tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507427982730949142023-11-16T04:46:33.954-06:002/3 of GOD is GOLet me tell you what great things God is doing!Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-64411625890277129982018-08-14T12:51:00.000-05:002018-08-14T13:47:05.316-05:00Pray for the Teachers<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Finish the sentence. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sending my kids off to
Kindergarten is…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Crazy</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Exciting</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Scary</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wonderful</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fearful</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Motivating</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Freeing</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And most importantly one of
the many WEANINGS we will experience as Mothers. Weaning is when we
manage without something we have been strongly influenced by or accustomed to.
It is a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Dr. Ed Robb III
says, “Change can take our breath away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let us remember to learn to wait on God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because God has a
plan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wean our children in each and
every season of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weaning is an
opportunity for us to step out into faith. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My plea to you. Please pray
fervently for your children's teachers. Your children are put above our very
own kids, day in and day out. You are letting go of your children at 5,
sometimes 6 YEARS old. We left the children we birthed, when they were 6 WEEKS
old, so that we could instead spend the day with YOUR child. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sending my kids off at 6 weeks’
old was…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Painful</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fearful</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Scary</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Heart wrenching</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But also a weaning--an
opportunity for me to step out in faith and be part of Gods plan. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">'For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt
to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.'" </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Leviticus 11:45</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While you went to Meet the
Teacher with your Kindergartner, we missed our own childs Meet the Teacher,
because we were meeting your child. By the time we got home, our children
were already in bed asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left for
work, before our children were awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While your child enjoys a
come and go, and you can spend time with the other Moms, my child is dropped
off and picked up by someone else, because I am in the classroom with your
children. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While you hope your children
will like their lunch, we hope our children take the bottle. You hope you made
enough lunch, we wonder if can we pump enough, and will the school we teach at
accommodate us, so that our children are fed too. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While you pack your childs
backpack, we pack a diaper bag, hoping we sent the right spare and needed
items. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When my children ask why I
wasn’t at XYZ, I have to explain to them, that I was with YOUR children. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While you say goodbye, I
just did too…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The real difference is, I on
the other hand have the PLEASURE of saying Hello, every single day, to your
children. THANK YOU Moms, for entrusting the care of your babies in my hands! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My plea to you, pray for my
family too. We are also weaning, stepping out in faith, so that we too can be a
part of Gods plan. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">'Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!
Your request is granted."’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew
15:28</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-87651196192518347092016-08-15T15:07:00.000-05:002016-08-15T15:07:07.800-05:00VBS 2016--Submerged<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your life verses? You know, your go to Bible verses? The ones you know, love, and quote? I've always loved</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 40:8, The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 43:7, Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a new life verse thanks to our VBS theme--Submerged. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 139:23-24, God, you know everything about me; help me do what's right. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find myself praying this Scripture daily, really hourly. Remember the old hymn, I need Thee every hour...so true.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need Thee every hour, most Holy One; O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's usually how the prayer goes...</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roger III wanted to cook and spilled salt and cinnamon all over the floor... immediately I pray. God you know everything about my son, Roger; help me do what is right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abby is night weaning...as she asks for nurses (really demands) in the middle of the night and instead I give her snuggles, and I pray. God you know everything about Abby Jane; you know everything about me; help us do what is right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Roger and I argue, (yes my husband and I do not see eye to eye at all times), I pray. God you know everything about our relationship, about me, about us; help me do what is right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As those ugly thoughts creep into my head, I pray. God you know everything about me; help me think what is right and focus on your Truth.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I play with the kids, I pray. God you know everything about Roger and Abby; help me do what is right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the kids and I do clean toilets and do laundry, I pray. God you know everything about me; help me do what's right.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Student A comes in the door, I pray. God you know everything about me, about Student A; help me do what's right. Help me handle this situation correctly. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's so great about this Scripture is that you can pray it so easily, in good times and bad. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids are swimming at the pool and we are having a great time, I pray; God you know everything about today; help me do what's right. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit is nudging me to encourage someone, I pray; God you know everything about Person A, help me say what's right. </span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Submerging ourselves in Scripture and prayer does not have to be difficult. In closing I would like to leave you with:</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 4:32, <sup> </sup>Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-80922745487997439362016-05-10T07:44:00.001-05:002016-05-10T07:44:29.895-05:00Big Church and Toddlers--The WHY?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Isaiah 40:8, "God
created us to glorify Him." The most valuable thing we can do is
worship Christ. </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Romans 8:28, "We
know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him.
They are the people God called, because that was His plan." I get
asked somewhat frequently why I take my children into service. The answer is
plain and simple, teachable moments, which God has perfectly orchestrated
within our family. Our family loves to worship God, and bringing our
children into service is one way we teach our children to worship Him.
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child how to live the right way. Then even
when he is old, he will still live that way." </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the time of writing
this, my son is 3.5 and my daughter is 1.5 years old. My son has always
sat in service with our family, since the day he was born. As he grew
older, I sat outside the sanctuary and we watched the service on TV,
training him to sit still and quietly. Our church does not have a mothers
room, a training area, a children's sermon bag, etc. My daughter usually sits
through the singing (first 15 minutes) and then I bring her to the nursery
area. I hope to start training her as well, right now I still feel the
need to focus on our son. (For the past two Sundays, both children have sat through the entire service with us. My son is now 3.75 and my daughter 23 months.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Mark 10:14, "He
said to them, 'Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them.
The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little
children.'" </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the congregation sees our children's cries,
giggles, claps, Amen's, prayers, singing, whining, etc. as a joyful noise.
</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray they see that when we attend as a family the
Body of Christ is more fully present. Worship isn't private, it may
be personal, but it's not private; it is a community where ALL are
welcome, including our children. </span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the congregation understands how important these
teachable moments are, so that in 10 years from now our children are still
sitting in the pews, knowing that worship is important and that they are a
vital part of the body of Christ. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray our children know they are vital to the body of
Christ EVERY Sunday, not just on Children's Sunday. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the congregation sees our children are learning
through each of these teachable moments. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the congregation sees that our family cares
about faith. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the congregation welcomes our family, and
realizes that our children's worship matters, and that they are members of
the church community too. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray that my children know that they are welcome even
though they don't yet believe, pray, or worship in all the
"right" ways. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pray the church sees our children as INTEGRAL parts
of the service--their cries, their giggles, their claps, their Amen's,
their prayers, their singing, their whining, etc. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hebrews 4:12,
"God's word is ALIVE and WORKING." We enjoy being together and
doing things as a family. We value worship--there are infinitely many
teachable moments, as the Bible is ALIVE.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Deuteronomy 11:18,
"Remember My words in your hearts and souls. Write them down and tie
them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your foreheads to remind
you." As parents, our greatest responsibility is to teach our
children, by our example, to glorify Him. One way we do this is through
worship. We want to teach our children about the importance of the body
of Christ. We want them to see us worshiping Christ, singing, praying,
listening to His Word, learning about the living God! </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Psalm 81:10,
"Open your mouth, and I WILL feed you." We want our children to
see that we are hungry for His word and to learn more about Him and His
ways. I pray our children value the presence of our Almighty God. </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">1 Timothy 3:4,
"his children obey him with full respect." Our children should be
obedient and respectful. Asking our children to sit for any length of time
requires discipline, manners, sitting quietly, respect, and obedience. Each of
these are also acts that Christ also asks of us, at different times, in order
to be faithful to Him. As Billy Graham says, "A child who is allowed to be
disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone."
</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Deuteronomy 11:19,
"Teach My Words well to your children. Talk about them when you sit
at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and
when you get up." Our children may be "bored," although
they are still hearing the words being sung, spoken, and prayed; the format
will feel familiar, some of the words are understood, and we can discuss, as a
family what the sermon was about and how we can relate and apply what was
taught. As we are singing great hymns of the faith and praise and worship
songs, I share with my my kids what we are saying, and why. We desire for
our children to know the One true God. I know they hear and remember bits
and pieces. </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I pray the time we
spend with our children in worship is used as a catalyst for their personal
faith. I pray my husband and I can effectively teach our children the
most valuable thing we can do is glorify Him, and one way we can do that is
through worship. Isaiah 40:8, "God created us to glorify Him."</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-43621069504403944432015-11-04T15:27:00.001-06:002015-11-04T15:27:27.003-06:00The dreaded 11 letter M word<div dir="ltr" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I would venture every woman who has ever had a positive pregnancy test is also well aware of the dreaded 11 letter M word--Miscarriage. It is a "club" no woman wishes to join. 1 in 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage. I have been told by countless women, the third pregnancy is the most difficult. They were right! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cjcumbi-7d8Gb3MOOfWgVoOxWeCrOfLnohTsD99Yz-L7cJ2IbtAdj1YhMU-cjNJEJtM4ixIBlc9oaTbadg_55Q-o52FvoR73e0h85nDVxy9lnoij1i0HRMbtB8xx-iwgsh8X2e0beehs/s1600/20151017_091736%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cjcumbi-7d8Gb3MOOfWgVoOxWeCrOfLnohTsD99Yz-L7cJ2IbtAdj1YhMU-cjNJEJtM4ixIBlc9oaTbadg_55Q-o52FvoR73e0h85nDVxy9lnoij1i0HRMbtB8xx-iwgsh8X2e0beehs/s320/20151017_091736%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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My husband and I were pregnant with our third child. I was due in May, perfect for a school teacher. The pregnancy caught us by surprise and we had not told many people that we were pregnant, but of course, we were happy! I took six pregnancy tests (5 are shown); I could not believe we were pregnant! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyyVS2V52-lMtSPggwAPvBQQTQHDimKloLseWqUBzor5J2MH-UI339OAgcvuJYLpYFQi92lDsBujq3QZyLmp92Tla0x15lb94CrkiDKUM0kZxFF4f8h_d4PRiWu7pQ671w5ExsN12Ar_9/s1600/20150928_051715%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyyVS2V52-lMtSPggwAPvBQQTQHDimKloLseWqUBzor5J2MH-UI339OAgcvuJYLpYFQi92lDsBujq3QZyLmp92Tla0x15lb94CrkiDKUM0kZxFF4f8h_d4PRiWu7pQ671w5ExsN12Ar_9/s320/20150928_051715%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also tested my breast milk, it showed a positive pregnancy test too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6pirLL474dggM7EtNlexpAkYKkZR0nm2YLFCVVbzkGYk9JL2XU09bnLurIY7fS-JcZwxovxeRi_yFz0IYsQhChPJKKOlFgE2E-YNxNtIUPoLq4S63CsdoAMKFksGKOxsKWzySsI9PrmC/s1600/20151001_052610%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6pirLL474dggM7EtNlexpAkYKkZR0nm2YLFCVVbzkGYk9JL2XU09bnLurIY7fS-JcZwxovxeRi_yFz0IYsQhChPJKKOlFgE2E-YNxNtIUPoLq4S63CsdoAMKFksGKOxsKWzySsI9PrmC/s320/20151001_052610%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I wanted to tell my parents in a fun way. With my first two, I "had" to tell them very early on, as I was running full marathons. Reality is, my fun pregnancy announcement, became a miscarriage announcement. </div>
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This was physically my toughest pregnancy. I was nauseated all day long, especially at night. I hardly ate, rarely ate dinner, and I lost 6 lbs, due to nausea, even though, I was never "sick." I was exhausted, and I went to sleep, as soon as RC3 and AJ went down.</div>
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At 8 weeks 3 days, I started spotting. I knew something wasn't right, but I also knew I couldn't change it. God is in control. At 9 weeks 3 days, I went to my first OBGYN appt to get my ultrasound and blood work confirming the pregnancy. Instead, I had an ultrasound that showed no heartbeat. I wish they would have given me that ultrasound picture. (They were able to give it to me at my following appointment, they had saved a picture!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNvmBKsCDxjkbKbXoElvtZtkSOIYkbyi5NkzFdIdjjkxeFQlX0E1EOEfqJVB8zj0A2PoBAmyWpcuy39nvAh9VBlmjFaVqrl4d3tpnQDa2jEwaERfOvgPuVxmnJy_8Mj05v3sHVBdSpisF/s1600/20151104_122610-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNvmBKsCDxjkbKbXoElvtZtkSOIYkbyi5NkzFdIdjjkxeFQlX0E1EOEfqJVB8zj0A2PoBAmyWpcuy39nvAh9VBlmjFaVqrl4d3tpnQDa2jEwaERfOvgPuVxmnJy_8Mj05v3sHVBdSpisF/s320/20151104_122610-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I felt as though the pregnancy was not real, there was no validation, just sticks I had peed on,weight that had been lost, lots of exhaustion, and a whole bunch of nausea.</div>
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That first appointment was long, difficult, and scary. I felt so alone and confused. Would the doctor recommended a D&C, would he say there was something wrong with me; that day was miserably lonely. I could cling to one person, and one person only, Jesus Christ. He gave me the strength and endurance that I needed that day, that moment, and he continues to each and everyday.</div>
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Thankfully, my doctor recommended that I pass our baby naturally. He said it could happen in one hour or in 3 weeks. My doctor was kind, and he gave me the raw realities of miscarraige, as well as time to process the impending miscarriage--time to process that week, that day, that hour, that moment... I wanted to miscarry then and there. It was one tough appointment. </div>
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Here I was, I had just left the doctor, I needed to go pick up my kids, I needed to tell my husband... I didn't know when or where my body would miscarry and life must go on. I was terrified to tell my husband; I didn't want him blaming me for the miscarriage. I was scared, my hormones and emotions running wild, and spiritually, I hurt. Why, God? What are you up to?</div>
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Monday night, after seeing the kids, and Roger meeting me, I went to Kroger by myself to buy pads, and I just cried. What should I buy? Pads, Depends, what brand, it was so overwhelming...I walked out and walked down to the local CVS. I talked to the pharmacist; they were not very helpful. So I bought my son a package of pull ups since they were on sale, and I walked back down to Kroger. I then called my Uncle Forest, since he cares for my Auntie Barb, and I asked him those girl questions... What to buy? He gave me recommendations and I walked out with some Always brand underwear. I knew that our baby could pass at any day or time, now when? I knew there would be large painful clots of blood. I knew I would go into labor at some unknown time and date. </div>
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Tuesday morning, I got up and went to work. I wore my special panties I had bought at Kroger, and I mustered the strength I needed to be there--thankfully my students were testing. I told the VP, and my department head, in case I needed to leave quickly, as the time of the miscarriage would be unknown. I was hugged and cared for. And went on about my day. Tuesday, I picked up the kids as normal, after work. I had a moment to tell my MIL, separate from my FIL, and I told her at that time. That evening I put on my "old lady panties" as well. I waited in agony for when that moment of miscarriage would happen.</div>
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RC3 had a scheduled doctors appointment on Wednesday, at the downtown medical center.<br />
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I took AJ to Nana and Papa Bobo's, and then RC3 and I went downtown and met Roger at the appointment.<br />
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No signs of impending labor at that time. After the appointment, we walked to the car, in the parking garage. I drove from the garage to the pay station and gate, and then to the area, where it was light. I told Roger he needed to drive, I was cramping very badly. We switched places, Roger drove to the Black Walnut in Rice Village. I realized I was contracting, and needed to be alone. The boys went inside and ate, while I sat in a parking garage alone.</div>
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I called my Mom, as the contractions got strong; I started to sweat, shake, and breath very methodically, through each contraction. I felt like I was dilated to an 8 or 9. With RC3s birth and Abby Jane's, I went from no signs of labor, to holding my children in 2 hours 40 minutes, and 3 hours even, respectively. This third birth was no different. I passed major blood clots while the boys were eating. When they came back, we went to Roger's office, and then drove back to The Woodlands.</div>
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We went to the bus barn, Roger picked up his car, and Roger and RC3 went on to RC3s speech intake appointment. I went home to shower and change clothes. I kept praying that God would allow me to hold our baby. I was now 9 weeks 5 days. (Almost 10 weeks pregnant, 1/4 of a pregnancy.) In the shower, I felt the urge to squat, and I did. At 2:45 pm, our baby was born, while I squatted in the shower. I gave him (I think our child was a boy, we will find out someday...) his first bath, and held him. I took some pictures , and then saved his body in case Roger wanted to see our son (or daughter). After showering, I placed our son in the fridge, in a Pyrex container. I didn't know what to do with the body. This was my child. Our child. God's child.</div>
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I left and met Roger and RC3 at his speech intake appointment. The appointment was fine. I tried to act like it was a normal day, while inside I was hurting. That night I went to bed, scared, lonely, confused...Clinging to Christ, that's all I could do.</div>
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Thursday morning, I had a work training. I got up and put on my "old lady panties" and off I went. I was now going through post partum bleeding, and didn't want to ruin my pretty panties. The training was fine, and upon returning to my campus, and speaking with my VP, she sent me to a counselor as soon as I told her I had given birth to our baby. God protected me, and gave me Christian people in place to love and care for me.</div>
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I spoke with the counselor most of the afternoon, then came back to my classroom to prepare Fridays lesson. Once finished, I went and picked up our children. I cared for our children as normal and tried to sit and talk with Roger that evening; he was not ready.</div>
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On Friday morning I had a name for our son. Asher John Craig. He was born two days prior on the 28 October 2015, at 2:45pm. Asher means God gives us happiness and John meaning God is gracious and merciful, two things that ring true to Asher John's pregnancy and birth. Roger seemed okay with the name. I needed to name our child, he did not share the same needs during this time of grieving.</div>
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At work on Friday, I was thankful for hugs from my students, kids who said they missed me, and understanding people, men and women alike. Women who hugged me, and men who felt my pain. I shared with those I felt led to share with and was thankful for the people who prayed with and for me. I felt led to share the picture of Asher John with one of my students. He looked at me and said, "Mrs. Craig, he's smiling. He's so happy."<br />
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My parents came Friday night. They hugged me and cried with me. Saturday morning, Roger took RC3 to his physical therapy intake, and Mom, Dad, Abby Jane and I held and buried Asher John Craig. My father prayed, we read Exodus 34:4-9, buried our baby, and then we prayed again.</div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Exodus 34:4-9</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">New American Standard Bible (NASB)</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><span class="text Exod-34-4" id="en-NASB-2501" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>So he cut out <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2501A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2501A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>two stone tablets like the former ones, and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand.</span> <span class="text Exod-34-5" id="en-NASB-2502" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2502B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2502B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> descended in the cloud and stood there with him as <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2502a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2502a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-20%2CExodus+34%3A4-9&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2502a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span>he called upon the name of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span> <span class="text Exod-34-6" id="en-NASB-2503" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Then the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2503C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2503C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2503b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2503b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-20%2CExodus+34%3A4-9&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2503b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>truth;</span> <span class="text Exod-34-7" id="en-NASB-2504" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>who <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2504D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2504D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2504E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2504E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>will by no means leave <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">the guilty</span> unpunished, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2504F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2504F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”</span> <span class="text Exod-34-8" id="en-NASB-2505" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>Moses made haste <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2505c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2505c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-20%2CExodus+34%3A4-9&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2505c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2505G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2505G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>to bow low toward the earth and worship.</span> <span class="text Exod-34-9" id="en-NASB-2506" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>He said, “<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2506H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2506H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though <span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2506d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2506d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-20%2CExodus+34%3A4-9&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2506d" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2506I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2506I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the people are so obstinate, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2506J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2506J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>pardon our iniquity and our sin, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-2506K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-2506K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>take us as Your own<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NASB-2506e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NASB-2506e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A12-20%2CExodus+34%3A4-9&version=NASB#fen-NASB-2506e" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span>possession.”</span></span></i></div>
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That afternoon, Mom and I bought a hydrangea, one of my favorite flowers. I will plant the hydrangea in honor of Asher John Craig. (Picture to come later.) </div>
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Sunday morning we sang Holy, Holy, Holy, one of the last hymns I sang with my Grandfather, before he passed. This was both difficult and healing for me.</div>
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Miscarriage is brutally painful. I know the first person Asher John saw was Jesus Christ, and that gives me hope. It does not take away the pain of the forfeited relationship, opportunities, and dreams. Miscarriage cannot be fixed, it can only be carried. I am so thankful for the many people who have done two simple things...they have acknowledged my pain and they have stood here with me. Whether they understood or not, they hugged me, gave me time and room to process, and most importantly, acknowledged my pain. I am extremely blessed by the many prayers, scriptures, and songs given, as I carry this grief.<br />
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God has protected my body. It continues to heal. God has been gracious and merciful. Asher John Craig is with Him, forever.</div>
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When I showed RC3 a picture of Asher John, he said, "look a bird." I didn't mean to show him the picture, but that's alright. Roger was right on, he pointed me to Christ in that simple moment. I am so thankful for Roger, Roger III (RC3), and Abby Jane.</div>
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If you want to see pictures of Asher John please scroll down and look.<br />
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Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-54357137983930825652015-11-03T14:19:00.000-06:002015-11-03T14:19:07.737-06:00Monday, 17 September 2012, 3:45AM: Um...did I just pee my undies? That's a lot of liquid. Um...I don't think my water just broke, I'm not supposed to have a baby until October, and most first time mom's go past 40 weeks. Plus average is 41 1/7 weeks.<br />
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I then walked over to the bathroom, and this liquid kept coming out of me. Um...COAT...yah what did that stand for? Color, Odor, ?, ? oh and what was the odor supposed to be like if your water is breaking? I guess I can just go pee now, I actually have to go potty! So...I sat on the toilet and emptied my bladder, still half asleep and a little confused. Walked back to the sink to wash my hands and more water coming out!<br />
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I was excited, scared, and confused. This isn't how it's supposed to happen. I then stuck a washcloth in my panties to act as a pad, in case I wasn't done leaking, and went to wake up my husband. Some women leak/trickle, not me, call me Niagra! I had a lovely gushing fall. Waking up Roger is not a strength of mine, somehow I manage to scare him, so he freaked out, and all I wanted to do was wake him up and make sure he didn't roll over into the mess of amniotic fluid on the bed.<br />
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Both of us were tired, and not totally, 100% sure it was my water that had broke, so he put a towel over the bed, then a garbage bag, another towel, and "went back to bed." Yah, we didn't sleep, but tried to rest at least! I texted in sick, even though I knew, I wasn't coming back for a while.<br />
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At 9AM, Roger and I went to my OB/GYN. He took me back, did an exam, and said, "You need to go to the hospital. I'll call them and let them know you are coming." Which he did. We on the other hand, went to Black Walnut and Roger got a few hours of work done, while I researched the situation. We had wanted a natural childbirth, to go into labor when my body was ready. My water had broke and I had zero dilation or contractions.<br />
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While Roger worked away, I spoke with four or five women, and each of them said the same thing, go to the hospital. You trust and pay your OB for a reason. We looked into some methods to induce labor, but since my water had broken, it wasn't so easy. I am also GBS+, therefore I needed antibiotics, technically when my water broke.<br />
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Around noon I called my Mom to let her know that we would be going to the hospital in the next little while, and the baby would be coming later today or tomorrow. My Mom got things ready and started making her way to The Woodlands. She also called my Dad to let him know. Molly and Levi were texted, although, since this was a Monday, they could not come up. <br />
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I never finished this...a few years ago, but I thought I would post what I started...Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-14292802654519211612012-08-21T21:02:00.002-05:002012-08-21T21:03:10.152-05:00Faithful in AllWow, so I haven't posted in 8 months, almost 9 months! And guess what, there have been lots of changes! And wonderful ones! Roger and I have been happily (well most of the time) enjoying wedded bliss! I conceived in mid-January, and we now have a baby due in early October! For years I have dreamed of being a wife, and then a Mom, and it is now a reality. Below are pictures from our first U/S. <br />
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Leg</div>
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Full Body</div>
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Gender Proof</div>
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I have been scared that we would not have the things needed for our new baby boy, yes, baby boy, A Roger Craig III (RC3). Chelsea, one of the leaders of our Sunday School class, graciously took me to go register for baby items--it's been done at Amazon, Target, and Babies R Us. I did not even know where to begin! Thanks, Chelsea! <br />
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And then...our Sunday School class threw us a baby shower. Thanks ladies, and thanks Rachel for hosting! Pictures below.<br />
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"R" Sugar cookies, Rachel made as a party favour for A Roger Craig III </div>
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Invitation</div>
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Part of the table set up</div>
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Rachel also painted wooden letters for us spelling ROGER! </div>
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Marley, Ashley, and myself...Kristin is hiding (not really) she was picking up all the wrapping paper! </div>
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Kendra and Laine</div>
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Picture of the fun loot! RC3 is one blessed boy! </div>
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Fun shower game! Guessing the size of my belly! Rachel measuring and Chelsea looking on! I think it was 37" at the time. I don't remember! </div>
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I was feeling very down one day, and wondering, how in the world we would be able to provide for our son. I know God provides, although sometimes it is hard to remember. I was pleasantly surprised by a package, from one of Rogers good friends, Fred, who sent us receiving blankets, just as I was hitting my point of worry. It was a perfect reminder that GOD IS FAITHFUL IN ALL! <br />
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For our wedding Roger and I were given multiple Amazon gift cards. We used those gift cards to purchase a jogging stroller, a crib, a kitchen clock radio, and lots of salsa. Thankfully we were given Amazon and Target gift cards, as that has enabled us to purchase baby items. <br />
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Rogers parents ABF class has graciously offered to shower our baby boy later this month. I am quite excited about this, as some of the ladies have made quilts! We already received a fun baby quilt from a lady at the church. <br />
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And then, Molly, my sister (in law), is hosting a shower in San Antonio, with our good friends, Kit, Sara, and Laura! We sure are blessed and loved! <br />
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Do I believe GOD IS FAITHFUL IN ALL? You betcha! Is it hard to remember? You betcha! Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-26282451165798284572011-12-25T10:11:00.000-06:002011-12-26T10:13:53.372-06:00Merry Christmas 2011<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> 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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Dear Family and Friends,<span style="mso-tab-count:3"></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ—we learn about the love, peace, joy, and the hope that we have in God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As Roger and I prepare for Christmas, we are excited about the hope that we receive through Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When our hopes and desires are fulfilled, we see and experience God’s faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Upon receiving Roger and I’s wedding invitation, a friend recently asked me, “How does it feel to know that you have been found by what God has promised?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How does it feel to know that you are living in God’s promises?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My answer was simple and immediate, “Amazing!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">FULFILLED HOPES:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Marriage</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Gained parents, brothers, and sisters</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Roger’s job is now based in Houston</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Symbol;"><span style=""><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif"">Faith ran two marathons with her father, and one with her Uncle Bert</span></b></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">As you read our fulfilled hopes, I challenge you to reflect upon and experience God’s goodness and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Christ the Lord is here among us, our Saviour was born on Christmas day!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Light and life to all He brings; Ris’n with healing in His wings…Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth…”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif""> Roger and Faith Craig</span></b></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-74005177072161498452011-12-23T08:23:00.000-06:002011-12-23T08:23:00.294-06:00Christmas from a Childs POVI thoroughly enjoyed this and thought you might too! :)<br /><br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ki8EcnVbd-Q?version=3&feature=player_popout"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ki8EcnVbd-Q?version=3&feature=player_popout" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="360" width="640"></embed></object>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-13425603259574468552011-12-22T20:14:00.003-06:002011-12-22T20:17:59.423-06:00Coveting = hard to love<p style="margin:1em 0 3px 0"> <a name="133f5a9845c34161_1" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/stuffchristianslikeblog/%7E3/KIFVUpEjBOQ/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" target="_blank">Covet 2.0</a> </p> <p style="font-size:13px;color:#555;margin:9px 0 3px 0;font-family:Georgia,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-Serif;line-height:140%;font-size:13px"> <span>Posted:</span> 30 Nov 2011 05:33 AM PST</p> <p>Long before there were American Girl Dolls, shout out to Kirsten (rest in peace), there were Cabbage Patch Dolls.</p> <p>They were the Tickle-me-Elmo of the Christmas craze one year. (I just used an old reference to explain an older reference. Let me try that again.)</p> <p>They were the Wii of the Christmas craze one year. (Still not relevant? Last time.)</p> <p>They were the <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982986270/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=stufchrilik05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0982986270" target="_blank">Quitter</a></em><img style="border:none!important;margin:0px!important" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=stufchrilik05-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982986270&camp=217145&creative=399373" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> of the Christmas craze one year. Everyone wanted one, much like the book <em>Quitter</em> this Christmas, and people got in shoving matches over these simple dolls.</p> <p><span></span></p> <p>The story behind them was that the dolls were born in a cabbage patch, delivered by nurses and then brought to your house via a stork. At the Cabbage Patch headquarters in North Georgia, you could actually go see the dolls born and delivered by people dressed as nurses. That sounds a little weird, but kids loved the experience and flocked there in droves.</p> <p>One day, my friend and her husband brought their kids to the Cabbage Patch hospital. When their young daughters weren’t looking, they bought a doll. Their plan was to hide it in the trunk of their car without their youngest daughter seeing it, then give it to her a few months later on Christmas. Bad idea.</p> <p>The “nurse” who “delivered” the cabbage patch “baby” walked out to “the” (sorry got on a roll there) car to see the family off. When the nurse saw my friend’s husband put the Cabbage Patch doll in the car, she freaked out.</p> <p>She ran over and said, “You can’t put that baby in the trunk. She won’t be able to breathe!” Stupified, the dad responded, “Uh, it’s just a doll.” But the nurse wouldn’t budge. “She won’t be able to breathe,” she repeated.</p> <p>Finally, the dad tore an air hole in the plastic bag the doll was in, appeased the nurse and slowly shut the trunk. Then he walked to the driver’s side of the car and never looked back.</p> <p>Can we all agree that lady was a little crazy? I mean the kids were already buckled in the car. The “doll can’t breathe” performance wasn’t for them. That’s at least a smidge crazy, and I should know because sometimes I think I might be crazy too.</p> <p>I bumped into that possible reality recently while looking at Twitter.</p> <p>I created a list of friends, so that in the melee of thousands of tweets a day, I can specifically see what 10-20 people I know are up to via their tweets.</p> <p>But in the midst of doing that, I’ve realized something rather pathetic, insecure and crazy of me.</p> <p>I’m getting really jealous of my friends. As I scroll through their tweets, here are a couple of things that pop into my head:</p> <p>“Oh wow. That friend hung out with that other friend and they did something amazing together. Huh. Why didn’t they invite me?”</p> <p>“Whoa. That friend just announced, ‘I had a great time seeing people I love in Nashville, time to fly back home.’ Weird, he didn’t even tell me he was going to be in town.”</p> <p>Then I sit in this ridiculous pity party, which eventually mutates into me coveting a life other than my own.</p> <p>I want those adventures.</p> <p>I want to be invited to those events.</p> <p>I want to be as cool or as interesting or as funny or as anything as my friends.</p> <p>I covet 2.0. And in discussing this with my wife, a few things came to light.</p> <p><strong>1. When I covet my friends, it’s really hard to love my friends.</strong><br />My friends aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s me and my insecurities. But by dwelling there, I build up all this residual frustration with my friends, and that gets in the way of my ability to love them. I want to be someone who celebrates his friends, not someone who covets them.</p> <p><strong>2. This makes me like a seventh grade girl.</strong><br />My wife doesn’t struggle with covet 2.0, but says she understands it because she “used to be a seventh grade girl.” In the cafeteria on Monday mornings in middle school, she said it was hard to hear about sleepovers and events you hadn’t been invited to. Why was it hard? Because she was a slightly insecure seventh grade girl. Which is apparently much like me.</p> <p><strong>3. This isn’t how it always was.</strong><br />Ten years ago, you didn’t know about all the amazing things your friends were doing. No one called you and 300 other people on the phone and said, “Hey, I just saw an amazing sunset, went on a hot air balloon, got invited to a secret concert and had a brilliant lunch with somebody who won’t return your calls. Just wanted to make sure you knew.” The phenomenon of tracking the movements of all our friends is new. And the weird thing is that, ten years ago, I swear I never said, “I wish I knew what everyone I know was doing constantly. I could see that being really healthy for me.”</p> <p><strong>4. The Internet is a “Best Life” snapshot.</strong><br />When you read somebody’s tweets or scroll through their photos on Facebook, you’re seeing a snapshot of somebody’s best life. Sure, some people share raw/honest moments moreso than others, but no one shares everything. (If you share everything and don’t hold back something personal for you or your spouse, you eventually become a “performer,” not a person.) People share vacations and sunsets and parties. And then you sit in your own very normal, messy life with boringness and ups and downs and think, “My life is no good.”</p> <p>This isn’t a Twitter or Facebook issue. I am a huge fan of social media and have personally seen the tremendous good that can come from both. But right now, in my own life, I’ve turned my Twitter friends list into a place for me to hide and get jealous and covet 2.0.</p> <p>If you’re my friend, sorry about being so silly. Covet 2.0 snuck up on me, and I’ve spent the last few months acting like I’m in the seventh grade. And since Chess King is closed, Color Me Badd is not on the top of the charts, and I’m not wearing Z-Cavaricci’s right now, I know that’s not where I’m supposed to be.</p> <p><strong>Question:</strong><br />Have you ever experienced covet 2.0?</p><p>I LOVE the way Jon Acuff puts things, and yes, I thought this too was a great reminder!<br /></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-43284141434692008592011-10-24T10:21:00.004-05:002011-10-24T10:31:56.052-05:00Grandma's PlatesMy Grandmother passed away a couple weeks ago. Yeesterday I was reminded about the one thing I loved most about Grandma! I remember Grandma Lanning as a woman who loved God and shared Christ to those around her.<br /><p>This past weekend I went up to NY to help Roger move back down to Texas. While helping Roger clean and pack I saw a Corelle Corning Ware plate with my Grandmothers pattern. As I was helping Roger out I broke down in tears--I was reminded of Grandmas dinner table, a place where there were always three things present:</p> <p>1) People, lots of them, from anywhere. Family, friends, people off of the street, it didn't matter what you looked like or where you came from, there was always room for one more. :)<br />2) Food, nobody goes hungry on a dairy farm, especially when with the Lanning's.<br />3) God, we always prayed the Lanning family prayer--For our food and all our gifts of love, we give our thanks and praise, oh Father who look down from above, and bless us all our days. Amen. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRq8zaWAQBTILjkNl0JlAJkWI4ATD_te0JLE-mCc7EtoMFr7MNoVKvsOpNJndF7XgIvThuODeVgotoeEGRMwRmbWfJ58G-pRy4M3KWentlmSM_aL-6u4JxX8-hUdVRIgOy_BVWSwkCT2-/s1600/Grandma+Plate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRq8zaWAQBTILjkNl0JlAJkWI4ATD_te0JLE-mCc7EtoMFr7MNoVKvsOpNJndF7XgIvThuODeVgotoeEGRMwRmbWfJ58G-pRy4M3KWentlmSM_aL-6u4JxX8-hUdVRIgOy_BVWSwkCT2-/s400/Grandma+Plate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667079815219166402" border="0" /></a></p> Below you can read the obituary that was found in the newspaper.<br /><br />April 15, 1917 – October 3, 2011Ollie Dean Lanning went to be with the Lord on October 3, 2011 at the age of 94. Ollie Dean was loved and respected by many. Her caregivers, Juan and Alma Araiza have been a blessing to her and the family for the last nine years.<br /><br />Ollie Dean was born in Stockton, Missouri on April 15, 1917 to Harley and Nellie Beall. She moved to various locations while her husband, Forest R “Bud” Lanning was in the Navy, but returned to her Missouri roots where the family farmed the home place where she was born on the Sac River. The family moved to southern Oregon and settled in the Rogue Valley to be near her in-laws when the Stockton Dam was built because most of the property was going to be underwater. In Eagle Point, Oregon Ollie Dean and Bud owned and operated the “Lanning’s Mo-Oak” dairy farm. She has been a resident of Oregon for the past 47 years, the last few years living in Canby, Oregon.<br /><br /> On Mother’s Day in 1958, the Prairie Valley Methodist Church presented a Bible to Ollie Dean for being selected “Mother of the Year.” She loved children and raised not only her own seven children but many others. Numerous nieces and nephews came for extended stays on the farm. Her love of children prompted her to lead the 4-H garden and flower clubs and assist leading the 4-H dairy club. She was an amazing FFA Mother encouraging her children to compete in dairy judging, tractor driving and other contests. Local county fairs, in both Stockton and Medford, have benefitted by her volunteer hours.<br /><br />Ollie Dean loved to read and garden. When offered the opportunity, Ollie Dean ordered a Lifetime Subscription to Reader’s Digest magazine. Gardening books were very practical in nature as Ollie Dean gardened for the beauty and for practical reasons. Cookbooks assisted her as she fed her family with the food she canned, froze and dried. She enjoyed travel books and she enjoyed going to many destinations. She loved to learn and education was a high priority all of her life.<br /><br />Ollie Dean was married for 51 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Forest R “Bud” Lanning, sons Brian and Frank Lanning and granddaughter, Shasta Thomson. Ollie Dean is survived by her children and their spouses, Forest & Barbara of Canby, OR, (Brian) Betsy Lanning of Medford, OR, George & Leslie Lanning of Salem, OR, Alice & Larry Wells of Anderson, IN, (Frank) Mariah Hegarty of Denver, CO, Neil & Alice Lanning of Centralia, WA, Ruth & Tom Thomson of San Antonio, TX, 17 grandchildren and their spouses, 18 great grandchildren and spouses and a great-great grandson, numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister and her husband, Mary Ellen & John Nelson of Los Gatos, CA.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Ollie Dean Lanning will be laid to rest with her husband in a private family interment at the Veteran’s National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in her honor to the Eagle Point Grange, PO Box 252, Eagle Point, OR 97524 or the Eagle Point VFW Auxiliary, PO Box 626, Eagle Point, OR 97524. Condolence cards can be sent to Forest D Lanning at 253 SE 9th Ave., Canby, OR 97013.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5lrXy54YXoj0hytQmwQrluAEajUwHo6oCJyLgZaJlIxtPlLYqztLgjSVXq3unqQzecLWrG4cBxg4sWo4Z4_JBLWCm0bzCDviVlehw98PtA9XzCN9v1AotdSy9HfCq-aXsn-9_Ug0NpjR/s1600/Grandma+Lanning+Pic.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5lrXy54YXoj0hytQmwQrluAEajUwHo6oCJyLgZaJlIxtPlLYqztLgjSVXq3unqQzecLWrG4cBxg4sWo4Z4_JBLWCm0bzCDviVlehw98PtA9XzCN9v1AotdSy9HfCq-aXsn-9_Ug0NpjR/s400/Grandma+Lanning+Pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667080796629227346" border="0" /></a></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-86334318146905851582011-10-20T10:35:00.004-05:002011-10-20T11:08:56.084-05:00What is your Ultimate Purpose?<div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Exodus 20:1-11<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Then God spoke all these words, saying,</span> “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandment. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. </h4><p style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;">“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; <i>in it</i> you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. </p><br />I LOVE this<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> John Piper quote:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"The ultimate purpose of all things are to hallow (honour as holy, consider sacred) God's name...Jesus came to set it right; He came to vindicate (justify) the holiness of God."<br /></div><br />The first video here is a short, but sadly all to true and funny example of what goes on every Sunday during worship.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZJp98hoqy5I" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="360"></iframe><br /></div><br />The second video is the entire sermon that the first video was a clip from. I highly recommend you watch the second 45 minute video. I believe both videos require us to look inward with our actions, and what we really feel our ultimate purpose is as Christians (people who try to be Christ like, followers of Christ). Am I hallowing Christ? Am I glorifying God in all I do? Am I worshiping well? Is my ulitmate purpose to sanctify Christ?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W2RnkDStsss" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="360"></iframe></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-66915150759604077482011-10-16T17:55:00.007-05:002011-10-16T18:38:42.964-05:00How does it feel...?Recently, the following question was asked to me, "How does it feel to know that you have been found by what God has promised? How does it feel to know that you are living in God's promises?"<br /><br />My answer was simple and immediate, "Amazing!"<br /><br />Now for a little background information. I was speaking with a friend about my upcoming wedding, and telling him that I was excited that he was going to join Roger and I for our special day. To this he replied with, "How does it feel to know that you are living in God's promises?" <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-the-Hearers-ebook/dp/B004R1QFUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318807844&sr=8-1">Darnell</a> was correct, God has blessed me, and I am living in His promises. I had not thought of it that way. Multiple scripture verses were brought to mind, verses about His faithfulness, verses about His steadfast love, and verses about giving us our greatest desires, and wanting us to be happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Dds4PcUztfWfr2Z-2Yad78B_FAy2fYo35C5hamqtKfq28X_lvKnoiDN8IpR_BrxR7H9-jdfvYqiMQ5TJn-TIbKQX5tCqMzSzNAbwNWXHA1Z8DwuyYcAR2a-XFP4J4PFAyfAymmtdA_5/s1600/Faith+and+Rog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Dds4PcUztfWfr2Z-2Yad78B_FAy2fYo35C5hamqtKfq28X_lvKnoiDN8IpR_BrxR7H9-jdfvYqiMQ5TJn-TIbKQX5tCqMzSzNAbwNWXHA1Z8DwuyYcAR2a-XFP4J4PFAyfAymmtdA_5/s400/Faith+and+Rog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664237349304035282" border="0" /></a>There are so many little things that God has blessed me with, through Roger! He is passionate, unshakeable, bold, and intelligent. Roger loves children and has compassion on those around him. For years I have dreamed of a man that could sing, play guitar, and play the piano, all of which Roger does. Roger is athletic and challenges me on many levels. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Our wedding is in 34 more days! I am constantly blown away by the generosity of so many family and friends, ready and willing to help us out in any way possible.<br /><br />My greatest prayer for our <a href="http://www.faithandroger.com/">wedding ceremony</a> is that Christ is glorified and The Gospel is reenacted. I pray that people come to our wedding knowing that it is only because of <span style="font-weight: bold;">God's goodness and grace</span> that Roger and I stand before you. I want people to know that our wedding is a worship service; a picture of The Gospel. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church,willing to die for her. The wife is to submit to her husband as the church submits to Christ. Marriage is a covenant between God and man. Marriage is for happiness, and more importantly for <span style="font-weight: bold;">holiness</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The longer we are married, the more we will understand the glorious covenant God has made with us. We praise Him for His faithfulness and steadfast love! </span> I have one living grandparent, each set was married to their spouse until death did them part. Both Roger and I have parents that are still married. I see Christ in each set of parents; I hope to be like our great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents.<br /><br />I am fortunate to no longer have just one Mom and Dad, but two now! For the last month I have been living at my Mom and Dad's house (my soon to be in-laws), and I LOVE it! I relish this opportunity to get to know my Mom and Dad. I am treated so well. My Mom gives me hugs, cooks, listens to me, and loves on me. My Dad chats with me, prays for me, and loves on me as well. God has blessed me through Roger, and I hope that you too can see what great things God is doing.<br /><br />I was struggling quite a bit last week, just with life in general and my mum shared with me the following story. May it also bless you, and serve as a reminder that we are Christs, and he wants us to be happy!<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:teal;">The Terribly, Tragically Sad Man</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:maroon;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> (<span style="color:green;">Loren Seibold</span>)<br /> <br /> Once there was a boy who lived in a big house on a hill. He loved dogs and horses, sports cars and music. He climbed trees and went swimming, played football and admired pretty girls. Except for having to tidy up after himself, he had a nice life.<br /> One day the boy said to God, "I've been thinking, and I know what I want to become when I become a man."<br /> "What?" said God.<br /> "I want to live in a big house with a veranda across the front and two St. Bernard dogs and a garden out back. I want to marry a woman who is tall and very beautiful and kind, who has long, black, hair and blue eyes, who plays the guitar and sings in a clear, high voice. I want three strong sons to play ball with. When they grow up, one will be a great scientist, one will be a politician and the youngest will be a professional athlete.<br /> "I want to be an adventurer who sails vast oceans and climbs tall mountains and rescues people. And I want to drive a red Ferrari and never have to tidy up after myself."<br /> "That sounds like a nice dream," said God. "I want you to be happy."<br /> One day, playing ball, the boy hurt his knee. After that he couldn't climb tall mountains or even tall trees, much less sail vast oceans. So he studied marketing and started a medical-supplies business.<br /> He married a girl who was very beautiful and very kind and who had long, black hair. But she was short, not tall, and had brown eyes, not blue. She couldn't play the guitar, or even sing. But she prepared wonderful meals seasoned with rare Chinese spices and painted magnificent pictures of birds.<br /> Because of his business, he lives in a city near the top of a tall apartment building that overlooked the blue ocean and the city's twinkling lights. He didn't have room for two saint Bernard's, but he had a fluffy cat.<br /> He had three daughters, all very beautiful. The youngest, who was in a wheelchair was the loveliest. The three daughters loved their father very much. They didn't play ball with him, but sometimes they went to the park and tossed a Frisbee - except for the youngest, who sat under a tree strumming her guitar and singing lovely, haunting songs.<br /> He made enough money to live comfortably but he didn't drive a red Ferrari. Sometimes he had to pick up things and put them away - even things that didn't belong to him. After all, he had three daughters.<br /> Then one morning, the man awoke and remembered his dream. "I am very sad," he said to his best friend.<br /> "Why?" asked his friend.<br /> "Because I once dreamed of marrying a tall woman with black hair and blue eyes who would play the guitar and sing. My wife can't play the guitar or sing. She has brown eyes, and she's not tall."<br /> "Your wife is very beautiful and very kind," said his friend. "She creates splendid pictures and delectable food.” But the man wasn't listening.<br /> "I am very sad," the man confessed to his wife one day.<br /> "Why?" asked his wife.<br /> "Because I once dreamed of living in a big house with a veranda, and of having two saint Bernard's and a garden out back. Instead I live in an apartment in a high rise building."<br /> "Our apartment is comfortable and we can see the ocean from our couch," said his wife. "We have love, laughter and paintings of birds and a fluffy cat - not to mention three beautiful children.” But the man wasn't listening.<br /> "I am very sad," the man said to his therapist.<br /> "Why?" asked the therapist.<br /> "Because I once dreamed that I would grow up to be a great adventurer. Instead, I am a bald businessman with a bad knee."<br /> "The medical supplies you sell save many lives," said the therapist. But the man wasn't listening. So his therapist charged him $110 and sent him home.<br /> "I am very sad," the man said to his accountant.<br /> "Why?" asked the accountant.<br /> "Because I once dreamed of driving a red Ferrari and never having to tidy up myself. Instead, I take public transportation and sometimes I still have to clean up."<br /> "You wear good suits. You eat at fine restaurants, and you've toured Europe," said his accountant. But the man wasn't listening. His accountant charged him $100 anyway. He was dreaming of a red Ferrari himself.<br /> "I am very sad," the man said to his clergyman.<br /> "Why?" asked the clergyman.<br /> "Because I once dreamed of having three sons: a great scientist, a politician and a professional athlete. Instead, I have three daughters and the youngest can't even walk."<br /> "But, your daughters are beautiful and intelligent," said the clergyman. "They love you very much and they've all done well. One is a nurse, another is an artist and the youngest teaches music to children."<br /> But the man wasn't listening. He was so sad that he became very sick. He lay in a white hospital room surrounded by nurses in white uniforms. Tubes and wires connected his body to blinking machines that he had once sold to the hospital.<br /> He was terribly, tragically sad. His family, friends and clergyman gathered around his bed. They were all deeply sad too. Only his therapist and his accountant remained happy.<br /> Then one night, when everyone except the nurses had gone home, the man said to GOD, "Remember when I was a boy and I told you all the things I wanted?"<br /> "It was a lovely dream," said GOD.<br /> "Why didn't you give me those things?" asked the man.<br /> "I could have," said GOD. "But I wanted to surprise you with things you didn't dream of. I suppose you have noticed what I have given you: a kind beautiful wife; a good business; a nice place to live; three beautiful daughters - one of the best packages that I've put together..."<br /> "Yes," interrupted the man. "But I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted."<br /> "And I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted," said GOD.<br /> "What did you want?" asked the man. It had never occurred to him that GOD was in want of anything.<br /> "I wanted to make you happy with what I had given you," said GOD.<br /> The man lay in the dark all night, thinking. Finally he decided to dream a new dream, one he wished he had dreamed years before. He decided to dream that what he wanted most were the very things he already had.<br /> And the man got well and lived happily in the high rise, enjoying his children's beautiful voices, his wife's deep brown eyes and her glorious paintings of birds. And at night he gazed at the ocean and contentedly watched the lights of the city twinkling on, one by one.<br /> <br /> Copyright © <strong><span style="color:green;">Loren Seibold</span></strong><br /> All Rights Reserved<span style="color:teal;"></span></span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:teal;"> <hr style="width:434.25pt" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="3" width="579"></span></div> <strong><span style="color:teal;"> Isn't that exactly what God wants for each of His children? "'I wanted to make you happy with what I had given you,' said GOD." Since the beginning of time God wanted to make us happy. He planned the Garden of Eden to absolute perfection. He created man in His own image to walk with Him and visit with Him in the evening. He decided it was not right that man should be alone and created Eve to bring companionship to the man. He did everything possible to give mankind the opportunity for happiness but out of love gave mankind the freedom to choose happiness or sorrow.</span></strong><b><span style="color:teal;"><br /> <strong><span> He gave us the freedom to choose to smile or frown at the world. He gave us the freedom to recognize the beauty of God's creation or be overwhelmed by the patches of gloom we might encounter. He gave us the freedom to accept God's love or to ignore it; to believe in the Savior, Christ Jesus, who laid His life down on the cross to atone for our sins or to overlook His sacrificial love and grace. God has blessed us with every good and perfect thing and calls us to embrace the promise of a glorious tomorrow.</span></strong><br /> <strong><span> Some will follow the Master in His journey of service to all mankind. Some will believe the message that our Lord taught during His ministry here on earth and will accept His commission to go out and teach all the world the Good News of the Lord. Some will embrace their Father in heaven and will give Him what He wants for each of His beloved children. ("I want you to be happy.") Sadly, some will choose to turn from God, to reject His love, to reject Christ's gift of salvation, and will realize the truth only after their life's journey is over. That's the greatest tragedy of all. </span></strong><br /> <strong><span> Today, take a minute to look carefully in the mirror. Examine the image with particular care. Do you see the image and likeness of God there in the mirror? Look a little harder because God created you with that unique and special characteristic. Next, look for a smile. It may be hidden deep down inside. There may be many layers of sorrow and sadness that are obscuring it from your view right now, but God put it there inside you to warm your heart and bring joy to your eyes and to your world. Brush aside a few of those memories that cloud your spirit and watch the smile come alive. It may be glowing and bright. It may be lighting up the world. Let's strive to give back to God what He asks of each of His people. Reexamine your dreams and your goals. Look at them through God's eyes. Now turn it all over to the Master. "Father, not my will but Yours..."</span></strong><br /> <br /> <strong><span>With A Smile,</span></strong><br /> <strong><span>Jan and Richard Evans</span></strong></span></b>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-81277076123518775952011-10-13T15:30:00.007-05:002011-10-15T20:06:43.311-05:00PENCILS<div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><u><span style=";color:black;" >PENCILS</span></u></b></span></div></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-size:130%;color:black;" > <b><br /></b></span></div></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :</span></b><br /><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >1. EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK ....</span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >2. YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.</span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >3. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.</span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 5pt;"> <div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >4. IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /></span></b></span></div></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" >5. TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU. </span></b></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style=";color:black;" ><br /></span></b><b><span style=";color:black;" >We all need to be constantly sharpened. May this parable encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what is you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.<br /></span></b></span></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxU_A0FxEgWJdqf0CkuDvUAeZyRV_C-wNpC5giQJ2CnFBHtszzUYpAMuw8t7iSykZBVgojsUI34cP_GNODQT-RHjaPyhTuDUBgOf2SfpDlNvhTyoyjW5fGgEJy4dK-ty5CIHJCbHa99Ks/s1600/Pencil+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxU_A0FxEgWJdqf0CkuDvUAeZyRV_C-wNpC5giQJ2CnFBHtszzUYpAMuw8t7iSykZBVgojsUI34cP_GNODQT-RHjaPyhTuDUBgOf2SfpDlNvhTyoyjW5fGgEJy4dK-ty5CIHJCbHa99Ks/s400/Pencil+4.jpg" alt="" 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"font-family:";" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,</span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> though the eye of sinful man they glory may not see, </span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, </span>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> perfect in power, in love, and purity.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> </span> </span></span><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Courier New"font-family:";" ></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Comic Sans MS"font-family:";" >I have spent the last two weeks in and out of the hospital, caring for my grandfather.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On Thursday, afternoon, Grandpa Thomson went to be with Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was ready.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bittersweet is the best way to describe how I am feeling after my Grandfather’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am excited that he is in heaven, with my sister, and I will see him again someday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am sad, that he is no longer here with myself, and all of our family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Comic Sans MS"font-family:";" >Grandpa never lost his humour, nor his dignity, the entire time he was in the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was positively impressed by his good nature—always saying please and thank you, and never ceasing to make you laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At one point Grandpa said he was in so much pain, it was hard not to swear, although he never did.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What he did say was, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy,” and then when I told him I said “Grrr…,” Grandpa had heard, “girl,” and he said, “Oh girl, oh girl, oh girl!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Comic Sans MS"font-family:";" >Every day when I came in to the hospital I was able to give Grandpa a kiss and tell him that I loved him, and he would kiss me back and tell me that he loved me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This happened upon arrival and leaving his hospital room, #2814, at WCGH (West Coast General Hospital).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I relish the early mornings Grandpa and I spent alone in the hospital, as I was able to care for him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We laughed together, read the bible, sang songs of worship, took naps, and I occasionally cried.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="Comic Sans MS"font-family:";" >Hallelujah!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous…Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great…Hallelujah!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him…King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
<br />Revelation 19:1-2, 5-7, 16</span></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-3804667633987225872011-07-14T10:39:00.010-05:002011-07-14T12:15:23.926-05:00Things I love about my Grandpa!Death is an interesting thing. I have not had many people close to me die, besides my sister. As my grandfather's health is failing, it has caused me to think not only about death, but the life he has had, and how fortunate I am to be his granddaughter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL4ctbQ54phQMjlWmOqeuAcRiJj45aRvCUAs3dXAqFLxtVIV29xM4xMm3_HnnKB-M-QFDQaBMwgP3HTYVjQLucWNXMtmA342M3Zc-HcJ43pZ2mtnwhAIXyOOTwMEwj_gvEloUpmpDZqAQ/s1600/Grandpa+Thomson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL4ctbQ54phQMjlWmOqeuAcRiJj45aRvCUAs3dXAqFLxtVIV29xM4xMm3_HnnKB-M-QFDQaBMwgP3HTYVjQLucWNXMtmA342M3Zc-HcJ43pZ2mtnwhAIXyOOTwMEwj_gvEloUpmpDZqAQ/s400/Grandpa+Thomson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251207223160546" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa taught me both the value and importance of the discipline of having a daily quiet time. I remember spending time with my Grandpa, shortly after his quiet time, and discussing what he had learned.<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the extended family</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdPZpVrT2wZrYU6XDplAiBAf-qYPBiRbXMABPvbuAnwn_0PcBO8Fgx3YcVbOXspMIOtJmWGOvothyphenhyphenDAHKuBPz-tIlKlH-oburMDCPUeLbnQdDR5PmWdj_dXUSftHF5AUk4kjhjUqzq54_/s1600/Thomson+Fam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdPZpVrT2wZrYU6XDplAiBAf-qYPBiRbXMABPvbuAnwn_0PcBO8Fgx3YcVbOXspMIOtJmWGOvothyphenhyphenDAHKuBPz-tIlKlH-oburMDCPUeLbnQdDR5PmWdj_dXUSftHF5AUk4kjhjUqzq54_/s400/Thomson+Fam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251712079677266" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa never quit telling people about Jesus and His love for everyone. This too has had a profound effect on my faith. A couple years ago, Grandpa started inviting some neighbor kids to church. And would you know, they came with him. And love it! I was able to take the neighbor kids, an older friend of Grandpa, and Grandpa all to church while I was there. I went too. What a blessing! These kids will come to know Jesus Christ through Grandpa's invitation. One of the kids, Axton, calls my Grandpa, Bert, like they are long lost friends. As odd and funny as it is, I think it's really cool, that this young child, has so much love and respect for my Grandfather that he comes by to say, "Hi Bert!"<br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtDcXt22hV8pTQ_ah0egOwQ8Y-X5mGP5nITkrZnA-CP4t94rOCd-mAWNjmfIODwac7CqXIUhjvWJY68ao-R7sRtz1fIBtJraBOptUC_-Y9s_Qifpq4t7pKWCCOdnJwbzcRHSc98_MPUwI/s1600/Faith+YWAM.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtDcXt22hV8pTQ_ah0egOwQ8Y-X5mGP5nITkrZnA-CP4t94rOCd-mAWNjmfIODwac7CqXIUhjvWJY68ao-R7sRtz1fIBtJraBOptUC_-Y9s_Qifpq4t7pKWCCOdnJwbzcRHSc98_MPUwI/s400/Faith+YWAM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629255881443087170" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa (and Grandma) supported me both financially and with prayer on many different mission trips. This enabled me to not only further my relationship with Christ, but share Him with others. </li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDIVak1fO1pFvsII3ziyosEnzcOxZtuoR9Ib2dUuRh0AsBcaqzAFjyv9XKe5vzE9UyK0J_tKreCz_G65GA_X5G4e5-lZPc5U8kpi3w0__GW5stqv5FeZjQJmpvOY-nLfzH9Ra1YhfmULu/s1600/Grandpa+Violin+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDIVak1fO1pFvsII3ziyosEnzcOxZtuoR9Ib2dUuRh0AsBcaqzAFjyv9XKe5vzE9UyK0J_tKreCz_G65GA_X5G4e5-lZPc5U8kpi3w0__GW5stqv5FeZjQJmpvOY-nLfzH9Ra1YhfmULu/s400/Grandpa+Violin+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251208249150946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8bUlI6VgUdWEuu_Z7AGBYgP7Jsr0pefaNz9y_qCvkQqYDhs-FFL2otsmkU9gsZpb2MYj-QY-AXD8k-pF-C61sgR12fXGZIRDWgO9YghRHcLpBiKqjilHkN4rb73Feh0YmMeBrVT-z5-T/s1600/Grandpa+Violin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8bUlI6VgUdWEuu_Z7AGBYgP7Jsr0pefaNz9y_qCvkQqYDhs-FFL2otsmkU9gsZpb2MYj-QY-AXD8k-pF-C61sgR12fXGZIRDWgO9YghRHcLpBiKqjilHkN4rb73Feh0YmMeBrVT-z5-T/s400/Grandpa+Violin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251216433663570" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa played the violin quite well, and he would play hymns for us, and it was always special when we played with him. Grandpa on violin, myself on piano, my Dad and brother also on violin. Until more recently Grandpa played in a small ensemble. </li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_pjDDfvPJ3XFiMohrGH8zptouMAHge0D-Uk9_UcfsMa1sKGzr8KfPCEjZmNOHBYfpM8Q8gSCvMkQEOpfCa45fPEWmBK_CAEn3gXhGN7CcyDgV8qaI-SnocCgeu8C-nXHxRNtmq1E45iP/s1600/Grandma+Thomson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_pjDDfvPJ3XFiMohrGH8zptouMAHge0D-Uk9_UcfsMa1sKGzr8KfPCEjZmNOHBYfpM8Q8gSCvMkQEOpfCa45fPEWmBK_CAEn3gXhGN7CcyDgV8qaI-SnocCgeu8C-nXHxRNtmq1E45iP/s400/Grandma+Thomson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251203098350130" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa has taught me what to look for in a husband. He has been married to my Grandmother for 64 years. He has taught me love, compassion, and the importance of humour.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs6QBbEzWEvtWQTzt05PE7f1GzAdXx-7OEAVU9FIM1nal2htSAYXQBac8ugrTURWN6-l58iKegEv-ydEnDcPJ2kT6NkpJ4rE_L4ExTLJ_yoaHDpqXU4ZlALRj-ArQKT3q7mVArgxfdpCq/s1600/Daddy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPs6QBbEzWEvtWQTzt05PE7f1GzAdXx-7OEAVU9FIM1nal2htSAYXQBac8ugrTURWN6-l58iKegEv-ydEnDcPJ2kT6NkpJ4rE_L4ExTLJ_yoaHDpqXU4ZlALRj-ArQKT3q7mVArgxfdpCq/s400/Daddy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629251197416321650" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>Grandpa was and is a father, to my father, who is one amazing Dad! I am blessed to have learned many things through my own father, who learned them from his own Dad. One of my favourite things to do with my own father is play cribbage. I also enjoy playing with my Grandma and Grandpa. They love each other greatly, yet rile each other on, keeping their love and romance alive. It was my Grandpa who taught me how to count cards quickly, as I was WAY to slow. <br /></li><li>There are always yummy vegetables in Grandpa's garden--peas, my personal favourite, carrots, lettuce, and many other yummy treats, oh and cherries to pick from the tree. <br /></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyTTKf8RiyQZteZEBBEfbvNcS26IsWKIcJjwlhOOgWBYt-zUWGIGz5rPmN9FDYsttaVAT1jIl86KzVWEo-FrnjvdEOeUA5rs5JaLnHDor-mrHLYXeAmQk6uGOrXlvrOD7epyfbRoS0bdC/s1600/Aunt+Sheila.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyTTKf8RiyQZteZEBBEfbvNcS26IsWKIcJjwlhOOgWBYt-zUWGIGz5rPmN9FDYsttaVAT1jIl86KzVWEo-FrnjvdEOeUA5rs5JaLnHDor-mrHLYXeAmQk6uGOrXlvrOD7epyfbRoS0bdC/s400/Aunt+Sheila.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629252859644824706" border="0" /></a></div><ul><li>As Grandpa's health has been failing, my Aunt Sheila, one of his daughters made the following comment..."One of us will share in his graduation! We are sad, but Dad has clearly told everyone he knows where he is is going, and if he doesn't see you here, he will look forward to seeing you there (in heaven)!" This is one of the best parts for me personally, I know I will see Grandpa again! God is good! </li></ul>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-23623288162392181132011-07-08T07:10:00.002-05:002011-07-08T07:41:59.600-05:00Does this bother you? Part deuxFor the past couple of mornings, I have woken up, rejoicing, singing the following words...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!<br />Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"> Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">S. Trevor Francis, 1875</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jwGmOkqfYps" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">For even though they knew God, they did not honour Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonoured among them. </span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">--Romans 8:21-24</span><br /><br />Um...ouch. Once again, God gave what was asked for, even when it was not in the best interests. In my last entry, I spoke about an example in the Old Testament, where God gave the Israelites a King; we now see, God giving into requests in the New Testament.<br /><br />I love that God does things willingly, and will use it for his glorification, even when we are stupid. I still struggle with the fact that God gave them over, but then I go back to the knowledge that God does this out of love, a love that does not insist His way, one that allows us to choose Him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vFhLondN2Qw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /></div><br /><p><strong>Esengo (Glory)</strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />Vs. 1</span></p> <p>Esengo, esengo, esengo mingi (Repeat)<br />(Glory, Glory, Glory to those)<br />Esengo, esengo, esengo mingi (Repeat)<br />(Glory, Glory, Glory to those)<br />Ezali na ba oyo ba ndimi Yesu<br />(Who’ve accepted Jesus as their savior)<br />Ezali na ba oyo ba ndimi Yesu<br />(Who’ve accepted Jesus as their savior)</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Vs. 2</span><br />Mawa, mawa, mawa mingi<br />(Sadness, Sadness, Much sadness)<br />Mawa, mawa, mawa mingi<br />(Sadness, Sadness, Much sadness)<br />Ezali na ba oyo ba boyi Yesu<br />(To those who’ve rejected Jesus)<br />Ezali na ba oyo ba boyi Yesu<br />(To those who’ve rejected Jesus)</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Vs. 3</span><br />Longwa, longwa, longwa Satana<br />(Get away, Get away, Get away Satan)<br />Longwa, longwa, longwa Satana<br />(Get away, Get away, Get away Satan)<br />Na lingi ko salela Yo, Yesu Masia<br />(The work has been finished by Jesus Christ)<br />Na lingi ko salela Yo, Yesu Masia<br />(The work has been finished by Jesus Christ)</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">V. 4</span><br />Mumalembe, mumalembe, tu kwenda na<br />(Slowly, Slowly, We move forward)<br />Mumalembe, mumalembe, tu kwenda na<br />(Slowly, Slowly, We move forward)<br />Malembe, malembe tu kwenda na nzila zulu tu kwenda na<br />(The road to heaven we are slowly going to)</p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-49655820569354702012011-06-27T12:07:00.012-05:002011-06-27T14:23:47.090-05:00Does this bother you?<div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">"The Lord said to Samuel, listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them...Now then, listen to their voice; however you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them"...Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint them a king.""<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Taken from 1 Samuel 8:7-22<br /></div></div><br />Whoa, does this not bother you? Look at this again... God gave them something they asked for, even though it was not in their best interests.<br /><br />God willingly gave the Israelites a king. He knowingly gave them what they asked for, even though it wasn't the best. God allowed the Israelites to have a king because it was within His permissive will. In His sovereignty, God allows evil deeds we commit to accomplish His purposes. God permits sin and evil; He cannot commit evil, nor does he effect it.<br /><br />We know from 1 John 4:8 that God is love. We also know from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 that love does not insist. Therefore, one can conclude God is love, and love does not insist. God knows what's best, and He will not be insistent. He will use our evil deeds for His glorification. That means, when we continually ask for something, He may choose to give it to us, even though it is not in our best interests.<br /><br />Sometimes when I pray, I pray insistently for things, that never happen. Why does God "give in" to some requests and not to others?<br /><br />I leave you with a great hymn and couple final thoughts.<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are you asking God for, and how do you perceive or intend Him to use what you desire, for His glorification? </span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can you think of something that you asked for, that God chose to give you, even though it was not in your best interests?</span> </li></ul><div style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);" class="lyrics"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Take My Life and Let it Be, by Frances Havergal, February 1874</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.<br />Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.<br />Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.<br />Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;">Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.<br />Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.<br />Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.<br />Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.</p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.</span><br />Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.<br />Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.<br />Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.</p> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UXy2MmMLjGQ?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-83469523252061439792011-05-21T20:16:00.005-05:002011-05-21T21:34:42.597-05:00Echoes of Mercy, Whispers of Love...I sat down and read the book, "Heaven is for Real," by Todd Burpo, today. I should have said I sat down and cried today, because as I read the book, I found myself weeping. Page after page, tears rolled down my cheeks, because of God's unfailing love and faithfulness.<br /><br />There was a time period a year in a half ago that I really wanted to die. I have a Type A personality, and can be quite intense. During some of my scariest times, I wanted to be finished with this earthly life. In fact, I had lost all desire to live, and I was going in the wrong direction...but Jesus gave me the best Mom in the world, who could tell I saw no hope, no future, no desire to continue, and you know what she did? My mother steered me in the exact opposite direction. That's when I started running. Errr...that's when I started walking 0.5mph on the treadmill for 90 seconds. I went from feeling desperately hopeless to an incredibly hopeful!<br /><br />I invite you to read the following excerpt from Todd Burpo's book that spoke to me:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Daddy, remember when I yelled for you in the hospital when I waked up?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How could I forget? It as the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard. "Of course I do," I said. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Well, the reason I was yelling was that Jesus came to get me. He said I had to go back because he was answering your prayer. That's how come I was yelling for you." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suddenly, my knees felt weak underneath me. I flashed back to my prayers alone, raging at God, and my prayers in the waiting room, quiet and desperate. I remembered how scared I was, agonizing over whether Colton would hang on through the surgery, whether he'd live long enough for me to see his precious face again. Those were the longest, darkest ninety minutes of my life. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And Jesus answered my prayer? Personally? After I had yelled at God, chastising him, questioning his wisdom and his faithfulness? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why would God even answer a prayer like that? And how did I deserve his mercy? </span><br /></div><br />I love this about Christ; He never gives up on us, He never quits loving us, and even when we are hurting, scared, and lashing out, He still answers our prayers! God is faithful to me, whether or not I am faithful to Him. I can hardly begin to comprehend His love for you and I.<br /><br />As of May 3, 1987, Jesus Christ has been in my heart. I was five, almost six years old and on the way to a piano recital when I made this decision.<br /><br />I remember being very angry with God when I was nine years old. I told Him many times that I was angry, and He was not being a good God, and I did not want to believe in Him anymore. I contemplated suicide so many times that year. I had even planned what my note would say. I was pretty sure I would take a knife and chop my wrists off and hopefully die that way. (I never had the guts to do this, as I have always been terrified of doctors! Something could go wrong, then I would be in trouble.) There was quite a bit of rage within me. At times I would yell at God, and tell Him that I did not want to be a Christian, and I did not believe in His goodness; rather I felt hate, despair, and loneliness. God never once turned His back on me. He must've been answering the prayers of my parents and grandparents. :)<br /><br />The following line resonates in my head, over and over, "And Jesus answered my prayer? Personally? After I had yelled at God, chastising him, questioning his wisdom and his faithfulness? Why would God even answer a prayer like that? And how did I deserve his mercy?"<br /><br />Echoes of mercy, whispers of love... Jesus answered my prayers of anger, hurt, rage, despair, and loneliness, and in its place He has filled my heart with joy, peace, contentment, anticipation, and companionship.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Umrtr4O3Maw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /></div>On a much lighter note...I have not ran since the Nashville Marathon. In fact, I have had my left calf professionally massaged, I have iced my leg on a daily basis, and I have stayed off of my leg to allow it to heal. Today I went for a ten minute jog--this was extremely difficult. To keep myself to ten minutes and not a second longer, I ran with my hair down in 92F, 85% humidity. Another lovely spring day in Houston...I wish I could have ran ten miles today. I crave long runs, and I miss spending my afternoons/evenings on the pavement. My next race is the Chosen Half Marathon with my Daddy at whatever pace he wants to run.Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-72090487994614034882011-05-19T19:05:00.004-05:002011-05-19T19:20:02.921-05:00His Love Can Never Fail<div style="text-align: left;">This past week I have been blessed numerous times over. God has given me strength and joy throughout the week, as I have spent time reflecting on the past couple years. I want to share this hymn with you.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">His Love Can Never Fail<br /><br />I do not ask to see the way<br />My feet will have to tread;<br />But only that my soul may feed<br />Upon the living Bread.<br />'Tis better far that I should walk<br />By faith close to His side;<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I may not know the way I go, but oh, I know my Guide. </span><br /><br />His love can never fail, His love can never fail,<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br /><br />And if my feet would go astray,<br />They cannot, for I know<br />That Jesus guides my falt'ring steps,<br />As joyfully I go.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And though I may not see His face, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> My faith is strong and clear, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> That in each hour of sore distress </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> My Savior will be near. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />His love can never fail, His love can never fail,<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br /><br />I will not fear, though darkness come<br />Abroad o'er all the land,<br />If I may only feel the touch<br />Of His own loving hand.<br />And though I tremble when I think<br />How weak I am, and frail,<br />My soul is satisfied to know<br />His love can never fail.<br /><br />His love can never fail, His love can never fail,<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br />My soul is satisfied to know His love can never fail.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-dNbvD-OBB4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-51383930564752869602011-05-16T05:23:00.002-05:002011-05-16T21:47:14.449-05:00How often in a day do you...<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How often in a day do you think of God? </span><br /></div><br />This is the question posed to us at the beginning of our sermon yesterday morning. For me to spend more time with God, see God more clearly, love God more dearly, and follow God more nearly, I must start thinking about him more than I currently do. Our pastor spoke of "God signs"--common things that you see, that remind you to think of God. I would like to come up with a God sign for myself. I have yet to choose one, ideas given from others were--red cars, birds, butterflies... <span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have a God sign? If so, what is it? Please suggest a God sign for me! I love ideas! </span><br /><br />I was convicted by the words of both anthems sang at church, therefore, I wrote them down.<br /><br />I believe in love, even when feeling it not.<br />I believe in God, even when God is silent.<br />I believe.<br /><br />Feelings drive behaviour and there are times when I don't feel love, but I know God is still there. It is in those times, that I learn to push aside feelings and believe--rely on faith, a relationship of obedience, rooted in love, to Godhead.<br /><br />O, pray for the peace of Jerusalem<br />They shall prosper that love Thee<br />Peace be within Thy walls<br />And plenteousness within Thy palaces.<br /><br />Deuteronomy means second telling. We studied a portion of Deuteronomy 8 today, where we are commanded to remember God and and keep with his commandments, ordinances, and statutes. This must be important, as God tells us more than once to remember Him.<br /><br />We each choose how we carry on our daily tasks, although we are asked to bring Christ into what we are doing. While I run, I like to pray, talk about things I've learned at church/bible study with others, memorize scripture, sing hymns, and take time to listen to Him. We are told to keep God alive in all we do. <span style="font-weight: bold;">How do you bring Christ into what you're doing?</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">How does remembering God positively impact the way you live your life?<br /><br /></span>One of my closest girlfriends from college told me one day, I study to worship Christ. This has stuck with ever since that day. She understood how to praise God from whom all blessings flow! I want to be more like her. I want to teach high school math to worship Christ. I want to run to worship Christ. I want to cook and clean to worship Christ. I want to be more like Jesus and think about my Father... <span style="font-weight: bold;">How often in a day do you think about Godhead--God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?<br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LVH1EuQVvNo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br />Angela Yingling playing the Doxology<br /><br /></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-52857469073849920882011-05-15T07:19:00.001-05:002011-05-15T07:23:25.752-05:00Revisiting my personal 30 before 3024 December 2011 I posted my personal <a href="http://fullafaith.blogspot.com/2010/12/30-before-30.html">30 before 30</a>. 30 things I desire to do, before I turn 30. I struggle, as I look at the list, and realize how few of my goals will become reality. I essentially have 3 months to "complete" my goals. In <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">bold italics</span> I will state which goals are completed or are in the process of completing.<br /><br />3 months out, this is where I stand...<br /><br /><ol><li>BQ--Qualify for the Boston Marathon (Hurt my leg 2 weeks before my race, was not able to run as trained.)<br /></li><li>PR--By qualifying for Boston, I will make a personal record (Hurt my leg 2 weeks before my race, was not able to run as trained.) </li><li style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Continue having fun running</li><li>Run a 3:30 marathon--8:00 min/mi pace (Hurt my leg 2 weeks before my race, was not able to run as trained.) </li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Consistently weigh my ideal weight--more often than not, still working on this<br /></li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Eat proper and healthy--more often than not, still working on this</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Enjoy continued good health</span><br /></li><li>Be a better bump skier<br /></li><li>Learn to pole plant and use my poles when I ski</li><li>Have a group of girls who love me enough to tell me when I'm outta line...I desire an accountability group, a core group</li><li>Disciple a young woman</li><li>Share Christ with someone</li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Find a good community in H-town--this takes time and I am in the process<br /></li><li>Be more involved with local missions</li><li>Go on another short term mission trip<br /></li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Be a better math teacher--I am trying new ideas and continuously learning new ways to teach each individual student. <br /></li><li style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Be a better cook</li><li>Play more cribbage</li><li>Save $8,000 (ideally $10,000, but once I put money in my IRA, I don't think this is going to be possible)</li><li>See my Grandma and extended family on Mom's side</li><li>Spend time with my Grandparents and extended family on Dad's side</li><li>Be a better daughter to my parents</li><li>Be a better sister to my brother</li><li>Be a fabulous sister to my new sister, Molly, Levi's fiance</li><li>Be a better friend</li><li>Be in a dating relationship</li><li>Spend more time with God</li><li>See God more clearly</li><li>Love God more dearly</li><li>Follow God more nearly</li></ol>Wow, looking at this list, I have a lot of work to do! Especially 27-30. I need encouragement and accountability, and if you look at 10 and 13, I am still in search of this. There you have my revisitation of personal goals.Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-90684152714586352602011-05-11T20:00:00.000-05:002011-05-15T07:02:14.716-05:00Nashville Country Music Marathon<div style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">Race: Nashville Country Music Marathon</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">Distance: 26.2 miles</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">Original Goal Time: 3:30:00</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">New Goal: Have fun! Run with UB! Finish the race</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">Actual Time: 04:</span><span style="line-height:115%">24:11 (10:04 min/mi)</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%"><br />This was one of the most difficult races I have ran, due to </span></span><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">situation. I had hurt my left calf muscle, two weeks prior. I chose the CMM (Country Music Marathon) for one primary reason, to run with my UB (Uncle Bert). After training for months, I should have ran a 3:30:00. My body was well trained, my peak mileage at 70 miles per week. I enjoyed the majority of my training, but sadly, hurt my leg, just before the race; I chose to run anyways.<br /><br />As I was walking down to the race, my leg was hurting, quite a bit. I tried to "hide" this, as I had 26.2 miles to run. UB, my friend Ed, and I started off together. The three of us ran the first 6 miles with one another. Ed stated that my gait was pretty bad during the first few miles, which did not surprise me. UB kept going (thankfully!) and Ed and I kept up together until just before the half marathon split. I had to slow my pace down for the second half of the race.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">My Dad, cheering me on, ran a little bit with me around (mile 18?) and asked how I was doing. I could not help but cry, I was in pain. I continued to run (if you could call it that) even though most of me just wanted to stop and cry out in pain. At mile 25ish, Dad came out and ran me almost to the finish, this was a huge blessing, as I knew the end was near, but Dad knew the course, where as I was clueless. He told me what to expect and cheered me on. This was incredible! I am super thankful for both my parents who came out to cheer me on. Mom was the photographer, when Dad threw the camera for her to hold, while he joined me. Mom blesses me with her presence; I love how I can hear her cheering me on! What a blessing it is to be encouraged in a race that you've spent months training for! </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align:center"><div style="text-align:left"><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%">I don't have any great thoughts to leave you with; I'm not sure why God allowed this to happen. In fact, I am still frustrated at the situation. After work, I massage, ice, and elevate my leg. The swelling has gone down, although it is not fully healed. This type of pain can happen to anyone, doing anything...urgh! I must hold onto the fact that I run for fun and more importantly, I run to glorify God. </span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%"><span style="line-height:115%"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyvB47UQvDRf_rxT6YI3qY2kH1WW45Wx1RH7Fc-XfFJx21JYVdBMcaqu9Tn4Ykn1fTNgJVqjAbvqgMHu73tFSj1D3U9lju8_UkhqLwJ2uu3kywaCRajETsmWPDtutMOLptTjAJ7TojK1F/s1600/UB+Faith+Nashville.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width:400px;min-height:239px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyvB47UQvDRf_rxT6YI3qY2kH1WW45Wx1RH7Fc-XfFJx21JYVdBMcaqu9Tn4Ykn1fTNgJVqjAbvqgMHu73tFSj1D3U9lju8_UkhqLwJ2uu3kywaCRajETsmWPDtutMOLptTjAJ7TojK1F/s400/UB+Faith+Nashville.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">UB (Uncle Bert) and I at the Expo</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-26062083994474661522011-05-08T18:47:00.002-05:002011-05-08T18:52:58.464-05:00Happy Mothers Day!This is a <a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2011/04/grace-spots/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+stuffchristianslikeblog+%28Stuff+Christians+Like+-+Jon+Acuff%29">blog posting from SCL</a> once again...I want to share this posting, on this day, as my Mother is a woman of grace, constantly living as a woman of "Grace Spots." I was blessed to spend Mothers Day Weekend with my family! We celebrated Saturday evening, and then Sunday at lunch. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUCmI26ngUYpf3UEfmWf4COgsUASjRivd_aruCuICkKoSKKqNzQ7NGog5P4yoSaGP40C0B0B8S_bp803HTUKUL0NZcsNMWNM9CqeRAInqEdaQr36tDa5tNbDssxM9XN2Q0wV-_F9bQ7ha/s1600/Faith+and+her+Mom.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUCmI26ngUYpf3UEfmWf4COgsUASjRivd_aruCuICkKoSKKqNzQ7NGog5P4yoSaGP40C0B0B8S_bp803HTUKUL0NZcsNMWNM9CqeRAInqEdaQr36tDa5tNbDssxM9XN2Q0wV-_F9bQ7ha/s400/Faith+and+her+Mom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604496846634929090" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mom and I, December 2010<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2011/04/grace-spots/" rel="bookmark" title="Grace Spots."><span class="number">#995.</span> Grace Spots.</a><span class="the_time"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>April 13, 2011</span><span class="the_comment_link"> </span><p class="post-meta"> </p> <p>A few weeks ago, my family and I went out to dinner together on a Friday night. The goal was to have a family meal, hang out, and possibly even enter into the Q realm. Quality Time.</p> <p>Apparently every person in the greater Nashville are also had the same idea.</p> <p><span id="more-4777"></span>At the first restaurant we went to, we couldn’t even find a parking place. We circled a few times and then tried a second restaurant. When they told us the wait time was 45 minutes, I groaned and set the timer on my iPhone.</p> <p>I’m a little OCD about numbers and sometimes watching the time helps keep me focused on something other than waiting in the lobby. I’d like to say that while waiting there I realized our goal of hanging out as a family was already being accomplished, that we didn’t need food to bond together as a family, we had each other! This was why we came out in the first place. The night was already a success as we talked and laughed about our week in a moment that would have made even Norman Rockwell jealous. I want to say that, but that would be a lie.</p> <p>In moments like that, I tend to become a jerk. I don’t know if it’s because I’m competitive and want to “beat other people to dinner” or maybe it’s because I’m impatient. But I started to get really frustrated and tired of waiting and angry that I did not possess the super powers to force the little beeper we were holding to go off. Flash red already!</p> <p>When it finally did go off, I walked up to the hostess and said, “I feel like I won the lottery. I’m so happy I want to give you a hug.” Her response?</p> <p>“That would be great, I had a really tough day with my teenager.”</p> <p>Slap in the face. Stomach punch. Throat chop. However you want to say it, she misinterpreted my passive aggressive/whiny statement as genuine thankfulness. And that was pretty convicting.</p> <p>It made me realize that there are some moments in life where people aren’t getting any grace. There are some places where people aren’t being shown any kindness, ever. There are some times in the day where people aren’t getting any love. And although I might like to think I am graceful in those situations, I’m not.</p> <p>But what if showing grace to someone was like anything else in life, you had to be deliberate? What if I could consciously pick ahead of time “Grace Spots” where no matter what, I was going to do my best to throw out wild amounts of grace? Would that change somebody’s day? Would that show someone Christ in a really unexpected way? Maybe, so here are three I identified:</p> <p><strong>1. At the airport.</strong></p> <p>Flight attendants, the TSA guards, the gate attendants, these folks are constantly surrounded by the most impatient, frustrated people on the planet. What if every time I flew, I went out of my way to treat the airport like a grace spot?</p> <p><strong>2. The Post Office</strong></p> <p>I’ve never had a fast experience at the post office. I’ve never walked out and thought, “that sure was easy.” But the one guy running the counter while 80 of us wait in line with packages didn’t demand, “I want to be understaffed today. I’d prefer to not have any help with me today.” That guy needs grace.</p> <p><strong>3. The DMV</strong></p> <p>You’re going to want to work your way up to this one. Don’t start with the DMV. Practice grace on a few Friday nights at restaurants first. Fly a few times and make a TSA guard laugh or smile before you practice grace at the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is PhD level grace and kindness, but they deserve it too. Lots of it.</p> <p>There’s a chance that you are a fountain of grace and the idea about deliberately labeling and praying about grace spots is silly to you. You already show grace everywhere. The planet is your grace spot. I wish I could say the same thing about my life, but I can’t. I need to keep grace spots in mind and I’ve already seen it change things.</p> <p>When I was in the ninth grade my mom made me write an apology note to the dentist. He swore he’d never see me again as a patient because I was such a jerk to him. So when we moved to Nashville, I determined I’d pick the dentist’s office as a grace spot. After a few visits of showering everyone in that office with grace, a new hygienist handled my appointment. She said, “I was so excited to finally meet you today. Everyone was talking this morning about how much they enjoy when you come in for a visit and I hadn’t met you yet.” Then a few days later she sent me the first hand written thank you note I’ve ever received from a dentist’s office.</p> <p>Why?</p> <p>Because the dentist’s office is one of my grace spots.</p> <p>What would you say is one of the places you have a seemingly impossible time extending grace?</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;">What grace spots could you pick?</p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-44610675446631905412011-04-29T08:18:00.007-05:002011-05-04T20:25:09.302-05:00Royal Wedding HypeI personally found all of the Royal Wedding hype quite interesting and almost silly. Women--young and old, gathered around their television sets, many of them up in the wee hours of the morning, to watch this wedding. Women joining together to eat biscuits, scones, and fruit, with their hot tea, not forgetting to use milk and sugar; the meal made complete by using English china.<br /><br />I personally enjoy things that are simple and elegant. I eat off of china everyday. I enjoy setting my table, and sitting down for a proper meal. In case you were wondering, my pattern is Royal Albert: Old Country Roses.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KpNJz0TRcQekfw6hJ2ts0qm8dllBs6rYFVtIBu2neTLK6Gzp65zNNqMmUQVch8Q3PRNHBWIu-F9jLARHIw_B3tAmiWUuhAzEkYNaSaJYC7lr7h6YMm2HYEZtUbmQfvZi6-8_e5NJp1FI/s1600/china.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KpNJz0TRcQekfw6hJ2ts0qm8dllBs6rYFVtIBu2neTLK6Gzp65zNNqMmUQVch8Q3PRNHBWIu-F9jLARHIw_B3tAmiWUuhAzEkYNaSaJYC7lr7h6YMm2HYEZtUbmQfvZi6-8_e5NJp1FI/s400/china.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603036242144128546" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Watching a short recap of the wedding, was wonderful! The dress was elegant, yet simple; modest and beautiful. The bride wore her long hair down. The kiss was short and sweet. In many ways, this is how I dream of my wedding--simple, elegant, beautiful. I hope to have long hair that I can wear down and natural. I want my dress to be modest, yet delightful. I want my wedding to be known and remembered as one where Christ was celebrated and glorified.<br /><br />For those of you that are married, how do you remember your wedding? What made your wedding special and unique?<br />For those of you that are single, how do you want your wedding to be remembered? What special and unique ideas do you want to incorporate into your wedding?Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-650742798273094914.post-66977248676071177472011-04-27T20:23:00.002-05:002011-04-27T20:27:18.994-05:00Hiding the things that HurtOn the 5 December 2010, I wrote about, "<a href="http://fullafaith.blogspot.com/2010/12/broken-expectations.html?showComment=1291563134052#c7485788156254077011">Broken Expectations</a>." In the posting I stated the following, "The only thing I can do is cling to the fact that God is not done. He has just begun to reveal my life to me. I know God provides, and I know He has given me dreams, hopes, and goals for a reason. I must remember He is the God who satisfies my desires with good things."<br /><br />The following blog post piggy backs "Broken Expectations" as it discusses the emotional and spiritual wrestling that occurs when we do not receive the things we desire.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2011/04/hiding-the-things-that-hurt/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+stuffchristianslikeblog+%28Stuff+Christians+Like+-+Jon+Acuff%29">#990. Hiding the things that hurt.</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>April 6, 2011<br /><br />I do not remember the day that I got my rejection letter from the University of North Carolina. That moment did not crystallize, me standing at a cold Massachusetts mailbox with a much too thin envelope clutched in my teenage fist as I cursed the clouds above. That would have been dramatic, but I am not sure that’s how it happened.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">My father went to UNC. My mother went to UNC. My uncle went to UNC. My younger brother went to UNC. My little sister went to UNC. I was supposed to go to UNC. I grew up loving the UNC basketball team, throwing frisbee on the Carolina campus and dreaming about wearing that shade of blue for four perfect years. But then I got rejected.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Situations like that force me to deal with a harsh reality—there are some things I want that I will simply never have. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Experiences or possessions or friendships that will for a host of reasons never really be mine. And I have a hard time rectifying that limited reality with my limitless God.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever realized that a dream you have is sunsetting instead of sunrising? Ending instead of beginning? </span>Maybe it’s a job promotion you killed yourself for that slipped through your fingers. It was yours. It was meant to be. <span style="font-weight: bold;">You had sacrificed so much and then it just disappeared.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">More than likely though, it was a moment of love unreturned. Have you ever loved someone that would not love you back? Maybe it was that guy you were supposed to be with. When you were around him you felt this strange mixture of being stirred up inside but at the same time feeling as if you were home.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">He was the one in a world full of not the ones. But it didn’t happen.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">He fell in love with someone else. Someone not named you. And despite your best hopes that particular dream ended.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">What then? Where does that leave God? What if that desire wasn’t something you hid from Him? What if it were something you prayed about fervently and patiently? What then?</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I wrestle with this sometimes but what I am starting to think is that disappointment, sunset moments, only point to how bright my sunrise really is. </span>Throughout the Bible, we are told that God knows our true desires, those things we really need above all else. And in His midst alone, do we find our satisfaction. So when I experience something that hurts, an expectation that was unmet, maybe what I should think is, “If that felt good at first and that’s not the thing that God has planned for me, how amazing is that thing going to be?”</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">There’s a verse in Psalm 103 that kind of makes me think about that. It describes God as he “who satisfies your desires with good things.” So when I got rejected from UNC, a place I thought was a good thing, I can’t help but think, <span style="font-weight: bold;">“If that wasn’t the good thing, just imagine what is?” And I ask that question confidently because we know, that God is in the business of good. In Romans 8:28 we’re told “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It’s not “in some things” or “in the things we understand” or “the things we dictate to God.” The verse says, “all things” according to “his purpose.” </span>If it were my things and my purpose, I would have told God “We’re going to UNC,” and then missed Samford University. And my wife Jenny. And ultimately, my children L.E. and McRae.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">The challenge in all that though is being honest about the things that burn. The good things that turned out to not be the good things after all. I think God wants to dialogue about the desires we have that didn’t get met. I don’t think he wants us to fake it and shine up our hurts as if they didn’t. I think he wants to hear you say, “God, I want to die when I see Bill and his fiancée. That should be me.” I think he wants us to be honest about those things so that in those moments he can hold us, he can comfort us and he can reveal our true good things.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">There will be things you think are good, that you don’t get. God is not an ATM or a genie who grants wishes. He doesn’t take orders from us or fulfill our hopes in the shape and size and speed we demand.</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">Why not?</p><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;"> </span><p style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">Because He’s bigger than that. He’s better than that. And above all, He loves us much, much more than that.</p><p>The same things I was struggling with in December, four months, almost five months later, I am still struggling with. I still don't understand why God has brought a woman into my brothers life (I love and care about Molly very much; she is a great woman!) and has not brought a man into my life. To me it feels absolutely vindictive. Jon Acuff reminds me that God is not an ATM, as much as I wish He were at times, and He certainly does not take orders from me, or fulfill my hopes and dreams in the ways I want...or at least think I want at the moment. </p><p>I was relaying to the head track coach at the HS, that I was bummed about my last race, as I had ran awful. My half marathon took me 1:50:02. I am trained to run a full minute per mile faster, which I failed to do on that day. The head coach looked right at me, and told me exactly what Jon is talking about here, "Disappointing races only point to how bright your moments of glory and victory are."<br /></p>All this being said, disappointment does not make broken expectations, dreams, and desires, any less painful, and each one of them continue to bite, sting, and cause great pain. I am looking forward to my sunrise!Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09439012702515581079noreply@blogger.com3