tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74658853205414055072024-03-13T20:20:00.290-07:00~ponderings of a perpetual pupil~ Sandy Broome's bloga place to confessing how far I have yet to go and to celebrate how faithful He is in spite of me..Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-83303588386758987422023-04-04T06:22:00.001-07:002023-04-04T06:26:23.430-07:00Can You Handle the TRUTH?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMAUZvuEx2kshX129cQ_JrA5slvf5FtUiibGaZ6cMv0pnqpgwS64KR4yRyeupRACuWmUt9I8YzoM92vu1CEGV23fjC9gQFz-hCu0URZ69HRArE0zAu84fgnn4hvLJPi1_OZjdMiEe25aCHOze-Hkzn4DHXqLBHRKhMxV1RH2p2hYsrWk93WsYGw-Yhw/s1140/Truth-compass-1140x712.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1140" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMAUZvuEx2kshX129cQ_JrA5slvf5FtUiibGaZ6cMv0pnqpgwS64KR4yRyeupRACuWmUt9I8YzoM92vu1CEGV23fjC9gQFz-hCu0URZ69HRArE0zAu84fgnn4hvLJPi1_OZjdMiEe25aCHOze-Hkzn4DHXqLBHRKhMxV1RH2p2hYsrWk93WsYGw-Yhw/w320-h229/Truth-compass-1140x712.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">In recent days we've been told that in order to love others well, we have to be willing to lie. We must, as the new social mores dictate, be willing to affirm whatever truth someone feels is <i>their</i> truth even if it is <i>untrue</i>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Way back in the early 1990's my husband and I chaperoned a large group of teenagers on a youth trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia, for a TRUTH CONFERENCE. The speaker was concerned that signs were pointing to a disturbing trend-- truth was becoming relative, not absolute. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">He explained the peril associated with such a scenario and warned us all to resist the assault against the existence of absolutes, explaining that we must confront this agenda in a world seemingly bent on "having it our way," even if "our way," was categorically dishonest and intellectually false. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">It occurred to me this morning as I read passages from John where Jesus was being accused and tried, that attacks against truth are nothing new. In John 18: 37-38 we read the following:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"> <i>Pilate said, “So you are a king?”</i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”<br /><br />“What is truth?” Pilate asked. </span></i></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">So what IS truth? Is it subjective? Is it ethereal? Intangible? Irrelevant?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Jesus said in John 14:6 "<i>I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me</i>."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">His words communicate a clear and unmistakable message. There is no other way. There aren't many paths, many options, many opinions, or many truths. There is one truth about eternity and HE is that truth. HE is that way. HE is LIFE...eternal and precious.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">At the end of this week we will observe a day called Good Friday. The only "good" about this day is what it accomplished-- at least if we believe the <i>truth </i>of scripture. Otherwise, it's just a historical day when a man who was found to "have no fault" by Pilate endured suffering of the cruelest and most unthinkable degree.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">On Sunday, those of us who believe the truth of John 14:6 will gather in humble awe that He found us worthy of saving. And this "saving" was done because the <i>truth</i> of The Word says that every person's sin has the penalty (wages) of death in a place prepared for those who reject God's truth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">But Jesus Christ came into our world to become the final payment for sin and he died in the place of those who would surrender the pride of our flesh, forsake the way of our own truth, and submit to Him as Lord of our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">One of the true things about human nature is that we do not like authority, we want to be our own "gods." We love our own truth and we hate God's truth when it intersects and interferes with <i>our</i> preferences, <i>our</i> priorities, and <i>our </i>privileges. But we can't have it both ways. We either accept His truth or we follow our own way that scripture clearly says will end in death. (Proverbs 14:12)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Maybe by God's providential grace what I've written will convince someone that it's time to acknowledge that <i>there is absolute truth </i>and this truth is personified in Jesus the Christ who came as a ransom for sinners like us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">If you've sown to the winds of moral relativism and rejected the existence of absolute truth, understand this, you are refusing to allow the person who loves you most to rescue and save you from lies that are damning. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Today, He invites you to believe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Will you?</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16</span></i></p><p></p>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-33997900909505163622023-01-12T09:06:00.009-08:002023-01-12T18:38:35.173-08:00True Confessions...<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAslusQseJvLuysM_rJyE3C0x6BeufpHgzpYeeIIS7-T1H25a_wDPi5a2-KrV5nNNoh3Lc4Upf9IbvngyKzifQ32RNy5s_Mt-8zdApxpwApmydfDErusmy-JFo5eFe5ZtaSTD7-NyApDXXCRA_dBw-VzU_q2gyBY_7IsojH0vz8sdnyusDpunSKWvHQ/s776/go%20and%20tell.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="750" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDAslusQseJvLuysM_rJyE3C0x6BeufpHgzpYeeIIS7-T1H25a_wDPi5a2-KrV5nNNoh3Lc4Upf9IbvngyKzifQ32RNy5s_Mt-8zdApxpwApmydfDErusmy-JFo5eFe5ZtaSTD7-NyApDXXCRA_dBw-VzU_q2gyBY_7IsojH0vz8sdnyusDpunSKWvHQ/w307-h274/go%20and%20tell.jpeg" width="307" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">I recently saw one of those social media memes that I've been pondering for several days now. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">It read: <i></i></span></p><blockquote><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Christian Evangelism is NOT inviting someone to your church.</span></i></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">True. This wasn't a newsflash. It's not anything I am unaware of. But it has continued to give me pause for several days.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Why is it easier to invite someone to a church service than it is to tell them the truth of the gospel? </span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">When I invite someone to come to church with me, what is my motivation?</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Do I honestly love God more than I love my church?</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Would the people in my life know this to be true of me, if so?</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">The questions swirl as I think back over my life and the wonderful relationships I enjoy as a result of being involved in a local church. But this little meme's reminder has bugged me because it reveals something about the problem facing those of us who know what we are called to do but prefer a less challenging road to obedience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Scripture is not vague. We are told to <i>go into the world and make disciples</i> (Matthew 28) and to <i>study</i> the word (2 Timothy 2) the intended result being that we are prepared <i>to give an answer to,</i> or, "<i>make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you</i>..." (1 Peter 3:15)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">But this takes effort and diligence and time and preparation. It's so much easier to just extend an invitation to a church service and let the paid people do the heavy lifting, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">There's a problem with that today beyond the obvious cop out that it is, though. Most people who are unconvinced and unconverted aren't super excited about getting up on a Sunday morning to go to an unfamiliar place where things that are foreign to their "normal" occur. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">They do recognize hope and joy when they see it, however. And they do appreciate it when someone who doesn't have to listen to them bemoan the woes of this life will take the time to hear what they have to say. And super importantly, they all share the common clear awareness of "<i>God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--(which) have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that (they) are without excuse." (</i>Romans 1: 20)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">So this is a very big deal. Apart from hearing that they cannot save themselves and are in dire need of God's forgiveness for their sin, they are destined for a hellish eternity when this life is over. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">Beloved believer, you and I have the answer they desperately need but may not be searching for. Yet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">How then do we become people who tell them God's glorious, saving truth rather than just inviting them to come to church with us? Here are four suggestions to consider:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">1. <b><i>Pray</i></b>. Ask God to make you a bold disciple who is willing to risk embarrassment or even ridicule for the sake of a soul. Next, ask him to put people in your path who are open to hearing the most grand of all love stories-- his rescue plan for sinners. God is faithful and will hear and answer our sincere pleas when we ask him to make us his hands, feet, and mouthpieces.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">2. <b><i>Observe</i></b>. Watch and listen to family members, co-workers, neighbors, friends as they navigate life apart from the joy, peace, and provision of The </span><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">LORD</span><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">. Then, as you watch and listen, pray for opportunities to plant seeds of hope and faith that will yield future opportunities for clarifying gospel centered conversation if this doesn't happen organically the first time you engage with them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">3. <b><i>Question</i></b>. Ask them questions rather than supplying or giving all the answers. Let their own need(s) and confusion surface as they come to see that many of their supposed solutions are dead ends or lead to disappointment that leaves them with more questions than answers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. </span><b style="font-size: large;"><i>Prepare</i></b><span style="font-size: medium;">. Know what you believe and why you believe it. There has never been a time in history that affords greater opportunities to learn and grow as a disciple of Christ. Some of my very favorite resources include</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/" target="_blank">this</a> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">one from </span><i style="font-size: large;">Truth for Life</i><span><span style="font-size: medium;">,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.gty.org/" target="_blank"><b>this</b></a><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">from </span><i style="font-size: large;">Grace to You</i><span style="font-size: medium;">, and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://livingontheedge.org/" target="_blank">this</a> </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">from </span><i style="font-size: large;">Living on the Edge</i><span style="font-size: medium;">. These and so many other wonderful sites make excellent accompaniments to our daily devotional reading, study, and plans. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">We have God's promise to give us the right words at the right time if we simply obey what he has called us to do. We can count on The Holy Spirit to lead us when we initiate or participate in gospel conversations-- and the beauty of it all is that not one single person's eternal destiny is up to us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">We are conduit, God is the power source. We are vessels, he is living water. We cannot save a single soul, but he is mighty to save! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">To be honest, I wish I could just invite every lost person I know to join me at church. In my dream world they'd say, "sure, I would love to," and once there, they would suspend unbelief, be born again, and enjoy the life changing grace of God through salvation in Christ alone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">But that's a dream and it's not the plan our LORD laid out for us. For me, church is amazing. I dearly love what happens when I'm able to gather in a room filled with people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, and circumstances who are worshiping with their whole hearts because they've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. But God's plan is not for the local church gathering on a Sunday morning to serve as the only vehicle for the salvation of individuals, he has charged us (and we ARE the church) with the task of evangelizing the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;">It is a Herculean task that apart from his Spirit's help we are likely to evade. But by his Spirit and in his power and because of love, we are compelled to go and tell. So let's invite them to church <i>after</i> we tell them of the marvelous love of the Savior who died to rescue them from the power of sin and death! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: medium;"><i>Lord help us. Grow us. Make us living, breathing doers of the Word for your glory and our good. Amen. </i></span></p><p><br /></p>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-84876827065986331622022-04-19T09:27:00.000-07:002022-04-19T09:27:30.001-07:00More<div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGKAxmtNQeg4P_hZS3qcFdDMG6j9ucVCd0BVQ6i4bjUHxy3pfWz5zmXASPJfXMJ7XDPJMl4wnuF6ONh-FgGCRilPGsGs-6eYjdlL-rzEwUULGHbFwKnAZ_iibMiXySBvPJjO8tpAVAoQzGpdxH6L3nltoIXWcNAg3AF-YSdX-_JFtl0DueCdvLA0LEA/s746/Alan%20Capps%20Painting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="745" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGKAxmtNQeg4P_hZS3qcFdDMG6j9ucVCd0BVQ6i4bjUHxy3pfWz5zmXASPJfXMJ7XDPJMl4wnuF6ONh-FgGCRilPGsGs-6eYjdlL-rzEwUULGHbFwKnAZ_iibMiXySBvPJjO8tpAVAoQzGpdxH6L3nltoIXWcNAg3AF-YSdX-_JFtl0DueCdvLA0LEA/s320/Alan%20Capps%20Painting.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">There will always be people who are more.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More talented.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More beautiful.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More intelligent.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More successful.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More popular.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More outgoing.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More funny.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More stylish.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More fun.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More adventurous.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More brave.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More influential.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More fit.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More strong.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">If we compare ourselves to others we will frequently come up short and often end up discouraged.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">May we who know Jesus as Lord compare ourselves only to those who are striving to be the most obedient and faithful of Christ followers if we are looking for a human with whom to compare ourselves.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">And by God’s grace and in His strength may we all become more.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More humble.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More servant hearted.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More giving.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More wise.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More faithful.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More gracious.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More peaceful.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More honest.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More patient.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More kind.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More self controlled.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More selfless.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More gentle.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">More loving.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">In other words may our highest pursuit be to become </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;"> more like Jesus.</span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Quicksand;">Thank you to my friends who motivate me to become “more” by your consistent witness and faithful lives of obedience. I am beyond grateful to The Lord for you.</span></div></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-4080849126348418602022-03-28T12:41:00.009-07:002022-03-29T03:48:21.154-07:00What Happened When I Agreed to be a Mentor? <p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">If anyone had told me that fateful day in 1996 how my entire life would be impacted if I agreed to "mentor" a woman just fourteen years my junior, I wouldn't have believed them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NpMIwq246Pp9O-Hah3w2XW5uTXB42XohswuHu189C9O80_w5WomgcAFz5qSzHRzQFJhzG7Hrc_5oM5xK0S8jftZDqPXv_2pBk9Q8X-uPV0Q48pNv0SqupfEDKnAfXK3yxQf_7FpyIEzq-NQqmSHlo_kRsklodaM3ZiaZwHhwEuUTHCzx2jLeUuEJpA/s605/image0%20(4).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="605" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NpMIwq246Pp9O-Hah3w2XW5uTXB42XohswuHu189C9O80_w5WomgcAFz5qSzHRzQFJhzG7Hrc_5oM5xK0S8jftZDqPXv_2pBk9Q8X-uPV0Q48pNv0SqupfEDKnAfXK3yxQf_7FpyIEzq-NQqmSHlo_kRsklodaM3ZiaZwHhwEuUTHCzx2jLeUuEJpA/w232-h331/image0%20(4).jpeg" width="232" /></a><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">I met Tiffany Pate when asked by one of her friends to lead a Bible study for a small group of younger women. It's almost funny now to think back on that time because I was still so far from learned in terms of doctrinal knowledge, but apparently being a few years older and willing to study was sufficient in their estimation-- so I took the plunge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Tiffany asked complex and thoughtful questions. She had a hunger and thirst for knowledge of God, but more than that, for a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. She wanted to know what she believed and why she believed it and she was never content with superficial or incomplete answers. We had lengthy conversations about subjects that concerned her, and honestly, few things are more motivating in terms of getting you to dig in and study scripture than having someone ask you tough, insightful questions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When I shared a post recently on social media about the value of mentoring relationships, it occurred to me that there are a couple of reasons people might have for not pursuing one. Maybe there are more, but I would imagine these are primary:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">1. I don't feel equipped (I don't feel I have the time and it might require too much of me.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">2. I don't know anyone who would want to have this sort of relationship with me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU_aHb8OcstIoGsTMbJb3bV-kzN9rVq_r_qXsLKDUT9wZKXcPXn0knKCitbSl4EMpQrqWp056YUrsKrcwAwBfmxFDU5e6kMg0tALITxW182xmI1k8bK2AgwvFE1FuWytlGDbEZfN47AMic7DPPMZM2yssy9vXYf2aPmxGt6hDSB0NiEL-f2asbsC9Gw/s904/image0%20(3).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="750" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKU_aHb8OcstIoGsTMbJb3bV-kzN9rVq_r_qXsLKDUT9wZKXcPXn0knKCitbSl4EMpQrqWp056YUrsKrcwAwBfmxFDU5e6kMg0tALITxW182xmI1k8bK2AgwvFE1FuWytlGDbEZfN47AMic7DPPMZM2yssy9vXYf2aPmxGt6hDSB0NiEL-f2asbsC9Gw/w179-h252/image0%20(3).jpeg" width="179" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br />Scripture compels older women to teach younger women (Titus 2). and this isn't something we can dismiss or excuse ourselves from. The chapter prescribes a specific mandate for both young and old:</span><p></p><p><span class="text Titus-2-3" id="en-ESV-29895" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><i></i></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Quicksand;"><i><span class="text Titus-2-3" id="en-ESV-29895" style="background-color: white;">Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Titus-2-4" id="en-ESV-29896" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Titus-2-5" id="en-ESV-29897" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So back to my story about Tiffany. The misconception that the mentor is solely the giver and the mentee is the fortunate recipient of the benefits of the relationship is regrettable. The blessing of walking alongside another younger believer as she explores what being a child of God means for her life cannot be measured, but let me share just a little of our story for example.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">There were no text messaging options back in the day. We had real voice conversations about motherhood, being a wife, church attendance, modesty, self control, anger, family dynamics, fears, confusion, doubts, and worries. But in every instance, the conversation came back to trust and faith, belief and confident hope that, "<i>He who began a good work in (us) would be faithful to complete it." (Philippians 1:6 paraphrase)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">As our relationship grew, Tiffany got to know my children. Interestingly, she had a beloved sister of her own born on the exact date as my daughter, so she became something of a "big sister" to my child as well. How sweet of The Lord to let me mentor one who would later mentor my own daughter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When my "mama" heart was broken over things that broke the heart of my daughter during her college years and beyond, Tiffany cried with me and prayed harder than just about anyone I knew. Honestly, this "mentee" of mine was a gift from God during many of my own difficult days and I loved having her constant assurance of prayerful understanding, concern, and compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So many times she ministered to me and to Leslie, and one day she called to say that she had met Leslie's husband! You would have to know details that time and space won't allow me to share here, but suffice it to say that she was right. She had a gut feeling that a young man she randomly met would become my son-in-law and six months after she told me about this confident impression, a meeting was arranged and they were engaged shortly thereafter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Tiffany hosted a baby shower when our first grandchild was due, and one day around that time she called me with frightening news. She had gotten blood work done at a routine check up that indicated something was wrong. Tests and more tests later, she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Words fail me to describe the roller coaster season that followed, but we had great hope for her and there were prayers offered in faith that she would beat this evil foe. And when she touched Leslie's pregnant belly as she carried her third child, Tiffany smiled a tearful smile and confidently said, "this one is a boy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">My precious mentee. My friend. My daughter from another mother. My treasured and beloved sister in Christ, Tiffany Pate, did not live to see that baby BOY's arrival. But she has seen her Savior face to face and she has left a legacy of love and faith that will impact me until the day I meet Him, too, and see her again. And that boy, his name is Pate. I have five living grandchildren (and one in heaven) thanks to the prompting Tiffany felt when she met Steven and just "knew that he was Leslie's husband."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Since that time, I have been blessed to have many other "daughters" who have special places in my heart and I treasure them. Each is a precious, unique gift from God. These relationships challenge and grow me in ways I cannot quantify and I am deeply grateful for their presence in my life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So, why should you consider becoming or seeking out a mentor? Because it will change <i>YOUR</i> life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> ~in loving memory of Tiffany April Smith Pate, April 29, 1973-March 31, 2010. ~</span></p><p></p><span class="text Titus-2-8" id="en-ESV-29900" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-30850515888657821402021-11-02T08:03:00.000-07:002021-11-02T08:03:04.902-07:00hello beautiful!<div><div class="" dir="auto"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc e5nlhep0 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_4j" style="padding: 4px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d9wwppkn fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db gfeo3gy3 a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; display: block; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdfddNbFzB0/YYFSXovW_PI/AAAAAAAAAyg/cSmggRCVysQ1fcE5gBCEYv9IyDW0yxczACLcBGAsYHQ/s612/praying%2Bwoman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qdfddNbFzB0/YYFSXovW_PI/AAAAAAAAAyg/cSmggRCVysQ1fcE5gBCEYv9IyDW0yxczACLcBGAsYHQ/w644-h213/praying%2Bwoman.jpeg" width="644" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;</i></div></i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;"><i> but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.</i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">Proverbs 31:30</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">As we age, our physical appearance changes and any external beauty that may have fueled an ego or opened a door of opportunity wanes. But internal beauty of soul that develops from knowing the holy presence of a faithful God “through every high and stormy gale,” is a magnetic, glowing, aura that is almost undefinable— but if you’ve seen it in someone, you just know.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">There are women in my life who possess this beauty. Aged, wrinkled, tried, tested, they have weathered life’s raging storms and toughest trials with mountain moving faith, demonstrating transcendent beauty that can only be defined as nearly flawless. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">These are the truly beautiful people, the ones with an appeal that the cover model who doesn’t possess their knowledge and experience can only wish for. These are the women who fear God more than man and have come to trust His higher ways and sovereign plans that may not have always aligned with their own dreams or aspirations. And yet…peace.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Not fearing Him is folly. We will all bow down before His majesty, the only question is when: before or after we die. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">The woman who fears Him on this side of eternity reaps a harvest of heavenly praise that wells up within a soul full of gratitude for having received what this world cannot offer— no matter her charm, appearance, status, or wealth. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Quicksand;">What a gift The Father lavishes on those who apprehend by faith His marvelous, matchless BEAUTIFUL grace.</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div class="stjgntxs ni8dbmo4 l82x9zwi uo3d90p7 h905i5nu monazrh9" data-visualcompletion="ignore-dynamic" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="cwj9ozl2 tvmbv18p" style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 4px;"></div></div></div></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-48856066139503074912021-09-23T11:57:00.007-07:002021-09-23T21:06:19.510-07:00You Are Gonna Die. So am I.<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCJ5f8jO02s/YUzMO95FzXI/AAAAAAAAAx0/6nM2KbCz85Irok4Z23sppmRAwbXmjvtgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/IliveinEuropeand%2B.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="801" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCJ5f8jO02s/YUzMO95FzXI/AAAAAAAAAx0/6nM2KbCz85Irok4Z23sppmRAwbXmjvtgACLcBGAsYHQ/w177-h200/IliveinEuropeand%2B.jpeg" width="177" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />You are gonna die.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So am I.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One out of one of us do, but for some crazy reason, we expect not to. We go to funerals and mourn the dearly departed, but we rarely sit through these somber services thinking we might be next. And yet, this is the reality: it could be you, me, or the person beside us who is next to be eulogized.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the past several months, death has been a frequent visitor to my social media newsfeed. Some of these deaths have been people with whom I am acquainted and loved. One of them was even a beloved family member.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The increasing prevalence of these reminders almost mandates a dirge for the opening theme of the daily news because honestly, it seems the more dreadful the day's headlines, the higher the reported viewership. One local broadcaster said recently, "if it bleeds, it leads," referring to the stories that make it to the top of the hour. Still, viewers tune in for daily doses of depressing drama in record numbers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Why? Why this preoccupation with the macabre and morbid? I can only speculate, but I think it has something to do with an attempt to face our greatest fear which is our own demise. Death, after all, is our last enemy. It says so in the Bible, right? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am fascinated with not only the current cultural fixation on death, but also on the many demonstrations of fear that seem rooted in sudden awareness that we humans don't possess immortality. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Covid has cured that, though. People suddenly seem to realize that they could die and they are terrified. I mean literally scared to death (almost) of death. Tragically, some are so afraid they have isolated themselves into depression and scrubbed their skin into shredded flesh. No longer able to breathe freely in the company of other humans for fear that someone might infect them or that they might infect someone, they no longer enjoy concerts, crowds, or companionship. Fear has gripped them and the fear is this: they might die, or someone they love might die.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If C. S. Lewis was still writing, I think he might add a chapter to <i>The Screwtape Letters </i>because this has to be one of the devil's all time most skillful attacks. I am surely no Lewis, but I can almost hear the dialog in my head-- </span></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can make him do anything you wish when he is terrified of the virus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He will stop going to the market and order his groceries online. He will voraciously read every article that heralds the viral deadliness growing more fearful and hopeless as he reads. He will stop meeting his friends for dinner and tell his grandchildren not to visit. He will no longer kiss his wife goodnight for fear that she might sicken him, or vice versa. He will watch the daily news for reports on the numbers of those who've succumbed to disease and then cower in terror thinking he could be next. He will ignore reports of recovery rates and become fixated only on the worst case outcomes. He will scold and correct all who do not share his own understanding of the dire straits of society. He will verbally attack former friends and colleagues who do not believe or behave exactly as he does. In his sleep, he will dream of disease. In his waking hours, he will speak of disease. And as he so predictably slips into a state of fear induced mania and paranoia, he will have lost all ability to reason or to be reasoned with, and best of all, he won't fear God, only his own untimely death.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He will be exactly where you want him to be then, nephew. Incapable of making wise or discerning judgments and perfectly suited for a long life of hell on earth. Just the preparation that is needed for his future eternal state. This, my dear boy, is brilliant!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your affectionate uncle,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Screwtape</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When young children witness a grown woman in a state of absolute panic-induced hysteria on an elevator because she is breathing the same air as they are, you know we are living in a fear filled world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When a stranger verbally assaults someone who is not wearing a mask in a very large public place where no mask mandate exists and where it is more than possible to maintain great social distance, you know we are living in a fear filled world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When someone expects you to do exactly what they think is right regardless of their lack of knowledge of your situation, health, or beliefs and then berates you for not complying or agreeing or capitulating, you know we are living in a fear filled world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The saddest thing about all of this is not that the virus itself exists, but that fear of the virus has turned us into people who have lost the ability (or willingness) to behave rationally, maturely, and properly in far too many instances. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, what is the solution? There's only one. It is found in the verse I mentioned earlier and actually in a broader sense it is found in the truth of the whole of scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:26 tells us that "<i>the last enemy to be destroyed is death</i>." And there is one who destroyed its sting and puts to rest all the fears that cripple and blind and stifle and grip. Jesus Christ conquered death-- and for those who have surrendered their earthly, mortal life to His Lordship, we can face whatever comes tomorrow, be it corona virus, heart disease, cancer, or tragedy, without the fear that suffocates and renders hopeless those who do not have The <span style="font-size: x-small;">LORD</span>'s "peace that passes understanding."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I write, I am praying for the woman on the elevator, the man in the store, and the person who so hostilely responds on social media (<i>and all those who are in the clutches of the devil's big scary scheme)</i> to be delivered from the terror of death by the mercy of Christ. The Scripture says:</span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our <span style="font-size: x-small;">LORD</span> Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers be steadfast, immovable..." I Corinthians 15: 54-58</span></i></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We <i><b>will</b></i> die. You will. I will. But by God's amazing grace, may we <i><b>NOT</b></i> die while we are still alive. Fear does that to a person-- it creates living dead people. In Christ, we are free to live fearlessly-- even the fear of death. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">soli Deo gloria~</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Sandy</i></span></p><p></p><p></p>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-10758433563446078772021-04-21T11:02:00.002-07:002021-04-21T11:02:41.182-07:00Ways to Be THAT Woman!<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Follow up- </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Practical application...</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I recently shared my heart for older Christian women to teach the younger (as we are instructed in the book of Titus) but what does that look like in practical terms.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">To put it simply- relationship!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">How though? We are all busy and life gets crazy and days turn into weeks, etc...</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Here are a few ideas that have served my own daughter when some amazing women have come alongside her as “extra” moms, mentors, and friends. Additionally, I’ll share some thoughts that have helped me with establishing these types of friendship/mentorship relationships.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">1. Ask a young woman how you can pray for her. You might be amazed at the door this opens for further opportunities to invest in her life.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">2. If she has young children, she is tired. Ask if you can come to her house for one hour to play with her kids while she rests or reads a book or does something for herself. One of my friends frequently asked Leslie if she could just come and make homemade playdoh with her girls (to their delight) when they were little. This offered Leslie a “personal time out.” It was a beautiful gift.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">3. Offer to take a younger woman to lunch and if she has children, pay for the sitter. So many young women/moms wouldn’t (or couldn’t) treat themselves to a nice lunch out, but this is a great chance to connect and converse and build a relationship. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">4. Send a card or care gift that includes a note of encouragement and a prayer of blessing. How many of us are delighted to find kindness in the mailbox?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past several years it has become evident that in our transient, fast paced world, MANY young women do not have moms living close by. Some have moms who are not believers leaving these women to navigate life without the benefit of an older, godly woman to come alongside her for advice, help, and prayer support. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Most of us won’t change the world but we can make one woman’s life better, and it doesn’t cost very much to be that person. Just a little time and a lotta love.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I can promise you this— the greater reward in the end will be the enrichment to your own life. The young women I’ve had the joy of walking beside bless me far more than I could ever bless them, so it really is true: we cannot out give God. His way is wonderful!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Blessings y'all! <3</div></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-54060238505408798732021-04-21T11:01:00.000-07:002021-04-21T11:01:06.601-07:00Be THAT Woman!<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">“<i>Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.</i>” 2 Timothy 3: 1-7</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The warnings in this passage usually bring nods of agreement with the description of last things in terms of the overall loss of civility and morality, but often overlooked (or ignored) is the warning about weak women who are burdened with sin such that they are captivated by passions that lead them astray.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">This passage from my reading plan jumped off the page today as the evidence of all this seems to be escalating at breakneck speed. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So many social media influencers are successfully teaching and leading women down the dangerous path of error, it’s heartbreaking and sinister.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Why is this happening when so many seem to want to learn, yet they “never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">First, we have a real enemy whose mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Second, it is not the self indulgent, flesh gratifying, culture capitulating, applause inducing path that leads to knowledge of the holy.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Third, self appointed, Biblically and doctrinally ignorant conveyors of pithy snippets of unsound advice have captivated the hearts and minds of well meaning (but undiscipled) women who hear what sounds good on the surface without the understanding to detect the subtle lies therein.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If you are an OLDER, Christian woman who has studied the Word and laments this sad reality, may I ask you— are you busy about the task we have been given to teach the younger women God’s truth? (Titus 2:3-5)</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Are you willing to devote yourself to sharing in love the hard fact that much of social media’s religious teaching is deceptive or downright false? Are you prepared to challenge and encourage our younger sisters to be aware that these lies of the enemy ultimately have the potential to lead precious people down the path that leads to destruction?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot count the number of younger women I know who long for an older woman of faith to come alongside her to pray, support, love, and mentor her. It’s what we’ve been commanded to do for His glory and our good. Let’s get busy and call out the devil. His time is short and he is <span style="font-family: inherit;">working overtime.</span></div></div></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-42987020186954980822021-03-23T07:11:00.000-07:002021-03-23T07:11:34.792-07:00~a tragic day in Boulder, a reminder to us all...<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Yesterday, in a quaint town in another state where friends of mine live, people went to buy their groceries and before they finished shopping they were dead.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Such heinous tragedies like these make us sick. Insane, demonically inspired murder is unthinkable to those of us who value life.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This morning as I consider the horrors of yesterday’s events, I am reminded again of the lesson we studied on Sunday in our class. It was a reminder from a text in Isaiah of how we all sin, we all miss the mark of perfection required for entry into the glorious place that Christ has prepared for His children in eternity. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The saddest thing imaginable for me would be that one of my friends or loved ones was suddenly face to face with God unprepared.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dear, dear friend— you (we) cannot work our way to heaven. Scripture tells us that ALL of our good works are filthy rags. In other words, counting on them to balance the scales in our favor at the day of our judgment won’t work. We cannot be good enough or do good enough on our own. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But Jesus WAS good enough. In fact, He was perfect and in our place, He died as sin’s sacrifice. What is required then of us is placing our lives in His hands and our trust in His sufficiency to save us. We simply admit to The Lord that we are hopeless apart from His mercy, we confess and turn from our sin by His grace and enabling, and we live our lives from this day forward forgiven.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can’t think of ANY good that could come from yesterday’s tragedy except for it serving as a wake up call to those who are far from God while imagining themselves to have plenty of time to change if they are ever so inclined. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are not guaranteed our next breath. Young people die. Old people die. But those in Christ live forever in an indescribably amazing place called heaven where there are no more tears and no more sinful evils to mourn.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I love you too much not to share this, and I pray you’ll surrender your life to the One who loves you most today if you are not already a follower of Christ. God bless you my precious people. May His “Shalom” be your solace and comfort.</span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15</span></div></div>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-82120073013857949972020-09-13T06:03:00.004-07:002020-09-13T06:05:34.681-07:00I'm Dead Serious!<span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GYv2-HkT6s/X14VXDaTCEI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/G1XD_u8IaUM86RD7NzsYSuV1RsNEBQx8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/graves2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GYv2-HkT6s/X14VXDaTCEI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/G1XD_u8IaUM86RD7NzsYSuV1RsNEBQx8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/graves2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />What did you do on your summer vacation? Remember back in the old days when teachers had you write about that at the beginning of each new school year?</span><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">In 7th grade, my best friend and I decided to concoct a fanciful story about our summer adventures. Although we spent the whole of our break at the site of the new school our dad's were building-- where walls needed painting, floors needed mopping, windows had to be washed, and a library had to be stocked, we managed to find moments of entertainment during that record setting, volunteer-crewed construction feat. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">When the septic tank was being dug, we named the gigantic pile of unearthed dirt SanTin mountain. Pronounced <i>San-teen</i>, so named using the first three letters of each of our names, we made a pact to report that we had scaled heights and cliffs of this majestic hill foraging for wild berries and excavating for archaeological treasures.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Highly imaginative or woefully dishonest, we agreed to embellish our summer break adventures with all sorts of made up escapades, and so we did. Or I did. I'm not sure she followed through with her report of mostly fabricated shenanigans.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 16px;">As my husband and I traipsed through a historic graveyard during our summer vacation last week, I found myself reminiscing. Like </span><i style="font-family: quicksand; font-size: 16px;">seriously</i><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 16px;"> thinking back over my life, its ups, downs, twists, turns, highs and lows.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ-u5ZqjAug/X14WnIFVRlI/AAAAAAAAAuc/K23O5nWhTJc7JtH9j7RoALrRRzggHcPzACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/graves.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ-u5ZqjAug/X14WnIFVRlI/AAAAAAAAAuc/K23O5nWhTJc7JtH9j7RoALrRRzggHcPzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/graves.JPG" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Every bend in life's road, every decision we make, every sin we justify, every thought we do or don't take captive, has a penalty or reward, either now or later. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Ironically, it was remembering how I was not even slightly convicted for blatantly lying when I wrote that paper in seventh grade that prompted me to share some thoughts here. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">As I studied epitaphs on so many weathered tombstones, this final resting place of men, women, and children who lived and loved in another era, thoughts on eternity and this life's brevity, and the tragic lack of preparedness of too many precious souls I know for a date with the inevitable, wrecked me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Mary Bell's tombstone reads: <i>she was an affectionate companion and tender mother; though she is dead, she still lives and is fondly cherished in the recollection of surviving relations. For many years she was a devoted follower of the Lamb and closed her mortal career in full prospect of a glorious resurrection from the dead and those endless pleasures at God's right hand. </i></span></blockquote></div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Susan Lee's tombstone similarly records:<i>Sacred to the memory of Susan Lee who departed this day July 19, 1818, aged 55 years, 4 months and 8 days. Who was equally distinguished for her exalted piety, benevolence and Christian virtue as she was for her amiable disposition and dignified manners.</i></span></div><blockquote><div></div></blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">and</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Carrie Virginia who died July 8, 1899 is remembered with these words: <i>aged 33 years, 2 months and 25 days, by nature she was kind and affectionate, by grace a Christian. Those who knew her best, loved her most. </i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">A "man on the street" video/interview I watched asked quite a few people what they thought happens when you die. An astonishing number of them said they'd never given it serious consideration. A few said they expected to go to heaven, but when asked what they based their expectation on, a whopping <i>zero</i> of them answered with absolute confidence. Most who said that heaven was their expected "after death" destiny, based the assumption on the belief that they were good people and good people surely must go to heaven. They hoped.</span><span style="font-family: Quicksand; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">I started this post confessing that I was guilty of lying with a clear conscience. So where can a liar like me find any peace at all while walking alongside the very evidences of death's future reality when<b> I read in the pages of the Bible that </b></span><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b>God's requirement for admission to heaven</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b>is absolute perfection? </b></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">People who lie are called sinners--and sinners are NOT perfect. And not just liars are called sinners, but those who are prideful, gluttonous, unloving, idolatrous, lustful, greedy, abusers of God's name, negligent in keeping holy the Lord's day, lazy, murderous, adulterous, sexually disobedient and deviant, thieves, slanderers, gossips, jealous lovers of pleasure or money (and on and on the list could go) are guilty, too, and are also imperfect sinners. So I wonder, where does that leave you? Maybe like me, you'll be forced to admit today that you are a sinner. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Mary Bell, Susan Lee, and Carrie Virginia's gravestones expressed their anticipation of a future in heaven, but surely they were not perfect people since nobody is, right? And yet we read of their confidence of eternity spent with Christ in heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">It appears to me that prior generations grasped the brevity of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow's promise in ways we often don't, so many of them seem to have made personal preparedness a priority. They must have grasped the weight of the scripture that reads</span><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> "...<i>you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a </i></span><i style="font-family: quicksand;">little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14)</i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">How tragic it is when we, with all of our medical marvels and modern "miracles" think so little of our eternal destinies. T</span><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">he recent advent of a virus that in </span><i style="font-family: quicksand;">at risk</i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> populations has the potential to kill some who contract it, reminds me though, that we are actually terrified of the </span><i style="font-family: quicksand;">possibility</i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"> that we might be among the unfortunate who meet our demise this way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Even so, think of death's inevitability we must! </span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></i></b></p><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Because we WILL all die someway, someday, somehow. </span></i></b></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So here's what I implore you to consider: just as I am not perfect (sinless) you aren't perfect (sinless) either, meaning according to scripture, your eternity hangs in the balance and you will find yourself face to face with the God of all creation one day. We are told that on that occasion, <i>every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ <b>is</b> Lord</i>. (Philippians 2:10-11)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Why? Because </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><b><i>He (Jesus) WAS the PERFECT (sinless) Son of God.</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">And He gave His perfect life in place of our imperfect lives as payment for each and every one of our wretched sins...if we would but trust Him as our own Lord and forgiver after confessing that we are hopeless to save ourselves otherwise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Here's what the scripture says about this:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><i>..."there is no one righteous, not even one;" </i>Romans 3:10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">...<i>"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," </i>Romans 3:23</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">...<i>"for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."</i> Romans 6:23</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">..."<i>But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</i>" Romans 5:8</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">And because Christ did not stay dead but rose and conquered this most feared of all enemies, we CAN have hope for our eternities! (see 1 Peter 1:3)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">If you are among those who think that because you are a good person you'll make it to heaven when you die, please allow my summer romp through a graveyard to give you pause. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">And if you dismiss the thought of a real, literal hell because God wouldn't send anyone there-- or worse, you joke about going there and enjoying it, be warned. It is a real place according to the Word of God where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, a place of outer darkness. You can read about it in Matthew 25. It won't be fun, but it will be forever. God forbid we laugh at such a sorrowful destiny. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Answer this if you're still a skeptic: Why would a loving God allow His only Son to die a cruel and heinous death for sinners if there wasn't a place prepared for those who rejected His free and matchless gift of pardon?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">I'll close with this, the best, most decent person you know <b><i>will not be</i></b> in heaven apart from a transformed life and heart that has been surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord. But sinners like me who have been saved by grace after confessing, grieving and turning from sin, can have peace, assurance, and confident hope that heaven is her eternal destiny after she breathes her last earthly breath.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">So, may I ask you, did you sin today? Yesterday? There is only one sure and certain remedy for its penalty, if so. In 1876, the hymn writer, Robert Lowry, said it best: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"></span></p><blockquote><p><i><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know...</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">nothing but the blood of Jesus.</span></b></i></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">Thanks be to God that by His grace my grave marker could now read: <i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><i>By the mercy of God Almighty, and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ her Lord, her sins are forgiven, her failures atoned for, her heart of stone transformed-- and she is basking in the glory of His goodness and grace for all eternity. </i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;">What about you, friend? Is this your hope and peace? I pray it is. <3</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-34672520353802780862020-04-30T04:50:00.000-07:002020-04-30T05:35:13.719-07:00My Phone Call to Rosa During COVID19<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She calls herself my soul mother. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGwFdEcp3Qg/Xqq6KY7QLfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/SEH9VsWfVj8oyjT_I9ItKOwzoP6EvbAmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1460" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGwFdEcp3Qg/Xqq6KY7QLfI/AAAAAAAAAsU/SEH9VsWfVj8oyjT_I9ItKOwzoP6EvbAmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Rosa.jpg" width="186" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I was gathering up sticks and twigs that had fallen from the trees on our property during a violent spring storm, I picked up one of them and it took me back to a time when I was a six year old child walking back home from the neighborhood park with Rosa and my sisters. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rosa had taken one of Kathie's socks off her feet and used it as a tissue to wipe her snotty nose, which if I'm not mistaken, had infuriated her four year old self to the point she was pitching what Rosa dubbed a "hissy fit." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Calmly, Rosa said, "Sandy, go get me a hickory switch for her behind." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rosa loves to retell this story, reminding me every time we talk that I promptly responded, "I'll get it, but you're not gonna whip her!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm sad to think I was so sassy to her, but she thinks it was hilarious because she never intended to use it anyway (and she never did strike any of us) but just the mere threat was enough to reign her sometimes unruly charges into compliance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I held that stick in my hands yesterday I thought to myself I would save it. It was the perfect "hickory switch" to take to Rosa as a gift next time I visit her at the nursing home so we could laugh about that day so many years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But next time seems elusive, future distant, maybe never, who knows? This nasty Corona virus pandemic has changed everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought of Rosa all day and when my work ended, I called her to check and see how she was holding up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Hello," she answered as cheerfully as ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It's me, Sandy," I said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Oh hey, Sandy, how are you doing? Is your mama okay? George? the children?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She kept asking about my family when I was calling to ask about her. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I finally got to ask, her response was not shocking because it was typical Rosa, but it was convicting in a way that nearly brought me to tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She told me that she had not left her room in weeks. And when I say her room is tiny, it is TINY. It is a small space divided into three equal parts, first a bathroom, then a sitting room, next a sleeping area just big enough for a twin sized bed. She has a small dresser and one chair in addition to her wheelchair that she sits in all day when she is up from bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They bring her meals to the room and she eats alone because no visitors are allowed. So there she is, confined and isolated like many others today due to this pandemic, but her attitude was as positive and joy filled as humanly possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"It's really not been bad at all. I'm not all that able to roam around much anyway and I have God. I have a lot of time to pray and I pray for you every day. I pray for our President and all the people with this virus and all the people I love."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mic drop. Not one shred of discontentment or self pity. Instead, true joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If anyone could find a reason to complain these days, we might give her and those like her a legitimate pass. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But I have never heard one single word of self pity, or complaining, or bemoaning of anything or any circumstance uttered by this woman of faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her example sobers me. I hope by God's grace that someday, somewhere, somehow, someone might say of me, I never hear that woman complain. She is content and joyful no matter what, and she gives glory to The Lord in all things.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think this is what true and genuine faith yields, and until we attain it, we have surely missed so much of the wondrous peace and rapturous joy that is our inheritance in Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She calls herself my soul mother. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I call her one of this world's finest examples of enduring faith, godly character, and Christian love and I wanna be just like her. By God's grace alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #073763;"></span><br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-58254116624537439192020-03-19T09:46:00.000-07:002020-03-20T09:18:25.898-07:00~my chat with a wise woman because of COVID19<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNLhVVnCxjg/XnOgt3E83YI/AAAAAAAAAr0/Zy0jSkKPhncatSjZZg-IFk48S3A1ndiOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="736" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNLhVVnCxjg/XnOgt3E83YI/AAAAAAAAAr0/Zy0jSkKPhncatSjZZg-IFk48S3A1ndiOACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/candle.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mom and I were recently discussing the COVID19 situation
and how this is unprecedented in many of our lifetimes, but definitely not in
history. Even our own nation’s perilous times can be easy to overlook—but those
situations are much too important to forget.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After chatting about several historical events that have mandated
rationing, rules, or regulations, she told of two clear memories from her own
childhood that she had never thought to share with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, she said that as a little girl during WWII, the
evening rule was “lights out!” during safety drills. This took place in Charlotte near the location
of the current Mecklenburg County Courthouse. My grandmother ran a boarding house
for young, single women, many of whom stayed in town during the week to work, some
as riveters for the military. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often, these women returned to their homes in Anson, Union,
or other surrounding counties on weekends, but mom enjoyed their company during
the work week and it was during this time that every household was instructed to
turn out all lights with the exception of one candle every night at dusk.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mom said she remembers how
volunteers walked the streets of each section of town to ensure compliance. Her
own street was patrolled by Mr. Jake McGrath. Each evening he strolled by, policing
their neighborhood to make certain not a single light was visible from the outside.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The darkness of the city was an
eerie phenomenon, but no one minded because they were protecting themselves
from possible air raids and certain harm if the worst happened. Mom, though
just a child, said she wasn’t scared because her own mother was calm and
reassuring, so they simply did their part each night.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She told me about the scarcity of
many things like some food items, elastic, and fabric. My grandmother made all
of my mother’s clothing including her underwear, which now had to be held up by
a drawstring instead of the elastic they had come to appreciate and enjoy. The
military needed these things after all, and nobody resented making sacrifices
for the good of those who were fighting against the evils of Hitler’s regime.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, my mom had flour sack
panties, and so did many others including their next door neighbor, an older
woman who relied on my grandmother in some ways, too.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mom’s recollection of this part
of what I’ll share made me laugh out loud—and that’s one of the reasons I love
my mother, she always finds a humorous silver lining in every dark cloud! This
lady next door, we will call her Ethel, was in her yard when my grandmother
asked if she wanted to go to the store with her to get some essentials. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ethel’s reply, according to my
mother was, “All my panties are dirty or drying on the clothesline, let me tie
a string around my waist so I’ll feel like I have some on and I’ll go with you.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mom said she never got over
imagining Miss Ethel with a string around her waist for “comfort.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you’re reading this from a
lovely sofa where you’re quarantined, sheltering in place, or just practicing
social distancing while wearing comfy elasticized underwear, think about Ethel
and be grateful. And if you have lights and electricity and aren’t afraid to
use them, think about Mr. McGrath. And if you have hot and cold water and food
to eat in your pantry, think about our grandparents who did without, without
complaining, for the good of their fellow man. And then maybe like me, you’ll
admit that most of us don’t have it so bad at all—and really never have.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nobody wants this and nobody
likes this COVID19 new way of living, but I hope the silver lining that mom
always seems to be able to find in every difficult season will mark my own life
and I have to believe that by focusing on all I have to be thankful for—most especially
for those who are making the greatest personal sacrifices during this pandemic—will
go a long way toward that end. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, doctor, nurse, police
officer, EMT, firefighter, truck driver and every other person working hard to
keep people well, protected, and safe, thank you. I know most all of us wish we
could give you a great big hug—but we won’t. We will stay at least six feet away
if at all possible. For now, at least. And we’ll pray that God blesses and
protects every single one of you. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #20124d;"></span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-58964681517715714612020-02-14T07:30:00.002-08:002020-02-14T07:30:54.071-08:00"you've lost that lovin' feelin'..." Woe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZsmHq5rKog/Xka7k_2G-NI/AAAAAAAAArg/Kuqm9UK5UyoueQBtOzzZ35tVuIrAnKrCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/heart%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="639" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZsmHq5rKog/Xka7k_2G-NI/AAAAAAAAArg/Kuqm9UK5UyoueQBtOzzZ35tVuIrAnKrCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/heart%2Bpic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1964 was the year of the release of The Righteous Brothers' classic song. Its second wave of fame came when the film "Top Gun" debuted in 1986.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The smooth vocals and haunting lyrics of this familiar classic have rarely been topped. These guys knew how to hit an emotional chord and boy did they. From never closing eyes during a kiss to no tenderness in fingertips, we graduate to no welcome, to criticism, to the famous chorus's conclusion, "you've lost that lovin' feelin' whoa oh oh oh..." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know the song and I bet if you're like me it's stuck in your head now!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For just a moment, try to clear your mind and see if this makes sense, because it's something I've been stewing over for several weeks now and Valentine's Day 2020 seemed as good a time as any to put ink to paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When John the Apostle recorded the vision he had while exiled on an island prison (Patmos) that would be much like our Alcatraz, he was an old man. Confined there by the Roman government to shut him up because he wouldn't stop telling people about Jesus, this was their best way short of killing him to silence the man. But they didn't succeed did they? In fact, no one permanently succeeds at silencing God's intended message, but that's another blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">John's vision is recorded in Revelation, that daunting last chapter of the Bible, and as he conveys God's message to the churches, he begins with the Ephesians noting many good things they have accomplished like: hard work, patient endurance, not bearing with evildoers, and intolerance of false teachers. But then he throws down a big ole gauntlet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He reports that they were doing many things right but there was still something seriously wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <i>They had abandoned their first love. </i></span><br />
<i></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Revelation 2: 1-7 records all of this and continues with a sober warning: Remember from where you have fallen, repent and do what you did at first or I will remove your light. (My paraphrase.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When the women of our church were studying these passages I asked them who could remember the time they first realized they were in love if they were married. Many heads nodded but nobody spoke up to share their story so I proceeded to tell mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I met George in high school during our senior year. I had transferred to the school and was a new student and knew only a few people there, but it was an easy transition because so many classmates were genuinely kind and friendly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As it turns out, I only had one class with my future husband, first period Psychology and Sociology. The late bell rang at 7:30 and he typically rushed in after that, but he was a favorite of our teacher so it never seemed to get him into trouble. This did, however, place him in a position of unavoidable notice to the entire class and I was warned by a very wise classmate not to pay any attention to him because he had a "friend girl" and I wouldn't want to get off on the wrong foot by appearing to be interested in someone else's best guy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, I averted my eyes and my mind and paid him no attention except when he was hilarious and friendly and cute and attentive which was most of the time. Still, there was nothing to indicate that we would end up married someday at that point-- until this one particular day in February of 1977. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My future husband came to a party that my parent's hosted on the invitation of the same friend who had warned me not to pay much attention to George. That night though, he asked me if I'd like to go with him on an after school date to the Southern Living Show at our local Merchandise Mart. As a student in the school's horticulture class, he had helped design and install one of their displays and wanted me to see it, so on February 25th, 1977, I hopped in his 1965 red fastback Mustang and off we went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Everything was going along smashingly as the Brits might say until thump, thump, thud, we had a flat tire on one of the busiest streets in the city. Fortunately, we were able to pull into a parking lot and he changed the tire as I watched, feeling both sorry for him and amused by the way he took it all in stride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once inside the Mart, he called his mother from a pay telephone to tell her about the flat tire and that he would be getting home later than planned. I stood nearby and heard his side of the conversation. She must have asked, "Where are you and who are you with," to which he answered, "I'm at the Southern Living Show with the girl I'm gonna marry." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found him charming, funny, and bold, but of course we were not yet in love. We just had a mutual fondness, but I was most impressed by his commitment to Jesus. He had recently come to faith and was a serious Christ follower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fast forward to June of 1978 when he proposed marriage and then to May of 1979 when we walked the aisle and you get the picture... we were in love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many might argue that you have no idea what "love" really means at ages 19 and 20 and maybe that's true in theory, but we had Jesus at the center of our lives and marriage. We determined to go into this thing without any escape clause, which to this day I will confess is the greatest of super glues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Looking back, I remember so many firsts and fantastics. But there were also lots of failures and folly. We were an inseparable, imperfect, in love, pair. We literally grew up together and can now look back on all sorts of lessons that life's rear view mirror perspective affords. So what does all this have to do with Revelation 2? I'm sure you've begun wondering so...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Over all these years (40 married, 43 together this month) there have been times when we have failed to love each other the way we should. And if I'm honest that's probably more true of me than of him which is a painful confession to make. So I've asked, when that has been true, what happened? How? Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Turns out, this most often happens subtly, almost imperceptibly. Life distracts, projects become priority. Work and children and meals to prepare and houses to clean and phone calls to return and schedules to keep and taxes to pay and cars to maintain and yards to mow and meetings to attend and...ad infinitum. Excuses, excuses, excuses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We abandon our first love before even realizing we've allowed the urgent to take precedence over the important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And this brings me back to John's revelation. "You have abandoned the love you had at first," is the tragic result of failure to ensure that the main thing remains the main thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm so thankful for the grace my husband has given me and for the unequaled grace my Lord has granted. But it is relational suicide to overlook the mandate and priority of guarding, preserving, and protecting our first love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When a lawyer asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, this was our Lord's reply: "<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment</i>." (Matthew 22:37)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a crystal clear directive and no one is exempt. Failure to repent of the abandonment of first love is serious to God and should be to us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So here are the questions I'm asking myself for the purpose of accountability:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. <i>What robs my affection for God? </i></span><br />
<i></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just as in the case of the "love robbers" in a marriage, these are not necessarily things that are evil, in fact, most are morally neutral, but they have to be put into their proper place in order for first love to be protected and preserved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. What increases my affection for God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do those things. Stop making excuses, and as the ever inspiring Elisabeth Elliot said, "do the next thing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you've read this entire post to this point, I hope some of these random thoughts connect in a way that prompts you to ask yourself whether or not you're protecting and prioritizing your love for God and keeping it in first place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My prayer for 2020 is perfect vision. His vision. I'm asking The Lord to help me see all of life through the lens of the eternal, to help me live in a way that honors the only one who has ever died for me, and to demonstrate genuine, devoted <i>first love</i> kind of love. By His grace alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Because He is worthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">soli Deo gloria~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sandy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-49146131487085490372017-10-02T11:04:00.000-07:002017-10-03T09:54:29.608-07:00WHERE IS THE HOPE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwK9Qy3PEK0/WdJ83pzNhII/AAAAAAAAAoU/S0IMMlygpT8hR60_tbo-h_laiU0s7HW4wCEwYBhgL/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="628" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwK9Qy3PEK0/WdJ83pzNhII/AAAAAAAAAoU/S0IMMlygpT8hR60_tbo-h_laiU0s7HW4wCEwYBhgL/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">“Where is the hope?” Chuck Colson’s haunting question seems
especially valid this morning. Another mass shooting, another stunning reminder that every day is a gift and tomorrow is not guaranteed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Why, then, do we live as if it is?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">What delusion anesthetizes us from this ever present reality?</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">How easily we forget that every waking moment of this life is precious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Tragedy strikes. Social media gets flooded with memes urging us to pray. Pray for Vegas! So for a while, we remember.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: #333333; font-size: 39px; line-height: 44px; margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 91;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maybe I’m wrong, <i>I hope I'm wrong</i>, but I fear these tragic, horrifying events
only shock us momentarily and we return to our pervasive amnesia far too soon.</span></blockquote>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">This morning, I’m convicted of the critical need for daily prayer, and not just when tragedy strikes. I’ve been to Las Vegas. It needed our prayers before yesterday. So did the other recently ravaged
places around the nation and our world. So does my own city, county and community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The question that haunts me as one who believes
whole-heartedly in the sovereignty, omniscience and omnipotence of God is: Why
don’t I fervently pray with greater specificity? Pray I do, but often with a
broad, shamefully vague brush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">While studying Old Testament scriptures recently, repeated
cycles of disobedience and rebellion by God’s children as they assumed habits,
practices and even the idolatries of their neighbors have been sobering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">How quickly these forgetful folks spurned their deliverer, protector,
forgiver and friend. How blatantly they ignored the two surpassing mandates
they’d been given: Love God first, most and supremely, and teach their children
His commandments and of His marvelous, wondrous works.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">In response to their defiance, a pattern emerges. Their sin
leads to separation and suffering which leads to supplication for mercy leading
to their salvation through God’s gracious intervention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The similarity between then and now, them and us, is
conspicuous. We live in a world that is predominantly hostile to the God who
provides, preserves and protects. The tragedies we experience, whether natural
or manmade, are devastating reminders of our utter hopelessness apart from the
gracious salvation offered by God who is acquainted with our grief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Oh that these sorrowful wake-up calls compel us beyond
today’s news to pray always and to obey the grace-giving lover of our souls. Oh that we faithfully teach our
children the gospel truth so they will know how great a salvation we have received and how perfect our hope is, even on the darkest of days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">My heart aches for those
who suffered loss last night. At any given time, someone I love could be in
the path of a deranged murderer. My home and family (or yours) could be ravaged by a flood or natural disaster. But the finished, saving work of Christ who overcame the
woes, sorrows and pain of this world is our steadfast, constant help and hope in times of trouble. This is the great "anchor for our souls," this hope we have in Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(</span>Hebrews 6:19<span style="font-size: x-large;">)</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Chuck Colson’s question did not end with, “where is the
hope?” He continued: <span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>I meet millions who tell
me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The
hope that each of us have is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or
what great things that we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God
working through the hearts of people, and that’s where our hope is in this
country; that’s where our hope is in life</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">May the promise our Lord made
to never leave, forsake or fail those who have surrendered their lives to Christ protect us from the cultural epidemic of despair, and may we have a renewed sense of urgency to pray fervently and <i>specifically</i> for a move of God that leads to spiritual awakening, repentance, hope and
salvation in these desperate days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-13837190405925948842017-04-13T13:59:00.001-07:002017-04-14T17:40:47.101-07:00~a very special Easter guest~<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those of you who still read the things I write here, you'll know I haven't had much to say lately. It seems in a world full of voices, I'm less inclined to chime in these days, maybe it's because I realize as I get older how much I still have to learn. Today, I return to this forum to share someone else's writing, someone from whom I have learned so much even though she tells people I am her teacher. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the compelling true story of life altering events that happened to a young woman who is precious to me. This is --</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Johnna's Journey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: #222222;">Today marks the 23</span><sup style="color: #222222;">rd</sup><span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: #222222;">anniversary of a life changing car accident that has become my living testimony for The Lord. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It seems with each passing year God prompts me to be a little more vulnerable in telling how one night’s tragedy continues to shape, sharpen, compel and convict me. My prayer for what I am about to share is that this brings my heavenly Father glory, because it is only a result of His miraculous intervention that I’m here to tell what happened.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6raUnmKMMY/WO_jY066IqI/AAAAAAAAAng/-nX2YxIHifYx4VzLEEJ7ZBgNaL6LQbZWgCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6raUnmKMMY/WO_jY066IqI/AAAAAAAAAng/-nX2YxIHifYx4VzLEEJ7ZBgNaL6LQbZWgCLcB/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In order to appreciate everything I’m about to disclose, it’s necessary to provide a bit of backstory. As a young girl I was tiny, but that all changed when I turned 10. Suddenly, for reasons I didn’t understand, I started to carry weight in my belly and I became the chubby kid in my family. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Undoubtedly it was due to the purchase of a kitchen gadget called the Fry Daddy and our family's discovery of deep-dish pizzas, fried chicken patties and all of the other fattening treats our Sam's Club membership afforded us. My parents were always thin. They did not know how to explain the cause and effect of eating more than your body needs for fuel to me. They could eat whatever they wanted and it had no affect on them. <u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mother was gorgeous and thin, as was my older sister. How unfair that they could eat anything and stay the same while my size was increasing. I carried most all of my weight in my abdomen and dealt with the my 'baby fat' by making my belly rolls “talk” so people would laugh with, and not at, me. Those who haven’t struggled with weight management or the coinciding self confidence or self esteem issues may not understand that we who have often laugh first in order to deal with the jokes or critical remarks of others, but on the inside we are aching. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFcjh0cOGiQ/WO_jRNX1w0I/AAAAAAAAAnc/lJnqnpiy4jwBtRllzdyDJfKjxDC5FD2YACLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFcjh0cOGiQ/WO_jRNX1w0I/AAAAAAAAAnc/lJnqnpiy4jwBtRllzdyDJfKjxDC5FD2YACLcB/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Each night for many years before my accident I cried myself to sleep. I prayed a very specific prayer that God would allow me to get my stomach stapled. I only knew about this option because a neighbor who had the procedure had lost a great deal of weight. It seemed to me to be the perfect solution. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During these years of misery, my parents and sister had no idea how desperately sad and defeated I felt in my struggle to lose the weight I had gained, and they had no idea that my daily prayer for God’s help was about to be answered in a completely unexpected way.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On April 15, 1994, I was a back seat passenger in a car with four of my best friends. In an instant, my world changed when a horrific accident required the<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span><i>jaws of life</i><span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span>to cut us out of our mangled vehicle.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="m_7406522870532677656aolmailmsonormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was knocked unconscious from the impact of the accident. God sent a paramedic to the scene of the crash who knew my mom. When they removed the lap belt, blood went everywhere and they realized there were extensive internal injuries they had not anticipated. The other paramedics did not think there was any hope for me, but the man who knew my mom said, “I cannot tell her mom we didn’t even try to save her daughter.” </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In that instant, rather than transporting me to the local hospital with no trauma center, I was placed into the life flight with my friend who was driving that night. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Along the way to Morgantown, they repeatedly used the defibrillator on me. God intervened supernaturally in my life by sending one paramedic to speak up and then several others to help save my life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once I arrived at the trauma center, the medical team performed 8 hours of emergency surgery. They removed half of both sets of my “mangled intestines” which amounted to over 20 feet. <u></u><u></u>When my parents arrived at the hospital, they were taken into a small room and met my attending physician. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He said, ''There's a really sick girl in there. We have her in an induced coma and we do not know the extent of her injuries.'' My daddy said, ''the physician we believe in cannot use your hands if you are in here. Just update us every hour.'' The next day they told my parents they were not sure I would be able to have children because of all of the internal trauma. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My injuries were extensive and multiple surgeries were required. When it was all said and done, I had 54 staples in my abdomen. Do you remember the prayer I prayed every night for so many years, the prayer for getting my stomach stapled? Apparently, God decided to give me what I’d asked for so many times! UNBELIEVABLE!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I endured multiple scar revisions and several surgeries to remove adhesions over the next ten years </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to ensure my scars would not bust and bleed if I were blessed to have babies. I remember as a 16 year old my prayers changing from having my stomach stapled to being able to have babies someday. Praise the Lord I was able to have two healthy boys naturally. God is good! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you look at the facts, I should not be here today. I should not be a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, or a leader in a mom’s group at my church. But God was not finished with me.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Romans <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_492073989" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:28</span></span> reads:<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span><i>And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose</i>.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am incredibly grateful to God for saving me that night. Even though I continue to struggle daily with chronic pain, I know His strength is sufficient because I have been carried through every storm by His matchless grace.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My desire to honor Jesus, serve Him, obey Him and follow Him has only increased as a result of a tragic accident. I’ve discovered that when you physically cannot get out of bed, you gain new appreciation for little things. You feel triumphant when you finally get out of bed! When you stay awake longer than you did the day prior. When you take less pain meds than you needed on previous days. <u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, 23 years later, there are days when I struggle with pain so great I still need to stay in bed all day, or at the very least part of the day. I no longer need the pain meds yet I still need the rest. I just took the boys to Universal Studios for Spring Break. The last night there (and several days after) Iwas incredibly sick. I was a single mom on the trip because my husband couldn't join us, so I pushed through and then I crashed HARD when I got home. I slept 14 hours but it was worth it! Rather than allowing my chronic pain to cause bitterness, I’ve come to see this as a gift Jesus has given me to be able to read, to rest, to write, to trust and to be obedient—in other words, a chance to spend more time with Him. I know how to listen to my body and to what God is telling me to do and my job is to obey. James 4:8 reads:<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Come near to God and He will come near to you.</i><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />An accident that changed my life actually<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span><i>gave<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span></i>me my life. At the age of sixteen, God answered my prayers in a way I didn’t anticipate and then set me on a path that has allowed me to learn what I most needed to understand—and that is how<span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span><i>He</i><span class="m_7406522870532677656apple-converted-space"> </span>sees me. He has shown me what a precious gift this life is and how grateful I should be for every single breath I take! Something so easily taken for granted as the ability to walk to a bathroom without my sister’s help or the accompanying struggles with an IV caddy became cause for celebration. The way I viewed the people in my life and learned that they are gifts to me—along with so many other lessons that have come by way of what seemed such an unfortunate event, have made me marvel. My tragic accident was the catalyst God used to make me a grateful person.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfully God has blocked the memories from that night for me; however, being a passenger in a moving vehicle can still be very uncomfortable, especially when it rains. But I have chosen to trust Jesus with all of the details of my life as I learned without a doubt that He has me here for a reason. He could have called me home that night. My outward appearance coupled with my internal injuries on the scene gave all indications that my earthly time was over, but God was not finished with me yet and I know I will be here as long as I have a purpose and someday when He’s ready, He will welcome me home. <i>The Lord will fulfill His purpose for my life. — </i>Psalm 138:8<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />As we continue to spend time with God and in His Word, He changes us—to become more like HIM. Truthfully, we simply cannot spend time with Him, hear his Word, know Him better, love Him more and stay the same, can we? At the core of it all, isn't that why we’re here? To be transformed by Him! More of Him and less of me—this is the defining principle of my life now.<u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I had it to do ALL over again, I would get in that car again. I would still choose the back middle seat that only had a lap seat belt option. I would endure all of this again because it has brought me to my knees in desperation for Jesus over and over and over again. I am a better wife because of it. I am a better mom because of it. I am a better friend because of it. I am following hard after Jesus because of it. I started my personal relationship with Jesus almost one year to the day of my accident. I have grown so much more in 23 years since Jesus saved my life. I am healthier now than I have ever been....physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. To God be the Glory. I am still a broken mess in need of grace, yet God is so good to offer new mercies everyday. <u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God's Word promises to feed us before he leads us. God sees each of us in the midst of our messes and He hears us! <u></u><u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My prayer is that you’ll finish reading my story with a renewed desire to dig deep into the truth of His Word. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. He will amaze you. Your story is YOUR story: and it is most likely nothing like mine. But you have a purpose if you’re still here, too—and you’re uniquely and wonderfully made with your own story that needs to be shared.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we celebrate Easter </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_492073990" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204 , 204 , 204); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, I reflect on a Savior who conquered death and the grave. A Savior who is mighty to save. He hears, knows, cares and loves us perfectly. If you don’t know Him, there is no better time than today to give Him your heart and life, because in an instant, everything can change. We are not promised </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_492073991" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204 , 204 , 204); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. I realized that 23 years ago and I pray for you that it doesn’t take a tragedy for you to realize this. All of us must know what we believe, why we believe it and have faith that is founded and rooted in God's Word so that when our earthly purpose is complete we are ready to stand before the One who paid in full the debt we owe for our sins. May He be faithful to challenge us all to remember the brevity of this life in contrast with the matchless, endless, glorious time we will enjoy with Him when we’ve breathed our last breath. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God bless your journey, and may it be filled with Him.</span></span></div>
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Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-62733833443981633902016-12-19T09:30:00.001-08:002021-12-17T04:31:33.841-08:00The BEST Gift for Your Child...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4JbIssS07P4/WFgYiM-0sYI/AAAAAAAAAmw/tpDSrREzH8cnatlCjfBKjm_t3fVyt3tpgCLcB/s1600/gifts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4JbIssS07P4/WFgYiM-0sYI/AAAAAAAAAmw/tpDSrREzH8cnatlCjfBKjm_t3fVyt3tpgCLcB/s400/gifts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">The BEST Gift for Your Child at Christmas (or anytime)!</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">I am a mom and grandmother, not a child rearing professional or psychologist, so let me preface this by stating that my thoughts are born from personal experience with my children and grandchildren and from many years of conversation with the parents of children I've watched grow into adulthood. The successes of friends and family (and some admitted failures) prompt this post, and while not comprehensive, I hope you'll find some helpful thoughts during this family focused, child-centric season of joy. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">Your children are the greatest gift from God you'll receive apart from your salvation. They have been entrusted to you alone to shepherd their hearts and give them what they most need, but before we discuss what that is, let's talk about what it is not:</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">1. <b>Stuff.</b> Your children need your love, time and attention, not the trappings of this world and its counterfeit imitations that will never be sufficient to replace intentional investment in the training of their minds and spirits. Giving gifts at Christmas is a joy, but "things" will never be an appropriate substitute for time spent with them. To a kid, time equals love and memories of special moments will remain when a toy has been tossed, replaced, donated, or forgotten.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">2. <b>Constant Structured Activity</b>. If you think your little ones need to be busy with some sort of organized event (sport, lesson, group) for the MAJORITY of their waking hours lest they become bored (or worse, delinquent) you may be unwittingly preventing one of the paramount prizes of healthy childhood: unleashed imagination. The ability to play in the realm of the imaginary is fleeting. This season of life offers your child the opportunity to explore possibilities in their minds that may become realities in the future in the way of discovery, investigation, and invention. Don't allow these precious people to grow up without ample time for imaginative play without grown-up organization, structure, or interference. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">3. <b>All the Devices</b>. Most of the parents I know are aware enough of the dangers of this to monitor screen time. But if your child is begging, pleading, or bemoaning the fact that he is the only kid without a smart phone (ipad, etc.) and you are tempted to give in, let me ask you to prayerfully consider risking their present disappointment for their future mental health. To put it simply: do not allow your child to become part of a dangerous experiment. If they are getting a device, make sure you’re prepared to set limits and to oversee its usage with diligence. Allowing a screen (even if it's your television) to babysit children is tempting but we all know that unsupervised access to the internet, gaming or tv can be a recipe for disaster. Today’s, scientific evidence proves that young brains are rewired and negatively affected by constant connectivity to screens. The current and prevailing information is troubling at best, horrifying at worst. Let me encourage you to love them enough to say no even if you're accused of being the worst, most evil parent in the world. The Silicon Valley parents who create much of these technologies don’t let their kids use it according to a recent report. Maybe we should take the hint.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">4. <b>The Authority. </b> You are the parent. Each time this role is reversed, whether from guilt, exhaustion, frustration, or weakness, your child assumes a position that puts him in an improper place in your family. When you as the mom fail to exercise your duty to command and demand, to discipline and train, you may one day suffer the heartache that seems to plague too many parents of adult children today. The immediate ramifications of the abdication of your designated role may be that others see your young children as unruly (or worse, bratty) but future problems may be even more troubling. The child who is able to rule his home's roost often becomes the adult who expects the world to revolve around him. He might adopt the posture of the entitled, demanding adult who is incapable of dealing with disappointments, set-backs, or trials with healthy competence. He will thank you later (and you won’t regret it.) Trust me on this one.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">So what do they most need? They need to know that <b>they are third</b> in your life. (Second if you are a single parent.) The best gift you can give your child at Christmas (or any time of the year) is a healthy awareness that your primary devotion is to God and that you are seeking after Him, loving Him and following Him with your whole heart. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">Next, they must know that your relationship with their father or mother comes before their wishes, wants and needs. You and the other parent are a unified team. Simply stated, you need to work together in concert to lead and love them well. When you disagree on discipline or any other parenting matter, you do them a great service to have these conversations privately. Deciding how to proceed without their awareness is crucial in preventing their knowledge that one of you may be more inclined to leniency than the other. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">It is inevitable that these circumstances will arise, but we do our children no favors if they think they can play one parent against the other to manipulate or control outcomes. This is especially difficult in divorce or widow situations and my prayers go out to those parents who find themselves feeling alone in this battle--but remember this, you are never alone if you are following Christ. God will give you strength, wisdom and help-- as scripture states, He is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">As you prepare for celebrating all the joys of the Christmas season, remember this: along with the child whose birth we celebrate (and hopefully keep at the forefront of all that we do as Christians) your children are also God's precious gift to you. They did not ask to be born and they are completely reliant on your judgment, patience, persistence and restraint. </div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">So give them the best gift imaginable this year--supreme devotion to the role of parenting them with truth, grace and gratitude for the treasure they are, and steadfast determination to point them to the only One in whom they will find purpose and peace, Jesus.</div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto">Merry Christmas!</div><div dir="auto">Love,</div><div dir="auto">Nana</div></div></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-family: Quicksand;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-61509451037764911212016-06-01T11:57:00.000-07:002016-06-01T11:57:37.444-07:00Old Woman Wednesday... Say What? How? Why? <div class="_1dwg _1w_m" style="padding: 12px 12px 0px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak..." Matthew 12:36</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">*Note: I recently shared this post with the moms I mentor and decided to include it here for those who aren't in our mom's group. </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The availability of articles and blog posts spouting opinions of every "expert" on every conceivable topic has never been greater.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What troubles me almost as much as the Biblically unsound nature of so much of what I see and read these days is the lack of decorum and civility and/or the excessive use of sarcasm among those who DO claim to be Christ followers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The art of simple, courteous communication or debate is gradually disappearing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Three things come to my mind as cautions and reminders that I hope you may find helpful even if you find me old fashioned and out of touch.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Sometimes clever speech or witty writing conceals an underlying lack of wise counsel. Pray for a mind that is able to detect the subtle distortions of Biblical truth before sharing or liking something just because its over all premise, headline (or shock value) is appealing to the flesh. Discernment is a gift available to anyone who asks God for it and seeks it like the treasure it is. ("Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1; and... "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. We are God's witnesses to this world of the redeeming, transforming work of Jesus Christ. He is serious about this and about his reputation. Forbid it Lord that we would be quick to forget this--or worse, not care. When we read an opinion piece that we know is Biblically wrong or is conveyed in a manner that is inconsistent for a professing Christ follower, we should feel free to respond if prompted, but always in the posture of a king's daughter-- never mirroring the poor soul who has "never tasted and seen that The Lord is good." God's reminder to us is that "Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster." (Proverbs 10:14) and we are to "...revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3: 15-16)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Remember the children. They know what we like, laugh at, and talk about, and it is of great importance and interest to them! They hear when we resort to snark, gossip, sarcasm and criticism-- and they will always accept sincerely given apologies when we fail in any of these ways and acknowledge that our words were wrong. When we speak, read or write, do it not only with our LORD and those within our sphere of influence who are unbelievers in mind, keep the little ones in mind so that one day they will rise up and call us blessed. (Proverbs 31:28)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We have been given some crystal clear communication warnings and guidelines in scripture. These are a few especially compelling verses to consider as we weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the information that crosses our paths and how we respond, speak or write about the observations we make in any given day:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.Ephesians 4: 29</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">.<i>..What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1: 26</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. Proverbs 15: 1-2</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness...2 Timothy 2: 16</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(in reference to our tongue) <i>With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3: 9-10</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love the written and spoken word. Sadly, I've abused or misused both at different times in my past. I've confessed these sins and have been shown mercy that only a gracious and loving Father would grant. I hope my own admission and experience, along with these sobering verses, will spare many of you the need for confession of your own communication carelessness on the day you meet Jesus face to face.</span></div>
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Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-5147369830994068822015-12-31T11:50:00.000-08:002016-01-01T06:01:03.460-08:00saying goodbye...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;">Adios! Ciao! </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;">Tinkunanchiskama! Kwaheri! Au revoir! Moikka! Dag! Ma3 el saleme! Zbogom! Sayonara!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Goodbye.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No matter the language, saying farewell to something or someone is significant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today, I say, "so long" to the calendar year </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">2015</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This year has been filled with celebrations, commemorations and tribulations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In April, I celebrated my sister and new brother-in-law's </span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Commitment</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> by throwing them a </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><i><u><span style="color: #741b47;">surprise</span></u></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> wedding on her birthday. Yes, you read that right!</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5_yNk8YvI0/VoVXGTqTWLI/AAAAAAAAAkE/zZ8b5bK3ZtU/s1600/11180586_10206576181067123_1211842792_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5_yNk8YvI0/VoVXGTqTWLI/AAAAAAAAAkE/zZ8b5bK3ZtU/s640/11180586_10206576181067123_1211842792_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. and Mrs. Ray and Kathie Douglas</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> She thought she was coming to a birthday party in her honor, but oh how right (and wrong) she was as it turned out. </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmtWBOIcvvg/VoVW688is7I/AAAAAAAAAj8/G5IVyRNpJ6g/s1600/11187431_10206581963491680_1224128208_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmtWBOIcvvg/VoVW688is7I/AAAAAAAAAj8/G5IVyRNpJ6g/s200/11187431_10206581963491680_1224128208_o.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">surprise wedding!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not something I would recommend in most cases because us girls generally prefer knowing the day and time we'll be saying, "I do," but in this instance it couldn't have worked out better because Kathie was growing increasingly frustrated with trying to figure out logistics, work schedules, dates, etc., so we just made it happen for her and she was an ecstatic, gorgeous, glowing bride. (For those who are cringing as you read this, the groom knew and was helpfully, eagerly onboard!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I celebrated our country's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>independence</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> by going to a 4th of July parade in the neighborhood I grew up in, followed by an evening fireworks display that would be hard to top except that my son and his friend Jason are already working on what they claim will be epic in 2016, the Red, White and BrOOMe spectacular! I can only imagine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I celebrated my </span><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">mother's</span></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> 80th birthday. To say she is the world's best mom may seem cliche' because so many people can say the same about the woman who sacrificed, sweated, served and loved them as well, but there really are few people I've known who devoted more of her "all" to the role than Carolyn. </span></span><br />
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Maybe the proof is in the pudding--her whole family marked the momentous occasion by taking vacation time from work and responsibilities just to spend the day with and say thank you to one who has been far too often under appreciated. Mom, I'm so thankful for you and wish you many more healthy years because you bless us all so!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I commemorated the 5th year anniversary of my </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>dad's graduation</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> to heaven in August. </span><br />
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As grateful as I am for the promise of a future reunion someday, there are times when I just need to ask his advice or hear him sing "Happy Birthday!" like only he could when that day rolls around for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He may be gone, but is never forgotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Interspersed between and beyond these events, I </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>celebrated</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> the joys of being Nana to seven of earth's most delightful kids and was thrilled to discover that an eighth one would grace us with his presence in 2016. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I </span><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">wept</span></i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> over the reports of national and world tragedies when, for reasons that are incomprehensible to me, evil terrorists killed strangers and themselves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>prayed</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> for friends and family who were enduring trials that would test the mightiest and bravest. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And at this year's end, I had the sweetest privilege of watching five of my grandchildren portray the nativity scene from the book of Luke in scripture as we opened our soon-to-be-home to friends and family for an inaugural Christmas celebration there. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Live Nativity 2015</td></tr>
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The children planned, prayed and performed with great anticipation giving serious attention to accuracy in their reenactment of this most sacred historical event. Moments like these are made for Kleenex if you're a doting grandmother, and I confess I did require one or two. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Through every high and low of 2015, I've seen the hand of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>God </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">at work. Each new day has offered me the opportunity to make much of Him-- and every single failure to do just that reminds me that His grace is </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>immeasurable</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">, </span><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">undeserved </span></i></b><span style="font-size: large;">and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>unfathomable</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;">Our word "goodbye" comes from the Old English </span><em style="line-height: 21.762176513671875px;">God þē mid sīe</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;"> which means "God be with you."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My prayer as this year ends is that He will be. And that you (and I) will wholeheartedly be </span><i style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;">with Him. </i></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lord may we follow you with undivided minds and surrendered hearts for you are</span><span style="font-size: large;"> The Way, The Truth and The Life, and in You alone we live, breathe and have our being. Amen. </span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.762176513671875px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!</span></span></span></div>
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: center;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>2 Corinthians 2:14</i></span></span></h1>
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<span class="text 2Cor-2-14" id="en-ESV-28822" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>But <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28822A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28822A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>thanks be to God, who in Christ always <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28822B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28822B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28822C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28822C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.</i></span></span></div>
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Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-89398102086469096192015-11-26T19:04:00.001-08:002015-11-26T19:04:42.340-08:00~thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">To my friends who are both grateful and sad today because a seat(s) at your table is missing someone special -- aren't we among the most blessed to know (or have known) the company of people so wonderful that their absence leaves a void? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Today, I pray we are (or will become) people who love and live in ways that would make others want to share a meal and do life with us in honor of their example or legacy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"You are loved with an everlasting love, and underneath are the everlasting arms."</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-32967200563452192352015-11-18T12:28:00.000-08:002015-11-18T14:21:48.471-08:00sneaky devil...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For days now we've all seen it--hundreds of social media messages about how a true Christian must respond to the immigrant crisis after the Paris attacks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Some have called for unrestricted admittance for any and all who request asylum, some have called for restricted, closed borders and others have proposed that we carefully vet and then admit refugees into the country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've read every post I've seen on all sides of this debate. At this point, I think I have a solution <em>and a discovery</em> that I haven't read elsewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The discovery: our adversary the devil has done something so deviously deceptive we might too easily miss the obvious. He is pitting Christian against Christian. It's brilliant scheme actually, one worthy of a C.S. Lewis novel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Men and women we've admired and respected are communicating opposing views on how to proceed. News outlets spout data and quote sources to support their narrative and agendas. Friends post statuses, share stories and make points and counterpoints sometimes contentiously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most of us regular people ingest, regurgitate and make up our minds based on who we think is most trustworthy and/or wise and then ascend to our own lofty perch to take our personal, righteous stand. We are all right, the other side is all wrong, and that is that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But is it? I am not saying that honest disagreement is wrong. I am saying however, that disagreeing the wrong way is wrong. When I forget that my warfare is not against flesh and blood and begin feeling enmity toward a fellow believer because of his or her views, the true enemy celebrates his triumph. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Which brings me to the solution I mentioned earlier. What if we all got down on our literal knees and asked God to forgive and direct us <em>after</em> we confess to Him that we don't deserve one ounce of mercy and <em>after </em>we admit our personal complicity and idolatry? What if? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can only wonder because I don't think it will happen until we are brought to the end of ourselves. Must horrific tragedy hit closer to home again before we recognize this battle for what it actually is? Will we have to be brought down before we look up? What will it take for us to genuinely humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The privilege of living in this nation has been a gift that most of us are recipients of by providence. But this is not our home. It's our testing ground, our dress rehearsal stage, our temporary abode. When we make it to our forever home we'll all give an account for this life. Will we have faithfully contended for the gospel and obeyed its mandates? Will we have fulfilled the greatest command to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself?" I wonder. I hope. Maranatha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">ADDENDUM: Someone I love very much and who knows where I land on this subject pointed out that what I personally believe to be the prudent and wise response to this crisis may not be evident in this post. I wrote this originally not to share my own opinion about what should be done by our leaders, but because I was burdened last night after a conversation with a young woman who mentioned being troubled by the opinions expressed by a very well known blogger that she has admired and followed and because of so many varied and sometimes angry exchanges on the topic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">The young woman I talked to last evening had the right attitude, she was not angry, she was grieved and disappointed. That is where I find myself today, grieved and disappointed by the enemy's cunning deception and success at pitting us against one another. I want to be certain that nothing I write adds to the confusion or division. I believe there is a right response, and that loving our neighbor is <em>always</em> right, but many opinion pieces seem to have implied that there is only one way love can be expressed and with that assertion I disagree without animosity, but with sincere conviction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">I also wrote this post because at its core, all of these problems boil down to sin for which a personal and collective confession is in order. May God be honored and may we all pray like we never have for His covering, guidance and forgiveness. Blessings~</span><br />
Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-68871222612547935602015-09-11T07:31:00.002-07:002015-12-21T08:40:10.132-08:009/11 Looking Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">9/11/01 - </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">A day that united us as a nation by tragedy, did not wield the power to keep us unified. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">So here we are 14 years removed living in a world filled with violence, hatred, murders and war. Yes, there are glimpses of good stories interspersed between the volumes of disturbing news reports, yet they seem increasingly less dominant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Maybe that terrible day, when skin colors were concealed by tower dust and rescuers sacrificed their own lives for strangers, and the world (not just our nation) grieved and denounced the gutless actions of a few insane monsters, we saw a veiled glimpse of heaven's promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">But today, the wars and rumors of war continue, and the evil in the hearts of men seems ever increasing. CNN reported yesterday that Iran's Ayatollah promises that Israel will not be here in 25 years. When news stories that are reported today were written about 2000+ years ago, it gives pause, doesn't it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">So, on this somber anniversary, I choose to remember the promise of a new world of peace and I will heed the call to "look up! for our redemption draws near!" <span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/luke21?source=feed_text&story_id=10153739000472873" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"></a>Luke 21:28</span></span></div>
Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-30197804641267255492015-07-24T13:20:00.000-07:002015-07-24T19:25:50.250-07:00I See Dying People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My heart is broken for those who lost loved ones in the recent Charleston, Chattanooga and Louisiana tragedies. As in times past when such senseless things have happened, I've prayed for those left behind who will be forever bereaved. I've also mourned the loss of what once was a less scary time to live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I grieve for my children and what this means for them in terms of explanation and precaution as they teach their little ones to be on guard and aware of their surroundings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grandchildren will grow up in an era that mandates vigilance because someone in the same public place may have no regard for his (or her) own life and might decide to do the unthinkable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not a sociologist or psychologist, but I'm fascinated by people, trends and statistics. I do a good bit of reading and wondering, praying and pondering, and as I reflect on these most recent events I may have an explanation for the actions of these evil individuals: hopeless, miserable people want others to suffer alongside them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've heard it all our lives, "misery loves company." Death is the final victory of the enemy of mankind, and if someone hates his own life, there is just one reason: he doesn't know how precious he is to the One who created him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many hyperintelligent secular humanists loathe the notion that religion is the answer. Since I am neither, and am devout in my faith, it may be surprising to learn that I agree with them. At least in the sense that many and varied dangerous <em>things</em> fall under the banner of "religion" or "the religious."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From religious zealot extremists who think they are doing their god a favor by offing masses of people, to the misguided adherents of very theologically and Biblically unsound cultish sects, there have been disturbing and heinous acts committed in the name of religion. It would be disingenuous for any person of faith to ignore this, and yet we're often tongue-tied when it comes to offering a reasoned response.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My attempt may miserably fail, but here goes. Those of us who have been transformed by the wonder working, awe inspiring, soul redeeming grace of God may not be serious enough about the mandate we've been given to love others out of the darkness. We have so much more than<em> religion</em> to offer, we can promise them personal <em>relationship</em> with The Almighty through his Son, Jesus Christ. And if received, it will be transforming. Heart changing. Death defeating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday, my daughter-in-law and her mom took the time to dialog with an individual who was so broken, so completely hopeless, that he was considering running into the highway traffic to end his life. They offered him living water. And truth. And love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This divine appointment took place before last night's theater shooting, but it has made me question whether Louisiana and Charleston and Chattanooga and Columbine and Paducah and Aurora and 9/11 might have been prevented if a genuinely redeemed Christian's life had purposefully intersected with those who carried out these monstrous acts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm haunted by the realization that my course has often collided head on with hopeless people, yet I've failed to stop and offer truth and love and provision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My prayer is that God uses these terrible events to awaken those who share my conviction that we have the solution to what ails every broken life--and that we will determine to be about the business of caring enough to share the message that resurrects and restores, redeems and transforms. In memory of those who died--we must.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>~The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26492A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26492A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and have it to the full.~ John 10:10</em></span></span></blockquote>
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Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-91689979520754108842015-06-30T13:36:00.003-07:002015-06-30T19:11:42.434-07:00and the winner is.... LOVE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I know a man who uses illegal drugs and has abdicated his role as husband, father and son as a result of his addiction. I love him, but I do not agree with his choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I have a friend who chose abortion because she was scared--and because having a baby was going to mess up her life. I love her deeply, but I could not support her decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I know a person who is having an affair with a married man. She was also married when this fling began. They have children who are hurting. I love her, but they are breaking my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">A former coworker was arrested for possessing child pornography. Later I discovered he had also molested kids. I love him, but I am horrified by what he did to his victims.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I am also closely acquainted with a wretched woman who has committed deeds worthy of death and even though I am repulsed by many of her choices, I love her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Loving someone does not mandate approval or agreement with the things they do (or did). It never has. But the pervasive insistence that it does, particularly in recent debates over the Supreme Court decision about gay marriage is disturbing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I am a student of scripture and a professing Christian. Many of my friends and colleagues hold doctorates in theology, religion and Christian studies. They are far better equipped to speak on this subject than I will ever be, and many have persuasively addressed why marriage cannot be defined by man (or the court). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">As I've read dozens of posts and articles that support my own Biblical understanding however, one thing is glaringly evident in the comments section. There are now scores of well-educated, "expert" voices who dissent and disparage the previously universally accepted interpretation of Biblical texts related to homosexual sin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">These writers have sacrificed the scholarship of a millennia + of brilliant thinkers on the altar of changing times and their greater enlightenment and intelligence, and yet in truth, there is nothing new under the sun. Ours is not the first society to attempt to "put asunder" what God ordained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">So what is someone like me to do about those who maintain that if I do not support something I believe to be prohibited, I am not loving?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">First, I will love them anyway. Even if they loathe me and my theology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Second, I will ask them a question. Are you willing to concede that I may be right? If their answer is, "Never!" or "No!" then I must point out that they are as narrow minded (and unloving?) as they perceive me to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">When civil discourse is stifled and allegations of lovelessness and hate are the weaponry of choice by either side, love loses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I don't know a single person who is <em>genuinely</em> committed to Christ who cannot (or will not) with the aid of God's Holy Spirit, love those with whom we principally disagree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">So here is my manifesto: I concede that those who share my theological interpretation will never <strong><em>argue </em></strong>anyone (professing Christian, atheist, or agnostic) into agreement, and I will not engage in uncivil, unholy discourse in an attempt to <strong><em>win</em></strong> you over to my side. There is just too much at stake here for us to be at war with one another. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I cannot control how you treat me and those like me who disagree with the belief that marriage is something that can be redefined by man, but I would remind you that if your motto is "love wins," please be cognizant of that slogan when you engage me in discussion. I will do the same in response.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">On both sides of this issue there have been hyperbolic allegations, assaults and accusations. What is accomplished by all of this? Love's defeat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Can love win? I think so. Will it? I'm not sure. At least not in this realm of existence apart from a God-wrought miracle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">But, if we <em>all</em> decide to <em><strong>think </strong></em>as much as we <em><strong>feel</strong></em> and are willing to do a little dying to <strong><em>self, </em></strong>maybe, just maybe, we will see something amazing happen. Love might actually win. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">Oh, and that wretched woman I mentioned earlier, it's me. You probably guessed already. I candidly confess I'm no different than any other sin-stained rebel who needs grace. No matter how strong we all appear externally, we're weaklings when faced with temptations that gratify our insatiable appetite for self-fulfillment and our own personal glory. This universal condition is common to all regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. But when God's amazing grace is applied to genuine repentance of acknowledged sin, its yield is <strong><em>always</em></strong> love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I'm still quite imperfect, but perfectly, eternally redeemed. And there is plenty more of that priceless commodity called grace to go around. The cleansing consequence of the application of Jesus Christ's righteous blood is the cancellation of sin that erupts from grateful hearts like a love volcano. His Winning Love. Supernatural. Unquenchable. Unstoppable. Unparalleled. Eternal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">I need it. Desperately. Do you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">One final thought for my friends and family who are practicing homosexuals. You are precious to God and to me. I hope what I've written convinces you that I recognize our similarities. If you've failed to understand that my disagreement with you on this issue will never (and has never) prevented me from loving you, you've completely missed my point. But if by God's grace you're still reading, my sincere hope is that you'll love me back, because in that case, love does win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-59988684269233632162015-06-19T05:53:00.002-07:002015-06-20T12:31:53.449-07:00On Charleston, Shootings, Dylann Roof and Motherhood...<div style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a "mom mentor" at my church. Each month, a group of 30-50 young women who adore their children gather to discuss the joys and challenges associated with bringing up kids. They share one common goal--to finish this parenthood thing well. They hope that when they gently nudge their sparrows from the nest their little worm-eaters will soar.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So they pray. They read. They study. They invest. And they pray some more. They seek wisdom from others and from God's Word. They believe these little people are not accidents that happened along their life's road, they're blessings bestowed to help them learn the deeper truths about their own nature.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And by learning, I mean being stretched. Like rubber bands. Like Gumby. It isn't easy being a mother. A mom is "the one and only," for what can sometimes feel like forever. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is mom who tiptoes out of bed at night to nurse an infant. Mom strokes little heads and rubs little backs to console a wounded heart. Mom makes sandwiches, packs lunches, taxi's to lessons and practices, social events and church. Mom wears many hats and sometimes tumbles into bed at night with little recollection of anything she did for herself that day.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some dads are exceptionally involved in many of these duties as well. And they should be--but at the end of the day, "MOM!" is usually the first cry of a child in trouble. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each time her little love leaves the house a part of her heart walks out the door. A mother's love is a peculiar thing, for when it is functions as intended--as ordained--it is unmatched. And it is this love that mirrors and reflects the heart of God for people, and it is in this role that we best grasp an overwhelming sense of our value to our Creator.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This brings me to my reason for writing everything you just read. Yesterday, a 21 year old man (who barely looks 15) was captured after massacring a group of Christians assembled to pray at their church. This man, this "monster," had a mother. At this point I have not heard from her or seen anything about her, but I am haunted by the idea that somewhere along the way something went terribly wrong in his home and life.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How does hatred of this magnitude manifest itself in one so young? How does lack of regard or concern or compassion for human life become so dominant that a weapon and an opportunity translate into tragedy the scope of which is unbearably horrifying?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When a family abdicates its responsibility to teach, model and demonstrate love, it seems likely that the children of those circumstances might be broken, wounded or challenged. But murderers? Cold-blooded haters? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The act this young man committed was madness. But it had a beginning. Sometime in his past, warning signs were ignored. Or worse, he was actually taught to be angry and violent, hate-filled and evil.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Either way, my thoughts return to mothers. Those of us who love our children are probably thinking at least two primary things as we reflect on this tragedy: 1. God help the mothers (and families) of every victim--and please protect my own children from evil-doers like Dylann Roof; and 2. Where was his mother?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I have prayed for all who are bereaved in Charleston, I am reminded that all of us mothers are raising children in a very broken world. Our children, thanks to 24 hour news and social media, are growing up aware that they could be gunned down while praying at church, or eating at a restaurant, or sitting in a classroom. This is not the world I grew up in--this is not a world we want for our children or grandchildren. And yet, it is our (and their) reality.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are many things we might blame for this. Bad parenting. Social Media misuse and abuse. Video Games. Television. Movies. Stories/books that fuel ignorance and hatred. Guns, Weapons. But there is only one real culprit. Sin. The evil act committed against an assembled group of people in Charleston was nothing more, nothing less than the darkest, deadliest form of sin.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realize that some who read this will not share my belief in scripture, and yet I challenge those who don't to sit down and actually read it (not a commentary, or a devotional, but THE Bible) before dismissing my premise and here's why. There are many verses that assert the fact that once humans chose rejection rather than fellowship with God, we were given over to our own true nature: Selfishness. Which, when you think about it, really is the source of all sin. We want what WE THINK is best for US--for our purposes, ideals, ideas and ambitions. Sin looks an awful lot like narcissistic selfishness. And that is exactly what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's more: in John 10:10 we read the words of Jesus. He said that there is a thief (enemy/satan/sin-stirrer-upper) who has one ambition: to steal, kill and destroy. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later, that same dastardly devil is referenced in 1 Peter 5:8 where we read: "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two days ago, young Dylann did the devil's work. And he did it pretty well. And as a mother, this cuts to the core of everything within me because there is no greater horror I can imagine than for one human to be so hate-filled he intentionally ends the life of another. So what now? What do we tell our own kids who are afraid because they are growing up in a world where they may encounter others like him?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We tell them truth. This world is broken and they are not safe--not in the sense that we'd prefer. But they can be. It is possible to be safe in an emotional sense, a spiritual sense--in an ETERNAL sense. Earlier I referenced John 10:10, but I left out half of it. It's a promise from Jesus, God's Son, who overcame everything ugly and sinful and evil. Here are His words: "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The news is tragic. The horror is real. But our children--with the right combination of prayer, love, and leading, can know a peace that overcomes this world's woes. They can have life "to the full," in spite of the reality that there are devils lurking out there. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This "fullness" comes in the form of supernatural peace in the heart that understands this world is not our real home. Knowing, trusting, believing that every victim of yesterday's bullets has graduated from this life to glory--to a place where there will never be another angry, demonic, evil, act, and where only love, joy, blessings and abundance are the reality-- is the hope that affords peace when it cannot be found otherwise. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heaven is not a myth--it is a real place promised to those who have surrendered their selfishness to follow The Lord during this brief and temporary time here among the broken. It has no ugliness. No racism. No sickness. No sin. No sorrow. And it is an unmatched place of perfect peace and brilliant displays of the majestic.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moms--let this terrible event remind us that our first, our greatest goal must be preparing our children for the inevitable. One day--hopefully after they have lived a long, healthy, joyous life-- they will face death. We will have fulfilled our main and primary purpose if we have communicated to them how to be ready.</span></div>
Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7465885320541405507.post-44047836738240649172015-06-04T06:15:00.001-07:002015-06-04T06:26:04.658-07:00Bad News But...<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>DAILY I hear stories of:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Sickness.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Sorrow.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Injustice.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Misery.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Inhumanity.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Suffering.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>This world's woes are many. Each day's news is hard. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Glimpses of glorious beauty- goodness- treasure - are often buried beneath the topsoil of this earth's hideous headlines.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>So we mine. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>We sift.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>We think.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>We believe-- there must be more.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>GOD.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Hunger.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Longing. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>REVELATION: What He planned originally is NOT what has become.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>SIN.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>SEPARATION.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i> yet POSSIBLY</i></span><i>…</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>REUNION!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>RESTORATION!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>REDEMPTION!</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>RESURRECTION -- of hope. peace. perspective. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">through </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">JESUS CHRIST</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">who BLED</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> SUFFERED</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> DIED</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> ROSE</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> and CONQUERED</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> the WORST NEWS: DEATH.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i> HE paid sin's incalculable DEBT </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">so that all who wave the white (</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">SELF-SAVIOUR</span><span style="font-size: large;">) flag in </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">genuine contrition, repentance, faith-</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i> may KNOW HIS</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">GRACE</span></i><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>FORGIVENESS</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>LIFE</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i> and this is the </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Good News </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>that overshadows everything bad.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.</span></span></div>
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<span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">John 16:33</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span>Sandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12847409719013680792noreply@blogger.com0