tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42096646486625135252024-03-14T08:51:19.345-07:00Just a Girl in the Country...Faith * Family * Fitness * Fun * LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-3522710027775277582017-03-10T08:05:00.002-08:002017-03-10T08:05:42.655-08:00What Have I Placed Above God?<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am following a Bible study plan and today we focused on 1 Samuel 5. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is so incredible how we can read a passage from the Bible and learn something new each time. I love being able to share in the perspectives and insight of others as I am reading through the Bible. There is so much I miss. So much that just gets by me...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Like in today's reading. I never really thought about relating the God's presence, in this case the ark, being in the company of the idols, Dagon, to His presence being the company of the idols I have in my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's funny how, as people, we all do the exact same thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is so easy to see the sins of others, like Israel or Saul, when we read the Bible. It is easy to see them in the lives of others. Yet here we sit with planks in our own eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Perhaps it that very plank that blinds us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We all fall short and we all have idols that we have embraced. Whether we purposefully sought them out and created them, like Israel did with the golden calf, or they crept in slowly over time because we allowed the culture around us to influence our hearts, they are there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is easy to say "I don't have any idols", but is that really true?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An idol is something we worship, or "put ahead" of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We tell ourselves, "But, God is the head of my life, I don't worship anything else." It is always so much easier to remain blind to our own sin than admit it, face it, and change it. Change is often painful and it usually requires giving something up. Which, as humans, we aren't generally thrilled about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So how do we know what our idols are?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">--->We start by asking God to show us.<---</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It may not be as blatant as bowing down and worshiping a golden calf. More often than not it is subtle. It can be disguised as a "goal", or a bent that seems to just be part of our "personality".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It can be something like obsessing about our bodies or the way we look. It can be a consuming longing to be better than others at something. Pridefully boasting in our children, or even ourselves, can be an idol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We have to look at what is consuming our thoughts. What is driving our behavior? What are we fiercely clinging to that is causing more destruction than blessing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It all comes down to our hearts. Surely, as with the ark, God dwells there among our idols. But, given enough time, if we let them go unchecked, our idols will grow, consuming more and more of our thoughts and hearts, until there is no room left for God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My prayer is that the Lord would shine His light into the darkness of my heart mind, and show me those things that have become idols in my life. I pray that He would cast them down like the statues of dagon, and that He would be <i><b>all</b></i> that replaces them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be blessed my friends.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-59959630698392584882017-03-03T11:45:00.000-08:002017-03-03T12:55:05.179-08:00What Would Jesus Do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Well, what would he do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the years, as a Christian, I have been told many times that Jesus would never judge anyone. I have been told that He accepted everyone as they were, no questions asked. I have been told that He did not point out sin or heresy. That He only professed love and acceptance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It sounds good in theory. It looks good on paper. But is it <i>truth</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We are warned not to accept everything we hear or every doctrine that is preached to us. We are told to test the spirit that comes to us to "teach" us. We are warned about false prophets and the twisting of the word of God in order to serve man's purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.</i>" - 1 John 4:1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2 Peter 2:1 warns of false prophets among the people, saying, "<i>But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.</i>" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have to be very careful not to paint Jesus in any light apart from what is written in the word. We have to be careful not to tailor Him to our "liking" or set Him up as an idol; a god of our own making. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How do we know the "truth" of who Christ was and is? We read the word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How do we know if what is being told to us is true? We compare it to the word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.</i>" - 2 Corinthians 11:4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In 2 John we are given a very stern warning about straying from the teaching of Christ:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.</i>" - 2 John 9-11</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In considering those things that have been spoken to me, those admonishments that I have been given, I have prayerfully spent time reflecting on these questions, reading and studying what is taught in the Bible. A few things stand out to me, the first of which is this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Would Jesus point out sin or heresy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is a image of Jesus that is often forgotten, overlooked or even ignored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We rightly acknowledge the examples of love and grace that Christ gave us but we tend to "forget" his many teachings and examples of intolerance of sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Jesus did not enter the temple and show love and fuzzy-warm-kindness to the money changers and sellers. He knocked over their tables; He drove them out. He publicly condemned their actions. He was intolerant of their sin and their corruption of the purpose of the temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, 'The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!'</i>" - Matthew 21:12-13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He did the same thing with the Pharisees. He pointed out their hypocrisy. He condemned the motives and attitudes of their hearts. He made a very public statement and example of their sins of pride, greed, self-indulgence and lawlessness. He even told them that they would not enter Heaven. (See: Matthew 23)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yes, Jesus called out sin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Consider the Samaritan woman at the well...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>'Go and get your husband,' Jesus told her.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>'I don’t have a husband,' the woman replied.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Jesus said, 'You’re right! You don’t have a husband for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!'</i>" - John 4:16-18</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Jesus did not shy away from her sin, instead He brought it out into the light. <i>Why?</i> So that she might repent of it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That's what He does. He calls out our sin so that we can be <i><b>free from it</b></i>. Tolerance of sin opens the door for sin to take root in our hearts and facilitates the spread of it's destruction to others. Likewise, we cannot keep it concealed. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When sin is kept secret, in darkness, it continues to grow and fester. It consumes and destroys.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He tells us that all things concealed will eventually be revealed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.</i>" - Luke 8:17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If we want to break the hold of sin in our lives, we must bring it out into the light. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">“<i>Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.'" - </i>Ephesians 5:11-14</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We must confess it. Then, we must repent of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>'Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.'</i>" - James 5:16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He does not see us defined by our sin. He does not hold it over our heads to shame us. He does, however, point it out, so that we can be free from it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.</i>" - 1 John 1:9</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He did, and does, forgive sins when we repent of them. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He doesn't just ask us to confess and repent of our life of sin, He asks us to turn from it. To the woman caught in the act of adultery, He said:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>'Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.'</i>" - John 8:11</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He did not come to give us a "<i>FREE PASS</i>" to live as we wish and be pardoned of it all. He came to show us how we <i>should</i> live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He came to pay the price for our sin; to take our punishment. He offered His life for ours, so that we may be forgiven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We are not to ignore sin. If we are to help our brothers and sisters, instead of judging and condemning them as the Pharisees did, we must first deal with our own sin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.</i>" - Matthew 7:5</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This verse teaches us so much. A few things that struck me in this passage are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. We cannot judge anyone else for their sins because we are guilty of our own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. We <i><u>must</u></i> address the sin in our own lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">3. We can help each other overcome sin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To choose to embrace and justify any kind of sin is to mock His sacrifice. To continue our own sin and refuse to turn from it is to reject His work on the cross. To ignore the sin of a brother or sister is to leave them trapped in bondage and to, on some level, condone and even participate in their subsequent suffering and destruction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We don't call out sin in judgement or to shame others, we reach out to them in love so that we may help them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Would Jesus judge?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The answer is yes. Yes He would. Yes He did. Yes He will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">His return is foretold in the book of Revelation and it includes judgement and wrath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a wine-press. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.</i>" - Revelation 19:11-16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">So what would Jesus have us do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us not condemn another for their sins when we are guilty of sin ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us confess our sins, repent of them, and turn from them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us fight against sin, not tolerate it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us encourage one another, and help each other overcome sin, in love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us not just accept teachings at face value and not embrace something as "sound doctrine" just because it sounds "good". </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He would have us test it against the word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us read the Bible regularly so that we would be able to tell the difference between truth and false teachings and heresy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us seek to serve one another instead of be elevated above one another.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us walk humbly rather than boast in ourselves, in our own goodness, in our superiority or our works.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">- He would have us share the good news of love and hope with the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yes, Jesus loves us... with an unparalleled love. Yes, He forgives our sin when we repent and turn from it. Nothing we have done/can do will cause Him to not love us. Which is why, in that great love, He wants to see us set free from our sins and no longer be slaves to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lord, it is my desire to walk humbly in Your TRUTH. I pray, God, that you would shine Your light upon any ares of darkness within me. Show me any areas of sin in my life, that I might repent of them and turn from them. I pray that You would show me any false teachings/beliefs that I have embraced. I pray that You would stamp them out and pour in Your truth to replace them. Holy Spirit, guide me in truth, guard my mind from false doctrine. Give me strength of conviction to resist the beautiful lies of the enemy that would lead me astray and set my feet firmly on the the rock of truth. Help me to love and serve others as Christ did. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*I am not a "scholar". I don't have a degree in theology. This is just what I have learned from what I have read and my understanding and conviction on these points.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bless and be blessed, my friends. <3</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-23899853326776999592017-03-02T18:33:00.001-08:002017-03-02T18:33:43.412-08:00Why Am I Here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At various different stages in life I have wondered why I am here. I have wondered what I could possibly have to offer. I have doubted that there was anything in me or anything I could do that was of value to anyone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">--- AND THEN GOD ---</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a child</span>, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, all I could think of was simply being "grown up". To me that meant being free of all of the burdens, constraints, bullying, shame, rejection, judgement, and loneliness that I was experiencing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It meant the freedom to do whatever made me happy. The world lay ahead of me, the opportunities were endless. Happiness and freedom were on the horizon... but I still had no idea what I was going to do with my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sure, there were all kinds of fun adventures I wanted to go on, and amazing things I wanted to experience but as far as a career? As far as my own contribution? I was coming up empty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was told by so many people, over the years, that I was a "screw-up"; that I was "garbage"; that I would "never do well in school"; I would "never amount to anything"; I had "nothing of value in me". After a while, I genuinely believed it. So imagining a purpose for my life... it didn't seem possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I became a mom</span>, rather unexpectedly, that changed. Suddenly I had a purpose. There were little people that depended on me. Little eyes that looked at me with a love I was certain I did not deserve. I was constantly in awe of these precious little lives that came from mine. I wondered how such beautifully amazing little people could come from such a useless piece of trash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yet, as clearly and strongly as I felt "needed", for the first time in my life, I still felt like something was missing from me. I still felt so painfully inadequate, lost and worthless. My babies were so incredibly valuable to me, but I felt I had nothing to give back to them, let alone to offer to the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still</span>, I knew that <b>God</b> loved me. I knew that <i>He</i> saw value in me. I just had NO idea <i>why</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I took my first "Spiritual Gifts" questionnaire while my kids were still quite young. If you are wondering what in the world a "Spiritual Gifts" questionnaire is, it is pretty much a list of statements, about areas of talents and skills, that you rate low to high based on how they make you feel or how well you think you do in those areas, not entirely dissimilar to the "Career Guidance" questionnaires we took in high school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I scored painfully low in all of the areas except "Serving", "Giving" and "Missions". In areas like "Leadership" or "Ministry", I had 5 points each, simply because you couldn't rate anything lower than 1. I really believed that I was no where near qualified or worthy of any such position, so I could not even consider if I enjoyed any aspects of them or had any level of skill in those areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I looked at my list of "Gifts" and thought, "Everyone can serve, that isn't really much of a "gift". I have nothing to give, financially, materially or skill wise, no matter how much I would love to bless someone else. There is no way we can afford to go on mission trips."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Instead of feeling excited about those things that God had put in me, the things that make me who I am, I felt like I was lacking and yet again, a disappointing failure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I longed so much to serve God and to bless others, but clearly, I had nothing of value to offer. Still.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">But God</span>, He knew what He was doing. He began to work in those three areas of my life. He began stirring up little fires in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He showed me that serving was a gift. That it did bless others. That it was something that I could give. I could give of my time. I had a passion in my heart for helping others in any way I could and God showed me how to put that to work. If it meant stacking chairs at church, helping set up for outreach, cleaning up after events, helping people move or do yard/housework, it didn't matter what it looked like, I was so happy to be serving and finally having tangible worth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He took my desire to travel and merged it with my passion for helping and gave me a dream, a vision and a hope for a future in missions. He put nations and people on our family's hearts and He has ordered our steps to guide us in His calling and prepare us for this part of His plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He has repeatedly pushed me outside of my comfort zone and stretched me in the areas where I thought I had no ability or skill. He has healed my wounds. He has replaced lies with His TRUTH. He has trained and equipped me for the work He has called me to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I no longer sit alone, aching for value, worth and purpose, and I am burdened with it and the work He has called me to, even the things that scare me, bring me so much joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am excited for the new adventures He has planned for me. I am so thankful for His design and the way He created me. There is no one exactly like me. There is no one that can steal my calling, His plan, my purpose or my identity because it rests safely in His hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The same is true for every single person in this world. We are all beautifully unique and designed to play our very own part in God's great masterpiece. No one can take that away. No one can be a "better" you. No one can do exactly what you were created to do in just the way you were designed to do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You are special. You are unique. You are loved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You have a purpose!<br /><br />Be blessed my friends! <3</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-64389072852339697932017-02-28T10:28:00.004-08:002017-02-28T10:32:52.903-08:00Fear.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It all boils down to fear. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">Fear of failure, of rejection, of abandonment, of judgement...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Fear is a <b>LIE</b> can control us if we allow it to and it will rob us of the peace, love, joy and purpose that God intends for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I saw this posted on Facebook today. I don't know if anyone else can relate to this.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am not sure that I would say this has been my greatest "fear", but rather that it has been the greatest lie that I have ever embraced about myself. That I am detestably flawed, utterly worthless and wholly unlikable, never mind lovable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have come a long way from where I started. God has done so much work in my heart and in my thoughts/beliefs about myself. Most days those lies don't enter my thoughts, but there are days where I still struggle to imagine my husband seeing any value in me and I can't for the life of me imagine how or why God loves me as much as He does.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---BUT---</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I do finally believe that God loves me and that my husband doesn't hate me. ;) The poor man. Honestly, he works so hard to show me he loves me, but sometimes those old lies and past experiences rear their ugly head and in fear, I doubt the possibility. Not because of him, but because of those old false beliefs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but I refuse to let him gain any ground in my life, my relationships, my family or my purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Satan is an a-hole and he can SUCK IT.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All of those little "flaws" we see in the mirror, they aren't flaws. They are the little bits and pieces of precisely what makes us perfectly unique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sure, we are all broken in different ways. We all have our weaknesses and destructive coping behaviors that we wrestle with, BUT that doesn't define who we were *created to be* and who God has called us to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Old wounds <i>CAN </i>be healed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Destructive behaviors <i>CAN</i> be changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lies <i>CAN</i> be replaced with <i><u>TRUTH</u></i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.</i>" - John 10:10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<i>Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'</i>" - Matthew 19:26</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Two years ago, my husband and I were asked to be part of the team to start up our church's new Recovery Program. At first, I couldn't see why they would ask me. What could I possibly have to offer? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am so thankful that God brought us to "Set Free" and introduced <i>The Genesis Process</i> into our lives. Without these tools and His help, I would still be buried under the rubble of lies and unable to see any value in my existence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Since then, this has become my passion. Seeing people Set FREE. With Jesus, there is <i>real</i> healing, and there is true and <i>lasting</i> freedom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.</i>" - John 8:36</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you struggle with fear, shame, self-worth, body image, old wounds, destructive behaviors... whatever it is, it is <b>NOT</b> too big or too terrible for God and you don't have to walk through it alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am more than happy to be here for you. To walk with you, to support you, or even to just listen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Please, feel free to contact me on Facebook: fb.com/Kate.ThisGirlsLife </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">or email me: kate.thisgirlslife@gmail.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It may not seem possible today, but the TRUTH is, you are priceless, you are perfectly unique, you are LOVED.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Be blessed, my friends. <3</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-112699403911931012017-02-25T17:28:00.004-08:002017-02-25T17:28:50.961-08:00God's Plan or My Will?<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I have been studying the story of Sampson, in the book of Judges in the Bible, I have found myself wondering...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">How many times have I robbed myself of the fullness of God's incredible plan for me because I sought first my own selfish desires?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If I am being honest, there are times when I am not unlike a stubborn child, wanting what I want when I want it. Completely unwilling to relent or even wait. Flat out refusing to take "no" for an answer. In those moments, when I was asserting my independence and declaring the sovereignty of my own will and plans, what amazing things was I rejecting without even an inkling as to what they might be... What have I stubbornly chosen to miss out on?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a mom, there have been so many times when my children have asked for something and I have told them "no" or "not now" because I knew that something better was in their future or that the timing was not quite right for them to be able to fully appreciate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When the kids were little, I'm talking toddler little, those exchanges would be accompanied by some form of pleading, pouting and possibly crying from the child. As they got older, their reactions transitioned from anger and world-crushing-devastation, to disappointment and pouting, and now that they are older they will often respond with acceptance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They have learned something along the way. They have learned that sometimes what they want in the moment isn't what they truly want. They know that waiting won't kill them. In fact, they have learned that when the right time comes they will be really excited when they finally get it, or they may no longer even want it because they have discovered something better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I wonder how many times God has been trying to give me something <i>better </i>or do something <i>amazing</i> in my life but, driven by my internal focus and the emotions I was feeling at the moment, I rejected what He was offering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Even as an adult, it can be hard to let go of what I want. Sometimes, I feel like I am losing something or like I will be missing out on something. There are times when I even feel a fair amount of fear in letting go. It can be hard to see past the things I want, the things I think I need, or my great plans, in order to be able to submit to God's will and embrace the unknown until the time when I can finally clearly see the awesome plan that God has for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">All I know is, that I don't want to do what Sampson did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I don't want to choose my, often disappointing, plans instead of God's incredible design for my life. I don't want the most powerful part of my testimony to be my death. I want my <i>life</i> to be the testimony of how one girl continued to choose to put her faith, her trust and her hope in God's hands, no matter how crazy, scary or foolish it seemed. I want to live out the fullness of my purpose according to His plan. I want to live for Him with reckless abandon and love greatly, just as He loves me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to set my will and my plans aside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to embrace God's plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to surrender to His will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to take the leaps of faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to live the life I was created for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I want to experience all that God has for me</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I don't want to waste time and I don't want regrets. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I want to choose His plan. <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"God's plans will always be greater and more beautiful than all your disappointments."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be blessed, my friends.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-5727811608803937012017-02-20T13:15:00.003-08:002017-02-20T13:19:23.428-08:00Answered Prayers and Miracles.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our God is a God of miracles and He is faithful to answer us when we seek Him in prayer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sometimes the answer to our prayers is "no". Y'all, I have wrestled more with God's "no"s than a two year old that wants a cookie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God: "No."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Me: "But whyyyyyyyy? I need this! What am I going to do? Please, please, pleaseeeeeeee...". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yup, I can be <i>REALLY</i> mature when God's will doesn't line up with my own.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have been told "no" to some pretty big prayer requests over the years and we have had to reconcile the disappointment we felt with the truth that God's will and plan are <i>perfect</i>. His plans for us are far BETTER than our plans for ourselves. That doesn't make "no" easy, but it gives us hope and the faith to trust Him, even when we can't see a way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That was where we were at with the house. We were fighting the fear of the unknown to be able to put our trust in God's plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We didn't know what we were going to do when we sold the house. We did know a few things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. The house needs w.o.r.k. to be ready to sell. Work costs money. We don't currently have the funds in the bank and we have no idea where we would get the funding we need to make the necessary repairs. Which in turn take time. Time we didn't have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. When we sat down and went over the numbers, what we owe vs. what we would likely sell the house for, there wasn't much if anything left to put in the bank when it was all said and done. We would probably be walking away with very little cash if any.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">3. Rent is twice the cost of our mortgage payment which we cannot afford on our budget. So, given all of the information available to us, that would leave us squarely in the "homeless" category.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So what do we do? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>We trust.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Seven letters.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>We trust.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>And... We pray.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have been praying for the last year that 2017 would be the year we would be "debt free". It is our dream to be able to free up our income to be used to bless others. We want to be able to help those in need. We want to support missions. We want to use what God has enabled us to earn to show others HIS love in a tangible way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Our debt consists of our mortgage, the money we owe the people that have helped us, and our student loans. Even though there are no credit cards, car loans or other debts, the debt we have adds up and it isn't a sum that we can pay off with our own income or resources in the next 10 months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know, it sounds crazy to be praying for something that there is no way we could possibly do on our own, but then that is the point of prayer, isn't it? We are asking for God's help with something <i>we cannot take care of on our own</i>. We are praying BIG.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, why not add keeping our home to the list of the "impossible"?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We started praying for a miracle that would allow us to stay in our home, and if that wasn't God's plan, we prayed that God would bring us a new one that we could afford.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Regardless of the outcome, we made the decision to trust that God was not taking us from struggle to worse. We have been camped on Jeremiah 29:11-13 for the last two years and we held on to that promise even tighter as our list date approached.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A funny thing happens when you trust God. <u>He comes through</u>. When we surrender <i>our</i> will to <i>His</i>, we get to see that His plans for us really are GOOD. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One night as we were praying as a family...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God gave us a word. We had been praying for Him to bless the sale of our home, that it would sell for more than we could imagine, and that He would bring us a new home. God told us that He would bring us a new home, a home that has all of the special little features that we have always dreamed of. One that would be on land, by a creek or river, that would have enough rooms for each of our kids to have their own bedroom and hopefully more than one bathroom. ;) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">BUT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We would not be selling this home. He told us that He would be faithful to keep His promises, (the prophetic words that were spoken over our home just a handful of months ago), that this home is ours and that it would be a "lighthouse" for others. He showed us that this home will be a place of refuge and hope for people in need and a place to stay for missionaries when they are home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were instantly filled with joy and excitement to see what God was going to do and this hope that He had given us built up our faith to truly believe that He really <i>would</i> do something amazing with this storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Enough backstory... Get to the NEWS!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Two weeks ago God did 3 things. 3 amazing, incredible, impossible to imagine things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">God fulfilled His promises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He fulfilled two promises with one HUGE blessing. First, He fulfilled the prophetic word given to us months ago by another person that God would bring us the money we owed so we could pay back the couples that had helped us. Second, He fulfilled His word to us that we would keep our home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Though the love and generosity of two very dear people, who we could never, ever thank enough, we were given the money to pay the back what we owed. Which in turn enabled us to keep our home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were just so overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the people that loved us so much that they would give us such a great blessing and to God for His faithfulness and the goodness of His plans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Last week, we repaid the two couples. It was such an incredibly amazing feeling to be able to do what we could never have done on our own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are no words to adequately express how blessed and how thankful we are to have received this blessing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">While we were still marveling at how this all turned out, God went and did another impossible thing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He made something we were told "could never happen"... happen! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When we bought our home, we used a "First Time Home Buyers Program" that essentially paid our 20% down payment. It didn't accrue interest and we didn't have to make payments on it. We would simply pay it off when we sold/paid off the house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Well, (forgive all the back story, but I want to make sure I communicate just how crazy amazing God is), several years ago, my husband had some medical needs. Our insurance said the treatment would be pre-approved so we went ahead with it. It turned out that it didn't get approved. We were on the hook for the entire bill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He wasn't making much money at the time and we had no room in our budget to even make small payments. Every dime had to go toward basic necessities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As a result, we received a notice of intent to garnish his wages to pay the bill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Like I said before, we had no room in our budget to cover a small payment, let alone what they were asking to take out of his check. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He was already working full-time at a new job and with his health concerns, he couldn't just get a second job to try and cover it. The kids were younger and fully home schooled at the time. The cost of childcare so I could get a job would far outweigh the income I would bring in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Long story short, we filed bankruptcy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you have ever filed bankruptcy you know the stigma that is attached to it. You know the judgment that others pass on you. You know the shame, the guilt, the disappointment, the self-judgement... It wasn't a decision we made lightly and it wasn't what we "wanted" to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Unfortunately, at the time, we didn't see any other way to be able to continue to provide for our children. So we did what we felt we had to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We opted to keep our home, so we would still be responsible for our mortgage, the down payment loan, and our student loans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Well, two days after we got to tell the people that helped us that we could pay them back, we got a message from our real estate agent telling us that, by some crazy miracle, that down payment loan had actually been discharged with our bankruptcy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We no longer owed that money! We had equity in our home that we hadn't known about!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So not only were we able to keep our home, but...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">In a matter of days, God erased $40,000 of debt!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As impossible as all of this seemed just a few months ago, God worked all things for good to answer our prayers in ways we could never have imagined or dreamed of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can't tell you how completely overwhelmed we are with gratitude, joy, hope and faith for the things yet to come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Let me just say this...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Our God is a God of miracles and He is faithful to answer us when we seek Him in prayer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">No prayer is too big, no request is too great, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with God. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0Ks9IEJyXMwYhOrOTBvlQMSToW7NccUccXa57fLTdpjnyYlrEq-OOBxrcKNQr0z-x6wmwwjnfHFtHGn0yp7PyURkub06-m204J95eMkriSGmjBChV9dRPrHUoIgvL7k4TwN3UqhTXXhc/s1600/d8778b2a8277ead197dae99c55b85c88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0Ks9IEJyXMwYhOrOTBvlQMSToW7NccUccXa57fLTdpjnyYlrEq-OOBxrcKNQr0z-x6wmwwjnfHFtHGn0yp7PyURkub06-m204J95eMkriSGmjBChV9dRPrHUoIgvL7k4TwN3UqhTXXhc/s1600/d8778b2a8277ead197dae99c55b85c88.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I hope that in sharing our testimony, you are encouraged to believe God for the things you need and even abundantly MORE. <3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Be blessed, y'all. <3</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-73343987520770263652017-02-07T13:26:00.001-08:002017-02-07T13:45:11.327-08:00An Open Letter to The People Body Shaming Lady Gaga<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>SICK. OF. THIS.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">People, body shaming is <b>NEVER</b> okay!!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Period.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I do <i>not</i> understand all of the hate and judgement in this world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It is disgusting that so many women, and men, can come together to "<i>fight for women's rights</i>" and at best turn a blind eye to the constant barrage of body shaming that women are facing in our culture. At worst, they are even participating in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As a Health & Fitness professional, and a leader of women's Self-Esteem and Sexuality Restoration groups, I see the results of this kind of abuse all the time. This is something I am deeply, <i>deeply</i> passionate about. Body image and self-esteem are two things I have struggled greatly with and it is the cry of my heart to be able to help see women freed from the bondage of verbal, mental and emotional abuse in the areas of their bodies and their worth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the past, when stories like this have surfaced in the media, I have not been silent on this topic and I won't be now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have thought a great deal about what I want to say, and it boils down to this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></u></b></h2>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">*Please note the excessive use of exclamation marks. The purpose of which is to denote the intensity of the passion in my statement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">STOP.</span></b></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">4 letters. That is all it takes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">STOP.</span></b></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There is a wise saying that has been passed down for generations...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW__Ovfo4MbRW6tIGu10PQvEnDMuNtUCuSXxFye-SdKZYOXf0vBK0Q2zDR5MW3268eNWDBNeDWGKEwIrBPGeUiKvCxlkgXw1EN_SwWwqExZr8xfHMNliAv2C7pBRzVVPJVoi8u4_eWij4/s1600/if-you-cant-say-something-nice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW__Ovfo4MbRW6tIGu10PQvEnDMuNtUCuSXxFye-SdKZYOXf0vBK0Q2zDR5MW3268eNWDBNeDWGKEwIrBPGeUiKvCxlkgXw1EN_SwWwqExZr8xfHMNliAv2C7pBRzVVPJVoi8u4_eWij4/s320/if-you-cant-say-something-nice.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There is a difference between honesty, (hard truths), and verbal abuse. I am saddened by the need for some people to tear other people down in order to "feel better" about themselves. I am sorry for whatever pain you suffered that makes you feel that the destruction and judgement of others is necessary for your own emotional healing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are so many better, healthier, kinder, and frankly more effective ways to go about bolstering your self-esteem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What are you talking about?</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ah yes, I'm sorry. I just jumped right in with no explanation as to what I was talking about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lady Gaga. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Super Bowl Halftime show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Body Shaming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The insane and wholly inappropriate tirade of abusive comments about how "fat" she is and how "disgusting" her "stomach flab" was is not only grossly abusive it is ridiculous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04wNeQ78UEr4rz-lLE_1XXmC_uGiszBp94TtAGU-iraGtxMxb8UqvIVl6IuKA4wdnO-1yBWeC3L3IXJ54cHflvtCzg2JeWNkezM63lEUNC1Meq2xxYG1KyPaIEncLX4Qp18nxKjED-sbk/s1600/Lady+G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04wNeQ78UEr4rz-lLE_1XXmC_uGiszBp94TtAGU-iraGtxMxb8UqvIVl6IuKA4wdnO-1yBWeC3L3IXJ54cHflvtCzg2JeWNkezM63lEUNC1Meq2xxYG1KyPaIEncLX4Qp18nxKjED-sbk/s320/Lady+G.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Seriously?!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">First of all, who are you to judge or shame her for the way her body looks?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Second, what could you possibly hope to gain?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Personally, I think she looks <i>FANTASTIC</i>. She was physically active <i>while</i> singing and she sounded and looked great doing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Can somebody explain to me how it was anyone's right to speak about her body in a negative way?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yes. We have the "freedom of speech". BUT that does <i>not</i> cover or extend to verbal abuse, mental abuse or emotional abuse. <b><i>All</i></b> of which apply in this case. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Making someone feel bad about themselves, ashamed of their body, and like something is wrong with them or not "good enough" about them is abuse. Period. The result of which can be lifelong and devastating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This "body shaming" problem has become an epidemic in which participants take pride in the vile nature of their hateful remarks and even go so far as to boast about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Y'all...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It is <b><i>NOT</i></b> okay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>For. Any. Reason.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Let me just say this...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>STOP IT!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Maybe one more time, just in case it was missed...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>STOP.</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Be kind. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Be encouraging. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Use your words to motivate and inspire. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Speak kindness. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Speak healing. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Speak LIFE.</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you can't...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do yourself and those around you a favor and please, don't speak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To Lady Gaga and all the ladies out there that have been torn down for the amusement of others...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b>YOU ROCK!</b> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are strong. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are beautiful. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are brave. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are perfectly unique. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are valuable. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>You are loved. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ignore the hate. It speaks infinitely more of the orator/commenter than it ever could of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Bless and be blessed, my friends.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-86131372433970832062017-01-27T13:43:00.000-08:002017-02-07T12:43:44.812-08:00Women's Rights and Feminism...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Throughout this crazy election season and particularly in
the last few weeks, I have had several female friends ask me "What side
are you on?" in regard to "Women's Rights" and
"Feminism".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My first thought is "Why are things always divided into
'sides'?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My response is to ask them to please define the
"sides" so I can give them an informed response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Having been asked this question so much, I figured I would write my thoughts out here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Let me start by saying that I completely agree with the sentiment of a friend of mine. Men and women are
uniquely different and that <i>isn't a bad thing</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is a good thing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is part
of what gives each one of us our own set of unique skills and abilities, talents and
perspectives, so that we can make a contribution to the world and the lives of
others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Second, I want to say that "differences" doesn't make one <i>more or less</i> valuable than anyone else, it
makes <b>each and every one valuable</b> because they cannot be replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Generally, when I ask for clarification, it comes down to two deeply polarized choices: Are you "For Women"
or "For Their Abuse & Oppression". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Personally, I find those options to be a tad ridiculous. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I mean,<i> really?</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Can't we be "<i>For Humanity</i>" and the dignity, respect and value
of each and <b>EVERY</b> life? Why do we have to value one over the other and why is
it bad to value the lives of men as well?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Having a husband, two sons, two brothers, a father, and a plethora of male friends and family, I have to say that to me, their lives and rights matter just as much as mine, just as much as my daughter's, mother's, sister's and female friend's and family's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A friend of mine made a post about the differences between
men and women and how we cannot, in all things, be "equal". It was a
bold statement, that I happen to agree with, and she was courageous to step out
and share her feelings on the matter. It is a risky position to take, and the
responses she got did nothing to encourage others to share similar
perspectives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Which, of course, is why I felt like sharing mine. She inspired me to share
my feelings on "Women's Rights", "Feminism" and "The
March". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Let's be honest for a second, it is literally the difference between men
and women that facilitates the procreation of human life. It takes a man and a
woman to create a new life. Seriously. It takes a sperm and an egg. Without
either, there is not life. Neither the egg nor the sperm is more important, but
both working together, in perfect union, create a new life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have several
friends who argue that the woman then does "all the work" thus making
her more "valuable" than the man, and while humor can be found in the
discrepancy of the physical contribution after conception, that does not make
the man's contribution any less valuable. The woman would not be able to carry
and nourish that life without the man doing his part. (Even if that part was
"<i>just</i>" donating the sperm.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am all for bettering the treatment of women around the
world, but honestly, I am really for treating <i>everyone</i> with dignity and
respect and improving the quality of life for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I believe that around the globe, women face many forms of
abuse and injustice and I believe that we, as humans (not just women), are
obligated to help our sisters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>However</i>, I do not believe that it needs to
include tearing men down, devaluing them or trying to assert our gender as
superior. I have a surprising number of friends who have crossed over from
equality to reverse discrimination. They want women to be seen as "better
than" men. It is sad that a good cause is being lost in the drive for superiority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I also believe that we can't just "talk about it"
and "share our opinions" or even just "march" and expect
things to change. We need to also <i>get out there</i> and <u>make a tangible difference</u>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We can donate time and resources to organizations that help free women from sex
trafficking, and while we are at it, let's help free children of both genders
from that as well. We can help women who are victims of abuse, and while we are
at it we can help children of both genders and stop belittling the experiences
of men who have been victims of abuse and help them as well. We can make a
positive difference for women around the world while also making a positive
difference for men.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I really believe that we can make the greatest difference
when we work together, in <i>love</i>, to improve conditions for <i>all humanity</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Equality, true equality, is placing the same amount of value
upon <i><b>each life</b></i>, not removing the differences that make each one of us special.
That begins in the womb, before gender is known, and it continues even into how
we speak of others posthumously. If we want to see equality for a specific
group of people, we have to respect and value <i>every life</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I believe that positive change <i>can</i> be made, but not by
trying to bury the differences that make us unique or by trying to elevate one
group while bringing another down. We cannot protect or gain our own rights
while taking away the rights of others, including the unborn and men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A wise man said...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieww1d-xZbHNTTcfb2VBv10FK4jW6-3DMioeCEQM5IMuYB2tPYyqKz4-TP0TngQi61UjkD6KnpsGWbqXMPzPjeX-dK47-FCSmtgoq9OfFoKfudvK4j9xrsPctg_7l0c_8v2ar-Gpn86J1r/s1600/MLK+Darkness+Cannot+Drive+Out+Darkness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieww1d-xZbHNTTcfb2VBv10FK4jW6-3DMioeCEQM5IMuYB2tPYyqKz4-TP0TngQi61UjkD6KnpsGWbqXMPzPjeX-dK47-FCSmtgoq9OfFoKfudvK4j9xrsPctg_7l0c_8v2ar-Gpn86J1r/s320/MLK+Darkness+Cannot+Drive+Out+Darkness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The real difference will come when we <i>love equally</i>. When we
<i>help equally</i>. When we are compassionate and passionate about bettering <b><i>every</i></b>
life, not just our own or those "like" us. <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="height: 0px;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bless and be blessed, y'all.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-22252544624046374162017-01-13T16:12:00.000-08:002017-02-07T12:12:59.094-08:00A Much Needed Break.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The last couple weeks have been <b>crazy</b> for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">From sickness to snow and ice storms, life has been so very disrupted. We missed out on some fun things that we would have been doing, and my posts have been delayed, but the slow-down was so very, very <i>needed</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Everything being cancelled forced us to spend time together, (*gasp*), making some great memories and it allowed us to fully recover from the illness that took us all out of commission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As we began January, with the pressing need to get our home ready to list for sale by the 30th, we could not afford to "waste" any time. There is so much work to do, not a lot of time and only one of me. I was feeling so stressed and being on the downward slope of the excitement of the holidays, I was feeling drained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When it came to our commitments, I felt like I had nothing, <i>zero</i>, to offer. I had hope and joy in the promises of the Lord and even some growing excitement to see what He was going to do with our circumstances, but I was tired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, so <i>tired</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and rest. For days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>- Be careful what you wish for. -</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Because that is <i>exactly</i> what I got. The kids and of course the mommy, caught what I can only describe as the "cold from hell". The aches alone were enough to make me feel like crying, and then there was the fever, the sinus pressure that was threatening to make my skull explode, likely all over my beautiful bedding making a terrible mess to have to clean up, and the fever. My skin felt like it was on fire, my muscles felt like I had been pummeled by a heavyweight boxer and my head was throbbing from the building pressure from within. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It was all I could do to take care of my sick babies and stand feebly in the hot shower in an attempt to comfort myself. Forget packing, sorting, cleaning, painting, and repairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Thankfully we still had a couple days before everything started up again. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get through the "obligations" of the coming week and something incredible happened...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><i>* It snowed! *</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">You have NO idea how happy I was to see the beautiful, fluffy, white, sparkling blanket begin to cover the ground! I love snow anyway, but I have <i>never</i> loved it more!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Between snow and ice storms, the world around us stopped. Schools and business were closing. Families were spending time at home. Children were outside playing in the streets. The world was quiet and peaceful amidst the echos of laughter that filled the air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">We had all just started feeling quite better when the snow came. The kids and I were able to spend afternoon after afternoon sledding on the hill by the soccer fields with friends and family. We even got to have an hour one afternoon to go sledding with their dad. (Who, poor man, had to work through the entirety of our grand adventure.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">There was excitement, laughter, squeals of joy, hot cocoa, hot cider and cookies to share. Everyone who brought a sled shared it with anyone who didn't have one. Kids and adults took turns trying out all the sleds and even shared the "favorite", reveling in the playful competition of "who could sled the farthest".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">For a couple days all of the chaos, all of the busyness, all of the demands and obligations simply ceased to exist and our children got to experience the freedom of celebrating winter with the community around them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">For a few days, the adults got to make precious new memories with their children, reminisce about the joy of snow days from their youth and even become a kid again themselves. Even if it was just for a short time, it was wonderful!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It is hard to go back to the "grind" after so much unbridled joy. Times like these beg us to stay happily engaged in the dream of what life "<i>could</i>" be like if only things were less... complicated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">All things must come to an end and it is often sad when they do, but we have been given a beautiful gift to hold onto in the days and years to come, when life is flying by at it's greedily demanding pace. We will have these beautiful memories to remind us of what is truly important. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Reminders to slow down. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Invest in the people around us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Laugh a little. Live a little. Love a little.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Be blessed, y'all. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-51976738486955078012017-01-03T11:36:00.000-08:002017-02-07T12:25:47.256-08:00New Year, New Dreams.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>{ Traditions }</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Not everyone likes them, but we have a few that we will carry with us always.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This year we decided to continue some of our old traditions, embrace one of our favorite experiences as a tradition and start a brand new family tradition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Since having children, we haven't been big into "celebrating" the New Year outside our home. Sure, we go visit friends and family but we always try to be home by 10 p.m. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The last few years we have been trying something new... getting out of the house. Actually, to be more accurate, we have been leaving town. One year we spent the holidays at the beach and last year we celebrated New Year's Eve by staying over with some very dear family. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">That is where we had the incredible experience that left us all wanting to incorporate as a tradition going forward. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">We had never thought of starting the New Year, at 12:01 a.m., with a communion celebration. We have always taken the time to thank God for all that He has done for us over the past year and prayed for His will in the coming year. We even have a jar with slips of paper that recount all of the incredible ways, big and small, that we saw God at work in our lives over the past year. But set aside those first moments to stop, focus on His loving sacrifice, give thanks, sing His praise, and pray for His direction in the coming year... we never thought of taking that extra step. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were so touched and blessed by that beautiful experience we had, beginning the New Year with those we love giving thanks to our Father, that we decided we would forever begin it that way going forward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, after an evening of watching neighborhood fireworks in the freshly falling snow, at 12:01 a.m., gathered in our living room, having stayed home this year to enjoy what might be our last New Year in our home, we broke bread together, and gave thanks to our Father in Heaven for His <i>unfailing love</i>. We thanked Him for our salvation, for the grace, mercy and forgiveness given freely to all through Jesus' great sacrifice. We prayed, together, for wisdom, guidance, provision, and His will for our family in the coming year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Then...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We went to sleep! (I don't know about you, but the older I get, the less I desire to stay up and "party" all night. Morning is coming. hahaha)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We decided to spend part of New Year's day creating a <i>new</i> tradition. We have been in a season of uncertainty, particularly regarding what direction we are supposed to moving with our house situation for months. We have been seeking God, His guidance and direction, in all areas of our lives and we wanted to really spend some time starting our New Year with <b><i>HIS</i></b> vision.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I'm sure many of you have heard of "Dream Boards" or "Vision Boards". They are a fantastic way of sort of mapping out where we would like go in the year(s) ahead. A dear, and <i>very wise</i>, friend of mine introduced me to "Prophetic Boards".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>What is a "Prophetic Board"?</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Well, it is the same as a "Dream/Vision Board" except... You ask God to show you <b><i>HIS</i></b> plan for your year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>How does He show you His plan using a bunch of old magazines? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the most incredibly awesome ways! I know, it sounds silly and maybe even a little suspect. I mean, we could totally be just "picking out what we want" right? Yeah, we could do that, but what would we gain from plotting our own will? Which, is why we pray first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We set our will and plans aside and we ask God to show us <i>His</i> will and <i>His</i> plan for our lives. We ask Him to show us what words, phrases, or images to tear out. We ask Him to show us how to arrange them on our boards. We trust Him to reveal their meaning to us at the time of His choosing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Some of it makes perfect sense when it all comes together. Some of it is the answer to prayer. Some of it makes no sense at all, but if we really let Him show us what to choose, if we set our own plans aside, if we put our trust in Him and believe that He has a plan for us and He wants to share with us all that He wants to do with, through and for us, then we get to experience something incredible!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, we prayed and let the tearing commence. We set a timer for 45 minutes. The only rule was that whatever "caught our eye" or we "felt we were supposed to tear out", no matter how crazy, we would tear out. No thinking and trying to decided if we should or shouldn't, if we we felt drawn to something or like we were supposed to include it, we did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When we had our precious bits of soon-to-be-recycled magazines all torn out, and had cleaned up the edges, we prayed again for God to show us where each piece of His puzzle should go. Then the Mod Podge insanity began.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When we were all done, we took turns sharing our boards. We shared the meaning of the things God spoke to us about throughout the process. We giggled at the things that seemed too silly to be real and embraced whatever meaning God had for them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were so encouraged by the unity of some of the messages across all of our boards. God spoke to each one of us about our home. He gave each of us a picture of a cabin in the woods, some covered in and surrounded by snow. He told us that we would have a "new beginning" this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He spoke to us about missions, vacations and adventures to come. He specifically gave us England and Ireland!!! That is so exciting to us because, as many of you know, we are preparing to one day go on a long-term mission to Ireland and a short-term mission to England. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Provision and Breakthrough were also constant threads among our boards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There was such incredible <i>encouragement</i> and <i>hope</i> for the year to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Much of what the Lord was speaking to us was confirmation of words He has given us through other people. In fact, at our New Year's day church service, a dear friend had a word for us that breakthrough was coming. God had provision planned for us and that He wanted to encourage us in our faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So we begin 2017, a year tossing about storms of questions and uncertainty, with renewed <i>joy</i>, <i>excitement</i> to see the Lord's plan for our lives play out in His time, <i>peace</i> knowing we are safely in His loving hands, and <i>hope</i> in the certainty that <b>God is good</b> and <b>He is faithful to keep His promises</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Be blessed, y'all!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-71695137436072017362016-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:002017-01-25T14:15:22.832-08:00"What Do You Mean 'God Will Provide'?"<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I had someone ask me, the other day, "What do you mean 'God will provide?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I often take for granted my experiences where the Lord has provided when we could not. I forget that maybe other people might not have had that experience and that my saying that, may sound crazy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">See we have had countless examples of God providing for us in both practical and miraculous ways. So, when we talk about God providing, we know that there are no limits or rules to what He can do or how He can do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Naturally it doesn't mean that we don't do our part to provide for ourselves, but in recognizing that what "we" provide is actually coming from our Heavenly Father, we get to see the bigger picture of all that He does for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For example, my husband would not have the income he has if God had not created the opportunity. It all began with giving his all at a job that not only paid far less than we needed, but in an environment where his hard work and dedication wasn't truly valued or appreciated. The disappointing work environment and Steve's desire to do his part to provide for the needs of our family is what led him to go back to college, full time, while working full time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He worked hard to earn that degree so he could in turn find better employment opportunities. Even when he got laid off from that job, which was a huge financial blow to our family, it was a blessing in disguise. He was able to complete his unpaid internship, which was required for him to graduate, and he received an outstanding letter of recommendation in the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He got his Bachelor's degree and began applying for jobs. It felt so discouraging to see him applying for job after job, knowing his education, certifications and experience more than qualified him, and yet no offers came. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How is that a blessing, you might ask... Well, God had given him favor with the company that he did his internship for. Not only did they not have any open positions available at the time he completed his internship, it wasn't even in the budget to create one. However, one month later, he got a call from them, telling him that they valued the work he did so highly that they created a position for him and found a way to work his salary into the budget! The income wasn't what we needed or were hoping for, but it was a great place to start. The company had a history of being loyal to it's employees and it would be good experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If he had not had the opportunity at that time, to take that unpaid internship, he would not have gotten that job and he would not have met the man who referred him to his new job, where he is finally making enough money for us to start saving and be able to help others! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So when I say "God will provide", I am saying it knowing that He always has and He always will. It may not come in the package we expect it to come in, and it may not be exactly what we were asking for, but it is always good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We learned a lot in this season of limited finances about what to invest our money in, how to be grateful for what we have even when we don't know where our next meal is coming from and how we want to handle our money going forward now that we will be in a position to use it to help others who are struggling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Saying "God will provide" doesn't mean sit back and wait for Him to do it all for you, it means do what you can, do what He has called you to do, and trust Him for the rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It means discovering that what might seem like a curse is actually a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It means that no matter how BIG or impossible it may seem, God is not limited by our ability, or our circumstances, He can do anything!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It means not shying away from asking for the HUGE things or assuming that He doesn't care about the little things. Our Father loves us dearly and desires to give us GOOD gifts. Nothing is too big or small for God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ask.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Seek.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Trust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He is faithful to provide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Be blessed, y'all. <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-254539728979410232016-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:002017-01-25T13:51:44.286-08:00In the Middle of the Storm...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can find rest. More than that, I can find <i><b>joy</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This Christmas was an incredible one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We went into the Christmas season knowing that we would not be going on any "fun trips" or shopping for gifts to surprise our children with on Christmas morning. We would, instead, begin sorting through all of our worldly possessions to pack up what we would be keeping, donate what we wouldn't, and prepare our home to be listed for sale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We would be doing all of this with <i>no idea</i> of what the outcome would be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We don't yet know if the house will sell, or how long it will take. We don't even know how much we can sell it for. We don't know if there will be anything to put in the bank when it is all said and done, or if we will just break even. We don't know where we will be going to live. We don't know if we will be renting or buying. We don't know if we can even afford to do either. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">All we know is that God is <i><b>GOOD</b></i>. Even in this, <b>God is GOOD</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, we are moving forward, taking one step at a time, putting our trust and hope in <i>His</i> goodness and letting Him do the rest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the midst of this struggle, in the chaos of it all, God is the calm. He is in control and He knows our needs. He has a plan for us. A <i>good</i> plan. And this Christmas He gave us several examples of just how much He loves us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This "season of blessings" began with our church asking us if we wanted to be included in this year's "Giving Tree". We asked for some time to pray about it as a family. See, we usually have each of our children pick a name off of the tree and they get to pick out the "perfect gift" to match that child's need. This year, our children would be on that tree. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We don't usually have a big Christmas, gift wise. We get the kids each one thing they want and something to wear, so not having a real budget for their Christmas gifts this year wasn't going to have that much of an impact. Yes, they did have a few needs, clothing wise, and of course a few wants. ;) We decided that we would accept this incredible opportunity, not just to "have presents under the tree" for our kids, but for our children to personally experience God's provision in their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, we filled out the form, answering questions about their clothing needs, with sizes and color preferences, and their interests/hobbies with a "want" or two as options and we turned our information in to the church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were back and fourth on whether or not we should buy a gift for one of the precious children on the tree even though our children were included, but ultimately, we felt that we were being called to continue to give, even though we didn't have the funds to give to 3 children this year. So the kids chose the tag they wanted to shop for and we set off to bless that precious child as much as we could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's funny how God works all things for the good of His children. We hunted and hunted for the perfect gifts for the child on our tag. We were able to get twice as much as we expected with the money we had. The kids each got to pick out a couple things for each need listed on the tag. It was such a blessing to see God multiply the money we had, to provide even more than we imagined we could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">We received the gifts for our children the week before Christmas and placed them under the tree along with gifts from their grandparents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">On Christmas eve, we had the awesome opportunity to take our children to a local park and serve an amazing Christmas dinner to the homeless in our community. It was such a wonderful experience. Seeing our community come together to make such an incredible meal, provide gift bags with little things that most of us wouldn't even think about, and bless our brothers and sisters who don't even have so many of the things we all take for granted was beautiful to see. Seeing our children learning how to show love to those they don't even know without judgement, in the way Jesus asked us to serve, was a gift I could not have given them on my own without the hearts of the incredible group of people who work tirelessly throughout the week to provide meals, free laundry services, socks, hats, tents, blankets, sleeping bags and mats and so much more. They are an example of what loving others truly looks like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">On Christmas morning, our kids were blessed in the most incredible way. Not only did they receive some of the things they had hoped for from their grandparents, but every single need and want listed on the church form was provided and in a BIG way. Everything they were given was beyond anything we expected or would have asked for and to top it off, the amazing people from our church blessed us with gift cards to take kids out to dinner, a movie, a gas card and a grocery card. God even blessed us with money we needed as gifts from family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">In every way, this Christmas, was beyond anything we have ever experienced before and none of it came as a result of our own planning or trying. It all came from our Father who loves us and delights in giving us good gifts. He showed our children what loving others looks like and He provided the opportunity for them to learn how to serve. He multiplied the money we had so He could bless another child. He put it on the hearts of those who blessed us to go above and beyond anything we could have expected. He blessed our children through the love of their grandparents. He blessed us through the love of our parents and His amazing provision for our children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">The love shown to our family, through family, through the church and from God will never be something we will forget. Our children will always remember what God did for our family this Christmas and will forever have the experience of seeing Him provide for all of their needs and even their wants. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Y'all, we have a Father that loves us deeply and fiercely and there are no limits to His goodness. <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Be blessed, y'all.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-23063820098860782122016-12-20T14:19:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:43:06.198-08:00God CAN Do Anything...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is the moment that we all face at some point in our walk with the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is the "<i>put up or shut up</i>" moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I<i> really</i> believe what I profess?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I <i>believe</i> that God is GOOD?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I <i>believe</i> that He has a plan for us to prosper us and not to harm us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I <i>believe</i> that He can do anything?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I <i>believe</i> that He loves us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Do I <i>believe</i> that He only gives good gifts?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Is the God of the Bible <i>my</i> God or have I placed things before Him? </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Am I content to lose everything and have nothing left but </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">Him</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Well, <i>do</i> I? <i>Am</i> I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know that I <i>want</i> to be, but am I <i>really</i> there?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Faith is believing that what you hope for <i>will</i> happen."</span></b><br />
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What <i>am</i> I hoping for?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My plans, or God's?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That is the real question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the beginning, I was hoping for <i>my</i> plans. I was hoping my plans and God's were in alignment. I mean, why would He want to put us in what looks like a MUCH worse financial situation? Surely He wouldn't. So <i>why are we here</i>?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We are here to walk through the "fire". To proclaim that our hope is in the Lord alone and that regardless of the outcome, He is good. We are here for our faith to be built. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As I was fighting back tears while trying to put into words how broken and ashamed I feel that I can have such great faith for others but not for myself when I <i>know</i> that God is good, a </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">very wise man told me, </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">that it is because I am not on the other side yet. Then he told me a story. One that I have heard and read at least a thousand times, but somehow managed to miss one very important detail... it wasn't about pre-existing faith, it was about the building of faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the Bible, in the book of Daniel, chapter 3, is the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Every time I have read this story, I have marveled at their faith. 17:<i>"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand."</i> They faced being burned alive in fires of a furnace for not compromising their beliefs, and they stood tall and held on to God and did not bow to idols of the king. I have longed to believe, as they did, that if I had to step, or be thrown, into that furnace, I would be okay because the Lord would protect me. I was completely in awe of how unwavering their faith was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What I missed was this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">18:"<i>But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that w will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.</i>"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">They continue on declaring their resolve and refusal to yield to the king's demands, but that isn't the part I missed. It's those first six words... "<i>But even if He does not..."</i>. In verse 17 they weren't stating their belief that God <i>would</i> save them from the fire, they were declaring their faith and hope in His <i>ability</i> to do so. Those are two very different things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">They didn't <i>know</i> from experience that He <i>would</i> save them. They simply believed that He <i>could</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The man telling me this story told me that I am where they were. I am standing before this furnace, not knowing what/if God is <i>going</i> to do, all I can do is declare my faith in what He <i><b>can</b></i> do and stand firm in my resolve to declare His goodness regardless of the outcome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My faith, my ability to believe that God <i>will</i>, is being built. I don't have to be there yet. For now I can rest in simply knowing that He <i>can</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-74709683315636874422016-12-11T22:57:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:39:25.519-08:00Walking by Faith<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Being a "doer", a person of action, who has contingency plans for the contingency plans, one of the hardest things to do has been to accept and embrace "not knowing". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am powerless to stop this. There is nothing I can do, in my own strength or of my own accord, to change what is happening. All I can change is how I respond to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>I am utterly helpless.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The world would tell me that means I am hopeless, but God is telling me that this is exactly where I need to be so that He can show me something new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Knowing that we would one day be going on a long-term mission, we had planned on eventually renting/selling our home and narrowing down our belongings to only the most "important" things. We felt no sorrow or even stress about setting all of that aside to do what we felt called to do. But this... this was not what we expected. We weren't even considering doing any of that for a few years. Selling our home and getting rid of everything now was <i>not</i> what we had been hoping and praying for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were completely blindsided by this. For many weeks I felt like I was drowning. Breathing felt hard. Smiling was even harder. Joy seemed distant. For the first time in my life, hope felt so incredibly elusive. All I could do was cry out to God. I asked Him to forgive me in my unbelief, to help me to hope, to keep my heart focused on all that I am grateful for instead of wallowing in everything it felt like we were losing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can't tell you how many hours I spent trying to figure out what I could do to try and raise money, to increase our income, to dig us out of this mess. I started to rehash all of the shoulda, coulda, woulda, choices and mistakes, but what was the point? It wasn't going to help anything, it just left me feeling more like a failure and less like there was hope on the horizon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">At the same time, I was trying to figure out what step to take next. How do we go about selling our home? Can we refinance instead? Do we qualify to buy another home? Where are we going to live with rent being so high? How am I going to fix everything that needs to be fixed so I can even show this house? What about sorting and packing? </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How am I going to find the time to get all of this done while home schooling and still continuing our volunteer commitments?</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We started considering stepping down from all of our commitments. With my husband working long hours, I will be doing the majority of the packing and prepping the house on my own, so we began to feel like we had to cut out everything else and just focus on this. Which, honestly, left me feeling more bleak about the foreseeable future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I didn't want every second of my life to be consumed with just <i>this</i>. I wanted to keep those things that bring joy and fulfillment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We had also been discussing our financial plan for the immediate future with some people whose wisdom and advice we deeply respect. The plan was to save every penny we could. That meant cutting as much spending as possible, including any additional charitable giving we were doing on top of our tithing. We don't give much above tithing because there isn't much to give, but we didn't want to commit to not giving if God put it on our hearts to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In both of these these things, serving and giving, we felt conflicted. There were pros to stopping both, but what weighed more heavily on our hearts was <i>were we following God's plan</i>?</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We prayed and asked God what we were supposed to do about our Community Group that meets at our house once a week. We didn't want to quit, this was something God had called us to do and He hadn't told us to stop. Yet, we didn't want to just up and abandon them the moment the house sold. So, we asked God if it was time to set the group aside. While others were telling us that maybe we need to do less, we are trying to do too much, we asked God and we heard one word... "<i>stay</i>". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What did that mean? Were we supposed to keep leading the group? How were we going to make that commitment and have our home available to show?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">On top of all of this there is Christmas. The holidays are coming and instead of spending time as a family enjoying the season, and possibly our last Christmas in the only home our kids remember, we were going to be sorting out what things mattered enough to put them in storage and getting rid of the rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was burned out and at the end of my ability to figure anything out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, we prayed about it. We asked for direction. And He answered.</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>The grace of God met me there, in that place of exhaustion and confusion...</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God is a good Father. He doesn't leave us alone and afraid, or wandering aimlessly. He sends us little reminders of His love and lets us know that He is with us and that His plans for us are good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A woman of incredible faith came over to us at church, moments after I had been praying and asking God to help me; to show me what to do. She told us that <i>God knows. That He has seen our hearts to serve others. That we give, of our time, our talents, out of what we have and even what we don't have. That we have done everything we could, creatively and with our own ability, to bring income into our home. He said that we are to continue to serve, to continue to give, even out of our lack, and that was where He would bless us. He said it was time for us to rest in letting Him bring income to our family. It was no longer our burden.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I can't tell you how much I <i>needed</i> to hear this from Him. His timing was perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I felt peace and hope for the future for the first time since we made this decision. Just knowing these two simple things, that we were to keep serving and giving, gave me some sense of direction and that gave me a measure of peace in the unknown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Hearing Him say that we have done all we could and that we were released from the burden of having to "make the finances better" took so much pressure off of our shoulders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He knew that we tried. He knew that we did our best. He wasn't disappointed with us. He was giving us a break. He was letting us rest in His hands while He takes care of the next part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For the first time in weeks, I don't feel like I'm being crushed under the weight of this thing. For the first time I don't feel overwhelmed.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-79309471670214868632016-12-07T09:43:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:37:12.463-08:00God isn't Like the World...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He is so much better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He is full of love, mercy, grace... He does not seek to harm His children, He plans the best for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Jeremiah 29:11: "<i>'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'</i>"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That is a verse I have held onto for the last couple years as we have worked to improve our circumstances. Some verses stick with you for a season and are replaced by new ones when the season changes. This one has become our "home", so to speak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In every endeavor, at every crossroad, when we had to make decisions or take leaps of faith, we would go back to this verse. Or rather, it would come back to us. We have had so many different people call us or tell us that this verse is for us, without knowing anything about what we were walking through at the time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Jeremiah 29:11 has been a constant reminder that God's plan for us is good, even when we don't know what it is and can't begin to see the outcome of it. Now, more than ever before, this verse is being sown into our souls. I don't think that this verse will ever leave us. This verse, I feel, will be the testimony of our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have found that it is in our times of struggle when we find ourselves caught up in a battle between what the world wants us to believe and what <i>God wants us to believe</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>The world</b> has told me that we are not only prisoners to our circumstances, but it has shown me that we deserve whatever bad befalls us. Every time I have found myself in a valley, people have told me that all of it... all of the mess, is somehow my fault. I have done something wrong somewhere along the way, or not done something good enough and all of the resulting strife is a burden that I created simply by being... </span><i style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">me</i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>God</b> tells me that I am <i>fearfully and wonderfully made</i>. That His creation, mankind, myself included, is not just good, but <i>very</i> <i>good</i>. He says that I have a <i>purpose</i> for which I was created and that only I am uniquely equipped to fulfill. He tells me that He has <i>great plans</i> for me and that He will prosper me so I can <i>bless others</i>. He says, that in the end, my life will glorify His name, not bring it dishonor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>God is not like the world.<i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He does not beat us up over all of our mistakes. He does not hold us hostage to our failings and short comings. Instead, He lifts us up out of them. He brushes us off. He cleans us up. He carries us when we cannot walk. He crushes the lies and judgments, of the enemy and of this world, in His mighty hand as if they were dust. He gives us a new name, a new identity, new truths that tell us who we really are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b>We don't have to be defined as the world sees us, we can be as The Creator of everything GOOD sees us. </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-15039516346383255142016-12-02T18:27:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:34:04.904-08:00The War Between Truth and Lies...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As we began this journey of faith, I found myself laying awake most nights struggling to reconcile what the world was telling me with what God was telling me. It sounds like it should be so easy to just put aside all of the lies and rest in God's truth, and sometimes, it is. Yet, sometimes it is all that I can do just to try and hold onto His truth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The lies-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">At first, I felt like this was some kind of punishment for something wrong with me. I spent so much energy and so many hours painstakingly combing through everything I have done in the last 8 years. Every choice; every dime spent; every minute wasted... everything. Trying desperately to figure out all that I had done wrong. I wanted to repent and ask forgiveness for it, as if that would magically fix things the way we hoped they would be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I wanted so badly to take back any wrong thing I had done; to make up for any short coming in me or my actions/ability that had led us here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Truth-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I know in my heart that God isn't like that. He doesn't keep a record of our wrongs so He can gleefully punish us for them later on. <b><i>He loves us.</i></b> He wants to <i>set us free</i> from all of those chains. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yet I struggled to push out the lies that were trying to separate me from my hope in God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Lies-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In my mind, all of those old recordings of every person's words that had told me I was a "failure"; I was "worthless"; I "couldn't do anything right"; it is somehow "my fault"; that for one reason or another "I deserved this", played on a continuous loop. I was sick with the feeling that my children were going to have to give up everything, their home; their things; sports; their new friends; their way of life... and it was my fault. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Truth-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God has replaced those old lies with His truth that I am His <i>beloved daughter</i>. I am <i>valuable</i>. I am <i>precious to Him</i>. He sees me as so much more than my stumbling and weaknesses. He sees me not in who I have or haven't been, but in who <i>He knows I can be</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Still, the world and the enemy go back to that mire and dredge up all of the things they can find to try and smother God's purpose and plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Lies-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Then there was the guilt. Guilt for not being filled with joy in my gratitude for this incredible gift of love these families have given us. There was guilt and shame for grieving the loss of all that seemed to be ending when I "<i>should</i>" have been rejoicing in this new opportunity to start over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Truth-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In the end, who knows what God will bring about, a new house, the money to keep this one, at this time we don't yet know where this path leads. What we are walking through at this stage of the process is the end of a chapter and the end sometimes feels very much like a loss. As humans, we grieve loss, we lament endings, even when we know a new beginning awaits, and <i>feeling the loss is okay</i>. Sometimes we have to grieve before we can rejoice. I did not have instant peace in making this decision and I didn't have time to wait for it before I decided. I took my husband's hand, I closed my eyes, and we took a leap. I may not have peace yet, and that is okay. I am praying for it, and I know that one day, <i>it will come</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Lies-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There were some things said to us, meant not in judgement, that left us feeling as though we were being judged. We felt misunderstood and frustrated. We felt guilty for feeling the loss of this chapter in our lives because that somehow seemed to imply that we cared more about our "things" than making a change. We felt ashamed that we had agreed to be helped because, throughout the years others have blessed us and we still ended up here, which meant we were just trying to get what we could and go on living "irresponsibly". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>-The Truth-</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We did the best we could with the hand we were dealt. Sure, we made our share of mistakes. I have no doubt that money was wasted on foolish things or that we could have done better in some areas, but we learned from those mistakes. Waste taught us that what things were worth our time and money. Excess taught us the value of moderation. Instant gratification taught us the value of waiting for the right time to have the things we want. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God knows our hearts. We don't long for riches, or honestly, even our house and things. That isn't why we feel this sense of grief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Even though we have had to struggle, fight and scrape to maintain our lifestyle, we have never felt like it wasn't a good enough life for us. We felt extremely blessed to have a home, quirks, flaws and all. We have shelter to keep us dry. A wood stove, clothing and blankets to keep us warm. Food to eat. Beds to sleep in. Cars to drive and gas so we can get where we need to go. We have a crazy amount of "extras", things we wanted, but aren't needs, that we have been blessed with over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Juggling bills to keep it all going, sacrificing other things so our kids could have all of the incredible benefits and life-lessons that they have gained from sports, dance and home schooling, it was all worth it to us. We are investing in our children. In their future. In who they will become. We want to be able to see our children continue to grow in the incredible ways that they have over the last few years and those extra things like sports, or me staying home with them, those things have played a big part in that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-<i>The Truth</i>-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We know that we are <i>richly blessed</i>, even in this, and we are so, so thankful for that. We didn't want more money or less hardship so we could store up wealth on earth, we longed to be able to bless other people who are struggling. We want to be able to give tangible, practical support to others. We want to be able to pay forward <i>all that God has done for us</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We will not be held captive to these lies in this journey, we will <i>embrace the truth that God sees</i>, even if it we have to fight for it. <3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-35179741065602962872016-11-28T11:27:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:32:47.429-08:00It is a Funny Thing...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Hoping for one thing and getting something totally different.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">This is the part of our story I have wrestled with sharing. It is that part that, if not perfectly worded, could be seriously misunderstood. I hope that I am able to adequately convey my heart here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We were thankful and blessed on one hand, and completely crushed on the other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That is the thing about hoping... it creates the opportunity for disappointment and hurt when our hopes are not perfectly in line with God's plan. When we hope for something, we have to be open to hearing "no" and to the possibility of the answer being totally different than what we thought it would look like. Therein lies the struggle with our all-too-human nature. We tend to want what we want when we want it. Anything less can be disappointing at best and devastating at worst. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We had been hoping and praying that God would make a way for us to keep our home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">See, our income is limited, so we cannot afford rent at the current rates. House prices have gone up considerably, so selling our home and buying another one would, at least on paper, cost us a lot more. Owning this home, at least the monthly payment part of owning it, is half the cost of what our rent for a family of 5 would be. So when the bank gave us the option of paying half of the past due now and making 1 1/2 times our standard monthly payment for 6 months to be completely caught up, we thought this was our answer. We had half of what they were asking for up front, all we needed was the other half! We were so close to being able to save our home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So again, we prayed for God to bring us the money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Two incredibly kind, generous and compassionate families came forward to help us out. They had the full amount that we needed to be completely caught up and end the foreclosure now without having to make the increased payments. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With one condition...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We sell our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Because of the deadline, given by the bank on their offer, on November 18th 2016 we had a few short hours to decide if we were going to accept this generous offer, including the condition that we list our home for sale by the end of January, or keep working with the bank to figure out what other options we might have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I hung up the phone and fell to my knees. There was a war raging inside me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that anyone would be willing to do something so great for us. To make such a big sacrifice financially. To take the chance on us. They believed in us. That we were honestly seeking to improve our financial situation. That we were doing the best we could. That we were worth investing in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Yet...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My heart was screaming "No! This can't be happening! This isn't what we prayed for!" I cried out to God. I asked "Why?!" I told him this wasn't what we had been hoping and believing for as a family. I was crushed. I was heart sick. I was devastated. I was torn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">People were willing to give more than I ever would have asked or dreamed of to help us save our investment in our home... but we were still going to lose our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I felt blindsided and rushed and completely confused.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In tears, I called my husband and conveyed the offer. He quietly processed what I had just told him and said he would pray about it and call me back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I called my mother and asked her to pray. I told her how I was feeling. She told me that this was a blessing. We would not have to lose all of the equity we had in our home to foreclosure. She said she thought we should accept the offer, put the house in God's hands, and see where He takes us. She encouraged me that even if we ended up selling our home, that God had another one for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This, this right here, is the hardest part of having "faith".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It is seeing all of the odds, stacked so high against you that you cannot see over or even around them, and choosing to hope for the "<i>impossible</i>" instead of accepting the "reality". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have talked about how much I struggle to believe for anything good for myself. I can believe for the most incredible things for others, but for myself?... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If the world has shown us anything, it is that we will never get ahead. Every time we get a leg up, we are thrown back down, and kicked while we are there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But God...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-43612697500104533162016-11-23T13:13:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:31:06.270-08:00How Did This Happen?<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Slowly over time as the ground beneath us eroded. That is how it happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have talked openly about some of the emotional and mental abuse I wrestled with in my formative years. I have shared my journey of learning to love myself for who I am and right where I am at.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">See, I was told, by so many people, over so many years, that nothing I did would ever be good enough. I was a failure. I was stupid. I was a mistake. I shouldn't have been born and should probably just die so others don't have to be around me. I knew, because so many people told me, that everything bad that happened was clearly my fault. At the very least, it was because of some ineptitude in me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Those experiences have been the source of two of my greatest struggles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. Believing that I am worth anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. Hoping for anything good for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I do not keep it a secret that I am a Christian. That means that I believe in the God of the Bible; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that they are one. I believe that Jesus became man so that He could take our place, receive the punishment for our sins, even though He was sinless, and set us free from the pain, the suffering, the bondage, the shame and condemnation of sin, both committed by us and against us by others, and restore us to the life, purpose, future and eternity that God had originally planned for us. I also believe that we have an enemy, Satan, and that He wants to see us destroyed by the power of sin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Let me just say this... He knows our weaknesses. He delights in exploiting them. He knows that if he can take away our identity in Christ, he can keep us from our destiny. So, he goes about, tempting us with the things he knows we struggle with, hurting us with the wounds that have been created in us, and distracting us from God's good plan for us with lies and temptation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He knows my struggles and he brings them up every time I face a mountain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So back to where I left off...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have struggled financially for 13 1/2 years. There have been ups and downs. There have been times of lack and times of getting by. There have been a few brief seasons of surplus. In all of these seasons we have known that we were blessed. That we had more than many. That we were taken care of by a God who loves us. We have faced foreclosure several times and God has made a way each time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This time, the outcome is a little different.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before, we were always able to keep our home. God made a way for us to stay. This time, we are learning about letting go and a deeper sacrifice than we have ever known.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We juggled, shifted and scraped to keep afloat for so many years. God always filled in the gaps where we couldn't. This time, the gaps were too big for our tax return, and nothing we could do on our own could fill them. We were facing foreclosure and we didn't have the money, or means to come up with the money, to stop it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, we reached out and asked for prayer and we prayed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We asked God for the money.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Our prayer was answered, just not in the way we expected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-86202709999976577612016-11-19T18:14:00.000-08:002016-12-28T18:15:39.193-08:00I'm Not Sure What to Say...<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So please excuse the rambling...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have been debating for some weeks whether or not to publish this and when I should publish this if I do. Since you are reading this, clearly I have decided to "pull the trigger", so to speak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Y'all know I believe in openness, honesty and transparency, even when it hurts... and really, especially when it hurts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is one of those life experiences that really hurts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I have shared some of our story as it relates to finances, but I want to take a moment to elaborate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When we were young, long before we had kids, we made our share of financial mistakes, so when we found out were going to have a baby, we wanted to really straighten out our finances. We had all these great plans for both of us to work so we could pay our bills on time, we had a budget so we could save, we thought we were going to be on track to "live responsibly".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But then there were complications with the delivery and I was unable to go back to work as soon as I had hoped. My employer declined to work with my physical limitations so I became unemployed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That wasn't what we had planned for. We never expected we would be trying to live on $10/hr with our new baby. We did what we could to make it work. We got on WIC to help with cost of formula and food. We lived paycheck to paycheck. We juggled shutoff notices. We explored different employment options for me, but with my husband's hours and the cost of childcare, it wouldn't improve our financial situation. We did a LOT of praying, seeking God, asking "Why?" and "What are we supposed to do?".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God's answer came in two parts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. Trust Him to provide for what we cannot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. Commit to staying home and raising our child(ren).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So we did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">When our son was young, we went through a period when my husband was laid off that was really hard. So, we humbled ourselves and we got help. We went to the food bank for our area and were blessed that they also had clothes and toys so our son could be blessed with his needs and some fun little "wants". At the suggestion of a friend, we signed up for food stamps, and medicaid. While my husband looked for a new job, applying for everything and anything he could find, I took a job, making minimum wage to try and get us by. That was the winter when we couldn't afford to pay the electricity bill to prevent it from being shut off. As cold as it was, we had fun cooking on a camp stove and snuggling under a mountain of blankets to keep warm. Thankfully we only had to go without power for a month, so many people face so much worse. As rough as those days felt, that time created the longing in our hearts to be able to one day bless others who are struggling financially. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Here we were, pregnant with our daughter and my husband having no luck finding employment, no matter how many jobs he applied for. So, he enlisted in the Air Force. He and I had always wanted to serve our country. I had so wanted to honor the example and sacrifices of my grandfathers and uncles. So even though I was not looking forward to all of the time apart and the potential risks, I was happy for and proud of him. It was not meant to be, however. Due to unknown health complications, my husband was discharged from the Air Force and sent home. Once again we had no income. So, the search began for another job. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">He finally found a stable job making $10/hr. that would give him the opportunity for advancement. He worked long, crazy hours and he worked hard to provide for our family and earn promotions. He supervised night shifts and eventually got promoted to days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">By this time we had 3 children and were renting a house in a nice neighborhood. In spite of his best efforts and several promotions he was still only making $12/hr. and now there were 5 of us to support. Rent was going up. We no longer qualified for food assistance. So we needed a miracle to keep things going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">God came through. Big time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We looked into buying a home instead of renting because, at the time, much like now, it was cheaper to own than to rent. We couldn't believe it when we qualified to buy a house! We were so excited that we were going to be able to save money on rent! We found a home in a little town in the country that I have always loved and within two hours our offer was accepted. We were going to have our own home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Over the years, we have faced many ups and downs financially. No matter how tight we kept our budget, we couldn't seem to build up savings. Even though my husband was excelling at work, his income was not going up enough to match the cost of living increases. The only option we could see for improving our position financially was to put my husband through college. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We didn't qualify for much in grants so we had to take out loans to cover books and part of tuition. We believed that in the end it would be worth the cost of repaying them so he could have the opportunity for greater income.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So, while he went to college full-time, he also worked full-time. I continued to stay home with our kids, home schooling all 3 of them, because I was still not in a position to offset the cost of childcare with my potential income and with my husband's hours, he could not watch them for me to work. We also still felt very strongly that we should honor our commitment with God to stay home and raise and educate our children, and, honestly, we felt that the sacrifices was worth the investment in our children. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">During his last couple semesters, my husband got laid off again. We had been blessed through the loss of my grandfather, to have some inheritance in the bank. So while he finished up his Bachelor's degree and completed his unpaid internship, we were able to make ends meet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's funny, how life goes. Every time we were blessed to finally have some money in savings, something came along that took it. Each time that happened to us, we struggled to not feel like every time something good came our way, we were kicked back down by something new. It was all we could do to hold on to hope for a better future, that one day we would walk out of this long valley and be able to reach out and offer a hand to other people who were doing the best they could, but still struggling. We made the conscious decision to look at those experiences as provision for what we had not seen coming instead of being robbed of every opportunity to finally get a leg up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So why am I taking the time to write all of this out? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Because here we are. <i>Again</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Finally in the position to get ahead, but losing, or rather, "giving up" everything instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-52108229702860248652016-11-09T09:51:00.003-08:002016-11-09T09:51:54.197-08:00The Morning After...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are so many great and fitting "morning after" jokes that are metaphorically applicable today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Waking up with horror and disbelief of what happened last night... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Panic about having to face what happened causing you to try and "run away"...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Looking at the evidence of what happened and wanting to gnaw your own arm off to get away from it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That is how I feel today, but probably not for the reasons you might expect. I don't feel that way because of who was or wasn't elected. I am ashamed and grieved by who we as a nation have allowed ourselves to become.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is a funny thing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We were taught in grade school to mind our manners; to say "please" and "thank you", "yes sir" and "yes ma'am". We were told to treat others with respect, the way we would want to be treated, regardless of our differences or how we have been treated. As adults, we tell children that having tantrums when they don't get their way is not acceptable. We discourage bullying, name calling, resorting to physical violence and gossip/slander. We preach "tolerance".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">--- YET ---</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When it comes to anyone with a view that is different than ours, (or a candidate that we didn't vote for winning an election), all of those principals and values seem to just <i>fly right out the window</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">People keep asking "What has happened to our country?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's simple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The same rules do not apply to everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Adults are melting down and having full blown tantrums because they did not get their way. They are calling each other all manner of names and making accusations about a person's character with absolutely no evidence to substantiate them. People are disrupting the lives of others, destroying property that does not belong to them, and ending relationships all because they disagree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If it is not okay for our children to behave in such a manner, <i>HOW is it okay for adults to do so</i>?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">COME ON, PEOPLE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You want to know "what's wrong" with the United States? <i>THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I don't care who wins an election, you don't get to have a tantrum about it. You don't get to destroy property. You don't get to be disrespectful and abusive to others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Not cool, y'all, not cool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have voted in 5 elections. The candidate I voted for has not always won. I have never trashed the people who voted differently than myself. I have never destroyed property because I didn't like the outcome. I have never tried to leave my country because I didn't get my way. I have never accused voters on the "other side" of all manner of unseemly things and basically being deplorable people simply because we do not agree on everything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is disappointing, and frankly disgusting, to watch adults being consumed with bitterness and hatred and being so completely destructive and divisive instead of conducting themselves with dignity and showing mature respect for others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Who are we teaching the future generations to be?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are showing them, with our words and actions, <u>how to treat others</u>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are showing them <u>how to handle disappointment</u>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are showing them <u>how to respond to challenges</u>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a mother, I can tell you, <b>they are watching</b>. They are taking it all in. They are learning through observation. <i>But what are they learning?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning to hate anyone who is different than them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning that they are somehow "superior" and "more valuable" because of their beliefs or political affiliation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning that difference of opinion isn't an opportunity to learn something, or understand a different perspective. Instead, they are learning that opposing opinions create the opportunity for them to make judgments about others. That slander and defamation of character are good practices, because that's what it is when you call people names and make baseless accusations about the quality of their character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning that it is okay to be violent and destructive when you don't get what you want or like the way something was done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning how to use their words to draw blood, to wound others, and to ultimately "go for the kill". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning that there is no value in relationships apart from what you can get from them because they are to be abandoned when the other person doesn't do what you want. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They are learning that family and friends are enemies when they don't do/say/think the same way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Is that really what we want to teach them?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The morning after isn't the time for negativity, hatred, abuse, violence, further division, and all manner of destructive behaviors. It is the time to reach out a hand and begin to bridge the gap. Instead of continuing the destruction, we need to put on our "big kid undies" and work together for a better future. We need to take responsibility for <u>our</u> future instead of putting all of the responsibility on someone else only to tear them down when they don't meet our expectations. If we want things to be <i>different</i> we have to <b><i>do them differently</i></b>. All of us are responsible for change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This election has left our nation painfully divided. Now is <i><u>not</u></i> the time to drive the stake further, it is the time for healing to begin. That means we need to humble ourselves and apologize for the way we have treated each other. We need to stop trying to "decimate" one another and start respecting each other. Instead of condemning, we need to try to understand. Above all... we need to love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We can be better than this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We <i>need</i> to be better than this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We need to <u>set the example</u> for future generations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We need to <u>be the change</u> that we want to see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">No candidate can do that <i>for</i> us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be safe. Be kind. Love one another.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-75890443355595822272016-11-08T09:41:00.001-08:002016-11-08T09:41:26.981-08:00I Voted...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In any of the previous elections, voting has given me hope for positive change in our future.<br /><br />Not this year.<br /><br />This year there isn't that familiar feeling of "honor" in having done my "civic duty". This year, voting felt like a scam. I felt robbed. There was no candidate that I truly "wanted" to elect. I have wrestled with the complete disappointment in the way the major party candidates conducted themselves during this campaign. Their behavior, their words... they were juvenile at best and utterly disgraceful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When we vote, we choose the person who we believe will lead our nation in a positive direction. To me, that means someone who will conduct themselves with the honor and dignity due the highest office in our nation. It is a privileged to assume the title of President of the United States. It is the responsibility to do what is best for this country and her people. It is the responsibility to treat the rest of the world with respect. When I look at the Republican and Democratic nominees, I don't see honor, dignity, respect, humility... Those traits aren't things that should be overlooked. We are guided by our principals, our moral code, and thus far, they have not exhibited principals that I feel confident will serve our nation, or the world, well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When we vote, we are casting our lot on a leader who most closely aligns with our stance on the issues that matter the most to us, in faith that they will make wise decisions and lead our country in a positive direction. In the past, I have had some measure of that trust as I turned in my ballot. Today, I do not feel that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have prayed and given a great deal of thought to voting this year. Not that I haven't done either of those in the past, but this election in particular has left me feeling a little lost, conflicted and honestly, disappointed, and as such I have found myself in need of more time spent in prayer and thought. The only conclusion that I have reached is that our God is so much BIGGER than all of this and no matter what the outcome is, He is in control, so I don't need to be afraid.<br /><br />After the primary, I stopped praying for a "better candidate" and started praying for whomever is elected. I prayed that he/she will surround him/herself with people of upstanding character; people who have wisdom in governing and law; people that value freedom, respect our constitution and can give sound advice. I pray that he/she will humble him/herself to listen to council, to receive wisdom, and to act in the best interest of our nation and her people without disrespecting or minimizing the rest of the world. I will continue to pray for this for all of our elected leaders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I go about my day, having turned in my ballot, I will not be doing what I have done in previous years. In the past, there was the anticipation of seeing the results of this process culminate in the election of our next President. I looked forward to turning on the news and watching the results of so many people exercising their freedom, however limited, to voice who they believe should lead our nation. There was an inspiring energy that came from so many people looking to the future, hoping to see positive change, increased stability, peaceful resolution to conflict, and our people uniting to work toward a healthy future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This year, there is so much division and hatred. So much disrespect and dishonor. I don't want to see the media coverage today. Thus far, it has done nothing to foster healthy debate, encourage learning, or bring people together. It has, instead, inspired the worst in people. The continually degrading commentary has only served to encourage division, incite anger, promote mudslinging, self-superiority, judgement and embarrassingly disgraceful behavior all in the name of being "right" or "better than" whomever opposes a standpoint/belief/candidate. I have zero desire to watch the crapfest of people oozing their bitterness and spewing their vile hatred. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This year, I have the desire to shut out all media coverage and simply pray for our future. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today, as ballots are turned in, as votes are cast, I will be praying for healing. Our nation has come to a place of such deep division. Relationships have been damaged. Friends have been distanced. Families have forgone the old adage that blood is thicker than water in favor of being "right". We need healing, and that begins with each one of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I hope that everyone will set aside their political self-righteousness and extend the olive branch to one another and begin the long process of healing that our nation so deeply needs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Be safe. Be kind. Be bigger than this mess. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><b>Love each other.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-54691811224040868512016-11-01T11:09:00.002-07:002016-11-01T11:14:33.742-07:00Sometimes I Feel So Lost and Helpless...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and really... I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are moments of indirection, when I am completely lost.
There are times when I am afraid. There are days when I feel utterly hopeless
and thoroughly confused. BUT... God is <i>always</i> there for me. I do not have to
face it alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">See, it is typically my first inclination to F.R.E.A.K. O.U.T.
when one of life's storms arises and try to do whatever I can, whatever it
takes, to fix it. My initial response is usually fear. Then I tend to turn into
a rabid-archaeologist-of-destruction and dig up all those old dusty recordings
of everything I have ever done wrong and replay them, ad nauseam, in some
meaningless form of self-flagellation that is meant to ensure my understanding
that whatever is happening is surely my fault and well deserved. Let's be real,
sometimes it is. Y'all, I do some <i>really</i> stupid things from time to time, even
in my best intentions I can make one heck of a M.E.S.S. BUT, sometimes it isn't
my fault. Sometimes it is no one's fault. Sometimes, <i>crap.just.happens</i>. Yet, it
is only when I finally feel so beaten down and broken that I finally cry out to
God. It can take minutes or it can take days, either way it is time woefully
wasted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I don't know why my first instinct is not to reject all of
that rubbish and simply run to Him. Maybe it is my fear of hearing Him say that
all of those things I have believed about myself are true. Maybe it is the fear
that He will leave me in my mess because what I am facing is exactly what I
deserve. Maybe it is panic rooted on some level in the pride of thinking "I
can fix this"... It may just be a combination of all three. Regardless, it
is not the response I desire to have. I want my first response to be to run to
my Father, snot-sniffling-puffy-eyed-ugly-cry and all, and just fall into the
safety of His embrace. I don't want to beat myself up and hate myself for all
of the foolish things I have done in my own folly. I want to be able to say
"I am sorry" for doing things my way and ask for forgiveness and help
because the truth is...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>I can't do any of this on my own.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> There is nothing I
can do on my own to "miracle" my circumstances better. There is no
"quick fix" or "easy answer". The giant I am facing cannot
be conquered without His help. Even when it is my own mess, and maybe
especially when it is my own mess, I don't have what it takes to clean it up by
myself. I don't have the knowledge or ability. I need His wisdom, His guidance
and His help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He is always there, waiting patiently, for me to come to Him
and <i>simply ask</i>. <3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sometimes I feel so, so lost and helpless, and really... I
am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But You are there for me, Father. You walk with me. You
watch over me. You carry me when I can't walk. You are my shelter in the storms
of life. You don't get mad at me when I am afraid or when doubt and uncertainty
creep in. Instead, You take me in Your arms, You look me in the eyes and You
gently remind me that I am not alone and I can trust You. You don't chastise me
for all the things I have done wrong; You make me feel safe. You don't shame me
in my weakness; You give me strength, courage and hope. Without You, I am
nothing. Without You, I am exactly what the world says I am. BUT with You, I
<i>can</i> become so much more. You give me purpose; You give me dreams; You give me
gifts so that I can do something good for someone else. Me, this girl who
cannot fix her messes on her own... You use me for good. You make something of
value from these ashes and You make a way for my life to bring glory to Your
name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thank you, Father, for who you are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thank you for loving me, just as I am, yet enough to help me
become something more.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-22613990547756492882016-10-26T13:07:00.001-07:002016-10-26T13:07:41.298-07:00I Will Wait and Pray...<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When circumstances arise that are so far beyond your control or ability to fix you have a two choices...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Panic and lose all hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Wait and pray.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Over the years we have been in positions like this many times. We have stared down complete and utter financial failure more times than I can even count. YET God has always, always been faithful to provide. He has seen us through each time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have always been a do-whatever-you-can-on-your-own kind of girl. I was always wracking my brain to figure out what more I could do, to make sure I had done my part, to try and make the right choices, and I trusted God for the rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This year has been a year of finding ourselves in situations where there is literally nothing we can do but wait and pray. We have seen miracle after miracle beginning with Disneyland, then our mission trip, a commuter car for my husband, food and even gas! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I won't lie and say that it hasn't been hard, or that I haven't had thoughts of doubt and fear to wrestle with, because I have. I won't even say that I have made all the right choices or done all of the right things. Believe me, I have made my share of mistakes. I have even gone so far as to try on my own to fix it, but those attempts only made things worse. I have had regrets. I have learned lessons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So today, as we stand here at the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown, everything crumbling around us, we are choosing to stand with our feet firmly planted on the rock. We are submitting it all into the hands of our Father, because we know 2 things...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. He is ALWAYS faithful. His plans are so much better than ours and He never fails to keep His promises or take the BEST care of His children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Even if it all fell down, He would be there to catch us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are praying and believing for His miraculous provision for the umpteenth time this year. And though the need this time is the greatest it has <i>ever been</i>, we are standing firm on the promises He has given us and words that have been spoken into our lives. He did not lead us just to leave us. He is not surprised by these events. He knows our needs. He has ALWAYS provided. We are in the BEST hands we could be in. <3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I believe that someday soon we will be sharing with y'all how God answered our prayers and how He stood with us through the storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The breakthrough is coming and we will NOT give up until it does!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-47398089729335884302016-10-11T12:43:00.000-07:002016-10-12T08:59:42.148-07:00How Did We Get Here?!<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Seriously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"How Did We Get Here?!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That is the question I keep seeing and hearing throughout
this election, and honestly, it has gone through my own mind many, many times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The reality is, we got here, to this condition as a nation,
by making choices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We collectively chose to either allow or reject various
behaviors, ideologies, moral standards, and practices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What we embraced, tolerated, allowed or refused shaped the
current condition of our nation as a whole and frankly, we are reaping that
which we have sown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We allowed the media to run amok spreading hate, division,
confusion, dishonesty, distraction and fear. We declined to hold them to a
higher standard of honesty and integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We neglected to investigate and research facts on our own.
Instead we relied on the data provided from unverified sources and the opinions
of others to determine our beliefs for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We embraced fear and lies that served only to divide. We let
them fester in our hearts and boil over into the vile hatred and bitterness
that is being spewed onto others in attacks ranging from virtual bullying to
assault and murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We rejected the principals that have guided our nation, in a
primarily successful direction, for generations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We confused "tolerance" of choices with
"love" of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In our quest to bolster our self-righteous egos we
proclaimed "tolerance" and "equality" while creating an
environment of intolerance and hostility toward those with different opinions,
beliefs, skin color, lifestyles, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We have played our parts in the rampant destruction of what
made this nation great, whether we were actively stirring the "shit"
pot, or sitting silently by and doing nothing to help negate it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I just keep thinking "Why?!"... Why did we allow this?
Why did we choose hate over love, lies over truth, corruption over integrity?
Why are we choosing to fuel division instead of love and respect?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Why did it become more desirable to have this "crap
fest" of mudslinging and hatred displayed globally in juvenile antics that
ultimately portray the citizens of the U.S. as disrespectful, arrogant,
ignorant, swine instead of putting our collective foot down and demanding
better?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Why aren't we standing together for justice, ethical
conduction of business, respect for the sanctity of all life, kindness toward
our brothers and sisters, understanding, honesty, responsibility, love...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Y'all we can do and be so much BETTER than this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The question is do we really *want* "better"
enough to finally do something about it or will we settle into resignation and
watch the nation self-destruct while we eat their lies and drink their cool
aid?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209664648662513525.post-34809745821246691002016-09-20T13:04:00.001-07:002016-09-20T13:50:01.703-07:00Sexuality...<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It is the one area in which most of us struggle, yet it is the topic that is the most shied away from in the church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Why do we cringe inwardly and get nervous when the word "sex", or for that matter anything to do with sex, is brought up in church?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It is foolishness to dismiss a topic of such importance. So many people struggle in the area of sexuality. There is pain, confusion, and so much misinformation, leaving the vast majority of us lost and hurting feeling isolated and hopeless in our struggle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Y'all, it doesn't have to be that way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">The subject of sexuality isn'the something to be hidden or afraid of, it is the very core of who God designed us to be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">"He created them male and female and blessed them..." - Genesis 5:2 He designed and created us to fit together perfectly, in sexual unity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">In His design, there was NO shame "Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame." - Genesis 2:25</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Sexuality is also a lot more than just having intercourse. It is our identity, how we see ourselves. It is our body image. It effects how we present ourselves. It plays a large part in how we talk to and relate with others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">I am leading a women's group called "Restoring Sexuality". It isn't a counseling session, group therapy, how-to or what not-to typeople of thing. It is a safe place to come together, open up, share our struggles, uncover our beliefs about sexuality and ourselves, to replace the lies we have embraced with the truth of God's heart for us and His design for our sexuality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">Would you be suprised to know that His plan was for us to be shamelessly free and whole in our sexuality? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">If that doesn't feel true to you and where you are at, I really want to encourage you that it can and should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">On Sunday, I faced two fears, public speaking and judgment, to get up, not once but twice, and share this with the whole church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">The first day of our group, we write down the word "Sexuality" and what that means to us. What feelings, emotions, words, definitions the word brings to mind. It is the first step in revealing our beliefs about sexuality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">The first time I did that this was my list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Judgment </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Insecurity </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Expectations (that I could never meet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Closeness (making me open to getting hurt)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Vulnerability (the kind that leads to pain and betrayal)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Identity (as in a very negative identity of unattractiveness, inequity, and being garbage)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">When we talked about it last week at our first meet up this was my list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Intimacy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Closeness (being in unity with someone else)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Freedom (to be genuinely myself)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Confidence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Designed (to be good)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Vulnerability (being able to be open, honest, and transparent)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">- Identity (as God's creation)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">See when we take the step to trust God, to open up and be vulnerable with God and people we can trust, we are able to dispell the lies, discover the truth, be healed and set free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">God wants us to be whole. To be restored to His perfect design for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">If you need someone to talk to, I would be happy to be here for you. ^_^</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It is my prayer for you all that you would be healed, renewed, restored and set free in your sexuality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">It is my hope that the church will become more open, honest and a genuinely safe place to discuss sexuality transparently. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">If you are interested in our Restoring Sexuality group for women, please contact me on Facebook at facebook.com/kate.conder or via email at blesswitheachbreath@gmail.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;">We also have a group for men. You can reach out to my husband, Steve, on Facebook at facebook.com/steve.conder.35</span><br />
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<span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; line-height: 13px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09796488911398671740noreply@blogger.com0