last mile, my positive thinking began to wind down (haha). Now not only was the wind fiercely pushing against my body but it was stealing the air right out of my mouth! (Again, stick your head out the car window and try breathing!) I challenged myself in that moment, "What is <i>right </i>with this picture? Where is the positive in this?" (A novel concept I just read up on in the book <i>Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On</i> by Stormie Omartian, chapter 8) In less than a second, I was confronted with a brand new perspective. While the wind seemed to be a hinderance to my running, it was actually a tool that strengthened it. I thought the wind was wrong when in all actuality it was right. Running into the resistance full speed, my body adjusted to a new level of difficulty ensuring that when the wind <i>did </i>change directions I would be stronger for it. Sure enough, as I turned the corner and approached 3.3 miles the wind changed directions (as it<i> always</i> does) and I found myself gliding along putting up a personal record.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can you see the parallel? In this life, we will have troubles [John 16:33] and there will be times of intense resistance where the darkness seems to punch the air right out of your throat. We have a choice. Stop running, give up, and walk along defeated, pouting at uncontrollable circumstances. Or we can search for a new perspective in the midst of chaos asking, "What is good? What is right? How can this help me?" and run full force into adversity. We <i>will</i> be stronger for it. To embrace a defeated complacency when facing difficulty will only ensure that a greater strength is forfeited and victory will be infinitely more difficult to claim next time around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know it's hard, </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">trust me, </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but when the trials of this world seem to be against you, look for how they might be for you and </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">keep running.</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The wind will change directions eventually and </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> it does, if you've been persistent in running through it, you'll find yourself gliding along, conquering invisible obstacles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>[Psalm 27:13]</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To embrace a defeated complacency when facing difficulty will only ensure that a greater strength is forfeited and victory will be infinitely more difficult to claim next time around.</span></i></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-9690199457930632542014-04-29T20:09:00.002-07:002014-04-30T19:15:14.478-07:00Straddling the Line<div style="border: 0px none; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is place between good and evil, light and dark, desperation and hope. In this place, there is a choice to be made. It is impossible to straddle the line between good and evil, light and dark, desperation and hope, and exist at peace with anything. One over the other at any given moment. It's a choice to be had when straddling the line. Which side to dwell? In the light? Or the dark?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-80220982189793541382014-04-22T07:29:00.003-07:002014-04-22T07:47:13.588-07:00Depth. Depth Happens. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">| April 21st, 2014 Journal |</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My question remains; why and how come? If He knew all the misery that would come to be-why even bother creating the world? Is it because He also knows the glory?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It goes like this. You have a child whom you love very, very much. Enough to die for. This child is destined for something so great and unimaginable it can barely be contained in the mind. But because of the laws of the natural world-namely sin and death- your child <i>must</i> go through hardships now to obtain this great life. You-being the parent-can see the pay off and know it will be worth it so you allow the struggles, temptations, and hardships. You remove them from their bubble of innocence and ignorance and allow them to walk the thorny path. Close to them you remain- ever so close for leaving them would be a greater pain. When they stumble and fall, you are there to tend their wounds and pick them up-<i>never stepping over the line to deter the pain so much so that the glory at the end will be tainted</i>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When they cry- you cry. When they scream out in anger-of course you listen. When they turn back, you turn them around for you know that these sufferings are only temporary and the glory to come will be worth all the pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When sin entered the world- God's palette of chosen colors drastically changed. What was once void of anything dark now became tainted by the stains of black. Rather than paint with pastels and vibrant true colors-shades of black and gray were dumped into the mix. Surely a disaster to destroy such pure pigments of color...but not when you're an artist-<i>the Artist </i>none the less. Not that humanity before sin was by any means dull or void of depth and meaning, on the contrary- a true pigment of color cannot be compared to a blend of shades and hues. But now there is darkness in the color and perfection is lost to it's overbearing tone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tell me-what happens when you add darkness to light?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Depth. Depth happens.</i> Contrast. Dare I say, a picture can often be made more beautiful when shadows are introduced. It becomes so realistic and <i>rich.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I often wonder why-how-could God allow this darkness to taint His perfect palette. Why even begin painting? He saw and still sees the big picture. He knows the depth it has and the magnificent story it creates. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h9wqRw_pk_goWz7TrYLPC3SWWYrV2wtolrYd7jwn3HJYkYjymHMPX667XldiGGitWQYTco5Pm5pksR9hkrGKTbqHnj3_V6pIQayYeCk9vU2WknFP5bRbqtFEaFOi450NUrW3oSLqwTE/s1600/art-is-messy-5-carol-leigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6h9wqRw_pk_goWz7TrYLPC3SWWYrV2wtolrYd7jwn3HJYkYjymHMPX667XldiGGitWQYTco5Pm5pksR9hkrGKTbqHnj3_V6pIQayYeCk9vU2WknFP5bRbqtFEaFOi450NUrW3oSLqwTE/s1600/art-is-messy-5-carol-leigh.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For a God so holy and so perfect to willingly create a world in which He knows darkness will invade-His bright, beautiful, and perfect creation tainted- for Him to still create and begin painting, surely the darkness has a purpose.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[ Philippians 3:12-16]</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-74332427338856635392014-04-07T10:02:00.002-07:002014-04-10T07:30:22.049-07:00#GonnaRuna10K<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Somewhere around the end of February, I made a bold decision to run a 10k on May 3rd. Now, this is indeed a bold decision as I am not an avid runner. I want to be! I think it's kind of cool (yet I look anything but cool in my prime running stance). I even paid the fee up front to ensure my particiaption. "Now I have to do it," I thought. Whether I'm ready or not is totally my decision. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After only a month and a half of training, I have learned a great deal about myself. I'll humor you with some examples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.) I discovered the inside of my ears sweat. (This is highly inconvenient when wearing head phones.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.) If I can't breathe I end up snorting. (I know you want to be my running buddy now...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.) I tend to lose my balance at least once every mile and consequently end up kicking myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.) I tend to run faster and more efficiently <i>without</i> music. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5.) I get blisters on the same two toes. Every time. It's awful. I can literally expect to get a blister there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6.) Sometimes I honestly hate running. Most of the time, I love it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I will spare you the rest of my obnoxious physical oddities, I feel obligated to share another discovery with you; the relationship between training for a race and training spiritually. *Note: For those of you who know me (and those who don't) I am a walking metaphor machine. I could probably create a metaphor out of a dust ball. That being said, I could write a libraries worth about the metaphors between running a 10k and running the good race [Hebrews 12:1-2]. But, to spare all of the librarians out there, I hope to enlighten you to just three of the parallels I have discovered about <i>training</i> up for a race (not just the race itself) and training up the soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ah yes. The challenge I have so readily discovered is that the biggest obstacle does not lie in the training itself, rather in gaining the ability to get off my tush and actually <i>begin</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most days I look at my training plan, read the designated miles, and groan. I know once I get going it will be well worth it, I'll feel better, and I'll be one step closer to the race. It's just a matter of getting going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This same groan of laziness and dismay is often echoed through the chamber halls of our faith and to our Divine trainer. Dwelling in the word, praying, resting, worshipping, church going. Yes, all these things will serve to better the soul if only the motivation could be mustered to accomplish it! Allow me to challenge you in the faith as Nike+ has challenged me in running. Put your spiritual running shoes on, hike up those spanx (not too high though), get that dry-wick gear wicking, and JUST DO IT. I can't tell you how many runs I have begun only to realize halfway through the dissatisfaction of beginning was long gone. Wait not upon the moment of which you "feel" like reading the bible or talking with the Lord but challenge yourself to get out there and do the task of faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[Jeremiah 29:13] </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know your'e probably wondering how there could possibly be a temptation in the practice of running. Let me tell you, there is, and to give in could destroy you before the starting line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my first two weeks of training, I was putting up one to three miles a day. While it may seem like a small task now, it was daunting at the time. In my curiosity, I scrolled to week 5 and noticed that I was scheduled for a 7.5 mile run. I was barely crawling out of two miles and one day I would have to run <i>7.5 miles</i>?! The temptation was to call it quits right then and there. My inadequacy was glaring at my jello feeling legs screaming, "You'll never be able to do that!" Now, the thing I love about the Nike+ running app (cue my shameless plug), is that it breaks down each run into bite size pieces making it far more manageable. For example, a five mile run may consist of running two miles, walking one, running one, and so on. Each run has a specific regimen to follow in order to truly be ready for the big runs. Unless the small runs are accomplished and the wisdom of each mile is heeded, surely 7.5 miles would be a daunting impossibility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Update: I just ran the dreaded 7.5 miles yesterday. It was great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The temptation to fear what is to come in life is no stranger to those who are raising up a faith in Christ. The Lord told us we would experience trouble of all kind in this world [John 16:33]. News flash, He can't lie. That pretty much get's rid of the "if" there is going to be trouble and replaces it with a "when". If we allow the fear and unknown of what is to come cripple us before it is even here, how then can we continue to put our faith in the current day and complete the training at hand? Do not look forward to the time frame of pain and suffering and allow it to mock your current state of faith. Just as training for a marathon is completed day by day, so does the Lord ready His children for the trouble that will come to pass. Trust the training. Be strong and courageous was His commandment [Joshua 1:9]. One mile at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[Matthew 6:34]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 [The Treasure]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is a great and awesome treasure to be found in running (no, it's not weight loss). Sometimes this treasure can be confused with a curse but when looked at with a new perspective the value is unavoidably obvious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The treasures to be gained in running can only be obtained through sweat, pain, leg cramps, loads of time, and the occasional blister (or frequent repeat blisters in my case). Days of training must be completed and thorough stretching is a must. Easy, smooth going, and pleasant are rarely used to describe this process. You are a rare human if you can pop up off the couch and run a 10k with ease. Training is hard work and all too required for success. Despite these difficulties, each time I get out there to run I discover a new treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">| Endurance | Patience | Commitment | Joy | Runners High | The giant meal you get to eat after (shamelessly)| Fresh Air | Strength | Tolerance | Stamina | Persistence | Space to think, pray, listen to music | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Such treasures can only be obtained through the toil and pain of worth while training.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you've ever entered the domains of social media or the internet you are most likely familiar with the reality that life is flat out not fair, it's totally hard, and sometimes you just can't "keep calm" because YOLO. In spite of life's sometimes disastrous ways, we are given a challenge each and every day in how we choose to train our mind, body, and soul. If we choose to train by indulging in heaps of shallow pleasures and sit back as our souls deteriorate under the wrath of complacency, fear, and doubt, we can expect the consequences to be unpleasant. In contrast, if we heed the wise advice of our Trainer (that would be Jesus), the unfortunate realities of this life become dull rocks compared to the treasures we store up for ourselves in heaven [Matthew 6:20]. Such treasures can only be obtained through the refining fire of uncertainties and discrepancies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">| Endurance | Patience | Commitment | Joy | Thankful worship | Heaven (forgiven) | Breath of Life | Strength | Tolerance | Stamina | Persistence | Space to think, pray, listen to music | </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Training can be seen as a curse or a treasure. The difference is how you participate.</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">[1 Peter 1:7]</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">[2 Peter 1:5-9]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text 2Pet-1-5" id="en-NIV-30485">For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30485M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span></span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-6" id="en-NIV-30486">and to knowledge, self-control;<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30486N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span> and to self-control, perseverance;<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30486O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span> and to perseverance, godliness;<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30486P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span></span> <span class="text 2Pet-1-7" id="en-NIV-30487">and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.</span><span class="text 2Pet-1-8" id="en-NIV-30488"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30488R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span> in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span><span class="text 2Pet-1-9" id="en-NIV-30489"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30489T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span> forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.<b> </b></span><span class="text 2Pet-1-10" id="en-NIV-30490">Therefore, my brothers and sisters,</span><span class="text 2Pet-1-10"><b> </b>make every effort to confirm your calling<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30490V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span> and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, </span><span class="text 2Pet-1-11" id="en-NIV-30491">and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30491X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-4612360780569052432014-03-17T09:16:00.002-07:002014-04-04T11:45:58.872-07:001-800-CONTROL<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wouldn't it be nice to be in control?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You always know what's coming and what has passed. There are no surprises and anxiety would be at an all time low.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It sounds absolutely delightful...until you realize what is being sacrificed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gaining control means a sacrifice of trust in God and in others. When we gain control of something we trust ourselves and our abilities (I don't know about you but I'm screwed). For example, when we are in control of a car, we know right where we are going. Yet, when we are in someone else's car we tend to be a little more on edge. We find ourselves double checking to see if the road is clear, we check over our shoulder when changing lanes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our trust in others seems to be significantly lacking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our trust in God is obviously lacking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once we have obtained our perception of control the idea of losing it becomes terrifying. The questions soon rage...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"What if something awful happens?! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What if?! What if?! what if?!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A good, dear friend of mine told me that the "what if" quesiton is like a mosquito bite. When you itch it, it only gets worse and worse until it's bleeding and infected. We have to make friends with the "what if" and apply the truth of the Lord onto it's heat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The truth of the Lord is this...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I will be with you until the very end of the age. I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and a future, not to harm you. No eye has seen, no ear has hear what the Lord has planned for those who love him."</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-4211261430965865752014-03-17T09:12:00.002-07:002014-04-04T11:52:11.667-07:00I Can't See<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1nk9dLbeGvXKaI-0k2fnd0mzKnA_9neZuk8rUBQ4fz9yZP1Fg0KTE4QIJ0BJGi8clrDzUeC_tv176aiUca4m2zNQn7GJDgc-RCg8NlRf7luQVaMW_LZcSFkb9qAMCxq_w6Kw1x59cWo/s1600/Blindfolded_Mina_by_nenov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1nk9dLbeGvXKaI-0k2fnd0mzKnA_9neZuk8rUBQ4fz9yZP1Fg0KTE4QIJ0BJGi8clrDzUeC_tv176aiUca4m2zNQn7GJDgc-RCg8NlRf7luQVaMW_LZcSFkb9qAMCxq_w6Kw1x59cWo/s320/Blindfolded_Mina_by_nenov.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trust. </div>
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What an infinitely complex and ridiculously unavoidable part of life.<br />
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Quickly broken, but stubbornly strong.<br />
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Trust is almost always blind and i<span style="text-align: center;">t rarely feels good.</span><br />
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It gropes around in the unknown because it seeks more than what it can immediately touch. Trust longs for what has yet to come and whole heartedly believes that the Great Creator is orchestrating this song called life. Trust searches blindly but it is always expectant of hope and directed by faith.<br />
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Trust. What an incredible ability God has gifted humanity with, yet it can be one of the most lethal poisons when broken.<br />
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Even though sin separated us from God and He new He could never trust us to save ourselves, our trust in Him has had no reason to change. He is still in the garden, waiting for us to return white as snow. He never left that place of intimancy with us. Jesus has never loved us more.<br />
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Trust is rarely gained by way of results, but throughout the entirety of the journey.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlsxucapw93D1NQjThJ-4PcCfgjOg7Y8KVNj13WnKTlT_XOeRTNAPA6KefBf52mJndWZ4Whs8RBQarW7pencw1uTjI7rnWKdLVCYIbfJP1Q_PETWt0YQqBi_uCdVBGJgHJxr5ZsclR88/s1600/blindfolded-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlsxucapw93D1NQjThJ-4PcCfgjOg7Y8KVNj13WnKTlT_XOeRTNAPA6KefBf52mJndWZ4Whs8RBQarW7pencw1uTjI7rnWKdLVCYIbfJP1Q_PETWt0YQqBi_uCdVBGJgHJxr5ZsclR88/s200/blindfolded-small.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-87945530849640221602014-03-17T08:53:00.001-07:002014-04-04T11:52:55.455-07:00Shadows<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your glory?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See the darkness, how will you re-write such a story?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your glory?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your mighty hand?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See the fallen in this land.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your mighty hand?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your peace?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is greater chaos than the sea.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, God where is your peace?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your healing?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can't you see how the pain is reeling. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh God, where is your healing?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My God, my God, when will you redeem life from death?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My God, my God, there is no rest.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My God, my God, when will you redeem life from death?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- - -</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See here my child, I am working in the shadows.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hold on to me and follow.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See here my child, I am working in the shadows.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-20624520446261801052014-02-22T06:18:00.001-08:002014-04-04T11:53:48.177-07:00Surrendering Isaac<div style="text-align: center;">
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/dy9nwe9_xzw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/dy9nwe9_xzw&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/dy9nwe9_xzw&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">{press play}</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That place. That place that Abraham was brought to. Oh the great, great sorrow he must have felt. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> * * *</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-1">"Some time later God tested<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-549A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-1">“Here I am,”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-549B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> he replied.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-2" id="en-NIV-550"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>Then God said, “Take your son<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-550C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>, <b>your only son</b>, whom you<b> love</b>—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-550D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> <b><i>Sacrifice</i></b> him there as a burnt offering<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-550E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> on a mountain I will show you.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-550F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-3" id="en-NIV-551"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>Early the next morning<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-551G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-4" id="en-NIV-552"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>On the <b><i>third day </i></b>Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-5" id="en-NIV-553"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-553H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsLwwVljyzsKr_OL5GneUD6dslcf8AlejnErtRFSxZo2nz7TFQnYhhOwwWv8HkEuonwAdzdnToSKYcY3MuzNDUyckBxAfCQ-kx9oUX40vvktLWYTDrh2irEdmZ1kRTls_fz2jjYzFmSM/s1600/Mt+Moriah.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsLwwVljyzsKr_OL5GneUD6dslcf8AlejnErtRFSxZo2nz7TFQnYhhOwwWv8HkEuonwAdzdnToSKYcY3MuzNDUyckBxAfCQ-kx9oUX40vvktLWYTDrh2irEdmZ1kRTls_fz2jjYzFmSM/s1600/Mt+Moriah.gif" height="297" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-6" id="en-NIV-554"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"></sup></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-6" id="en-NIV-554"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-6" id="en-NIV-554"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Gen-22-6" id="en-NIV-554">6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-554I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> and he himself carried the fire and the knife.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-554J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> As the two of them went on together,</span> <span class="text Gen-22-7" id="en-NIV-555"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “<b>Father</b>?”</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Gen-22-7">“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-7">“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “<i>but where is the lamb<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-555K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> for the burnt offering?</i>”</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-8" id="en-NIV-556"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>Abraham answered, “<b><i>God himself will provide<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-556L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> the lamb<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-556M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> for the burnt offering, my son.”</i></b> And the two of them went on together.</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-9" id="en-NIV-557"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">9 </sup>When they reached the place God had told him about,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-557N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> Abraham built an altar<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-557O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup> there and arranged the wood<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-557P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> on it. He<i> bound</i> his son Isaac and laid him on the altar,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-557Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> on top of the wood.</span> <span class="text Gen-22-10" id="en-NIV-558"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">10 </sup>Then he reached out his hand and took the knife<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-558R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup> to slay his son.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-558S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Gen-22-11" id="en-NIV-559"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>But the angel of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-559T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> called out to him from heaven,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-559U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup> “<b>Abraham! Abraham</b>!”<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-559V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-11"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Here I am,”<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-559W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> he replied.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-12" id="en-NIV-560"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you <b>fear </b>God,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-560X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> because <b><u><i>you have not withheld from me your son, your only son</i></u></b>.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-560Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup>”</span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-13" id="en-NIV-561"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">13 </sup>Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a <b>ram</b> caught by its horns.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-561Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-561AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Gen-22-14" id="en-NIV-562"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>So Abraham called<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-562AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup> that place <b>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-562AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> Will Provide.</b> And to this day it is said, </span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-14"><b><i>“On the mountain of the<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> it will be provided.<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-562AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup>”</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-14"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-15" id="en-NIV-563"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">15 </sup>The angel of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-563AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup> called to Abraham from heaven<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-563AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup> a second time</span> <span class="text Gen-22-16" id="en-NIV-564"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">16 </sup>and said, </span></div>
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<b><span class="text Gen-22-16">“I swear by myself,<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-564AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup> declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-564AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Gen-22-17" id="en-NIV-565"><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">17 </sup>I will surely bless you<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-565AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup> and make your descendants<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-565AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup> as numerous as the stars in the sky<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-565AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></sup> and as the sand on the seashore.<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-565AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></sup> Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,<sup class="crossreference" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-565AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></sup></span> </b><span class="text Gen-22-18" id="en-NIV-566"><b><sup class="versenum" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">18 </sup>and through your offspring<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”</b><sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-566AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text Gen-22-18" id="en-NIV-566"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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I like how A.W. Tozer puts it in his book, " The Pursuit of God".</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"The sacred writer spares us a close-up of the agony that night on</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">the slopes near Beersheba when the aged man had it out with his God, but</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">respectful imagination may view in awe the bent form and <i>convulsive</i></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">wrestling alone under the stars. Possibly not again until a Greater than</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Abraham wrestled in the Garden of Gethsemane did such mortal pain visit</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>a human soul.</i> If only the man himself might have been allowed to die.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That would have been easier a thousand times, for he was old now, and to</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">die would have been no great ordeal for one who had walked so long with</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">God. Besides, it would have been a last sweet pleasure to let his</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">dimming vision rest upon the figure of his stalwart son who would live</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">to carry on the Abrahamic line and fulfill in himself the promises of</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">God made long before in Ur of the Chaldees."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-A.W. Tozer, Chapter 2 "The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing"</span></div>
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Have you an Isaac? Have you something so precious in your heart that it has dethroned the Sovereign Lord from His rightful place? A thing, dream, person, or desire? Something so dear to you that it would be better to die than to lose it? </div>
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I will be honest with you friend (because that's what electrifies life- raw vulnerability), </div>
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I have been asked to sacrifice my Isaac. I have been asked to lay him upon the Lord's alter and oh, the pain. <i>The pain</i>. I can imagine Abraham writhing in the desert for I am there with him; knees weak, stomach overturned, heart wrenching and bursting in agony. There is no pain so great as to lose what is most precious to you. </div>
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Nothing. </div>
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I am in that place on the mountain side. Looking over Isaac-bound with sin-asking me through salty, sharp tears, "WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!"</div>
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There is great and unimaginable sorrow that fills your heart when your dreams ask you that question, when the Lord asks you to surrender your greatest desire so that it is no longer yours, but His.</div>
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The human heart simply cannot understand. </div>
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I cannot tell you <i style="font-weight: bold;">yet</i> of the great blessings that will follow this sacrafice. I cannot <i style="font-weight: bold;">yet </i>tell you of how the Lord provided but <i style="font-weight: bold;">HE WILL </i>and when he does friends, I cannot wait to tell you about it. Not for my sake, but for yours. </div>
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Until then, I leave you with my only hope, the hope I cling to, the hope Abraham threw his entire soul into, the hope I will rest every ounce of my being in because I can do nothing else. Hear my words, I will not die on this mountain side as the sorrow beckons me too. </div>
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I will not give up but I will surrender.</div>
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The Lord gives good things to those who trust in Him, to those who quietly wait for salvation who love Him. Good things! No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind can imagine these good things! None! That is how freaking good they are. </div>
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The Lord has a PERFECT plan with PERFECT timing because He is PERFECT. </div>
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The Lord <i>will provide.</i> He <b>has</b> too. He promised and He is faithful.<br />
The Lord knows what I need, and believe it or not, that is greater than what I want.</div>
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That is where I try and find my peace on this mountainside, deeply mourning over Isaac. He is the Lord's now, not mine. Do not hear me denying the pain. There is no darkness like it. Only those who have experienced it, know of it. Yet, there is somehow beauty in this chaos.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"God let the suffering old man go through with it up to the point where</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He knew there would be <i>no retreat</i>, and then forbade him to lay a hand</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">upon the boy. To the wondering patriarch He now says in effect, "It's</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">all right, Abraham. I never intended that you should actually slay the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">lad. I only wanted to remove him from the temple of your heart that I</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">might reign unchallenged there. <i>I wanted to correct the perversion that</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>existed in your love.</i> Now you may have the boy, sound and well. Take him</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and go back to your tent. Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then heaven opened and a voice was heard saying to him, "By myself have</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">of the earth be blessed; <i>because thou hast obeyed my voice.</i>"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-A.W. Tozer "The Pursuit of God"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> We find truth and hope in who God <i>is</i></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">not the mystery of what He allows.</span></b> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is good. He is love. His love <b><i>never </i></b>fails.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When the pain twists inside me, I will scream this truth with every breath of my lungs. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. you anoint my head with oil; MY CUP OVERFLOWS. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Psalm 23:1-6</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-57911132446539636742014-02-18T13:29:00.003-08:002014-02-18T13:32:23.257-08:00Three Days<div style="text-align: center;">
Abraham traveled <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">three days</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i>to Mount Moriah mourning with <i>great sorrow</i> over the direction to sacrifice his <i>only </i>son. </div>
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Jonah spent <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>three days</i></span> in the belly of a whale, hopeless and in <i>total darkness.</i> </div>
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Jesus spent <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>three days</i></span> seemingly defeated by <i>death</i> itself. </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Three days of defeat and darkness.</span></i></div>
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Now compare that to this. </div>
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A <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">lifetime</span></i> of love and hope renewed to Abraham through a ram. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[God Provides]</span></i></div>
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Jonah is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>rescued, restored,</i></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>redeemed</i>.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[God is faithful]</span></i></div>
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Jesus Christ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>conquered death</i></span> and the grave. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[God is in control]</span></i></div>
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The pain of <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">three days</span></i> may seem like forever, </div>
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but it is <i><u>nothing</u></i> compared to a holy, healing, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">l.o.v.e. </span>that lasts an <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">eternity</span></i>. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-38550350992005082242014-02-14T07:10:00.002-08:002014-02-14T11:01:48.012-08:00Sixty Two Years | February 13, 2014<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got out of class early last night after a somewhat tricky statistics test. I had about an hour to kill so I sat down and looked out over the city and let my mind wander...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relationships. Man, are they tricky. Far trickier than statistics. How do you<i> know</i> in a relationship? How do you know that they won't leave you for someone else? Or that they won't get in a car accident? Or they won't fall out of love with you? How do you know if they're the one? How do you know it won't end in divorce? How do you trust someone that deeply? How could a couple possibly manage a life long love? Then I thought about m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">y grandparents. They have been married 62 years. They must be experts of some kind in this day and age. What did Grandma comfort herself with when Grandpa was at war and away at school? How have they come this far?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overwhelmed by my own heart, I almost started a game of Candy Crush but suddenly I could sense the Lord telling me, "No, I have something else for you. I'm not done talking yet."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I called my Grandparents and asked, "How in the world have you been married 62 years?!" I want to share their response with you in light of it being Valentines Day and all. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These, my friends, are the wise, wise words of a man and woman who have managed to do a life long love for 62 years and counting. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We were apart for a good part of the beginning of our marriage. It was difficult without a doubt. We moved all the time and only saw each other on the weekends really. He was in the war and I was a nurse. He went to school and I stayed at home with the children. Perseverance, faith, and commitment got us through those times. It sure was nice when we were able to live together! You know, it takes 50% of one person and 50% of another to make things work. Sometimes I was 40% and he was 60% and sometimes I was 60% and he was 40% but it always has to equal a whole. A good foundation is important. Having faith, going through the courtship and commitment are all important. We also learned that you can disagree and argue and not have to get a divorce! Sometimes it's easier just to stay married and work it out rather than go through all the aggravation of getting a divorce. We didn't want that aggravation. Also, you know the Lord is the one who blesses relationships. The time apart was difficult but the times together were sweet. We did have all kinds of troubles and hardships but you never call it quits. You have faith in the Lord. That makes a difference. There are no guarantees in life dear. You're right. You just don't know but you rely on the Lord. You know that. And one day after all the "what if's" and "is this it?", after all those questions and feelings you decide, "Yes. Through sickness and health until death do us part." or, "No. This isn't it." I firmly believe that. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now hold on, your grand father is right here. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charles! It's your grandaughter. She wants to know how we have been married for 62 years. Do you have anything to say?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's thinking...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The other person is always right."-Charles LeValley</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should bop him over the head for that! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways dear, there is no greater feeling than looking at our family-our kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, and knowing that he and I did that. All those people because of the two of us 62 years ago. It's incredible."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> -Donna and Charles LeValley </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know how many years the Lord has in that big book for me, let alone sharing it with another person but I trust Him. It's hard as hell to trust Him sometimes and it feels terrible for a while but once I realize that the Lord is good, there is overwhelming peace. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord is not cruel. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moral of it all?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call your grandparents (or anyone you love for that matter). Tell them you love them and cherish their wisdom. They are so much better at life and you can only call them for so long this side of heaven. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, God is in control. LOVINGLY in control. His timing is perfect and his love is even more so. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One last thing. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever hear the saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's bull crap. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord makes the heart grow fonder. Absence is just the space He works in. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to 62 years, 62 Valentines Days, a million tears, thousands of fights, a whole lot of sarcasm, hours of laughter, a handful of houses and careers, four children, seven grand children, two great grandchildren, two people who said "yes" to a life long love, and one great and awesome God who made it all happen. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Valentines Day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-33582178938790190572014-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:002014-04-04T12:02:02.504-07:00Salt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTYbLWtcvKynIM5Z9_2IRvV0Sl7GNNsN4wuqsYXtnKNw3wiG7zDAwf8fRuaRKPrYEt9K0T_0AfuFxcBBTb7iDtjhpUKTJGCycTLYRMAOV3sJZwATftMMzCCA1iUPlalDbfa83V1F3xf0/s1600/DSC05769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTYbLWtcvKynIM5Z9_2IRvV0Sl7GNNsN4wuqsYXtnKNw3wiG7zDAwf8fRuaRKPrYEt9K0T_0AfuFxcBBTb7iDtjhpUKTJGCycTLYRMAOV3sJZwATftMMzCCA1iUPlalDbfa83V1F3xf0/s1600/DSC05769.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I remember one time in Florida, I was swimming in the waves just off shore when the undercurrent caught my feet around the same time a wave was lurching up for a big crash. Before I could blink, I was submerged and tumbling wildly in who knows what direction. I could feel my skin scraping the sand and salty bitter water began to invade my nose, throat, and lungs. It was most unpleasant. The worst part? I lost my bathing suit...<br />
Emotional upheaval is strikingly similar to this experience. We start out in control, managing the waves as they crash around us. Head afloat, we can survey our surroundings and are well aware of our own presence with the waves. Yet suddenly, sometimes within our awareness and sometimes not, this delicate balancing act is violently thrown off. It could be something as small as a negative interaction or as big as a personal loss. Whatever it may be, our mind, bodies, and spirits are sent tumbling with little to no control. By time the initial impact is over, we are left naked on the shore; our lungs gasping for fresh air and our burning eyes stare out over the water in shock.<br />
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When your in that place underneath the waves, where the sand grinds against your skin and the bitterness of the ocean water begins to steal away your air, it seems as if there is no end to the suffering. Drowning becomes a very real and terrifying possibility. Yet any and every wave will instinctively do one thing without fail; reach the shore. The turmoil of a wave will always find it's end at the face of the shoreline. Emotional upheaval is still similar in this behavior. Eventually, the wave of feelings and thoughts will run out of fetch and will come crashing down allowing for a time of awareness and peace as you regain yourself.<br />
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I'm not quite to the beach yet today but I look forward to when the salt water in my lungs is gone and I can breathe fresh air again. I can count on that hope like I can count on the waves to always reach shore.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-50212741533229068992014-01-13T12:52:00.001-08:002014-01-13T12:52:29.195-08:00June 25th, 2011 | Diamonds<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I seem to be passing through a refining fire. This season lasted for four years of Oswald Chambers life. How long will it last for me? Will it end at the convenience of my college career? Am I going the right way in my career? How do I navigate this refining fire? I think both Oswald and I would agree that you can't navigate it. If you could navigate and control the refining fire-if you could control that- surely all hope would be lost. The moral is, I am anxious to be a diamond."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-42123030784865917532013-10-18T20:19:00.000-07:002013-10-18T20:19:13.658-07:00Love Like Mosaics<div style="text-align: center;">
Love is like a mosaic.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih8MFT3qeKH6XBRzEKDyvTLyhQrf19NM-2zdtb9TMvhsLLV6_FbmqEPJA8nFo6WWi_Lp3HYkEdl5M2yf6L2DGZXVu0EZhAhoOphsNb_T5wwH0bbMQM5FsMC5CHMY-ibcFSLK9y0KHWTI/s1600/Mosiac+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih8MFT3qeKH6XBRzEKDyvTLyhQrf19NM-2zdtb9TMvhsLLV6_FbmqEPJA8nFo6WWi_Lp3HYkEdl5M2yf6L2DGZXVu0EZhAhoOphsNb_T5wwH0bbMQM5FsMC5CHMY-ibcFSLK9y0KHWTI/s400/Mosiac+2.jpg" title="http://www.mosaicworks.com/mosaics/depthfinder.html" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Sonia King </td></tr>
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Every piece is different and does not always fit together perfectly.</div>
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Some pieces fight in tension, others melt in cohesion. </div>
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Each stone is a conscious choice made by the creator; spontaneous yet carefully calculated.</div>
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The substance of a mosaic are the pieces that is has been created from, not just what holds them together. Yet, one cannot exist without the other.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbHBWpXEPeYqQkf9z6RH6iRKIlqy5jgCrqdR7nnMrh0si5-jg0oHmiwlHiSvhxmqWadiLeIRR2i0_If2XwuSciPq0hYm113J6MqgKsJWFkx7pp-0togkYYANyH2fzSwTD-6mLF4feB20/s1600/Mosaic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbHBWpXEPeYqQkf9z6RH6iRKIlqy5jgCrqdR7nnMrh0si5-jg0oHmiwlHiSvhxmqWadiLeIRR2i0_If2XwuSciPq0hYm113J6MqgKsJWFkx7pp-0togkYYANyH2fzSwTD-6mLF4feB20/s400/Mosaic+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Sonia King</td></tr>
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The feelings of love are like the grout of a mosaic. </div>
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It holds each piece in place but it is not the entire picture. </div>
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Feeling love is fuel for choosing it. </div>
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Each choice lays a stone. </div>
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Passion is what holds it together. </div>
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Complicated. </div>
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Authentic. </div>
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Spontaneous</div>
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Unbelievably unpredictable.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqRHdO8PVJ3lW6FT9FCXu4nqs1OpzFSfJ-aVv0aB-z4D9xktZFVyCMTkH_4C1wQ1lpErA5u2xLRzxikYasdkrEDf_cMAiq6VP0docHwskh04jRYoPPKnM8nBJkLxSeE05nscVr1y0eUs/s1600/Mosaic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqRHdO8PVJ3lW6FT9FCXu4nqs1OpzFSfJ-aVv0aB-z4D9xktZFVyCMTkH_4C1wQ1lpErA5u2xLRzxikYasdkrEDf_cMAiq6VP0docHwskh04jRYoPPKnM8nBJkLxSeE05nscVr1y0eUs/s640/Mosaic+2.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Sonia King</td></tr>
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Love is like a mosaic.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-33174503597303851452013-09-26T11:30:00.003-07:002013-09-26T11:31:45.174-07:00Truth.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Trust is turning down the opportunity to see into your future and telling Jesus,</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-42141236236949703762013-09-23T07:36:00.002-07:002014-04-04T12:00:15.588-07:00The Sober Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever read something that stopped your emotional hangover dead in its tracks like a cup of gritty black coffee and 1000mg of Tylenol?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugNUivDODSVWo5WWsY4a5N-bQJbBPPcgFwaEHNZe3PqZ_daBrP-XiUancPhHOCJZjjOI32AfP_8VNcge_ngATlFGGDziuJpGz1b8sMQ5_E5FcxX9GvwPN9BTKlhDgjDE3es7dvb_MD5c/s1600/tylenol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
The following links will most likely have that effect.<br />
<br />
I whole heartedly agree with these writers and encourage you (guys <b><i>&</i></b> gals) to take a read.<br />
It takes two to Tango.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cbmw.org/men/manhood/were-just-talking/" target="_blank">#1 "We're just talking"</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cbmw.org/men/manhood/it-is-time-to-take-responsibility/" target="_blank">#2 "It's time to take responsibility"</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cbmw.org/women/womanhood/how-single-women-can-resist-the-just-talking-movement/" target="_blank">#3 "How Single women can resist the "just talking" movement</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cbmw.org/women/womanhood/a-womans-role-in-just-talking/" target="_blank">#4 "A Womans role in "just talking"</a><br />
<br />
<br />
All that being said, I have had a recent conversation with a good friend that reminded me that while this stage can be frustrating and is very real, there is a necessary "talking" season in <i>all</i> relationships. Whether or not it is allowed to progress into a painful cycle is dependent upon individual relationships.<br />
<br />
By all means men, <b>be intentional and clear (</b><i>please)</i> in what your looking for. Women, <i>don't</i> get sucked into thinking that this is all you can ever expect from a relationship. But remember not to confuse the "getting to know you" stage with the "we're just talking" phase. Talking has to happen. Don't rush it.<br />
<br />
In the end, trust in the Lord. Pray about it. All of it. He is big enough to orchestrate <i>every</i> conversation. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-36574702325944513912013-09-20T09:19:00.001-07:002013-09-20T09:19:54.619-07:00Remote Control
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I promise this one will be short.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So I was journaling with a pen the other day when the pen
suddenly ran out of ink. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozry2QNhafU2TJSL87iPq8G1mmzn5FMRsnCqFnlpxPzm7-fpqxiJyWltSs5bqwkjCzB_CUGk5Y7XrfaPqkJV2HtZBf3VH79eWeO4lfolhfjw1kEtUzynsayKP5FE9yx6lLawBQlcY7OE/s1600/h07369C2D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozry2QNhafU2TJSL87iPq8G1mmzn5FMRsnCqFnlpxPzm7-fpqxiJyWltSs5bqwkjCzB_CUGk5Y7XrfaPqkJV2HtZBf3VH79eWeO4lfolhfjw1kEtUzynsayKP5FE9yx6lLawBQlcY7OE/s320/h07369C2D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Then, it hit me like a brick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We think we are so in control of everything in our lives when
in reality we are in control of so little. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I am so glad Yahweh is bigger than I am and He knows when my
pen needs retiring <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and </i>He provides me
with another one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Also, as I write this, my power has just gone out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Control will always elude us as long as we are trying to
capture it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Trust in the Lord God with all your Heart. There is real
peace in that place.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4314340695537629036.post-24616023417447467772013-09-20T09:14:00.002-07:002014-04-04T11:58:51.600-07:00Trust<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As defined by Dictinoary.com<b><i> trust</i></b> is:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><b><i>reliance</i></b></span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">integrity,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">strength,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">ability,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">surety,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">etc.,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">person</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">thing;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: pointer;">confidence.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2.<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">confident</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">expectation</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">something;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><b><i>hope</i></b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><i><b>confidence</b></i></span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">certainty</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">future</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">payment</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">property</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">goods</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">received;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">credit:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">sell </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">merchandise</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">trust.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4.<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">person</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">whom</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">thing</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span> which </span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">one</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">relies:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="display: inline; font-style: italic;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">God</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">is</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">my</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">trust.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5.<span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">condition</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">one</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">whom</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">something</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">has</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">been</span><b><i> </i></b><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;"><b><i>entrusted</i></b>.</span></span></div>
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<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSljMaZV4FK6juf4r_nragkEZKC6lYG_NBKJba1m6_6gaZ7RQUglzRQfa6GKMZuGwh0cLwHYlDgpmHuMr_FfrWe_vAiTb_T9xcR5iDa_liL61dJFSdNj35yDIxx_bKW02wZA4-iRhwESU/s1600/5601692518_31a95602b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSljMaZV4FK6juf4r_nragkEZKC6lYG_NBKJba1m6_6gaZ7RQUglzRQfa6GKMZuGwh0cLwHYlDgpmHuMr_FfrWe_vAiTb_T9xcR5iDa_liL61dJFSdNj35yDIxx_bKW02wZA4-iRhwESU/s320/5601692518_31a95602b3.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have you ever done a trust fall? The one where someone stands in front of you, crosses their arms, and falls backwards into your arms without supporting themselves? If you haven't, find someone that matches the definitions above and do so. If you have, you are aware that in the seconds before you fall trust feels anything but comfortable. It's insecure, unsure, and more than anything, <b><i>vulnerable.</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am discovering that trust, <i style="font-weight: bold;">real </i> trust, takes more than just a good feeling. It takes <i>courage, true and whole reliance, and complete and utter vulnerability. </i>Trust is most often <b>blind</b> to what is coming. Will you catch me or will you drop me?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Trust. </i>I think it can eventually become comfortable but not because it is based on feeling but because it is based on experience. When you trust someone over and over again and they consistently catch you, trust becomes easier. We have all had a trust like this broken to know that it takes time to build and seconds to shatter. Even then trust is not a feeling. It is still an action, a deliberate thought that often goes <i>against </i>feelings. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Infant" trust begins with trusting that when I order food at a restaurant, it's made right and well. "Toddler"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">trust hopes that a professor will grade me without bias.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "Adolescent" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">trust believes that the lock on my door will protect me</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. "Young adult" trust can believe my friends will accept me for who I am. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Adult" trust hopes that whoever I end up with in life will love me and rather than leave me. "Divine" trust states that the Lord of the Universe is big enough to control when my pen runs out of ink and when it's time for the solar system to grow another 1 billion stars. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Who do you trust? Who don't you trust?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know it doesn't always feel good. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But trust isn't about<b> </b><i>feeling </i>good. </span></div>
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