tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31689469041823814282024-03-16T11:52:59.649-07:00Sharon Sharing GodSharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.comBlogger927125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-3635595914360296362016-10-31T03:06:00.000-07:002016-10-31T03:06:00.885-07:00A BREAK IN THE ACTION<br />
<b>I've been MIA in Blog Land for a couple of weeks.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I feel like I need to give some explanation.</i><br />
<br />
I've been <b>blogging for 6½ years</b> now, and over that time, <i>many people have come and gone in the blogging community. </i> I've known and been close to several of them, and built a relationship, only to have them <b>"disappear."</b><br />
<br />
<i>Often I've wondered what happened…</i><br />
<br />
<b>Why did they quit blogging?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Was it burnout or something else?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>Are they OK?</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>With that in mind, I wanted to at least explain my absence.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>First of all, I'm OK.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Except that illness has come to roost in my body…again…GRRR!</i><br />
<br />
After three weeks of some respiratory illness, and a five-day round of antibiotics, I managed to feel better for about two weeks. And then, I got hit with something else last week.<br />
<br />
<b>Flu.</b><br />
<br />
This time I have had a fever, aches, chills, cough…<b>blah, blah, blah.</b><br />
<br />
I don't know what's going on with me, except I've been around family a lot more lately, and it's that time of year…<br />
<br />
<i>I think we're ping-ponging illnesses.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Evidently my family is a "giving" family?!</b><br />
<br />
So, missing my regular Monday posting <b>one week</b>, easily became <b>two weeks</b>, and here we are.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I'll be honest, the time off has been nice.</b><br />
<br />
I have been <b>struggling</b> with my writing lately. <b>Feeling uninspired and burned out. </b>Questioning my place in Blog Land, <i>and wondering if it's time to hang it all up.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I don't have the answers yet.</b><br />
<br />
Part of me <u>wants</u> to stop, but I don't have peace about that. <br />
<br />
And knowing that the enemy has a <i>vested interest</i> in silencing God's voice speaking through me, <b>I don't want to make a hasty decision. </b> <i>And I certainly don't want to make a decision based on my current physical and emotional weariness</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>Feelings must not dictate.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>So, dear friends, I am taking a break for now. </b><br />
<br />
Using some much-needed time off to <b>reflect, refresh, restore, and renew.</b><br />
<br />
Praying for <b>God's clear direction</b> as to what <i><u>HE</u></i> wants me to do with my blog.<br />
<br />
Seeking <b>renewed fervor and inspiration </b>if He leads me to continue.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I'd appreciate your prayers.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
I will try to do some visiting in Blog Land this week. <br />
<br />
I miss reading the <b>wonderful things that all of you contribute</b> to the blogging community in general, <i><b>and to my heart specifically</b></i>.<br />
<br />
<i>I am always inspired, encouraged, challenged, convicted, uplifted when I visit.</i><br />
<br />
So, forgive my <b>absentee presence</b><i> (oxymoron!!)</i> lately. I'll do my best to rectify that as soon as I'm feeling a bit better.<br />
<br />
<i>And I hope that I will return to my writing and posting soon…if God so leads me in that direction.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>In the meantime, keep the faith!!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What have you been up to lately? Would love to hear all about it in a comment!</span></b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="color: #f1c232;">Ah yes, this is the question!! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I just googled <b>"God restores the weary"</b> and the first entry referred to Jeremiah 31:25. I have read the whole chapter, and wonder if it isn't God speaking to me. I share the portions that spoke to me, personalized:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Thus says the LORD:</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Sharon…found grace in the wilderness;</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">when she sought for rest,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">the LORD appeared to her from far away.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">I have loved you with an everlasting love;</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Again I will build you, and you shall be built,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">O Sharon!</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Again you shall plant vineyards…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">the planters shall plant</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and shall enjoy the fruit…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">With weeping Sharon shall come,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and with pleas for mercy I will lead her back,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">I will make her walk by brooks of water,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">in a straight path in which she shall not stumble,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">for I am a father to her…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">He who scattered Sharon will gather her,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and will keep her as a shepherd keeps his flock.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">For the LORD has ransomed Sharon</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and has redeemed her from hands too strong for her...</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">She shall come and sing aloud…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and she shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">her life shall be like a watered garden,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and she shall languish no more…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">I will turn her mourning into joy;</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">I will comfort her, and give her gladness for sorrow…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and she shall be satisfied with my goodness,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">declares the LORD.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Keep your voice from weeping,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and your eyes from tears,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">for there is a reward for your work,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">declares the LORD,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">and you shall come back from the land of the enemy.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">There is hope for your future,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">declares the LORD…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Set up road markers for yourself;</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">make yourself guideposts;</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">consider well the highway,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">the road by which you went.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Return, O Sharon…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Once more you shall use these words in the land…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">I will watch over you to build and to plant, declares the LORD…</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">You shall not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever."</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>Yes, Lord, may it be so!</b></span><br />
<br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-62535831897296424952016-10-10T03:09:00.000-07:002016-10-16T12:04:21.015-07:00RE-LEASING MY BURDENS<b><br /></b>
<b>Lately I've been doing a lot of reading.</b><br />
<br />
Seems like being sick has a way of <b>slowing life down</b>, and reading is a good way to pass the time.<br />
<br />
<i>So I've been learning, listening, lounging –</i><br />
<br />
And I read something that I wrote four years ago that really spoke to me again.<br />
<br />
<i>I thought I'd share it with you today…</i><br />
<br />
I had just read something that a friend wrote that triggered a <b>deep response</b> in my heart. She was talking about <b>*letting go* of a particularly difficult situation</b> in her life. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>About how hard it was for her to do that. </i><br />
<br />
<b>How relinquishing control was often a moment-by-moment process.</b><br />
<br />
<i>How well I related.</i><br />
<br />
So tired, wanting and waiting to release the burden of care that she was carrying.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, I got it.</b><br />
<br />
Those of us who are parents will totally understand the <b>weight of love and concern</b> that we have for our children. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (By the way, those of you who aren't parents still care for other people deeply – you will also understand what I'm talking about).</span><br />
<br />
<i>And we should care.</i><br />
<br />
<b>If we ever took that job of parenting seriously, we will care…deeply.</b><br />
<br />
But sometimes we can get <b>overburdened, overwhelmed, overcome</b> by the things we care about. Especially when we face the ugly fact that <b>we have little control</b> <i>over another person's circumstances, pain and suffering, thoughts and feelings.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I often find myself being the "emotional burro" of the family.</b><br />
<br />
Might I just say in my defense that I come by that role <u>naturally</u>.<br />
<br />
I am the first-born child, and oldest daughter of a first-born son and an only child (my parents). I am also the first-born grandchild of two first-born sons (my grandfathers) – and the oldest cousin in my family. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Might I just add that both of my parents were also the oldest grandchildren and oldest cousins on one side of their families).</span><br />
<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Overly responsible.</b><br />
<b>Overly conscientious.</b><br />
<b>Overly…<i>everything.</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>(Sign me up for Overachievers Anonymous)</i><br />
<br />
The weight I carry for others – especially for my sons, my family – can be heavy, heavy at times.<br />
<br />
Now, as a believer and a follower of Jesus, I know that <b>I am not in charge.</b> <i>(I'm not, right? Funny how I keep having to check on that…)</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Lord is in infinite control of all things, and all people.</b><br />
<br />
So, I know that my <b>spiritual mandate</b> is to allow Him to have that control. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To exhibit my yielding to His sovereignty by trusting and obeying Him.</i><br />
<br />
I really, really try to do that.<br />
<br />
<b>But I am struck by the spiritual irony that I am now actually striving to rest. </b><br />
<br />
<i>Silly, huh?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
As I pondered what my friend wrote, I thought about that word <b>*release*</b>.<br />
<br />
The definition of <b>lease</b> is this <i>(taking out the specific legal stuff so it makes sense emotionally!)</i>:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>A contract by which one party conveys (transfers) [something or someone] to another...</b><br />
<br />
In that sense, God is asking me, inviting me, even commanding me, to do just that. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>To make a contract with Him to convey all my *stuff* to Him.</b><br />
<br />
<i>When I thought about that, releasing my burden actually becomes...</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><u>RE</u>-leasing. </b><br />
<br />
Stopping <b><u>once again</u></b> to hand over to Him all those things that burden me.<br />
<br />
<b>To once again move into that place where I abide with Him.</b> <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Where I allow the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to comfort and calm me.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I re-lease in order to <u>once again find peace</u>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>It's not easy for this crazy first-born. </b><br />
<br />
Very often I find myself <b>*taking back*</b> all the people and situations that I thought I had given to the Lord. <br />
<br />
<i>(Evidently, some of the things that I think I "nail to the cross" are actually just thumb-tacked…or loosely held on with Post-It notes…just sayin').</i><br />
<br />
But, God is calling this overly responsible, overly conscientious mother to <b>give it <u><i>ALL</i></u> to Him</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Today, though with a troubled heart and an anxious spirit, <b>I will <u>re-lease</u> it all to Him who loves me. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I will transfer</b> <i>my troubles, my worries, my situations and circumstances, my health, my finances, my family – my past, my present, and my future – every detail, every moment </i>– <b>into His loving and capable hands.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Praying you will, too.</i><br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Lord, to whom would we go? </b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>You have the words that give eternal life.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Is there a burden that God is asking you to re-lease to Him?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">One more time<br />He lightens up my load,<br />In the night of deep despair<br />my faith keeps telling me<br />He's there,<br />Waiting to answer prayer<br />one more time.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(From "One More Time" by the Downings)</span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Conversation with Jesus </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(based on Scripture)</span><b>:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"I know that you are weary and carry heavy burdens, Sharon."</span><br />
<br />
"Oh Lord, yes, my burdens are heavy and I am so very tired, so weighed down by the worry and care and concerns that I bear."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"This is why I bid you to come to Me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">I will give you rest."</span><br />
<br />
"Rest sounds so nice, Lord. And yet, it seems impossible to my weary soul."<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Then take My yoke upon you. Let me share the burden.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Let Me teach you the meaning of true peace.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">I am humble and gentle, and I will be tender-hearted as I lead you, and you will find rest for your soul.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">My yoke is easy to bear."</span><br />
<br />
"Lord, what do you mean? Yokes are heavy and confining, they weigh you down. And the yoke of caring right now is overpowering to me."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Oh Sharon, don't you understand? The yoke is not a symbol of pain, but of partnership. I will carry the load if you align yourself with Me."</span><br />
<br />
"Yes, Lord, I do strive to walk on my own path."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Sharon, the Father has entrusted everything to Me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Including every detail, every moment of your life.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">So cast the whole of your care – all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns – once and for all, on Me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">For I care for you affectionately and I care about you watchfully.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>I love you</b>."</span><br />
<br />
"I love You, too, my Jesus, my Friend."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Then cast your cares on Me, and I will sustain you. I will never let you be shaken. I will not permit you to slip and fall. I will never allow you to be moved.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">Follow Me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">And all will be well.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Trust Me</b>."</span><br />
<br />
"Yes, Lord..."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Based on Matthew 11:27-30, 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 55:22)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">"Thus it is the duty and interest of weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ…Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort in their hearts. </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">But in coming to him they must take his yoke, and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things, as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love.</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Let us come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows."</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">(Matthew Henry Commentary)</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>Linked with:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span>, <span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span>, <span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span>, <span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span>, <span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span>, <span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span>, <span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span>, <span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span>, <span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span>, <span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span>, <span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span>, <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span>, <span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span>, <span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span>, <span style="color: #f1c232;">RICH FAITH RISING</span>, <span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span>, <span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span>, <span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span>, <span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span>, <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span>, <span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span>, <span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span>, <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span>, <span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span>, <span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span>, <span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span>, <span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span>, <span style="color: #a64d79;">GRACE MOMENTS</span>, <span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span>, <span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span>, <span style="color: #b45f06;">HEART ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY</span>, <span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span>, <span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span>, <span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span>, <span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span>, <span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span>, <span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span>, <span style="color: #6aa84f;">HEARTS FOR HOME</span>, <span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span>, <span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span>, <span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span>, <span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span>, <span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span>, <span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span>, <span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span>, <span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span>, <span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span>, <span style="color: magenta;">TGI SATURDAYS</span>, <span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span>, <span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span>, <span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span>, <span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span>, <span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</span><br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-25158869386257662312016-10-03T05:08:00.000-07:002016-10-07T09:43:00.647-07:00GRIN AND BEAR IT<br />
<b>Yes, I am still sick.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And not feeling up to writing anything *new* this week.</i><br />
<br />
So, I'm posting some words written by <b>John Charles Ryle </b>(1816-1900), who was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. Ryle was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles albeit with a warm disposition.<br />
<br />
His words fit nicely into a series I used to feature on my blog called <b>"Quaint Words."</b><br />
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<i>And they are most encouraging to my weak and ailing body, and my flagging spirit...</i><br />
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<i><b>Might this also encourage you!</b></i><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Welcome to "Quaint Words!"</b><br />
<br />
These posts will contain thoughts, poems, and prayers from old books that I have found at antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales (with an occasional treasure from a bookstore).<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I love the rhythm and sound of the older English language, and am blessed by other believers who have gone before me!</i><br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">"There may be much weakness and infirmity, even in a true Christian.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">You have striking proof of this in the conduct of the disciples...when the waves broke over the ship. They awoke Jesus in haste. They said to Him, "Master, care You not that we perish?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">There was impatience. They might have waited until their Lord thought fit to arise from His sleep.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">There was unbelief. They forgot that they were in the keeping of the One who had all power in His hand.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">There was distrust. They spoke as if they doubted their Lord's care and thoughtfulness for their safety and well-being...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">But, after all, let us understand this is only a picture of what is constantly going on among believers in every age....Many of God's children get on very well so long as they have no trials. They follow Christ very tolerably in the time of fair weather. They fancy they are trusting Him entirely. They flatter themselves they have cast every care on Him...But suddenly some unlooked-for trial assails them...Fear and doubt and distress and anxiety break in upon them like a flood, and they seem at their wits' end...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">The plain truth is that there is no literal and absolute perfection among true Christians, so long as they are in the body. The best and brightest of God's saints is but a poor mixed being. Converted, renewed and sanctified though he be, he is still compassed with infirmity...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">I want [you] to see that [you] may have true faith and grace, in spite of all the devil's whispers to the contrary, though [you] may feel within many doubts and fears...so long as [you] are in the body, [you] must not expect faith to be above the reach of fear...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">I beseech every reader of this message to remember this. It is a lesson worth attention. The apostles believed in Christ, loved Christ and gave up all to follow Christ. And yet you see in this storm the apostles were afraid. Learn to be charitable in your judgment of them. Learn to be moderate in your expectations from your own heart...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">Let us learn, in the last place, how tenderly and patiently the Lord Jesus deals with weak believers...The whole of our Lord's conduct towards His disciples on earth deserves close consideration. It throws a beautiful light on the compassion and patience that there is in Him...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f6b26b;">Let all the world know that the Lord Jesus will not cast away His believing people because of shortcomings and infirmities..."</span><br />
<span style="color: #f6b26b;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(From <i><span style="color: #b45f06;">"Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots"</span></i> by John Charles Ryle, c. 1877, enlarged 1879)</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">How does the compassion of Jesus console you in times of infirmity?</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0DYEIH_sHwLbshakVnihar-k9z01snBZBG2To1InRdkfvBPrODFnBQmy58Svb2KJP6kPKZ0fg2HUShroSbOjU1tr_hXf6b_ehMzb0PzQUa8Hp6zOrFcIm-pKOLEmEDvSGW_kTD4of4s/s1600/IMG_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0DYEIH_sHwLbshakVnihar-k9z01snBZBG2To1InRdkfvBPrODFnBQmy58Svb2KJP6kPKZ0fg2HUShroSbOjU1tr_hXf6b_ehMzb0PzQUa8Hp6zOrFcIm-pKOLEmEDvSGW_kTD4of4s/s400/IMG_1731.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">Still trying to grin<br />and<br />"bear" it!! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad -- for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(1 Peter 4:12-13, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -- though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:5-7, NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"Dear brothers and sisters,a when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">(James 1:2-4, NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:3-5, NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">(1 Peter 5:10-11, ESV)</span></div>
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</div>
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-42300712600710778912016-09-26T03:07:00.000-07:002016-10-02T12:30:54.598-07:00CAN'T I JUST STAY IN BED?<br />
<b>I have been sick, folks.</b><br />
<br />
<i>For a week.</i><br />
<br />
With some stupid runny nose, clogged sinuses, sore throat, dry cough, headache, no energy, huge <b>BLAH</b> thing.<br />
<br />
<b>I don't know how you *do* sick.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Some people are like grumpy old bears, and just want to be left alone.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Me?</b><br />
<br />
I turn into a <b>toddler</b>, <i>wanting constant attention and company, and special things to eat.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I've been known to whine.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Being sick isn't fun, is it?</b><br />
<br />
We've all had times when we just get <b>knocked out by the "latest bug" </b>touring the human population we're exposed to.<br />
<br />
<i>I guess it's my turn.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I’d like to write about how wonderfully God made our bodies. </b><br />
<br />
How He created them to instantly come to our defenses. <i>(This is the reason for multiple symptoms – it's our body's way of warding off the "bad guys.")</i><br />
<br />
<i>And that is true.</i><br />
<br />
But, the thing that bothers me the most about being sick is <b>how it affects me emotionally.</b><br />
<br />
<b>I get discouraged really easily.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And sad, and fearful, and overwhelmed.</i><br />
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<b>I become a *bed potato*</b> – <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(a close cousin of a couch potato).</span></i><br />
<br />
Yes, when we get sick, bed rest is a good idea. It allows our immune system to gear up for the fight. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>But after a while, bed rest can become bed <u>stuck</u>…</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i><br /></i>
<i>No, I am still not feeling well.</i><br />
<br />
But I also know that <b>I'm sliding into that place where I just want to roll over and never get up.</b><br />
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<b>*That place…*</b><br />
<br />
The place where I realize that a local flock of blue jays have nested in the knot of hair that has evolved on the top of my head – <i>(when did I last brush it out??)</i><br />
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The place where I realize that my mouth aroma might closely resemble "morning mouth" – at 7 o'clock in the evening – on the second or third day.<br />
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The place where I realize that I have been putting deodorant on the outside of my shirt – instead of changing clothes, or, for pete's sake, taking a shower!<br />
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The place where my face without makeup is beyond frightening – <i>(hey, who needs a Halloween mask? I'm just practicing…)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<br />
<b><i><u>That</u></i> place.</b><br />
<br />
The place where "The Hub"s" encouraging words to <i>maybe get up and walk around a little bit is greeted with my moaning…</i><br />
<br />
<b>"Can't I just stay in bed?"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
If you can get past feeling awful,<b> being sick is kinda cool.</b> <i>It gives you a built-in excuse to do nothing for a few days. </i> To just ignore life, and put *all that important stuff* <u>on hold</u>.<br />
<br />
Bills, phone calls, housework, grocery shopping, etc – <b>POOF!</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Back in the day, it also bought me a free ticket to stay home from school or work.</i><br />
<br />
Nope, whatever it is, <i>I can't do it</i> – <b>I'm SICK.</b><br />
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The problem is that <b>I get discouraged</b>, <i>and then I am tempted to crawl under the covers and forget life.</i><br />
<br />
Don't you have days when you wake up and just want to say:<br />
<br />
<b>"Can't I just stay in bed?"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Life is tough.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Facing it is tougher.</b></i><br />
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<i>And I am convinced that the enemy of our souls does everything in his power to keep us *out of the game.*</i><br />
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<b>He loves when we figuratively crawl under the covers.</b><br />
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<i>Because, you see, a bunch of spiritual *bed potatoes* are <u><b>no threat</b></u>.</i><br />
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And this is <b>his mission</b> – <i>to make God's followers weak and ineffectual.</i><br />
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<b>To make us spiritually sick.</b><br />
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<i>It is this realization that made me force myself out of bed this morning, to actually face the day.</i><br />
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The germs are still fighting, and I'm still fighting back – and yes, I'm still feeling lousy.<br />
<br />
<b>But, I cannot give up.</b><br />
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You see, I heard the Lord calling me this morning, and I answered:<br />
<br />
<b>"Can't I just stay in bed?"</b><br />
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His gentle reply?<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>"No, I've got things for you to do."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>That's the mission, the challenge – <i>to face life</i>. </b><br />
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<i>To pursue God and His purposes <b>at all costs</b>, even when we don't feel like it. </i><br />
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<b>To walk when we want to crumble. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>To rise when we stumble.</b><br />
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Because, like that familiar saying, I want the enemy of my soul to mutter:<br />
<br />
<b>"Uh oh, she's up."</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Have you been *spiritually sick* lately? Are you ready to get up?!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">We are pressed on every side by troubles,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">but we are not crushed.<br />We are perplexed,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">but not driven to despair.<br />We are hunted down,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">but never abandoned by God.<br />We get knocked down,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">but we are not destroyed.<br />Through suffering,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus<br />so that the life of Jesus</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">may also be seen in our bodies.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(2 Corinthians 4:8-10, NLT)</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">(NOTE: Per the suggestion of a very faithful reader, I have changed the color of all Scripture references, hoping to make them easier to read </span><span style="color: #e06666;">–</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> another shade of red, to set them apart from my own words. May God bless you with His Word!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"…for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…" </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Proverbs 24:16, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up…" (Psalm 71:20, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me." (Psalm 138:17, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"'LORD, help!' they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them…" (Psalm 107:19-20, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"'I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,' says the LORD." (Jeremiah 30:17, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"'For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.'" (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Psalm 30:2, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." (Psalm 55:22, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">“Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:24, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." (Micah 7:8, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"'…I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.'" (Exodus 23:22, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God…is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, 'Listen to me…Do not be afraid as you go out to fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them. For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, NLT)</span><br />
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/09/fish-fudge-and-quality-of-silence.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-235/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-part-5-favoritism-and-other-four-letter-words/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/how-to-be-salt-and-light/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-95/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-194/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_26.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/09/making-your-home-sing-monday.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/09/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-167/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/inspire-me-monday-week-247.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/the-night-no-one-showed-up/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/prayer-receive-gods-grace-moments-of-hope/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/09/great-is-thy-faithfulness-glimpses-v-12.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/09/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of_26.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/09/dont-fooled-masterpiece-unite.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/09/titus-2-tuesday-226.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/09/motivation-monday-linky-party-209/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-24/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/09/one-experience.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/09/all-things-pumpkin-announcement.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/the-holy-in-ordinary-trials/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-link-181/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/09/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-72/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/09/wise-woman-linkup_28.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/fear-death-puzzled-heaven-wonder-youll-live-forever/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-8/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/09/thy-will-be-done.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/09/breathing-eden.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/do-it-all/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-113-dry-rub-recipe/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/9-tips-thrive-not-just-survive-crazy-busy-weeks/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/09/my-weary-soul-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/is-it-peace-or-relief-i-feel-when-i-escape-the-pain/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-pot-luck-9/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/09/28/goodness-follows-us-seasons-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/09/29/new-direction/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/09/28/bright-light-thursday-favorite-things-link-party/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-116/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/how-to-make-a-spiritual-u-turn/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/09/28/from-house-to-home-link-party-190/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/09/grace-at-home-no-221.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-new-name/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/09/little-things-apple-picking.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/09/cozy-reading-spot-finale.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/09/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-202.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-43/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/09/funtastic-friday-93_29.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/09/blogger-spotlight-link-party-34.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-244.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/dont-fear-the-light/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday-longing"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/09/welcome_30.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/gods-peace-2/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/09/10-keys-to-christian-living-with-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/grace-in-adoption/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/rusty-nails/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-37/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/09/rewind-friday-comfort-food.html"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">REWIND FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-87-currently-me/"><span style="color: magenta;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-136/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/crucified-with-christ-2/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-122/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/10/02/give-me-grace-little-things/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>BLOG </b>= "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-23615785946911567592016-09-19T03:09:00.000-07:002016-09-25T12:39:28.804-07:00ACCIDENTS HAPPEN<br />
<b>Yes, they do.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Unexpected, unannounced, uninvited.</i><br />
<br />
Just like last week…<br />
<br />
So, I was down visiting family again. "The Hub" was with all of us for a few days, but then journeyed home.<br />
<br />
I was spending a very nice evening with my youngest son, when my <b>phone starting ringing. </b>I looked at the number, and not recognizing it, <b>I did not answer.</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I've been getting a LOT of unsolicited telemarketing calls lately…GRRR!)</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Fast forward 2½ hours…</b><br />
<br />
At a lull in the evening, I glanced at my phone and saw that the unknown number had left a <b>voice mail.</b><br />
<br />
Hmmm, that's unusual.<br />
<br />
<b>So, I checked the voice mail.</b><br />
<br />
That's when I heard a <u>very familiar voice</u> speaking:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Hi, it's me. Don't freak out, but I'm at the hospital…"</b><br />
<br />
Yes, it was "The Hub."<br />
<br />
I did my best not to freak out, but the word <b>*hospital*</b> did drive my adrenaline into overdrive!<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>As I listened to the rest of his message, I found out what had happened.</i><br />
<br />
<b>"The Hub" has been doing some wonderful woodwork on Manzanita branches. </b><br />
<br />
He chooses the dead and fallen branches, and brings them home. Then he begins the time-consuming work of sanding them until they are smooth as glass. After the sanding is done, he applies tung oil to them, and rubs them until they have a low gloss.<br />
<br />
<b>Oh, what beauty is restored!</b><br />
<br />
Lately, he's been making <b>chimes</b> out of them, by adding *icicles* of stained glass. Or he makes <b>candleholders</b> out of the larger branches.<br />
<br />
<b>This is where the trouble started.</b><br />
<br />
Because, in order to make candleholders, you have to <i>drill out little *wells* to hold the glass votives.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And that drilling requires a 2" drill bit. </b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(That's TWO inches round, folks...)</span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You do see where this is going, don't you?!</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<br />
The drill bit caught, and then skipped out of the hole.<br />
<br />
<i>And sliced open two of "The Hub's" fingers.</i><br />
<br />
<b>O.U.C.H.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
It was <b>over two hours </b>before I finally heard from him again. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(You see, he had called me using someone else's phone, and told me not to call back).</span><br />
<br />
I knew he was "OK" because he was chuckling. But still…tough guy that he is, <i>I knew the cuts had to be bad for him to decide he needed to go to the hospital.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Finally, at about 10:20 PM, he called me.</b><br />
<br />
Around 4:00 PM, the accident happened. He said that he immediately put his hand behind his back, because he knew it was <b>bad. </b> <i>One look confirmed that he needed help.</i><br />
<br />
<b>He first went to a local clinic here in town.</b><br />
<br />
There was no one there except the receptionist. And even if the staff had been there, she informed my husband that there <i>wasn't anyone there who could stitch him up.</i><br />
<br />
<b>From there, he went to our local fire department.</b><br />
<br />
They didn't have anyone to stitch him up either. But they did help disinfect the wound and wrapped it up. <i>(Which was a whole lot better than the bloody towel "The Hub" was sporting at the time!).</i><br />
<br />
And, since the wound was on his right hand, and his Jeep has a stick shift, <b>he couldn't drive himself to the hospital</b> – which was an hour away.<br />
<br />
<b>So, he got a personal ambulance ride to the hospital.</b><br />
<br />
After getting x-rays to confirm that he hadn't done any damage to the bone <i>(he hadn't)</i>, and getting stitched up <i>(14 total on two fingers)</i>, he realized that <b>he didn't have a way to get home.</b><br />
<br />
<b>So, he got a personal taxi ride back up the mountain.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Which cost $150...yikes!)</span><br />
<br />
Fortunately, he wasn't in any pain, and has only needed antibiotics as a precaution.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(For the record, I try not to think about the scarcity of medical help up here on the mountain. And I try not to freak out that the nearest hospital is over an hour away. Thankfully, our fire department and the local EMT's are wonderful – which was proven in this little escapade!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>When I returned home a few days later, I got my first look at his fingers.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It was brutal.</i><br />
<br />
I won't go into details, and I have not included a photo of the damage <i>(you're welcome)</i>, but let me just say this – "The Hub" is <i><b><u>VERY</u></b></i> lucky that he didn't lose one of the fingers, it was that deep and that bad.<br />
<br />
<b>He's healing well.</b><br />
<br />
And I have nicknamed him "Dr. Frankenstein." <i>(That's Franken–"steen," in honor of Gene Wilder!)</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Accidents happen.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's just one of the hazards of living in a broken world.</i><br />
<br />
And sometimes, one might be tempted to <b>live in fear </b>of all the bad things that could happen when we venture out the front door <i>(not to mention all the things that could happen inside of our own houses!)</i>.<br />
<br />
<b>I know I am tempted to live in fear.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Some people think that things just "happen" – willy-nilly – in a world gone mad.</i><br />
<br />
<b>They speak of coincidence, or chance, or luck.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Some people think things are pre-determined, and we have no choice or will in anything.</i><br />
<br />
<b>They speak of fate, or kismet, or destiny.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>What should we believe as followers of Jesus?</b></i><br />
<br />
I begin with Scripture, and specifically this:<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Psalm 139:16, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
I don't know about you, but <b>this verse puzzles me in some ways.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I know that God lives outside of time, and is completely and perfectly omniscient.</i><br />
<br />
Therefore, <u><b>every moment</b></u> of my life was known to Him before I was even born.<br />
<br />
<b>But then, we are also taught about the concept of free will.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Therefore, are my days "chosen" by God, or do I do the choosing?</i><br />
<br />
Sometimes, in my mind,<b> the truth of God's sovereignty butts up against the idea of free will </b>– <i>and vice versa.</i><br />
<br />
I have met people, and have done it myself, who <b>attribute everything that happens to either the devil or the Lord.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Did the enemy cause my husband's accident? Did the Lord? </i><br />
<br />
And some people say that many <b>things happen just because of the inherent danger of living in a sinful world.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Was my husband's accident just one of those things?</i><br />
<br />
<b>I don't know the answers.</b><br />
<br />
And when I don't know the answers, I rely on these verses (which are my life verses):<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
And this:<br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">(Romans 8:28, NASB)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So, here's my conclusion…</b><br />
<br />
We live in a <b>sinful world</b> – <i>full of disaster, disease, and death.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And yet, God is in <u>perfect control</u>.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And nothing happens outside of His knowledge, His permission, and His ultimate purposes.</i><br />
<br />
<b>My free will and His sovereignty somehow both exist.</b><br />
<br />
And I can <b>exercise my will to dovetail into His</b> – <i>continuing to yield and surrender my wishes to His plans.</i><br />
<br />
Things will happen in this life, <i>and we may not ever know "where" they originated, nor "why" they occurred.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But this is what matters to me…</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>God knew about it ahead of time – He is never surprised.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>God is in control, even when I don't understand what's going on.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>God's ultimate purposes and plans will be accomplished.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>God can and will work all things for good.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>God is with me, every step of the way.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>And when all is said and done, that's all I really need to know!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Have you ever had an *accident* </b><b>– what did God teach you from it?</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4UrjrzDkv3NXUdfRFXBlWGl7lhT7MDsmp2UP4TxGrTa-WJXaftWkU4A4sothqJFTIGQgaBJLKbCcbxrh7Yzx8K5FVm-OReigtQ8XtEyez8lQ9Ow8utT2T6RfudapFoa12gImJOdLxn4/s1600/IMG_1727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4UrjrzDkv3NXUdfRFXBlWGl7lhT7MDsmp2UP4TxGrTa-WJXaftWkU4A4sothqJFTIGQgaBJLKbCcbxrh7Yzx8K5FVm-OReigtQ8XtEyez8lQ9Ow8utT2T6RfudapFoa12gImJOdLxn4/s400/IMG_1727.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br />Sticks and stones<br />may break my bones,<br />But drill bits<br />will always hurt me! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalm 56:8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day." (2 Samuel 16:12, NASB)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:3, NASB)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take?" (Job 31:4, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Job 34:21, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." (Proverbs 5:21, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course." (Jeremiah 10:23, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Proverbs 16:9, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"…O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Psalm 100:3, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"…the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:11, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"'For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'…" (Isaiah 46:9-10, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." (Ephesians 1:11, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">"Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">(Psalm 119:89, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-233-pumpkins/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-part-4-goal-of-life-linkup/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/obey-right-away/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-94/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-193/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-193/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/09/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-166/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/09/motivation-monday-party-208/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/inspire-me-monday-week-246.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/truth-or-tradition-which-wins-your-life/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/putting-broken-back-together-moments-of-hope/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/09/it-is-well-glimpses-v-11.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/09/let-me-read-you-true-story-you-are.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/09/world-not-stage-unite.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/09/titus-2-tuesday-225.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-23/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/09/one-encounter.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/09/explore-fall-printable-scavenger-hunt.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/be-unshakable/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-link-180/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/09/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-71/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/09/to-know-your-own-heart-smallwonder.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/09/wise-woman-linkup_20.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-7/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/09/take-up-your-cross.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/09/the-story-playlist.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/youre-already-amazing-devotional/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-112-happy-fall-yall/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-10/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/09/God-is-mightier-than-sea-and-SittingAmongFriends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/encourage-conversation-with-disengaged-spouse/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/need-know-storms-come/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/09/21/when-encouragement-teaches-to-hold-courage/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/hope-people/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/09/22/giving-grudgingly/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/09/21/autumn-thursday-favorite-things-link-party/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-115/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/how-to-diffuse-love-in-your-home/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/09/21/from-house-to-home-link-party-189/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/09/grace-at-home-no-220.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-motherhood-the-right-perspective/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/09/little-things-wabi-sabi.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.marissawrites.com/2016/09/the-cozy-reading-spot-160.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/09/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-201.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-42/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/09/funtastic-friday-93.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/09/blogger-spotlight-link-party-33.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-243.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday-the-new-home"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/09/welcome_23.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/be-attitudes/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/09/serenity-courage-and-wisdom-with-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/fervent-prayer/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/childs-heart/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-36/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-86-answered-prayers/"><span style="color: magenta;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-135/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/is-god-for-you/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-121/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/09/25/give-me-grace-who-can-preach/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-66565636536752315962016-09-12T03:09:00.000-07:002016-09-18T09:38:52.907-07:00PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY<br />
<b>So, my sister has been spending time cleaning out some of my mom's drawers.</b><br />
<br />
It's rather amazing what she's accumulated in her 83+ years – <i>and also amazing what she's been able to stuff into drawers!!</i><br />
<br />
Once in a while, my sister comes across a<b> real treasure.</b><br />
<br />
<b>A forgotten piece of jewelry.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>A childhood token.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Money.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But the best treasure of all?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Old photographs!</b><br />
<br />
Photos of my mother as a child, me and my siblings as children, and our kids in their childhood.<br />
<br />
<b>Precious memories.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
As I was looking through some photos that my sister put aside for me, I got to thinking. <br />
<br />
Isn't it strange how we can't remember anything from our early years? Those memories don't belong to us, <i>but rather to our parents and the people who loved us.</i><br />
<br />
Here's an example…<br />
<br />
<b>I remember several years ago taking a day trip with my parents.</b><br />
<br />
I drove us to a <b>beach town </b>where my dad had grown up for a portion of his boyhood. He had<b> so many fond memories </b>there. <br />
<br />
We drove around to houses he stayed in, and he told us story after story about people that had lived in the neighborhood – <i>including the man who would shine a huge spotlight into the surf so they could swim until ten o'clock at night!</i><br />
<br />
The general store was still there, and relatively unchanged in 70+ years – the place where he used to buy his candy.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It was a precious time watching his face light up with memories of such good times.</b><br />
<br />
On our way back home, my parents asked me if we could take a <b>quick side trip </b>to the place where they brought me home from the hospital.<br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Well, sure!</b></i><br />
<br />
We found it, and just as we were parking our car at the curb, the current tenants drove into the driveway.<br />
<br />
<b>Mom and I decided we were going to ask them if we could poke our heads inside.</b><br />
<br />
Dad was mortified, and tried (in vain) to get us to change our minds.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(We left him in the car…ahem!)</span></i><br />
<br />
So, we walked up the small driveway and approached the people as they were getting out of their car.<br />
<br />
<i>They looked at us askance, clearly not wanting to be bothered.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But we persisted.</b><br />
<br />
As I told them why we were there, <i>they smiled and invited us in.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Linked arm in arm, my mother and I entered the little house where I spent my first days of life.</b><br />
<br />
Mom sighed, <b>"It hasn't changed at all."</b><br />
<br />
<i>Then she started pointing things out to me…</i><br />
<br />
<b>"That's the window where we'd put your cradle in the afternoon."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Here's the kitchen where I washed and prepared your bottles."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"See the sidewalk across the street? That's where I would walk you in the stroller."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>You know, it was a special moment, but kinda eerie.</b><br />
<br />
It was weird to think that<b> I'd actually been in this place, </b><i>but had absolutely no recollection of it.</i><br />
<br />
And yet, when I looked into the face of my mother, <b>awash with the glow of HER memories</b> of that time with me, I understood something.<br />
<br />
<i>Those first few years of our lives do indeed belong to someone else.</i><br />
<br />
Just as the memories I have of my sons in the very beginnings of their lives <i>will always be held in my heart instead of their minds.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I don't know, I thought it was kinda special.</b><br />
<br />
We profusely thanked the people as we walked out.<br />
<br />
But then I turned to my mom and said:<br />
<br />
<b>"Mom, isn't this the place where Dad backed into the carport on his first day back at work after I was born?"</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>She grinned.</i><br />
<br />
<b>"Yes, it is."</b><br />
<br />
<i>I grinned.</i><br />
<br />
We wandered down the driveway, and I got to see the<b> infamous carport </b><i>that has played such a starring role in one of my favorite stories about me being born.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I love that my father, Mr. Have-It-All-Together, was actually kinda thrown by my arrival!!</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Good times.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>My earliest memory is when I was about 3 years old.</b><br />
<br />
It’s kinda sketchy, but I've verified it with my mom, and I do have the basic details accurate. My real memories start at about age 4 or 5 – <i>highlights that must have stuck with me because of their meaning.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It's been fun looking at the photos – and sometimes they spur those early memories.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Photographic memory.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yes.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
As I was lying down to sleep last night, I was thinking about those photos, the memories they represent, and <b>the accumulation of moments that a person's life actually is.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Some of it (much of it) is lost to me now.</i><br />
<br />
My memory is pretty good, but even so, it can't contain everything.<br />
<br />
<b>But God can – and He does.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I was stilled by that thought.</i><br />
<br />
My entire life – <i>every moment </i>– <b>is firmly implanted in the forefront of His omniscient mind.</b><br />
<br />
<i>He knew all of it before I was born, before the creation of the world.</i><br />
<br />
And He never, ever forgets a thing – <b>never forgets me.</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>How comforting that thought is to me!</i></b><br />
<br />
There have been times when I'm watching TV, or attending a huge sporting event, or spending the day at an amusement park –<i> any time I see a crowd of people</i> – and I am overwhelmed by the thought that God knows about <u>every single person's entire life</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>Every moment of their history.</b><br />
<br />
<i>All the things that have happened to them.</i><br />
<br />
All the hurts, the joys, the laughter and the tears – their every thought and every feeling.<br />
<br />
<b>And He loves each of them.</b><br />
<br />
Just like He loves each of us – <i>as if we were the <b>only person</b> in the whole world.</i><br />
<br />
<b>His love is universal, but also incredibly singular and individually-focused.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I'll never understand it fully.</i><br />
<br />
But I do know this…<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He knows me better than I know myself, for He remembers.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The good, the bad, the ugly – my moments are His memories.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>I love that the One who created me is the same One who carries me.</b><br />
<br />
<i>From birth to death to eternity – always in His arms.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Never out of His thoughts, ever close to His heart.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i><b>And that brings me a comfort and peace that I must always remember…</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b></i>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What's your earliest memory?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1NmKVe41buvEZRGWBi4zvgklVJ2EG1bM8lN44877kb90Yaq7OJ1oI7G3OMu3DOj63ACn6qWsgxyIW1XXmE63fRKmVGvTuRImhbVnOT05eSWoi8Ey1aKgqjT1Qsk00H6KnSHkmS7Ci40/s1600/IMG_1708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1NmKVe41buvEZRGWBi4zvgklVJ2EG1bM8lN44877kb90Yaq7OJ1oI7G3OMu3DOj63ACn6qWsgxyIW1XXmE63fRKmVGvTuRImhbVnOT05eSWoi8Ey1aKgqjT1Qsk00H6KnSHkmS7Ci40/s400/IMG_1708.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Me - First Grade<br /><br />And yes, I remember this dress!<br />I loved it!! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the LORD, and I do not change.'" (Malachi 3:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…you are always the same; you will live forever." (Psalm 102:27, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages)." (Hebrews 13:8, AMP)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,' says the Lord God. 'I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One.'" (Revelation 1:8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he…never slumbers or sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you!…The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, </span><span style="color: red;">both now and forever." (From Psalm 121:3-5, 7-8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 139:16-18, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…" (Jeremiah 1:5, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"But whoever loves God is known by God." (1 Corinthians 8:3, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Can a mother forget [her] baby…and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!'" (Isaiah 49:15, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.'" (Isaiah 46:4, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/09/theyre-off-to-kindergarten-smallwonder.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-233-step-aside/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-part-3-loving-not-liking-each-other/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/tenacity/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-93/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-192/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_60.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/09/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_12.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/09/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-165/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/inspire-me-monday-week-245.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/welcoming-babies-and-cowboy-caviar-the-living-proverbs-31-linkup/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-26/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/humbling-witness-unshakable-faith/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/09/gods-mysterious-ways-glimpses-v-10.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/09/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/09/titus-2-tuesday-224.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/09/god-doesnt-allow-suffering-right-unite.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-22/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/09/missional-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/09/falling-for-fall-fall-photo-challenge.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-link-179/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/09/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-70/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/09/wise-woman-linkup_13.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/one-girl-taught-vulnerability/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-6/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/09/total-devotion.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/09/gods-kingdom-here.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/lies-truth-free/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-111-momconference-time/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/make-vision-board-need-one/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/09/I-Am-Not-Alone-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/discussing-sticky-issues-mate/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-beauty/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/09/14/when-collecting-grace-is/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/lord-righteousness/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/09/15/see-her/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/09/14/oh-nuts-thursday-favorite-things-link-party/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-114/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/carbonated-holiness/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/carbonated-holiness/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/09/grace-at-home-no-219.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-9/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/09/little-things-sowa-market.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-cozy-reading-spot-159.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/09/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-200.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-41/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/09/funtastic-friday-92.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>,<span style="color: lime;"> <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-242.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a></span>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/living-a-passionate-life/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday-and-the-wild-truck-saga"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/09/welcome.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/unshakeable-faith/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/sept-16-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/incense-rising/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-35/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/09/paralympics-2016-with-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-85-playing-catch-up/"><span style="color: magenta;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/whats-happening/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-134/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-120/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/09/18/give-me-grace-the-411-on-my-phone-addiction/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-65829479279896975762016-09-05T03:07:00.000-07:002016-09-14T11:48:51.276-07:00"GIMME THE REMOTE!"<br />
<b>I have two sons.</b><br />
<br />
For the most part, they <b>got along pretty well </b>when they were younger<i> (they still do!)</i>. <br />
<br />
<i>But, like any siblings, they also fought. </i><br />
<br />
Sometimes (rarely) they got into <b>physical fights</b> – mostly wrestling, which seems to be a "boy thing." And sometimes it was <b>verbal sparring.</b> And though I always stopped name-calling, I secretly had to admire their <b>"creativity"</b> in what they'd come up with!<br />
<br />
<i>But most of what they fought over was silly…</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Like the TV remote control.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Oh, the arguments about what to watch on TV!</i><br />
<br />
<b>And then the ensuing wrangling for the remote. </b><br />
<br />
Sometimes they'd hide it from each other, or toss it across the room and run after it. Sometimes the remote was stuffed into articles of clothing, or thrown into a dirty hamper, where only the brave dared to tread. Sometimes the battle for the remote became secondary to the wrangling…<br />
<br />
I'm not sure they ever realized the fact that <b>if things got too heated,</b> the remote was taken away by <b>"She Who Controlled The Television" </b>– <i>and the TV got turned off.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Then they'd argue over whose fault that was!!</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Sidenote: "The Hub" and I avoid these petty quarrels – it's called two televisions, two remotes, and two rooms. </span><span style="font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
<br />
I can't say that I blame them entirely – <b><i>there is something enticing about controlling the remote control.</i></b><br />
<br />
Think about it – it's kind of <b>a metaphor for life.</b><br />
<br />
<i>All those buttons…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>GUIDE </b>– who wouldn't want a button that showed you all the possible situations in life, and you could pick and choose what you wanted to participate in (or not!) – and you could also observe future events!<br />
<br />
<b>INFO </b>– oh yes, wouldn't it be great to get further information on those situations and circumstances?! Like when they're going to *air* and how long they're going to last?! And if they're a rerun or not?<br />
<br />
<b>PREVIOUS </b>– this button would allow you to go back to a pleasant or enjoyable episode in your life if you didn't like what the current *channel* was playing.<br />
<br />
<b>RECORD </b>– oh, I love this one! You could defer situations until later when you felt more capable of dealing with them. Or, you could experience the same wonderful events over and over again. (You could also *delete* the ones that weren't so enjoyable – make them disappear, like they never, ever happened).<br />
<br />
<b>CHANNEL </b>– yup, multiple opportunities to *channel surf* and find just what you're looking for.<br />
<br />
<b>VOLUME</b> – wouldn't it be nice to turn down the volume of unpleasantness, and turn up the volume on joy?!<br />
<br />
<b>MUTE</b> – this almost needs no explanation – for either people or life in general?!<br />
<br />
<b>EXIT</b> – and if everything just felt totally out of control, you could always exit all the noise and hubbub (a more effective tool than the mute button).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>My personal favorite?</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>MENU.</b><br />
<br />
This button gives <b>a sense of total control</b> over all the other ones, and would allow me to <i>completely tailor-make my life to just the way it suited me. </i><br />
<br />
<b>HA!</b><br />
<br />
<i>But there is one button on the remote that might just be more important than all of the others…</i><br />
<br />
<b>INPUT.</b><br />
<br />
This is the button that determines where the power comes from, and how it is formatted. And if it isn't adjusted properly, all you ever see is a blank screen or static.<br />
<br />
<b>Hmmm.</b><br />
<br />
<b>There's a lesson in that.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
I am usually quite critical of <b>*control freaks* </b>– those type-A personalities who always strive to micro-manage everything and everybody in their lives. In my opinion, they are <i>domineering and full of pride.</i><br />
<br />
However, it has taken me quite a good many years to realize that my <b>quieter, subtler insecure worrying and fretting</b> about everything is nothing more than <b>*closet* control.</b><br />
<br />
I have just begun reading a book, called <b>"You Are What You Think," </b>written by David Stoop. I like it, especially because Dr. Stoop is a wonderful Christian man.<br />
<br />
In the first chapters, he discusses <b>two ways</b> people have of dealing with a world that feels *out of control* – either by being <b>over controlling or feeling overwhelmed.</b><br />
<br />
<b>There it is.</b><br />
<br />
If the type-A's deal with life by being over controlling, then <i>I have certainly spent most of my life feeling overwhelmed.</i><br />
<br />
In truth, my reaction is just <b>the other side of the control record</b> – our words might be different, but I am playing the same tune as those people I have criticized.<br />
<br />
<b>For you see, both reflect a few basic mis-beliefs about the world:</b><br />
<br />
<b>1)</b> The world is out of control<br />
<b>2) </b>We have the capability to control things if we try<br />
<b>3)</b> Controlling life will bring us happiness and peace<br />
<br />
<b>This the wrong input, and therefore, my remote control is sadly <i>malfunctioning</i>.</b><br />
<br />
If I read the headlines, or watch any sort of television news program, I am going to be convinced that indeed, the world is out of control. <i>And it is a scary and unsure place, with much to be afraid of.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And therefore, I will be inclined to be consumed by fear.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Which I am, a great deal of the time.</i><br />
<br />
However, I have had a<b> rather startling insight</b> into this whole issue of fear.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Might I share it with you?</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
The other day I was reading a<b> blog post about temptation. </b><br />
<br />
I got to thinking about the things that have tempted me in the past, and how I've come through those times –<i> sometimes succumbing, mostly resisting.</i><br />
<br />
But at the end of my reading, I sorta patted myself on the back for not really giving in to any current temptations.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And then, the most astonishing thing happened.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The Holy Spirit said a remarkable thing to me:</i><br />
<br />
<b>"Fear is your temptation."</b><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>What???</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>I spoke back to Him:</i><br />
<br />
"How can You say that? Fear is certainly my faith struggle, an enemy stronghold to overcome. But how on earth is it a <i><b>temptation</b></i>?"<br />
<br />
<i>He spoke again:</i><br />
<br />
<b>"It is a temptation. Because what is fear but a temptation to take control?"</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Whoa.</i></b><br />
<br />
This conversation happened a few days ago, <i>and I am still pondering the implications.</i><br />
<br />
In a staggering realization, I have begun to see that the Spirit spoke strong <b>Truth</b> to me in that moment.<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, my worries are all centered on the things that I CANNOT control. </b><br />
<br />
And I am tempted to <b>insert myself into the equation</b> – <i>desperately and anxiously working to fix, manipulate, finagle, change, engineer, wheedle, influence, maneuver</i> – <b>CONTROL</b> – everything and everyone.<br />
<br />
When confronted with my woeful inability to do that, I default to my familiar position – <b>I cave in to feeling overwhelmed.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Then I try to control God by playing on His sympathies for me.</i><br />
<br />
"Lord, please change _____________ because it's making me feel so nervous."<br />
<br />
Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with bringing the Lord my cares and concerns, and there's nothing wrong in admitting my fears and anxieties.<br />
<br />
<b>He wants me to come to Him with it all, fears included.</b><br />
<br />
However, if my prayers are grounded in <b>MY desires, and MY plans, and MY timing </b>–<i> I will be disappointed if God doesn't "perform."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yes, fear is a temptation to control.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
I was explaining this in a conversation with my cousin the other day, and another rather <b>wonderful insight</b> came to mind <i>(thank You again, Holy Spirit!)</i><br />
<br />
I told her something along these lines:<br />
<br />
"You know, we're not the only ones to experience this. Think about it. How did the devil tempt Jesus? He tempted Him to take control of His own circumstances, and to try to change them."<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I said it without thinking, and then I started thinking.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's so true.</i><br />
<br />
In the only <b>Biblical account of Jesus being tempted</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(though I know there were many, many other times)</span>, <i>we can see how Satan tempted Jesus to take control:</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. Take control of your physical needs</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Matthew 4:2, AMP)</span></span><br />
<br />
<i>Jesus was hungry.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Did the devil tempt Him with fear that He would starve?</b><br />
<br />
He told Jesus to turn the stones into bread, thus ensuring that He could eat.<br />
<br />
Jesus replied:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'It has been written, man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(vs. 4)</span></span><br />
<br />
My translation: "<b>No, God will take care of My physical needs. He will provide for Me."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>2. Take control of your well-being and life</b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<i>Jesus was human, susceptible to the limits of the human body.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Did the enemy tempt Him with the fear of physical injury or even death?</b><br />
<br />
He told Jesus to throw Himself off of a high place in the temple, and have the angels save Him.<br />
<br />
Jesus replied:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (vs. 7)</span></span><br />
<br />
My translation:<b> "No, God does not have to prove that He watches over Me. Therefore, I will not test Him."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>3. Take control of your purpose</b><br />
<br />
<i>Jesus was human, yes, but He was also the Son of God.</i><br />
<br />
Satan must have had an inkling of what Jesus' mission was supposed to be. <br />
<br />
<b>Did the enemy tempt Him with the fear that He would never see His own Kingdom?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Did he tempt Him to take an earthly kingdom in hand at this moment, instead of waiting for God's will?</b><br />
<br />
He told Jesus he would give Him the world, all its kingdoms, and their glory and power, if He would worship him.<br />
<br />
Jesus replied:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(vs. 10) </span></span><br />
<br />
My translation: <b>"Leave Me. I will worship only God, and gladly give up all other glory and power, to fulfill His purpose for Me."</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>You know what's most interesting to me?</b><br />
<br />
Jesus is the <b><u>ONLY</u></b> person in the world who has ever actually had the <b>ability and the authority</b> to truly take control of anything.<br />
<br />
<b>He <i><u>could</u></i> make stones into bread.</b><br />
<br />
<b>He <i><u>could</u></i> command the angels to rescue Him.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He <i><u>could</u></i> rule the kingdoms of the world.</b><br />
<br />
And yet, in a most incredible display of <b>humility and love, </b>He set His authority aside, He put His ability to control these circumstances momentarily into the background, and <b>chose instead to trust God, His Father.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I am quite sure that the devil did not leave Him alone after that.</i><br />
<br />
And perhaps more than any other time, I have a feeling that the <b>enemy's taunts and temptations were strongest</b> in the Garden of Gethsemane.<br />
<br />
Never before in His earthly walk was Jesus as<b> fear-full</b> as when He agonized in the Garden.<br />
<br />
<b>Did Satan come with the same temptations?</b><br />
<br />
<i>To take control of His physical body, to protect it from pain and suffering?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To take control of His very life, and prevent His death by calling on the angels to rescue Him?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To take control of His purpose</i><i>, to take control of an earthly kingdom, and bypass the reason for the Cross?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Was fear a temptation for our Savior?</b><br />
<br />
I believe we'll never fully understand what was said to Him by the enemy in the Garden. We'll never fully understand the depth of angst and suffering He felt. We'll never fully understand how powerful fear worked in His thoughts and emotions.<br />
<br />
<b>Jesus, our High Priest, understands our temptations – even the temptation to fear, and the ensuing temptation to take control.</b><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>And yet, though He struggled, He overcame.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<i>We can, too.</i><br />
<br />
By replacing three mis-beliefs with <b>resounding Truth</b>:<br />
<br />
<b>1)</b> The world is firmly in God's control<br />
<b>2)</b> We have no capability to control our lives, but God has ordained every day before the creation of the world<br />
<b>3)</b> Trusting God will bring us joy and peace<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, to the best of my ability, and in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, I will resist the temptation to fear, and refuse to attempt to take control of my own life.<br />
<br />
<b>I will stand firm in my conviction that God is on His throne.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Steady and resolute.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Omniscient and omnipotent.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Sovereign.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And I will join with my Savior, Jesus, in uttering this prayer:</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Luke 22:42, ESV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, I will bring Him my fears in prayer, but I will yield my will to His ways and His timing.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I will not frantically attempt to wield control in my life.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I will hand Him the remote control.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i><b>And yes, I will trust Him.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Are you a *control freak*? In what areas are you most tempted to fear?</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH_318ycvUEUFviJjUdl9ERr2Z48xkqA28dYBzSULyxm0kMuHA-pZBtiygCFBjR7Pf-exz0kL5gakPq_47q5GtSPStDdHBf_I3JbOjxMB6k5xQmCCXk651a0tl2xUjNfk8ZU-qrpCoto/s1600/IMG_1707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH_318ycvUEUFviJjUdl9ERr2Z48xkqA28dYBzSULyxm0kMuHA-pZBtiygCFBjR7Pf-exz0kL5gakPq_47q5GtSPStDdHBf_I3JbOjxMB6k5xQmCCXk651a0tl2xUjNfk8ZU-qrpCoto/s400/IMG_1707.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">God will not permit any troubles<br />to come upon us,<br />unless He has a specific plan by which<br />great blessing can come<br />out of the difficulty.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Peter Marshall)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, we would never complain,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Nor would we be bitter over sorrow or pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">God reigns in His wisdom up in Heaven, above!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, we would rest in His love!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, saw the things that He sees,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we had the insight to explore His decrees,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If God gave permission, our own lives to arrange,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, we would not make a change!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, as He rules from above,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How God takes our trial to affect those we love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we saw His purpose, then our hearts would be still,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, we would not fear His will!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, how our spirits would sing;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Our prayer would be only a great Thank-offering.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">We'd find Him sufficient; we would rest in His Grace;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">If we knew what God knows, we would seek the Lord's Face!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">(Author Unknown)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.'" (Isaiah 66:1, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left." (1 Kings 22:19, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 47:1-3, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne." </span><span style="color: red;">(Psalm 47:8, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, 'The LORD reigns!'" (1 Chronicles 16:31, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." (Psalm 103:9, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Your throne, O LORD, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past." (Psalm 93:2, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom." (Psalm 45:6, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do? But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven." (Psalm 11:2-4, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands." (Hebrews 8:1, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." (Ephesians 3:12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Hebrews 4:16, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens." (Job 28:24, ESV)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 18:6, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 94:19, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I will be glad and rejoice in you;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">My enemies turn back;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">they stumble and perish before you.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">For you have upheld my right and my cause,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">you have uprooted their cities;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">even the memory of them has perished.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">The Lord reigns forever;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">he has established his throne for judgment.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">He rules the world in righteousness</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">and judges the peoples with equity.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">a stronghold in times of trouble.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Those who know your name trust in you,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 9:1-10, NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-232-self-denial/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-part-2-different-linkup/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/wisdom/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-92/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-191/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/09/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-labor-day-holiday/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/09/motivation-monday-party-206/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/inspire-me-monday-week-244.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-25/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/celebrating-exhaustion-marriage-hope/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/09/resting-from-our-labors-glimpses-v-9.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/09/having-fun-reading-true-story-you-are.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/09/titus-2-tuesday-223.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/09/testimony-tuesday-simplicity.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/09/three-things-i-cant-live-without.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://www.angelaparlin.com/wander-lost/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/im-late-teaching-good-178/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/09/wise-woman-linkup.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/09/wise-woman-linkup.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-5/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/09/by-shari-a.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/09/fake-resting-confessions.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/making-a-difference/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-110-yes-can-get-shape-c2k-training/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-9/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/09/beauty-for-ashes-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING WITH FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/find-peace-perfectionist-spouse/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MARRIAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/09/07/the-comfort-of-grace-gracemomentslinkup/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/righteous-judge/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-21/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/09/08/yielding/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/09/07/autumn-dreams/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-113/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/how-to-host-a-pity-party/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/09/07/from-house-to-home-link-party-187/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/09/grace-at-home-no-218.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-have-mercy-on-us/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/09/little-things-back-to-school.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-cozy-reading-spot-158.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/09/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-199.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/09/funtastic-friday-91.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-241.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/sing-it-like-you-mean-it-until-you-mean-it/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday3413417"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/09/welcome-back-again.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/silent-grief/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/09/history-of-ywam-worcester-south-africa.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/pray-together/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/hard-place/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-34/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-133/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/like-quotes/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-119/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/09/11/give-me-grace-baptism-is-for-believers/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-67762717095832352212016-08-29T03:04:00.000-07:002016-09-04T11:29:08.408-07:00ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?<br />
<b>The county fair.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I love going to the county fair!</i><br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago, my youngest son and his wife were planning to go, and since I was in town, <i>they kindly asked me to accompany them</i>! I hadn't been in quite a long time, so I was quite excited about it! <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>For one thing, I knew I was going to able to do something about my recent fixation on corn dogs!</b> <br />
<br />
<i>Did I indulge, you ask?</i><br />
<br />
Oh yes, and instead of wasting my time eating two of them, I ordered a <b>foot-long one</b>, and <i>it was delicious</i>! <br />
<br />
(Sidenote: I'm particular about my corn dog condiments – the ketchup and mustard must lie next to each other like a <span style="color: red;">yin</span>/<span style="color: #f1c232;">yang</span> symbol – therefore ensuring that I will have a bit of both in each bite!)<br />
<br />
I also ate part of my son's <b>dessert choice</b> – <i>a half brownie/half chocolate chip cookie concoction. </i><br />
<br />
<b>It was not a night to count calories, my friends!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i>After eating, we wandered around, just looking at the sights, and taking in the smells! </i><br />
<br />
<b>And then I finally bought some tickets for games. </b><br />
<br />
Yeah, we played a couple of games, even though I know how <b>*rigged*</b> they are. <br />
<br />
(Does anyone know why you <u>always</u> see several people with those huge stuffed animals? <i>How do they do it? </i> I figure that those prizes probably cost someone a lot of <span style="color: lime;">$$$</span>!)<br />
<br />
And speaking of rigged, those <b>carnival game people are smart</b>. <br />
<br />
The tickets were sold in <b>blocks of 5 or 10</b> – <i>but all games were played for either 6 or 7 or 12 tickets. </i> So, at some point, you'd either be left with <b>unused tickets, or forced to pay for more.</b> <i>(Clever, clever…)</i><br />
<br />
<b>I digress.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
As we walked, I looked at the rides, and it didn't take much to know that <b>I would <u><i>not</i></u> be going on any of them!</b><br />
<br />
No one, and most certainly not me, was interested in <b>seeing corn dog or brownie/cookie again</b> – <i>as my inner ear doesn't do well with any sort of challenging movement!</i><br />
<br />
However, little did I know that my son and daughter-in-law had some <b>plans</b>.<br />
<br />
<i>There was one ride they wanted to go on – and they wanted me to go, too.</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Giant Slide!</b><br />
<br />
They mentioned their plans as we approached…<br />
<br />
Well, I looked at that <b>towering monster of undulating lanes</b>, as I tried to focus on the "ants" at the top <i>(people?)</i>, and<b> inhaled deeply</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>"I don't know, it looks kinda scary," </b>I said hesitantly.<br />
<br />
<i>They convinced me that that was half the fun.</i><br />
<br />
So, I climbed that tower with them, laid down my (flimsy) little sliding mat, and pushed off. <b>There was absolutely nothing to hold on to! </b> I prayed that I'd be able to continue to sit upright the whole ride down! <br />
<br />
<i>I did, but it was super fast! </i><br />
<br />
<b>I </b><strike>yelled</strike><b> laughed until I reached the bottom! </b><br />
<br />
In retrospect, I'm so glad that they <b>urged</b> <i>(forced) </i>me to do this ride with them. I think they had more fun because I did it. <br />
<br />
<i>And you know what? </i><br />
<br />
<b>I was rather proud of myself for doing it!! </b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Take that, 62 years old…</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
We finished the evening by looking at some exhibits, visiting the animals, and admiring the vegetable gardens.<br />
<br />
<b>But the highlight was the thrill of that slide ride.</b><br />
<br />
You know the feeling – <b>that curious mix of great fun and sheer terror</b> – <i>when you want to scream and laugh at the same time.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It's like…</b><br />
<br />
Going to college.<br />
<br />
Getting married.<br />
<br />
Starting a new job.<br />
<br />
Moving to a new location.<br />
<br />
Having a baby.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Yeah, like that.</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
When the evening was done, and I got ready for bed, <b>I pulled out the ticket </b>that I had bought for the evening. And as I looked at what was printed on it, I chuckled softly to myself:<br />
<br />
<b>THIS IS YOUR FUNCARD.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Yes, permission granted to have a great time!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>I've thought about that.</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes I think my <b>serious, pondering nature</b> makes it harder to have fun. And sometimes, it's almost like <i>I don't allow myself to let go of my problems.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yes, life is tough.</b><br />
<br />
It can be a <b>great big slide</b> – <b>full of ups and downs and frightening speeds</b> – <i>and sometimes there's not much to hold on to.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Sometimes life itself is just sheer terror and unmitigated joy, all mixed together.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And sometimes that feeling happens in our faith journey, too.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Like when we are asked to take a leap of faith with the Lord!</b><br />
<br />
<i>When He calls us to something bigger than we can handle.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Or when He ends one thing even though we see no new thing on the horizon.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Or when He asks for greater patience, or greater endurance, or greater trust.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Frankly, I find <b>the life of discipleship </b>to be a little <i>dizzying</i> sometimes, and <i>the way the Lord moves challenges me!</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yes, my greatest challenge is to not let fear keep me from His plans.</b><br />
<br />
But when I get afraid, or dismayed, or unsure, or discouraged, <b>I remember a certain day in time</b>…<br />
<br />
<i>A day when an empty tomb was discovered.</i><br />
<br />
For most people, it was <b>a moment of sheer terror and unmitigated joy.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Especially for those who had followed Jesus most closely.</i><br />
<br />
I wonder at their thoughts…<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Can it be true?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What if it is true?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Will we see Him?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If we see Him, will He be angry with us?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What will He say?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What will we say to Him?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What's going to happen now?</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, a <b>giant slide of emotions and thoughts</b> must have swept through their ranks, <i>stirring their hearts in a jumble of conflicting reactions.</i><br />
<br />
And yet, we know how the story ends.<br />
<br />
<b>It was true.</b><br />
<br />
<i>They saw Him.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He wasn't angry.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He told them a lot, and gave them a job to do.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They responded in faith.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>And the world changed.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>I don't think it's much different for each one of us when we accept His gift of salvation.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Something fundamental changes about our lives in that moment.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Why?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Because I think it is the moment when Jesus hands us the ticket to abundant life.</i><br />
<br />
<b>THIS IS YOUR FUNCARD.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>So, how will we respond in the aftermath of our salvation?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Will we climb the heights, even though we're afraid?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Will we weather the ups and downs, even when there's not much to hold on to?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Will we follow even though the end is far off in the distance?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Will we laugh and cry and yell?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Most certainly.</b><br />
<br />
Because <b>the life of discipleship is crazy</b> – <i>crazy scary, and crazy good.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>But I will take the challenge.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Punch my funcard, Lord.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>I'm along for the ride…</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What do you think about the life of discipleship?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6XtGJqQVGOTiAm_DbppbkfkTm-bbkU3t64dzpdu9vDNMvF8CHS5bmbk4QWynFnm322-c7Q5G2SUyJ9NH5GEAYEQUwRhDrE-afnoajKoZWALyD8VpZC_fcZTRbfW2mXpllanTKvJozBk/s1600/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6XtGJqQVGOTiAm_DbppbkfkTm-bbkU3t64dzpdu9vDNMvF8CHS5bmbk4QWynFnm322-c7Q5G2SUyJ9NH5GEAYEQUwRhDrE-afnoajKoZWALyD8VpZC_fcZTRbfW2mXpllanTKvJozBk/s400/FullSizeRender-2.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Life is a roller coaster,<br />up and down,<br />Full of twists and turns,<br />and then, a crown. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you how to succeed, who leads you in the way you should go.'" (Isaiah 48:17, NET Bible)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it…they will be blessed in what they do." (James 1:25, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:20, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved in His life!" (Romans 5:10, Berean Bible)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him…" (Hebrews 7:25, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men." (John 1:4, AMP)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(1 John 1:2, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'" (John 10:10, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(John 11:25-26, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I give them eternal life…'" (John 10:28, NLT)</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/08/how-to-find-hidden-treasure-smallwonder.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-231-august-daybook/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-part-1-the-losses-and-the-gains/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/08/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of_29.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/08/titus-2-tuesday-222.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/better-relationships/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-91/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-29/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-190/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_29.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/08/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_28.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/great-giveaways-continue/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/08/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-164/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://makingourlifematter.com/motivation-monday-august-28/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/inspire-me-monday-week-243.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/be-a-blessing-living-proverbs-31-linkup/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-24/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/making-marriage-a-priority/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/08/he-gives-himself-fully-glimpses-v-8.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-20/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/08/testimony-tuesday-marriage-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/08/my-apologies-big-stuff-tuesday-talk-87.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/better-day/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-link-177/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/08/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-69/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/08/wise-woman-linkup_30.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/put-brakes-today-happiness-hijacker/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/08/prepared-as-bride.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-3-2/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/08/things-from-august.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/loved-as-we-are/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-109-story-beads/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/september-2016-self-care-calendar/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/08/just-me-and-jesus--sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/identity-issues-in-tree-of-lies-giveaway-and-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-pot-luck-8/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/08/31/when-grace-is-more-than-a-sacrfice-gracemoments-link-up/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/keeper/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/09/01/i-give-you-me/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/08/31/i-think-i-can-do-that/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-112/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/surrendering-the-reins/"><span 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style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/09/funtastic-friday-90.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/09/bloggers-spotlight-link-party-30.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/09/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-240.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/in-honoring-the-body/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday6491729"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/09/welcome-back.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/jehovah-shalom/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/back-to-school-prayer/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/lies-linkup/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/body-dysmorphic-disorder/#more-2731"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-33/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/09/new-swimming-pool-and-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-83-busy-busy-me/"><span style="color: magenta;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-83-busy-busy-me/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-118/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/09/03/give-me-grace-making-my-bed/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-79506949712038177682016-08-22T03:05:00.000-07:002016-08-28T16:44:49.416-07:00ONLY SKIN DEEP<br />
<b>The other day "The Hub" and I had to go to the dermatologist.</b><br />
<br />
And since we live almost an hour away from his office, we scheduled <b>back-to-back appointments.</b><br />
<br />
We made the long, twisty trip – and stepped out into an <b>oven.</b><br />
<br />
I don't know how hot it was – <b>well over 100 degrees</b> – but if I'd had an <b>egg</b> handy, <i>I'm sure it would have fried, in my hand.</i><br />
<br />
We were early for our appointments, but opted to go and sit inside where the <b>cooling A/C wafted over our sweat-covered brows and reminded us of an oasis. </b> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Poetic touch…nice, huh?!)</span></i><br />
<br />
<i>As we waited, I looked around at the people surrounding us.</i><br />
<br />
This day there was a good <b>across-the-board representation of all ages.</b> <br />
<br />
Usually there's a preponderance of <b>middle-aged people</b> in various stages of <b>*skin repair.*</b><br />
<br />
<i>I've put them into categories…</i><br />
<br />
There are the people who have spent <b>way too many hours in the sun</b> – just like "The Hub” and I – and have the <b>marks and bumps and discolorations</b> to prove it. <i>This is the consultation and check-up crowd.</i><br />
<br />
Then there are the people who have had <b>some sort of procedure</b> to fix the various marks and bumps and discolorations. Trust me, people, we've seen some <b>gnarly looking bandages</b> and some <b>Frankenstein-worthy stitches!</b><br />
<br />
Finally, there are the ladies (and the occasional gentleman) with obvious (mostly well done) <b>plastic surgery and injections of various fillers. </b><br />
<br />
<i>May the Lord forgive me, but I always seem to judge. </i><br />
<br />
Besides the fact that plastic surgery is <b>very expensive,</b> <i>I am way too afraid to have anything done on me! </i> I would be the unfortunate soul with numbness, or residual twitching, or hardness, or scarring, or any number of <b>"Wow, that usually doesn't happen" complications.</b><br />
<br />
Now don't get me wrong, I respect anyone's right to plastic surgery, and if you've had some done yourself, <b>you go for it!</b><br />
<br />
But I will never understand what makes anyone think that <b>giant lips</b> or a <b>frozen face</b> or a<b> perpetually surprised expression</b> is attractive. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Just my opinion…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
OK, so finally we're ushered into the examining room, after politely being asked whether we'd like to be seen <b>separately.</b> I am tempted to say that <b>we'd rather not be seen at all,</b> <i>but I keep my thoughts to myself.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It's a *full skin check* day, so there's disrobing involved.</b><br />
<br />
OK, no big deal, it's not like "The Hub" and I are showing off anything we haven't seen before. But still, in a doctor's office, <b>it all feels a little weird.</b><br />
<br />
My appointment was first, so I got to sit on the <b>examining chair.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"The Hub" sat across from me in another chair.</i><br />
<br />
As I looked over at him, and then looked down at myself, <b>I started laughing.</b><br />
<br />
<b>"What's so funny?"</b> he asked me.<br />
<br />
<b>"Look at us. Here we are in our matching hospital gowns, nude as the day we were born. What a pair we make!" </b>I chuckled.<br />
<br />
<i>He started laughing, too.</i><br />
<br />
That's when I made the comment, <b>"Wow, living large!"</b><br />
<br />
<i>I just could not stop laughing.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
All things considered, I like the fact that "The Hub" and I go to all our doctors' appointments <b>together. </b> I like having him with me to make sure that I get <b>all my questions answered,</b> and that I have <b>all the follow-up instructions accurate and complete.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And truthfully, I get very nervous at doctor's appointments, so it's nice to have some back-up along.</i><br />
<br />
I think he takes me along so that<b> I hear all the information first-hand. </b>That way he doesn't have to deal with my <b>million questions</b> when he gets home…<br />
<br />
"Did you ask about…?"<br />
<br />
"What did he tell you to…?"<br />
<br />
"Why didn’t you remember to say…?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So it's nice to bond over appointment time (???)</b><br />
<br />
However, I have noticed in all my medical travels that it's usually <b>middle-aged and older people</b> that travel together. <i>I know my parents never went to an appointment alone.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Retirement at its best??</b></i><br />
<br />
So, sitting there in that examining room, in our <b>matching gowns,</b> waiting to have our marks, bumps, and discolorations checked out, <b>I felt kinda old.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>How on earth did this happen?</i><br />
<br />
The years keep piling on, and I keep aging, but inside I feel much the same as I did a good long time ago.<br />
<br />
<b>It's one of time's mysteries, I think.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>So finally the doctor came in.</b><br />
<br />
And, like a <b>mad scientist with his bug-sized goggles on,</b> he inspected me from head-to-toe.<br />
<br />
Randomly and rapidly, without any warning, he took his <b>trusty little canister of liquid nitrogen</b> and zapped several *things* on my body. <i>(This is called cryotherapy – I think because it hurts and makes you shed a tear or two).</i><br />
<br />
Then it was "The Hub's" turn – <i>he got zapped, too.</i><br />
<br />
The doctor shook our hands – <b>thank you, Igor</b> – and left the room.<br />
<br />
The kind nurse assistant asked if we'd like her to leave while we put our clothes back on. We told her that we didn't care if she stayed, <b>as long as she didn't laugh.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I thought I heard a snicker, but it might just have been her clearing her throat??</i><br />
<br />
And as "The Hub" and I paid the bill, I looked at our <b>blistered bodies</b> and thought to myself, once again, <b>"What a pair we make…"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>On the drive home, I got to thinking about skin.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Skin is really an amazing thing.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Here's some fun facts:</b><br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> It's the body's largest organ.<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> An average adult's skin spans 21 square feet, weighs nine pounds, and contains more than 11 miles of blood vessels.<br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> In one square inch of skin there are 625 sweat glands and 90 oil glands. There are also 19 million cells, 19 feet of blood vessels, 19,000 sensory cells, 65 hairs, and about one million pores. Best of all, 20 million microscopic animals, such as mites, live in each square inch. <i>(I am the hostess with the mostest??)</i><br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> Every inch of your skin has an exact stretchiness and strength for its location.<br />
<br />
<b>5. </b>Your skin performs a range of different functions, which include physically protecting your bones, muscles and internal organs, and protecting your body from outside diseases.<br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> Skin plays an important role in regulating body temperature, allowing you to feel and react to heat and cold and using blood to regulate your body heat. Your skin acts as your body's thermostat.<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> The skin releases as much as three gallons of sweat a day in hot weather. (Areas that don't sweat include the nail bed, the margins of the lips, and the eardrums).<br />
<br />
<b>8.</b> Body odor comes from a second kind of sweat – a fatty secretion – and the odor is caused by bacteria on the skin eating and digesting those fatty compounds. <i> (Yum…)</i><br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> A fetus doesn't develop fingerprints until three months' gestation. Some people never develop fingerprints at all.<br />
<br />
<b>10.</b> Your skin regenerates itself, shedding its dead skin cells on a daily basis, creating a new layer of skin every 28 days.<br />
<br />
<b>11.</b> Your skin sheds 50,000 cells every minute.<br />
<br />
<b>12.</b> Globally, dead skin accounts for about a billion tons of dust in the atmosphere. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>(OK, this is just disgusting. Forget global warming, global shedding is a much more serious problem, eh?!)</i><br />
<br />
<b>13. </b>There are at least five types of receptors in the skin that respond to pain and to touch.<br />
<br />
<b>14.</b> All mammals have some hair on their skin, even if it isn't easy for you to see. And some animals have very thick skin – for example, a rhinoceros’ skin can be as thick as ½" – 2". <i>(However, though a rhino may be thick-skinned, I wouldn’t tease him, just sayin').</i><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Those are some fun physical facts, but there is a spiritual fact that is also true.</b><br />
<br />
While we live on this earth, our skin is like <b>the body's *house.*</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's a temporary abode for all the things that make us who we are.</i><br />
<br />
The Bible calls our body a <b>*tent*</b> – <i>and I can think of no more apt description for our skin</i> – a covering that shelters us for a time, <b>until we return home.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>For indeed, there will come a day when we leave this body and go to be with Jesus.</b><br />
<br />
Listen to the words of Paul:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
I love the imagery of <b>putting on the new body like clothing</b> – and I think of the concept of <i>literally putting on new skin!</i><br />
<br />
Yes, for the time being, my body and my skin ages, and <b>needs a lot more attention</b> than it used to.<br />
<br />
<i>And yes, there are days when I groan inside of it.</i><br />
<br />
But these sufferings are <b>only temporary,</b> for there is a day coming when <i>my perishable will put on imperishable, and I will live forever!</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Can you even imagine?!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The freedom!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The rejuvenation!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The energy!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The glory!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i><b>Yes, in so many ways, this life is only *skin deep*...</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What reminds you that this life is only temporary?</span></b><br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrXoTR_9aVGNzVm0F3EnvStnRm3a7AQ5pgfpmkfkinLoUY9WfTj9Orl0pWLRPtHNZzx6LNQk27RhCmql5pOfYfnEHJBjy_VhyP5ZXQKYaf0_xUJGZe9jpmu25diwp7yvP-GTD-lfZeJ0/s1600/IMG_1696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrXoTR_9aVGNzVm0F3EnvStnRm3a7AQ5pgfpmkfkinLoUY9WfTj9Orl0pWLRPtHNZzx6LNQk27RhCmql5pOfYfnEHJBjy_VhyP5ZXQKYaf0_xUJGZe9jpmu25diwp7yvP-GTD-lfZeJ0/s400/IMG_1696.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Walking home...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again." (Psalm 78:39, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it's here a little while, then it's gone." (James 4:14, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." (Ecclesiastes 3:20, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth." (Hebrews 11:13, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(1 Corinthians 15:42-44, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For the trumpet will sound…and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">'Death is swallowed up in victory.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">O death, where is your victory?</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">O death, where is your sting?'"</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">(1 Corinthians 15:52-55, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers." (Romans 2:7, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son [as Savior], so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life." (John 3:16, AMP)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Jesus said…'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.'" (John 11:25-26, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.'" (John 6:39, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave." (Psalm 49:15, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For you have delivered my soul from death…that I may walk before God in the light of life." (Psalm 56:13, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Philippians 1:23, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" (Job 19:25-27, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 116:19, NASB)</span><br />
<br />
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/08/life-sends-us-out-love-binds-us.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-230-favorite-family-meals/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/blended-families-series/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/brokenness/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-90/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-28/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-189/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_22.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/08/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_22.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/literacy-musing-mondays-back-to-school-giveaway-continues/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/08/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-stitch-fix-edition/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/08/motivation-monday-party-204/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/inspire-me-monday-week-242.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/crockpot-meals-and-what-god-allows-living-proverbs-31-linkup/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/the-importance-of-being-consistent-mom-to-mom-mondays-23/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/markers-peace-moments-of-hope-link-up/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/08/a-glimmer-of-hope-glimpses-v-7.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://for%20example%2C%20fatigue%20forces%20you%20to%20wrestle%20with%20how%20your%20life%20still%20counts%20even%20when%20what%20you%20do%2C%20how%20much%20you%20do%2C%20and%20how%20often%20you%20can%20do%20it%20are%20greatly%20reduced.%20god%20is%20more%20interested%20in%20who%20you%20are%20in%20christ%20than%20in%20what%20you%20can%20do%20for%20him./"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-19/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/08/titus-2-tuesday-221.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/08/testimony-tuesday-seeing-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/08/my-life-blog-planner-how-i-blog-months.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>,<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/feel-unlovable/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a></span>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-link-176/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/08/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-68/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/08/wise-woman-linkup_23.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/fastest-way-make-someone-else-happy-tellhisstory/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/my-last-linkup-party-linkup-206/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-3/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/08/hes-always-been-faithful.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/ready/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/develop-leadership-skills-teens/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/get-stuff-done-3-ways-get-stuff-done-dont-want/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/08/walking-with-Christ-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/4-tempting-reasons-fill-gap-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/08/24/seasons-praise-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/faithful-and-true/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/08/25/take-a-risk/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/08/24/shades-purple-thursday-favorite-things/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-111/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/birthday-state-mind/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-random-thoughts/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/08/grace-at-home-no-216.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/08/little-things-52-frames-summer-shots.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-cozy-reading-spot-156.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/08/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-197.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/08/25/from-house-to-home-link-party-185/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/08/funtastic-friday-89.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-239.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/finding-a-simple-hope/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday7556294"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/08/welcome-back-again.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/grief/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-war-on-drugs-and-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/ways-to-god/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/happy-birthday/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-32/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-82-the-birthday-party-report/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-117/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/money-control/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-5178125328700967122016-08-15T03:06:00.000-07:002016-08-21T08:34:50.101-07:00HE KNOWS MY NAME<br />
<b>So, I am down visiting family again.</b><br />
<br />
And when I'm in town, I like to visit the <b>"chains,"</b> as I like to call them.<br />
<br />
You see, our little mountain town has <b>no chain restaurants or stores.</b> <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(It's a rule that’s even written in our charter!) </span></i><br />
<br />
Therefore, I must wait either for: <b>1) Errand Day</b> – when we venture off-the-hill to do errands, or <b>2) Family Visitation Days</b> – when I make the 2½ hour trek down the mountain to visit family.<br />
<br />
<b>I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I just might…</b><br />
<br />
Peek in at IKEA or Costco.<br />
<br />
Run into Macy's or Barnes & Noble.<br />
<br />
Covertly sneak a Big Mac or a Quarter Pounder.<br />
<br />
Scarf down a Subway.<br />
<br />
Indulge on a fancy dinner at Outback or Joe's Crab Shack.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>But really and truly, my biggest vice is the nearly-daily run to the local coffee place – </b><br />
<br />
(<span style="color: lime;">*$’s…</span>)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Which is what I did this morning…</i><br />
<br />
Which is where, <u>yet again</u>, <i>I was confronted with one of my biggest pet peeves!</i><br />
<br />
<b>My name.</b><br />
<br />
I have tried and tried to get those adorable <b>(?)</b> baristas to <b>spell my name right!!</b><br />
<br />
<i>Nope.</i><br />
<br />
In fairness, sometimes I'll get an <strike>older</strike> wiser cashier, and they usually get it right.<br />
<br />
<i>But the other ones?!</i><br />
<br />
<b>Hardly ever, even when I spell it out loud and s-l-o-w-l-y.</b><br />
<br />
(Refer to the photo at the end of this post for the latest version, AFTER I spelled it for them…GRRR!)<br />
<br />
<i><b>What is the deal?!</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It's actually kinda humorous at this point.</i><br />
<br />
But if I'm in a particularly <b>*weird, sensitive, grumpy mood*</b> – <i>(which is why I am getting the caffeine boost in the first place)</i> – I might just feel a little <b>hurt and offended.</b><br />
<br />
<b>C'mon, people.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's my name – it's who I am!!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Names are funny things.</b><br />
<br />
<i>They seem to creep into our very souls and become a defining part of our personalities.</i><br />
<br />
Some people <b>love</b> their names, some people <b>hate</b> their names. <br />
<br />
Some people even <b>change</b> their names. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(For instance, my paternal grandmother despised her middle name and had it legally changed to R!).</span><br />
<br />
When I entered elementary school, I thought <b>my name sounded too old-fashioned.</b> I can't remember which grade I was in, but I asked to be called <b>Shari.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>OK, if you think Sharon gets mangled, you should see the permutations of Shari!!</i><br />
<br />
Years later, after entering "adulthood," I thought Shari sounded <b>frivolous,</b> <i>so I changed it back to Sharon.</i><br />
<br />
Interestingly enough, though, "The Hub" knew me in elementary school, and <b>still calls me Shari.</b> <i>So do my uncle and my cousins. </i>The rest of my family <b>calls me Sharon. </b><br />
<br />
<b>I now like my name a lot</b>…<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I remember once having a conversation with my mom. Seems that they almost named me Patricia! Not sure what they had picked out for a boy's name!) </span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What's in a name?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Evidently, a lot.</i><br />
<br />
I got to thinking about my name, and about how much it bugs me when it's misspelled, and <i>I realized something.</i><br />
<br />
<b>There is Someone who <u><i>never</i></u> forgets who I am…</b><br />
<br />
<i>And thinking about that pointed me to four Scripture verses that have something to say about our names:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Verse One:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you…he who formed you…: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 43:1, ESV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Isn't it rather amazing, and very comforting, to know that <b>we are specifically and individually called by God?! </b><br />
<br />
Yes, I know this verse originally referred to the nation of Israel, but <i>don't you think that it's perfectly applicable to us today?</i><br />
<br />
<b>He created us, and formed us in the womb. </b><br />
<br />
<i>He knows who we are, and knows <u>everything</u> about us.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He has called us, by name, and we belong to Him.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>I love that!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<b>Verse Two:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 49:15-16, ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
Again, though this was originally directed at the nation of Israel, <b>I love the idea that God purposefully remembers us, and holds us close.</b><br />
<br />
And our <b>*walls*</b> – <i>the things that are part of us</i> – our personalities, our thoughts and emotions, our failures and shortcomings, our joys and triumphs, our families, our concerns, our bodies, our health, our finances, our moments, all of the life that surrounds us – is <b>constantly held in His omniscient thoughts, and centered in His omnipresent love.</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Good stuff!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<b>Verse Three:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'The one who is victorious will…be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Revelation 3:5, NIV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
The Bible speaks often about the <b>Book of Life</b> – <i>a record of all those who have given their lives to Christ, and accepted His gift of salvation.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It is an eternal record, and it is infallible.</b><br />
<br />
A person's name is either in there, or it isn't – and that is a <b>fact with eternal consequences.</b><br />
<br />
I celebrate the fact that when I confessed Jesus as my Savior and Lord of my life, <b>my name was written in this book. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Sealed there forever. </b><br />
<br />
<i>(I kinda like the image of Jesus taking a pen and hand-writing it!!)</i><br />
<br />
One day, the book will be opened, and<b> the names will be read.</b> <br />
<br />
And on that day, <b>I will hear my own name,</b> <i>and I will enter into the promise of everlasting life!</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>I rejoice over that, don't you?!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<b>Verse Four:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Revelation 2:17, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
I remember when I first read this verse, <b>I was puzzled by it. </b><br />
<br />
<i>It is a bit mysterious, and I doubt that I'll ever fully understand it on this side of eternity.</i><br />
<br />
But the more I contemplated it, the <b>more excited</b> I became!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Yes, in so many ways, the Lord is the <u><i>only</i></u> one who knows who I truly am. </b><br />
<br />
<b>He is the only one who intimately knows the spirit that He created in me.</b><br />
<br />
<i>He's the only one who knows what I will look like with no sin, shining in His righteousness, complete in His perfection.</i><br />
<br />
And on this day, I have a feeling that this <b>Truth will be revealed</b> to me, in an <b>exquisitely intimate moment between just the Savior and me.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I picture it in my mind…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Jesus looks me straight in the eye, with one of His precious scarred hands on my shoulder. </b><br />
<br />
He says:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Sharon, I have known you since before the creation of the world. I know every part of you, even the parts that you have not known of yourself. I love you beyond your comprehension. I have been waiting for this day."</span><br />
<br />
Then He gently opens my hands, and lays a <b>beautiful white stone</b> into my palms.<br />
<br />
<i>I stare at my new name, and tears flood to my eyes.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I look up at Him…</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Yes, this is who you truly are. Forever this will be your name, and forever you will be My child."</span><br />
<br />
<i>In that moment, I will know what I have never fully known or understood before….</i><br />
<br />
<b>My very being will be defined by my Creator.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>I can scarcely take that in!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<b>So, friends, what's in a name?</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It's a sign of identification, a touchstone of our personality, an emblem of who we are.</i><br />
<br />
But so much more than that…<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>It's a personal call.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's a stamp of belonging.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's an assurance of love.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's a promise of life.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's the hope of one day becoming our true self.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<br />
I am <b>Sharon</b> – <i>no matter how it's spelled.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>And my name is remembered where it counts!</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What does it mean to you that God knows your name?</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4JShWyFNS3naREdrMTO0ie0xq68Ko0WaTxt3-4a-nzm8EmjnaYmPg_G0V39sCv1YV28qTBMzofmP7yFVtW3WV-r2pBySIF9v1eUlM_1eERK0Me547bF3biFumFsoHZTpDPFIbNe0ZNo/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4JShWyFNS3naREdrMTO0ie0xq68Ko0WaTxt3-4a-nzm8EmjnaYmPg_G0V39sCv1YV28qTBMzofmP7yFVtW3WV-r2pBySIF9v1eUlM_1eERK0Me547bF3biFumFsoHZTpDPFIbNe0ZNo/s400/IMG_1636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Close...<br /><br />I think the barista was a pirate.<br /><br />"Arrr!" </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:13-17, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…'" (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:3, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The gatekeeper opens the gate…and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(John 10:3, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…'" (John 10:14-15, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD is good…he knows those who take refuge in him." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Nahum 1:7, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.'" (Isaiah 43:6-7, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life." (Revelation 20:11-12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"You have come to the assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself…" (Hebrews 12:23, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'…rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" (Luke 10:20, NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/08/un-disciplines-do-something-foolish.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-229-unexpected-rescue/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/so-whats-wrong-with-living-together-linkup/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/steps-of-faith/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-89/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-27/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-188/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_15.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/08/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_14.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/featuring-books-nurture-courage/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/08/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-163/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/08/monday-motivation-party-203/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/inspire-me-monday-week-241.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-mom-mondays-22/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/friendship-matters-hope/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/08/embracing-the-chase-glimpses-v-6.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/08/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of_15.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/08/titus-2-tuesday-220.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/08/dads-white-t-shirt.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">RICH FAITH RISING</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/oh-my-heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-3/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/08/testimony-tuesday-service-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/08/tuesday-talk-85.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-link-175/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/08/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-67/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/08/wise-woman-linkup_17.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/find-happiness-sad-busted-world/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/loving-your-husband-better-worse-married-73-years-linkup-205/?doing_wp_cron=1471448246.9497730731964111328125"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-2/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, </span></b><b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/08/the-joy-of-lord.html">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</a></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: magenta;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://holleygerth.com/forgiven/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-107-mom-blog/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-8/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/08/time-for-loving-our-lord-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/messes-messages-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM MESSES TO MESSAGES</span></a>,<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/08/17/hope-steps-grace-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/7-verses-hope-encouragement/"><span style="color: #45818e;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/08/18/changing-the-worl/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/08/17/pick-your-favorite-thursday-favorite-things-logo/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-110/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/anchored-in-hope/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/08/17/from-house-to-home-link-party-184/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/08/grace-at-home-no-215.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-printable-favorite-verses/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com/2016/08/little-things-unfinished-cathedral.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-cozy-reading-spot-155.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/08/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-196.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-38/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://sharonsharinggod.blogspot.com/2016/08/he-knows-my-name.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-238.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/grace-to-carry-it-through/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday-shouting-joyfully"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/08/welcome-back_19.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/attitude/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/08/2016-olympics-and-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/ministry-of-the-moment/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/hope-prevails/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-81-the-church-testimony/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-31/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/life-and-peace/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-116/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/08/20/give-me-grace-accepting-the-invitation/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-45910752200533079962016-08-08T03:04:00.000-07:002016-08-14T16:31:24.037-07:00ME, A DOG, AND AN AIR MATTRESS<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<br />
<i>You read that right.</i><br />
<br />
Lest you think that I'm writing a <b>canine version</b> of "The Princess and the Pea" – <i>in which I share an air mattress with a dog and can't sleep because of an errant kernel of kibble underneath</i> – let me explain.<br />
<br />
My youngest son had to travel out of town for the last two weeks, and <b>I volunteered to take care of my grandbeagle, Marty.</b><br />
<br />
<i>No one has to ask me twice to do that!</i><br />
<br />
Sure, it saves money – but hey, <b><i>it's MARTY!!!</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>I love my little furry guy.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Yes, I am biased, but he's pretty adorable.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Might I just regale you with some highlights of our time together?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>1.</b> Dog took middle-aged woman for walks three times a day. <br />
<br />
<b>2. </b>Dog made middle-aged woman think about signing up for the Iditarod race. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance sled dog race run in early March from Settler's Bay to Nome [Alaska]…Mushers and a team of 21 dogs...cover the distance [over 1,000 miles] in 9–15 days or more).</span><br />
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<b>3.</b> The word "walk" is a misnomer – it should more accurately be called a tug, pull, roam, or wander.<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> Dog found the most awkward places and timing to do his "duty" – usually when people were walking by or retrieving the newspaper on their driveway.<br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> Middle-aged woman snickered because dog sometimes chose to make his "deposit" in front of one of the two yacht clubs in the area.<br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> Dog tried to eat a bouquet of roses.<br />
<br />
<b>7.</b> Dog found random paper towels with delicious scents and dug them out of the trash.<br />
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<b>8.</b> Dog injured left arm – limped for two days <span style="font-size: large;">☹</span> – then recovered quickly <span style="font-size: large;">☺</span><br />
– quickly enough to tug, pull, roam, and wander.<br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> When dog saw someone approaching (anyone!), he came to a complete (and immovable) standstill – even if the person was a hundred feet away.<br />
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<b>10. </b>Middle-aged woman had to explain (often) that his stance was not a sign of his ferociousness, but only of his desire to jump up and lick and make new friends.<br />
<br />
<b>11.</b> Dog is mistaken for being a puppy – which isn't too bad when you're 9½!!<br />
<br />
<b>12.</b> Middle-aged woman was NOT mistaken for being a puppy…sigh.<br />
<br />
<b>13.</b> Dog snored.<br />
<br />
<b>14. </b>Middle-aged woman might have snored – dog didn't say.<br />
<br />
<b>15.</b> Dog loved being chased around the room by middle-aged woman. Woman panted, dog did not.<br />
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<b>16. </b>Dog loved string cheese *treats*.<br />
<br />
<b>17.</b> Dog almost ate *string cheese fingers* of middle-aged woman as he bit ravenously into the string cheese. <i> (Note to self: do not hold string cheese in hand when feeding dog).</i><br />
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<b>18.</b> After countless hijinks, antics, and shenanigans, middle-aged woman is convinced that dog is not a dog, but a mischievous angel in disguise.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Yes, I do love dogs, and I <i>especially</i> love Marty.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My favorite thing of all is curling up next to him at bedtime.</i><br />
<br />
Now mind you, on his *regular* nights, <b>Marty sleeps in his own bed</b>, all balled up, nice and cozy.<br />
<br />
<i>But when I am there, I like having him next to me.</i><br />
<br />
Last year I tried sleeping next to him on some <b>couch cushions</b>, but that wasn't too comfortable.<br />
<br />
<b>Hence, the air mattress.</b><br />
<br />
I figured that we could pretend that we were <b>out in the wild</b>, maybe Alaska, and *roughing it* together!<br />
<br />
<b>I rarely sleep as soundly as I do when Marty is curled up by me.</b><br />
<br />
He usually starts the night <i>at my feet</i>, and then sometime around 4 AM, he <i>wanders up closer.</i><br />
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If I've been sleeping especially deeply, I'll be surprised by a <b>furry face</b> right next to mine in the wee hours of the morning! <i> (The snoring is usually the first clue…!)</i><br />
<br />
When my son returned home, he was <b>most appreciative</b> of my time taking care of Marty.<br />
<br />
But perhaps he'll never know <u>how much it means <i>to me</i></u> to spend time with my grandbeagle.<br />
<br />
I have always maintained that <b>when a human forms a bond with an animal</b>, there is something <b>primal</b> about it, <i>something *original* if you will</i> – like an <b>echo of Eden.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>God intended people and animals to have a relationship.</b><br />
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<i>And when we take care of them, we are fulfilling the original directive given in the Garden:</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Genesis 1:26, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>How should this charge be interpreted?</b><br />
<br />
First of all, I'd like to correct what I think is a <b>misinterpretation.</b><br />
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Having <b>dominion</b> over something has a <i>negative connotatio</i>n in most people's minds. <br />
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I don't know about you, but I usually think of it as meaning <b>domination, subjugation, or exploitation</b> – <i>like a dictator has over his kingdom.</i><br />
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I don't think of <b>kindness</b> – <i>I think of cruelty and injustice, apathy and insensitivity.</i><br />
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But having dominion over the animals should entail a <b>humane management</b> of them, <i>just as God intended.</i><br />
<br />
I think it's <i>very important</i> to remember that <b>God created animals in His original plan of creation. </b> He saved them in the Flood. And they are mentioned in the future, too.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Genesis 1:25, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Bring a pair of every kind of animal – a male and a female – into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Genesis 6:19, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 11:6, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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I'm not going to get into a discussion of whether or not individual animals will be part of the new creation, or debate the question of whether our pets go to heaven – <i>(I personally hope so!)</i> – but <b>I trust God to do what is far better than what I can think or imagine! </b><br />
<br />
<i>I love this quote from Billy Graham:</i><br />
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"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there."<br />
<br />
<b>Yup.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But I digress.</i><br />
<br />
The point is that we should consider the fact that <b>mankind was given the task, privilege, and blessing of representing God in this world. </b><br />
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<i>We are appointed to be His caretakers.</i><br />
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<b>And as His image-bearers, we have been charged with the serious responsibility to act as God would.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>I like the analogy of a garden and a gardener.</b><br />
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The gardener has, in a sense, <b>dominion</b> over his garden – <i>but this position of power is not to be taken lightly.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What gardener would intentionally harm or destroy his garden?</b><br />
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Rather, he <b>tends it carefully</b> – feeding and watering it, protecting it from weeds and invading pests, sheltering it, and promoting growth. In short, the gardener <b>does everything in his power to help the garden <i>thrive</i>.</b><br />
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<i>I think it's the same with animals, specifically – and the same with all of creation, in general.</i><br />
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God gives us the weighty task of caretaking, of taking care of <b><i><u>HIS</u></i> creation.</b><br />
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We must always remember that <b>creation does not belong to us.</b><br />
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<i>It is not ours to use or abuse.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It is not ours to waste or squander.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It is not ours to trample or trash.</i><br />
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<i>It is not ours to conquer or crush.</i><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours – you created it all." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Psalm 89:11, NLT)</span></span><br />
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<i>OK, so you might not be an animal-lover, or a tree-hugger, or a swim-with-the-sharks kind of person.</i><br />
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But I'll just bet that you have had times when the beauty of creation has left you <b>breathless and awed.</b><br />
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<i>Why?</i><br />
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<b>Because you felt God in that moment.</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Romans 1:20, ESV)</span></span><br />
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<br />
So, once again I had the <b>joyous task of taking care of one special little dog.</b><br />
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And once again, <b>I was taught a lot about God in the process.</b><br />
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<i>About responsibility and caretaking.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>About kindness and compassion.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>About appreciation and respect.</i><br />
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<b>About being God's representative in a world that rarely reflects His character – and doing it well.</b><br />
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<i>All this, while lying on an air mattress with a small beagle in the middle of the night!</i><br />
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<b>Well done, Marty!!</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What are your thoughts about taking care of God's creation?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaVgzqcshw8AKUXdL8wZYhPVa1nrEaYA4faGDeCQz9L_eu4B8CxQGNL5QDxZ74lDnqHQHHxTcB9GpC6-wlPbO4JCTOKZQF0PJO40GVuqWxddxj_G5sV9U9ZWAS175sYJXsm6YUOM2PEQ/s1600/IMG_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLaVgzqcshw8AKUXdL8wZYhPVa1nrEaYA4faGDeCQz9L_eu4B8CxQGNL5QDxZ74lDnqHQHHxTcB9GpC6-wlPbO4JCTOKZQF0PJO40GVuqWxddxj_G5sV9U9ZWAS175sYJXsm6YUOM2PEQ/s400/IMG_0394.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">All things bright and beautiful,<br />All creatures great and small,<br />All things wise and wonderful,<br />The Lord God made them all.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Cecil Frances Alexander)</span><br /><br /><br />"You care for people and animals alike,<br />O LORD."<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Psalm 36:6)</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="color: red;">"The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it…So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals." (Genesis 2:15, 19-20, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal.'" (Jeremiah 27:5, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures." (Psalm 104:24, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.'" (Revelation 4:11, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created through him and for him." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Colossians 1:16, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'You alone are the LORD. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all…'" (Nehemiah 9:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know…For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.'" (Job 12:7-10, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Romans 8:19-21, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.'" (Hosea 2:18, NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Praise the LORD!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise the LORD from the heavens!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him from the skies!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, all his angels!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, all the armies of heaven!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, sun and moon!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, all you twinkling stars!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, skies above!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Let every created thing give praise to the LORD,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">for he issued his command, and they came into being.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">He set them in place forever and ever.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">His decree will never be revoked.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Praise the LORD from the earth,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">you creatures of the ocean depths,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">fire and hail, snow and clouds,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">wind and weather that obey him,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">mountains and all hills,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">fruit trees and all cedars,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">wild animals and all livestock,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">small scurrying animals and birds,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">kings of the earth and all people,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">rulers and judges of the earth,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">young men and young women,</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">old men and children.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">Let them all praise the name of the LORD.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">For his name is very great;</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">his glory towers over the earth and heaven!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">(From Psalm 148, NLT)</span><br />
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
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PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-21/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/not-alone-declare-conference-moments-of-hope/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/08/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/08/cant-alone-olympic-lessons.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/08/titus-2-tuesday-219.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-18/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/08/testimony-tuesday-prayer-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/when-you-dont-feel-able/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/08/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-66/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/08/monday-morning-glimpses-v-5.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/08/the-olympics-tuesday-talk-84.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/08/wise-woman-linkup_9.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://www.classicalhomemaking.com/2016/08/the-homemaking-party-regency-dresses.html"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/invitation-happiness-dare-book-club/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/5-exciting-new-things-coming-soon-that-will-equip-and-grow-you-linkup-204/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.christianbloggercommunity.com/christian-blogger-linkup-1/"><span style="color: #45818e;">CHRISTIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/08/we-live-by-faith.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/08/back-to-school.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/imperfectly-perfect/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-106-whats-for-dinner/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-8/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/08/are-we-too-busy-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/are-you-a-mind-reading-mate-and-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/08/10/loveis-gracemomentslinkup/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/how-can-i-fear-with-jesus/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/08/11/chapter-six/#more-12951"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/08/10/just-projects-thursday-favorite-things/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-109/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/stay-on-beat/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/08/10/from-house-to-home-link-party-183/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/08/grace-at-home-no-214.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-prayer-for-strength/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-cozy-reading-spot-154-take-two.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/08/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-195.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/08/funtastic-friday-87.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-237.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/past-the-power-struggles/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday3806024"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/08/welcome-back.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/absolute-truth/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/08/our-new-friend-with-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/its-ok-not-to-know/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/whybible/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-80-ordinary-days/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-30/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/fanny-j-crosby/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-115/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/08/13/give-me-grace-real-love/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-35801475473174028022016-08-01T03:04:00.000-07:002016-08-14T16:29:34.435-07:00GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT<br />
<b>I own a solid gold necklace.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It is a beautiful piece of jewelry.</i><br />
<br />
And it's heavy – <i>literally!</i><br />
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The <b>price of gold</b> is currently around $1350 an ounce. So this necklace would definitely be, as they say, <b>*worth its weight in gold!* </b><br />
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It's a <b>treasure</b> – <i>and it would be quite a gift if I gave it away, wouldn't it?</i><br />
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Now what if I showed you <b>two pennies </b>– two tarnished, beat-up pennies?<br />
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They've been sitting in a dish of<b> spare change</b> for who knows how long. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>They're not worth much. </b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>In fact, in today's economy, they're probably not even worth two cents!</i><br />
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Back in the day, they could buy <b>something</b> – a piece of candy or such. <br />
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<i>But now, the penny is so worthless, we don't even like having them rattling around in our pockets. </i><br />
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Many stores have little trays where you can <b>"take a penny, leave a penny."</b><br />
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If you don't want your pennies with you, <b>leave them. </b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(For the most part, I'm an equal taker-leaver...)</i></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So, giving away these two pennies wouldn't be much of a gift, would it?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Today I want to talk about a woman who gave something away…</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Luke 21: 1-2, NLT)</span></span><br />
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<br />
<b>Jesus was in the area of the Temple called the Court of Women.</b><br />
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In this area were seven boxes in which worshipers could deposit the Temple tax and six boxes for <i>freewill offerings.</i> It appears that<b> Jesus continued watching the giving for some time</b>, and He observed a number of wealthy persons making gifts.<br />
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<b>This woman gave a freewill offering of two mites.</b><br />
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<i>At the time, a mite was the smallest of copper coins, normally equal to just 1/8 of a cent! </i><br />
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Though it might seem that her offering was small, <b>her gift was a sacrifice, <i>for it was all that she had.</i></b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Her gift made an impression on Jesus, and He commented on it:</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"'I tell you the truth,' Jesus said, 'this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Luke 21:3-4, NLT)</span></span><br />
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Today, I'm not going to talk about <b>financial giving</b> – <i>I'd like to expand the story beyond the issue of money.</i><br />
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The issue here is <b><i>not</i></b> that the woman had given more as to <b>value</b> and <b>substance</b> – <i>but that she had cast in <b>more</b> in proportion to <b>what she had.</b></i><br />
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Her gift was counted as <b>more</b> by Christ, and <b>more highly valued and esteemed</b> by Him, because Jesus – <i>the One who sees the heart, and knows all things</i> – knew that she had given <i><b>FROM HER HEART.</b></i><br />
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Yes, my friends, the Lord desires <b>no greater gift than the gift of <i>yourself</i>.</b><br />
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He wants <b>more than financial offerings</b> – <i>He wants you to KNOW Him and to LOVE Him.</i><br />
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He is to be loved with <i>all your powers and capabilities</i>, with your <i>time and your talents</i>, with <i>all aspects of your personality</i>, <b>with every ounce of your heart.</b><br />
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Mark 12:30 (NLT) sums up this <b>greatest gift</b>:<br />
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<span style="color: red;">"And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."</span><br />
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<i>Jesus uses the poor widow's offering to teach an important lesson.</i><br />
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<b>A gift is not to be evaluated by its size, but by a comparison of the gift with the total possessed by the giver.</b><br />
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<i>In the secret, innermost part of your heart, have you laid <b>your life</b> on the altar?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Have you presented <b>everything you have</b>, and <b>everything you are</b>, to Him?</i><br />
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<b>May God help us to be like this faithful woman as we give our very selves in His name.</b><br />
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<i>That's my two cents...</i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What are you giving to God of YOURSELF?</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxtYJwAgARmyGvlaOy0beCFT-AANZmOA4XghH_hzCG92ZJP62z4QCC85VmZ-ubU2IpG9ofEsWoIf4sXefx17XkEIswVOFvtV9QacvquxFm9ImpQYGUVlV52JMPQMvpztcoS4P_gYBQnc/s1600/IMG_1694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxtYJwAgARmyGvlaOy0beCFT-AANZmOA4XghH_hzCG92ZJP62z4QCC85VmZ-ubU2IpG9ofEsWoIf4sXefx17XkEIswVOFvtV9QacvquxFm9ImpQYGUVlV52JMPQMvpztcoS4P_gYBQnc/s400/IMG_1694.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">A penny saved<br />is a penny<br />earned.<br /><br />But if you give up your life<br />for Me,<br />you will find it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: red;">"'To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.'" (Mark 12:33, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.'" (Hosea 6:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"What can we bring to the LORD? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?...No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Micah 6:6-8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And now...what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit." (Psalm 51:16-17, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2 Corinthians 2:14-15, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:2, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/08/in-garden-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-227-july-daybook-entry/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/the-excellent-wife-linkup/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/true-joy/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-87/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-25/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-186/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/07/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_31.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/literacy-musing-mondays-ready-back-school/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/07/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-162/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/08/motivation-monday-party-201/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/07/inspire-me-monday-week-239.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-20/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/08/tell-me-true-story-week-of-080116.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/08/sitting-duck-unite-linky.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/08/titus-2-tuesday-218.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-17/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/08/transformation-inside-out.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/08/tell-tuesday-76.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/08/currently-tuesday-talk-83.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/hate-who-you-are/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-174-link/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://barbieswihart.com/2016/08/beauty-all-around-glimpses-v-4-and-a-new-link-up.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">GLIMPSES LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/08/wise-woman-linkup.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/release-day-happiness-dare-prizes-galore/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/wholehearted-wednesday-203/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-165/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/08/14-years-together.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/happy-worship/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-105/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.jaimewiebel.com/2016/08/we-are-victorious-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/08/03/the-remarkable-nature-of-grace-gracemoments-link-up/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/08/04/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-59/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/jesus-christ-the-same/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/08/04/loving-difficult-people/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/08/03/celebrating-250-link-parties/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/08/party-at-my-place-linkup-27.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-108/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/fight-for-your-happy/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/08/03/from-house-to-home-link-party-182/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/08/grace-at-home-no-213.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-150/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-cozy-reading-spot-154.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/08/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-194.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-37/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/2-dumb-myths-about-fights-in-marriage-and-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/jesus-christ-the-same/"><span style="color: blue;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/08/funtastic-friday-86.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/08/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-236.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/why-we-do-what-we-do/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday7434355"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/08/forty-five-characters.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/gods-gifts/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/08/addiction-recovery-farm-and-weekend.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/an-encouraging-word/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/lawless/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-79-sunflower-days/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-29/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/thrim-week6-blog-holiday/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-114/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/08/06/give-me-grace-walk-it-out/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a> </b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-86165985629998642782016-07-25T03:05:00.000-07:002016-07-31T10:26:28.453-07:00A CHICKEN STORY<br />
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<b>Her name was Henny Penny.</b></div>
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<i>A cute little black-and-white-feathered chicken.</i></div>
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<b>Let me tell you how she and I became friends.</b></div>
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Many years ago, I lived in a <b>small, two-bedroom rental.</b> It was a <b>quaint little place</b> – <i>I really liked it.</i></div>
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<b>Except it was on the corner of an intersection that had all kinds of activity.</b></div>
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Evidently, I was the<b> unknowing tenant </b>who resided on <b>"Dead Man's Curve."</b> In the <b>four years</b> that I lived there, there were at least <b>two bad car accidents,</b> and <b>many near misses.</b></div>
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<i>But I digress.</i></div>
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<b>Suffice it to say, I was used to random *bustle* outside the door.</b></div>
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But one morning, I heard all this<b> shouting.</b> Looking outside the window, I saw<b> several children, </b><i><b>yelling and throwing rocks into the yard!</b></i></div>
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Of course, like an <b>avenging angel,</b> I swooped out and shouted<i>, </i><b><i>"What are you DOING?"</i></b></div>
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Amidst a <b>cacophony of high-pitched screeching, </b>I was able to determine that their <b>chicken had "escaped"</b> their backyard up the street, and <b>landed in the tree in my side yard.</b></div>
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<i><b>They wanted it back.</b></i></div>
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Well, it didn't take a <b>rocket scientist </b>to figure out that these kids were <b>hooligans</b>, <i>and that that poor chicken had barely escaped with her life.</i></div>
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<b>I told them that she was in my backyard, and they weren't allowed on my property.</b></div>
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<b>Grumbling threats</b> – <i>(did I hear someone say *cherry bomb*?) </i>– they stomped off. </div>
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Only to return about half an hour later with<b> a couple of dads in tow.</b></div>
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<i>More shouting, more threats.</i></div>
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However, I basically told them that<b> I wasn't about to let anyone climb a ladder on my property </b><i>(liability),</i> that they’d better <b>stop their kids </b><i>(brats)</i><b> from throwing rocks at my house </b><i>(let alone the chicken), </i><b>and if she had a mind to stay – well, that was <i>her choice.</i></b></div>
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<i>I think they came back another time or two. I held my ground. And they gave up.</i></div>
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<b>Well, there she was – Henny Penny – firmly roosted in my tree.</b></div>
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<i><b>I felt sorry for her.</b></i></div>
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<i>She'd stay out there all night – in the dark and the cold.</i></div>
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Every time I woke up, <b>I'd see her in the tree.</b> Every time I'd come home after dark,<b> I'd see her in the tree. </b>Even when it rained and stormed, <b>I'd see her in the tree.</b></div>
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A few times I saw her <b>on the ground,</b> but as soon as I opened the back door and went outside, <b>she'd fly back up to the tree for safety.</b></div>
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<b>I remember thinking, <i>"How can I get her to trust me?"</i></b></div>
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Well, of course it's <b>no surprise </b>that she didn't. After all, who knows what <b>terrible treatment she received</b> <i>at the mercy of those other (horrible) people??</i></div>
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<b>So, I launched a campaign to win her trust.</b></div>
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<i>I'd go out every day and talk to her. I'd say good night every night. I'd put chicken feed out for her on the ground.</i></div>
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After a <b>long time,</b> <i>several weeks as I recall, </i>she'd finally<b> stay on the ground </b>when I was outside. Then, she'd let me get <b>closer and closer</b> to her.</div>
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And then…one day…<b>I left the back door open</b> when I went back into the house.<i> </i></div>
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<i>She walked up the steps and looked in. </i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">But, as </span></i>soon as I stepped toward her – <i><b>back to the tree.</b></i></div>
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<b>Finally, one day she didn't leave. </b></div>
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<b>She walked right into my house and let me <i>pick her up!!!</i></b></div>
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<i>It was so very cool.</i></div>
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From that day forward, <b>she would come into the house every day.</b> </div>
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I can remember <b>picking her up and putting her on my lap,</b> where she'd <b>nestle in</b> <b>and take a nap </b><i>while I stroked her little red comb and feathers.</i></div>
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<b>It made me so very happy.</b></div>
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I had finally been able to<b> communicate </b>to her that <b>I wasn't like all the other people</b> she had known.<i> I wasn't mean and vindictive.</i><b> </b><br />
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<b>I was kind and gentle and loving –<i> I could be trusted.</i></b></div>
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<b>I still think about Henny...</b></div>
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<b><i>And about trust.</i></b></div>
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<i>Sometimes, in my relationship with God, I'm just like she was – skittish, unsure, scared, distrustful.</i></div>
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Sometimes <b>I base my trust on my past experiences.</b><i> </i></div>
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<i>I judge God's character by the various "characters" that have peppered my past.</i> </div>
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<b><i>I rate His trustworthiness by the people in my life who have hurt, disappointed, rejected, and criticized me.</i></b></div>
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<b>I stay in the tree.</b></div>
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But isn't there a <b>HUGE part of God's heart</b> that is <b>desperate to show me </b>that<i> <b>HE </b>is not those other people?</i> </div>
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That He is <b>kind</b> and <b>gentle</b> and <b>loving?</b></div>
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<b><i>That He is eminently worth every ounce of my trust?</i></b></div>
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It seems to me that in some ways, <b>God is always wooing us "into the house" to rest in His arms.</b><br />
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<i>He is always seeking to show us that He is a <b>very safe place</b> to land. </i><b> </b><br />
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<b>He wants us to hide in the shadow of His wings – <i>secure, with no thought of fear.</i></b></div>
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<b>Yes, I finally won Henny's heart.</b></div>
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<i>But God did an amazing thing to prove His love – <b>He gave up His Son.</b></i></div>
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<b>Today, I hear Him calling me. </b></div>
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<b>I see Him standing in the doorway, beckoning me inside where it's warm and safe.</b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">"Sharon, won't you please come down from that tree?"</span></b></div>
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<i>You know, I think I will.</i></div>
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<i><b>It's better than sitting out here in the dark!</b></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Do your past experiences ever keep you from trusting God completely today?</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i_-N5eAfZNH6yhsi3Zsn56kX7T4M04_pIb_MfeGzIwRhzS11LVom2bCAus34P3apvHHXyL2uvYL00tRcfuIWVe4YOWNSTiSQqvAxBijCiwJky0n3iodoNOVx3LW1QFK5iOw3BYGxfE4/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i_-N5eAfZNH6yhsi3Zsn56kX7T4M04_pIb_MfeGzIwRhzS11LVom2bCAus34P3apvHHXyL2uvYL00tRcfuIWVe4YOWNSTiSQqvAxBijCiwJky0n3iodoNOVx3LW1QFK5iOw3BYGxfE4/s400/IMG_1678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Sometimes<br />God calls us<br />to break out of our shells.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"'</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.'" </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(John 10:27-28, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"'</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day.'" </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(John 6:39, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security." </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(Job 11:18, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain..." </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(Hebrews 6:19, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">I waited patiently for the LORD; </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">he inclined to me and heard my cry. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">He drew me up from the pit of destruction, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">out of the miry bog, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">and set my feet upon a rock, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">making my steps secure." </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(Psalm 40:1-2, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">Those who fear the LORD are secure..." </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(Proverbs 14:26, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">This I declare about the LORD:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">he is my God, and I trust him...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">He will cover you with his feathers.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">He will shelter you with his wings.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">His faithful promises are your armor and protection.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">nor the arrow that flies in the day...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">nor the disaster that strikes at midday.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">Though a thousand fall at your side,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">though ten thousand are dying around you,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">these evils will not touch you...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">If you make the LORD your refuge,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">if you make the Most High your shelter,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">no evil will conquer you...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">For he will order his angels</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">to protect you wherever you go.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">They will hold you up with their hands...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">The LORD says, 'I will rescue those who love me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">I will protect those who trust in my name.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">When they call on me, I will answer;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">I will be with them in trouble.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">I will rescue and honor them.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">I will reward them with a long life</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">and give them my salvation.'"</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;">(From Psalm 91, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><b>Linked with:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19.404px;"><b><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/07/we-didnt-keep-score-smallwonder-link-up.html" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-226/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://donnareidland.com/strengthening-your-marriage-linkup/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://suedetweiler.com/let-go-of-anger/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-86/" style="color: 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style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">,</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span><a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-28/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-down-link-party-132/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/07/rewind-friday-our-favorite-learning.html" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">REWIND FRIDAY</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://www.janiscox.com/july-tweets/" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-113/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span><a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/07/31/give-me-grace-midlife-mystery/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;">, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.86px; line-height: 19.404px;"><b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</span></span></div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-46102017119183847842016-07-11T03:09:00.000-07:002016-07-16T09:00:36.017-07:00CHATTING WITH GOD<br />
<b>Friends, I am at a loss for words this week.</b><br />
<br />
So, I am re-sharing something that I wrote over four years ago in a weekly feature called, <b>"Saturday Stroll." </b><br />
<br />
It speaks to the<b> trials</b> that have entered my life as of late, and I hope that it has meaning for all who read it. <i>(I know that I needed to read it again...)</i><br />
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<b>Welcome to <span style="color: lime;">"SATURDAY STROLL!"</span></b><br />
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In these posts I will be<b> interacting with Scripture</b> – <i>making it a conversational walk of faith.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
God and I speaking...<br />
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<b>So put on your walking shoes </b>– <i>you know we can all use the exercise!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Words and thoughts taken from Job 23, Zechariah 13, Psalm 139, and Job 42 - NASB and NLT translations)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<u><b>A DIALOGUE FOR TIMES OF TESTING</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
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I'm afraid my complaint is rebellion. But it is still a bitter one. Not that I'm bitter, Lord. I'm not resentful <span style="font-size: x-small;">(maybe a little)</span> – but life is a bitter pill to swallow – difficult to accept, often unpleasant.<br />
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I try hard not to groan aloud. <br />
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<i>But Your hand is heavy despite my groaning.</i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Why, Lord?</b></i><br />
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I just don't get it. It is so hard to understand You when life is difficult – when I have turmoil – when loved ones are suffering – and circumstances are impossible.<br />
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Oh, if only I knew where to find You, where You might be. If I knew that, I might come to Your seat!<br />
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Yes, I would go to Your court.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I would present my case before You, laying it all out. </b><br />
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<i>And I would fill my mouth with my arguments.</i><br />
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Then I would listen to Your reply. I would learn the words that You would answer, and perceive and understand what You say to me.<br />
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<i>Would You contend with me?</i><br />
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<b>Would You use Your great power to argue with me?</b><br />
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No, surely You would pay attention to me. Surely You would give me a fair hearing…<br />
<br />
<i>…wouldn't You?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<b>So, I search for You.</b><br />
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I go forward, but You are not there. I go east, You are not there. I move backward, but I cannot perceive You. I go west, but I cannot find You.<br />
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When You act on the left, I cannot behold You. I do not see You in the north, for You are hidden. When You turn on the right, I cannot see You. I look to the south, but You are concealed.<br />
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<i><b>Where are You, Lord?</b></i><br />
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<i>Why are You silent when I need You?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Why are You hidden when I need You?</i><br />
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<b>Why do I feel so alone…when I <i>NEED</i> You?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<i>But I am consoled and comforted and strengthened by this one Truth.</i><br />
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You know the way I take. You know where I am going. And when You have tried me, tested me, I will come forth as <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">gold</span></b> – <i>pure and unblemished.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For I have stayed on Your paths. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have held fast and followed You. </i><br />
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<b>I have not turned aside.</b><br />
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I have not departed from the commands of Your lips. I have treasured the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food.<br />
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<b>But You are unique.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And You're a little (a lot) scary, Lord.</i><br />
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Once You've made a decision, who can change Your mind? What Your soul desires, whatever You want to do, that is what You do.<br />
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I know that you will do to me whatever You have planned. You will perform that which is appointed for me.<br />
<br />
<b>You control my destiny.</b><br />
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<i>I guess my heart struggles with Your sovereignty, Lord.</i><br />
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And sometimes I am just so scared, and hurt, and despairing.<br />
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Darkness is all around me – thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere. <br />
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<i>Deep gloom covers me.</i><br />
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<b>But I am not silenced by the darkness.</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">NOR AM I.</span><br />
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<b>Lord, is that You?!</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">I will bring you through the fire and make you pure. I will refine you like silver and purify you like gold. When you call on Me, I will answer. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">I will say...</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>"This is My child."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><i>Will you trust Me?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
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<i>Oh Lord, I had only heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my very own eyes.</i><br />
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<b>You are the LORD, my God.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red;">I AM.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Have you had a conversation with God lately?</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03UHjNtT7HuCnn43Lad4iiW7M0ow-6DE5h8_r5F7AGglXv64PBycGO-7uiivz7Ii-NEzRpkK930TwYG1ak9eOMo1z-A8ei0mwzsGU_B4V850G-ogl2LKyYClkglyCmzCXJdffXtSkB6A/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03UHjNtT7HuCnn43Lad4iiW7M0ow-6DE5h8_r5F7AGglXv64PBycGO-7uiivz7Ii-NEzRpkK930TwYG1ak9eOMo1z-A8ei0mwzsGU_B4V850G-ogl2LKyYClkglyCmzCXJdffXtSkB6A/s400/IMG_0905.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Bent but not broken...<br /><br />...still reaching for the Son. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">"You have been my God from the moment I was born.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Do not stay so far from me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">for trouble is near,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">and no one else can help me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">My enemies surround me...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Like lions they open their jaws against me,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">roaring and tearing into their prey.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My life is poured out like water,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">and all my bones are out of joint.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My heart is like wax,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">melting within me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">an evil gang closes in on me...</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">I can count all my bones.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">My enemies stare at me and gloat...</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">O LORD, do not stay far away!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Save me..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 22:10-17, 19-20, NLT)</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">"Then I realized that my heart was bitter,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">and I was all torn up inside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">I was so foolish and ignorant –</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Yet I still belong to you;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">you hold my right hand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">You guide me with your counsel,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">leading me to a glorious destiny.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">Whom have I in heaven but you?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">I desire you more than anything on earth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;">but God remains the strength of my heart;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">he is mine forever."</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 73:21-26, NLT)</span></div>
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/07/small-enough-to-lead-and-be-led.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-224-troubled-times/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/how-to-act-right-when-your-spouse-acts-wrong-linkup/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/4-promises-troubling-times/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-84/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-22/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-183/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/07/making-your-home-sing-monday.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/bridging-summer-learning-gap/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/07/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-159/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/07/motivation-monday-linky-party-198/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/07/inspire-me-monday-week-236.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/12468-2/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>,<a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-mom-mondays-17/"> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/hope-hate-moments-hope-link/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/07/reading-true-story-you-are-invited-to_11.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/07/lets-get-real-racism.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-15/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/07/titus-2-tuesday-215.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/07/testimony-tuesday-inside.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/07/my-favorite-fashion-summer-styles.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/07/tell-tuesdays-73.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/fooling-yourself/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/back-trip-texas-teaching-good-171/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/happiness-dare-pre-orders-gifts/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/happiness-dare-pre-orders-gifts/"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/200th-wholehearted-wednesday-linkup-party-giveaway/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-162/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/07/when-you-walk-through-fire.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/07/surviving-summer-showers.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/eight-great-years/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-102-500-words/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/a-summer-of-delight/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/07/do-we-have-expiration-date-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/how-grief-softens-the-heart-and-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-still/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/07/13/3529/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/07/13/3529/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/07/13/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-56/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/refuge-storm/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/07/13/thursday-favorite-things-week-246/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/07/14/what-is-true/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/07/party-at-my-place-linkup-book-wino.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-105/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/healing-balm/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/07/13/from-house-to-home-link-party-179/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/07/grace-at-home-no-210.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-asking-for-gods-wisdom/"><span style="color: blue;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-148/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-cozy-reading-spot-150.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/07/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-191.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://two%20people%20are%20better%20off%20than%20one%2C%20for%20they%20can%20help%20each%20other%20succeed.%2010if%20one%20person%20falls%2C%20the%20other%20can%20reach%20out%20and%20help.%20but%20someone%20who%20falls%20alone%20is%20in%20real%20trouble.%2011likewise%2C%20two%20people%20lying%20close%20together%20can%20keep%20each%20other%20warm.%20but%20how%20can%20one%20be%20warm%20alone/?%2012A%20person%20standing%20alone%20can%20be%20attacked%20and%20defeated,%20but%20two%20can%20stand%20back-to-back%20and%20conquer.%20Three%20are%20even%20better,%20for%20a%20triple-braided%20cord%20is%20not%20easily%20broken."><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/06/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_23.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/07/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-233.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/some-like-it-hot/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday2823694"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/live-every-day/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/dear-christian-blogger/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/shallow-end/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-77-my-prayer/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/dont-quit/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-26/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-down-link-party-130/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/teamwork/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/07/lessons-learned-among-the-pansies-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, </b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-87890931077411859922016-07-04T03:08:00.000-07:002016-07-11T10:46:33.566-07:00NOW LIVE IN FREEDOM!<br />
<b>It's the Fourth of July!</b><br />
<br />
<i>Sparklers for everyone!!</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: white;">*</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*</span><span style="color: yellow;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: white;">*</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*</span><span style="color: yellow;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: white;">*</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*</span><span style="color: yellow;">*</span><span style="color: red;">*</span><span style="color: white;">*</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*</span><span style="color: yellow;">*</span><br />
<br />
<b>Today is the 240th birthday of our United States of America!</b><br />
<br />
It is a day of <b>fun and celebration</b>, but it's also <i>a good day to reflect on the concept of freedom.</i><br />
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<b>Freedom is:</b> the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; the state of being physically unrestricted and able to move easily; the state of not being subject to or affected by (a particular undesirable thing); the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity; unrestricted use of something. <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Synonyms: independence, self-government, self-determination, self-rule, home rule, sovereignty, nonalignment, autonomy, democracy, liberty, liberation, release, deliverance, delivery, discharge, exemption, immunity, dispensation, impunity, right, entitlement, privilege).</span><br />
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Every war the United States has fought in has been over the<b> issue of freedom </b>–<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>(at least in theory, let's not get stuck talking about political agendas here!). </i></span><br />
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<b>We seek to maintain it for ourselves, and we fight to secure it for others.</b><br />
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There is nothing <b>frivolous</b> about freedom – <i>even when we sometimes take it for granted.</i><br />
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Today we should take the time to remember what it cost, and continues to cost, to maintain freedom in our country and in our lives.<br />
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<b>We should remember, and be thankful.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>But let's also expand on the idea of freedom, and ponder the concept as it applies to the believer's life.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Last week I talked a lot about battling in the spiritual realm.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I talked about *standing* after the battle.</i><br />
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About the importance of not only <b>winning spiritual territory</b>, but also in <b>occupying it </b><i>so the enemy can't take it over again.</i><br />
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<b>This is what I want to focus on today.</b><br />
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<i>I have a picture in my mind –</i><br />
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A war-torn, battle-weary soldier standing in a muddy battlefield. He's dirty and scraped and bruised, maybe a bit bloodied by the fighting. He stands, barely balanced, but he stands strong nonetheless. In his right hand he holds a pole with a flag attached to it reading, "The LORD is my Banner!" This he has firmly planted in the soil, claiming the new land of victory.<br />
<br />
<b>Then I see the General quietly approach him.</b><br />
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<i>The General looks long and hard at the soldier. </i><br />
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Finally, he gives him a firm handshake as he states, <b>"Well done." </b><br />
<br />
Then he gives the soldier a hearty salute, and just before he turns to leave, <i>he issues this command</i>:<br />
<br />
<b>"Now live in freedom!"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>You do see the spiritual parallel here, don't you?!</b><br />
<br />
I think of how often the Lord and I win a spiritual battle, <i>just for me to cede the territory again at a later date.</i><br />
<br />
I talked last week about <b>following up</b>, about occupying the <b>*just-won territory*</b> with <u>something other than what the enemy wants</u>.<br />
<br />
And part of this *occupation* must certainly be the idea of <b>living in the newfound freedom that the battle won!</b><br />
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We all know what it looks like when it <b>fails</b>.<br />
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<b>A battle won, a victory secured, freedom is established.</b><br />
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<i>But then, occupying forces leave.</i><br />
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And all too often, the country and its people <u>return to their old ways</u>. And sometimes this leaves them in a position to be <u>overrun by enslaving powers once again</u>.<br />
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Take politics out of it, and we can see <b>the same principle occur in our spiritual lives</b>, too.<br />
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That's why today I'm thinking about this *fight after the fight* idea.<br />
<br />
I'm thinking of the General who tells us, <b>"Now live in freedom!"</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's no use if we are set free, if we don't use that newfound freedom to live free!!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
Thinking about this idea of being set free, and then not living free, I thought it might be interesting to see <b>how many prisoners who are set free actually return to a life of crime</b>.<br />
<br />
I found a report from the U.S. Department of Justice (2005) that detailed the <b>recidivism</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(relapse into criminal behavior)</span> rate of federal prisoners upon release<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (about 400,000 prisoners in 30 states)</span>:<br />
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More than a third of released prisoners were arrested again within six months of their release. That number rose to 56.7% by the end of the first year, 67.8% within three years, and 76.6% within five years.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I find that staggering, don't you?!</b><br />
<br />
<i>But are we any different?</i><br />
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<b>How often do we win a battle against sin, only to be tempted to sin in the same area once again?</b><br />
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<i>And how often do we succumb, once again falling into the same trap of enslavement?</i><br />
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Rhetorical questions, because we know the answer is – <u>we do it all the time</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>How come?</b><br />
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<i>Why do we return to enslavement, imprisonment, reoccupation?</i><br />
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<b>I can think of several reasons:</b><br />
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1. The outside world is too tempting<br />
2. We don't think we deserve freedom<br />
3. We don't know how to function in freedom<br />
4. The old ways and old places are too familiar<br />
5. We associate with the wrong people<br />
6. We're afraid of new choices<br />
7. We return to comfortable, instead of making change<br />
8. We try to do it all alone<br />
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On the surface, we might think it foolish that anyone who, <b>once having tasted freedom</b>, <i>would willingly return to a life of captivity and restriction.</i><br />
<br />
It's easy to point fingers at people who fail in this area, who "relapse" into old habits and sins.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(My opinion? We all tend to be a motley bunch of "log in the eye" pretenders who delight in bringing to attention the "motes" in others...)</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Sometimes I think it's because we're so ingrained in our propensity to "rate" sins.</b><br />
<br />
We like to reproach the alcoholic or addict who falls into addiction again. Or the cheater who gives in to infidelity again. Or the criminal who keeps committing crimes. <br />
<br />
However, if we're honest, <b>we do the same thing</b>, <i>because we turn a blind eye to our own shortcomings.</i><br />
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For how often do we return to gossiping, or lying, or self-righteousness, or criticizing, or complaining, or anger, or...the list goes on.<br />
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<b>We don't judge our own "minor" sins as harshly as those we point out in others.</b><br />
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<i>But there is no such thing as a *sin scale* in the eyes of God.</i><br />
<br />
<b>SIN. IS. SIN.</b><br />
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It's <b><u><i>ALL</i></u></b> <b>falling short of His standard</b> – <i>no matter if it's practiced in big or little ways.</i><br />
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Therefore, <b>*reoccupation of the land*</b> can occur with a <b>marauding army of invaders</b>, <i>or by one little voice that sows doubt and discontent.</i><br />
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This is why it's very important, very necessary, <b>to attend to our hearts after a battle against the enemy.</b><br />
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<i>Especially when we start feeling too secure in our victory.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<b>So, how do we occupy the land?</b><br />
<br />
Our pastor recently gave a message about God's peace, and about how He promises that it will guard us. It was a study on the first part of the 4th chapter of Philippians.<br />
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<b>Let's listen in to Paul’s words:</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…in this way stand firm in the Lord."</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>OK, Paul, tell us how to do that!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Verses taken from The Amplified Bible)</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>1.</b> <span style="color: red;">"Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verse 4)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> <span style="color: red;">"Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verse 5) </span></span><br />
<br />
<b>3.</b> <span style="color: red;">"Do not be anxious or worried about anything…"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (verse 6)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>4.</b><span style="color: red;"> "…in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verse 7)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>5.</b> <span style="color: red;">"Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verse 8)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>6.</b> <span style="color: red;">"The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life]…" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verse 9)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b>Fantastic!</b><br />
<br />
<i>What's the payoff, Paul?</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"The Lord is near…and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you…And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(verses 4, 7, 9)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am beginning to see…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Go back to my image of the soldier on the battlefield.</b><br />
<br />
The General has just said, <b>"Now live in freedom!"</b> – and he is turning away.<br />
<br />
If the soldier lets him go, he's left alone to hold the territory, <u>in his own power and strength</u>. <br />
<br />
<b>This scenario most likely ends in reoccupation by the enemy.</b><br />
<br />
<i>End of story.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But wait!</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>What if there's a different ending?!</b></i><br />
<br />
What if, as the General begins to walk away, the soldier shouts out:<br />
<br />
"Wait!! I cannot maintain this victory alone. I need a guard, a trustworthy sentinel who will protect the borders of this territory. I need someone who will keep watch, and warn me of impending danger."<br />
<br />
<i>The General turns back...</i><br />
<br />
The soldier speaks once more, <b>"Please send help."</b><br />
<br />
<i>At this the General smiles.</i><br />
<br />
<b>"Yes, it is the wise soldier who understands the importance of a watchman."</b><br />
<br />
At this, he motions forward another person.<br />
<br />
<b>"I present to you the one who will guard and protect you. Always listen to him."</b><br />
<br />
<i>You do know who the *watchman* is, don't you?</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The Holy Spirit.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Might these words from Paul also be the parting words of the General?</i><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me – a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Timothy 1:13-14, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>Oh yes, amen.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
In that all-important aftermath of battle, in that *fight after the fight,* in that time of victory, might we recognize <b>our deep need of The Watchman</b> – <i>or as my pastor called Him, the "Silent Sentry."</i><br />
<br />
<i>And might we depend on Him to guard and protect us.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>For the enemy will approach once again</b> – <i>loudly and softly, with an army or a whisper.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Tempting us to cede territory, and to return once again to a state of occupation.</i><br />
<br />
<b>We must not listen.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Focus on these things <span style="font-size: x-small;">(from my pastor's sermon, reflecting Philippians 4:8)</span>:<br />
<br />
What's real vs. what's phony<br />
What matters vs. what's frivolous<br />
What's right vs. what's convenient<br />
What's clean vs. what's dirty<br />
What's unifying vs. what's divisive<br />
What's helpful vs. what's harmful<br />
What's best vs. what's inferior<br />
What's positive vs. what's negative<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Happy <span style="color: red;">Fourth</span> <span style="color: white;">of</span> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">July</span>, my friends!</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>May you have a wonderful day doing what you do to celebrate!</i><br />
<br />
Barbecues, pool parties, fireworks.<br />
<br />
Maybe even a main street parade like our little town!<br />
<br />
But might we take a moment or two (or many) to reflect upon the idea that <i>this is a day when the cause of freedom in our country became a reality. </i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Therefore, let this be a day when we ponder the meaning of freedom.</b><br />
<br />
It's a day that's also called <b>Independence Day.</b><br />
<br />
And in every real sense of the word, our own *Independence Day* occurred <b>when we believed in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Having won His victory on the cross, He now encourages us to fight on as conquerors.</b><br />
<br />
<b>To battle for the faith, to stand our ground, and to claim our territory.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i>I hear His parting words…</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Now live in freedom!"</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b><i>Yes.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Are you living in freedom, or are you ceding territory to the enemy?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1j_7WGHSijdGDOMp3Y9dHzXQ8Bc6sHaVvTDMM9SGpTm5A0_TI2jKFc0ZAT9OGJxzjdD0xeipaKmMMogLKwa4ISJqsucDGjlUaaHCNtw6UK7ev5lJKr4T1wZoMitf5KtxqOfyw4_PlzI/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1j_7WGHSijdGDOMp3Y9dHzXQ8Bc6sHaVvTDMM9SGpTm5A0_TI2jKFc0ZAT9OGJxzjdD0xeipaKmMMogLKwa4ISJqsucDGjlUaaHCNtw6UK7ev5lJKr4T1wZoMitf5KtxqOfyw4_PlzI/s400/IMG_0798.JPG" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Here in the power of Christ<br />I stand.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(From "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townsend) </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me…Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Romans 7:21-25, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Romans 6:15-18, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us,…evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God…in the new way of living in the Spirit."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Romans 7:5-6, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Luke 11:21-22, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'…if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Genesis 4:7, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Romans 8:9, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Galatians 5:1, NASB)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(John 8:32, 36, ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Corinthians 3:17, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(John 14:16-17, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 John 2:20, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says…" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Habakkuk 2:1, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Corinthians 16:13, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><b>Linked with:</b><br />
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blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-25/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday4140803"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-76-what-i-learned-from-my-second-year-of-gardening/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-129/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/07/stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/way/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-110/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/07/09/give-me-grace-be-safe/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-86874187865283202982016-06-27T03:05:00.000-07:002016-07-03T11:15:11.784-07:00AFTER THE BATTLE, TO STAND<br />
<b>The last few weeks of life have been tough.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Exterior situations, interior battles.</i><br />
<br />
And just maybe<i> </i>(!) <b>a whole lot of spiritual growth!</b><br />
<br />
There have been <b>two very familiar verses</b> that have strengthened me greatly, and today I want to share them with you. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>First verse:</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ephesians 6:13, NIV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b>I love all references in the Bible that contain soldier/warrior imagery.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They always inspire me to be stronger, more courageous.</i><br />
<br />
So this verse has always been a <b>favorite</b>.<br />
<br />
But as I've read over it the last couple of weeks, I've noticed something<b> different</b>.<br />
<br />
It's the fact that <b>the word *stand* has been used two times</b>, <i>and in seemingly different ways.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I want to explore this.</b><br />
<br />
First of all, I am not a Greek scholar, nor do I posture myself as being an expert on doctrine. But when I have an insight that proves helpful to me, <b>I always feel like the Holy Spirit is in that. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>So, here's my thoughts.</b><br />
<br />
In the first instance I read: <b>"stand your ground."</b><br />
<br />
The phrase implies that there is an <b>opposing force</b>,<i> an enemy attacking you from the other side. </i> There is no need to stand your ground if there isn't <b>someone or something on the other side</b> <i>trying to knock you down.</i><br />
<br />
In legal terms, there is something known as the <b>"stand your ground" law</b>.<br />
<br />
A "stand your ground" law states that a person may use deadly force in self-defense without the duty to retreat when faced with a reasonable perceived threat.<br />
<br />
<i>All of this makes a great deal of sense to me.</i><br />
<br />
<b>The enemy of our souls does his best to oppose us.</b><br />
<br />
He desires to <b>infiltrate our territory</b>. To <b>steal spiritual ground</b>. To <b>insert his kingdom purposes </b>into our thoughts, feelings, and actions.<br />
<br />
Therefore, standing our ground is <b><u>actively fighting against</u> </b>his schemes. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It is an offensive position.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<i>It's the second part of the verse that strikes me most:</i><br />
<br />
<b>"After you have done everything, to stand."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>I am struck that there is a reason for this added thought.</i><br />
<br />
Oftentimes after a particularly hard battle against the devil, <b>I am tempted to relax and take it easy</b>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>But honestly, does anyone ever sit on the battlefield?</b></i><br />
<br />
A soldier who is <b>battle-ready</b> <u><i>never lays down his weapons</i></u>. And after a battle is won, <u><i>he remains on alert</i></u>.<br />
<br />
After fighting the enemy and standing my ground, it is oh-so-important to then <b>remain standing</b>! <br />
<br />
<i>To be firm and resolute, on guard, prepared for the next onslaught</i> – <u>for it will indeed come</u>.<br />
<br />
It even happened to Jesus:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily] left Him until a more opportune time." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Luke 4:13, AMP)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Opportune: (of a time) well-chosen or particularly favorable or appropriate; done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; well-timed.</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Yes, this is our enemy – *that* guy.</b><br />
<br />
The one who <i>never ceases to look for the perfect opportunity to strike</i>. <br />
<br />
He can wait, if it serves his strategies, <i>but he will <u>never go away</u></i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
So here's how I read this verse from Ephesians for me:<br />
<br />
"The enemy is going to come after you. So when he does arrive, put on the whole armor of God so that you can stand your ground. Don't yield an inch; oppose him in the strength that God gives you. And when you have done everything against him, don’t relax your guard. Stay standing firm, always alert for his next attack."<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, amen.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>The second verse is this one:</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(James 4:7, ESV)</span></span><br />
<br />
I am struck by the difference between "oppose, fight" and "resist."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Resist: to remain strong against the force or effect of (something); to not be affected or harmed by (something).</span><br />
<br />
Therefore, resisting the devil is <b><u>standing against him</u></b>.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It is a defensive position.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>We are always threatened by the enemy, or by the imminent possibility of his attack. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We are always subject to his harassment, his assaults, his aggression.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>We must remain defensively strong.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Sometimes it's difficult to do, as sometimes <i>the battle involves an inner struggle in which our will is divided.</i><br />
<br />
<b>The devil has a sneaky way of trying to get us to do what we naturally want to do in the first place.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Bitterness wouldn't be such a temptation if anger wasn't so easy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Hatred wouldn't be so persuasive if it didn't feel so good to stand up for what we think is right.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lying wouldn't appeal to us so much if self-protective fibbing didn't feel so instinctive.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Worshiping money wouldn't be so enticing if the need for security didn't drive us so much.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Fill in your own blanks.</b><br />
<br />
Satan is subtle, and I sometimes think that <b>the most effective evil is really just <u><i>twisted good</i></u></b>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So, resisting.</b><br />
<br />
I find it interesting that this verse does <b><u>NOT</u></b> say, <i>"Fight the devil, and he will be defeated."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Why not?</b><br />
<br />
Two things come to mind:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) The battle is not ours to fight alone</b><br />
<br />
In Ephesians and in James, we are counseled<i> to stand our ground, to remain standing firm, to resist. </i><br />
<br />
<b>But we cannot fight the enemy in our own power. </b><br />
<br />
He is a supernatural being, and therefore, it requires <i>supernatural ability, heavenly allies, and the LORD of Heaven's Armies Himself to fight against him</i>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(2 Chronicles 20:17, NIV)</span></span><br />
<br />
Yes, contextually this verse was given to the Israelites upon the occasion of an impending battle.<br />
<br />
<i>But I think God uses this message to speak to our own hearts even today.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>2) We cannot defeat the devil</b><br />
<br />
Again, this outcome belongs to the Lord. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>We can resist the devil, and we are admonished, encouraged, commanded to do so.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But we cannot defeat him.</b><br />
<br />
<i>This is <u>completely</u> up to the Lord</i>.<br />
<br />
However, I think it's very important to remember that <b>our enemy is already a defeated foe</b>. He "lost" at Calvary, and <i>he's just frantically working now on borrowed time</i>. <br />
<br />
<i>Somehow he's deceived himself into thinking that he can change the inevitable.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But he cannot.</b><br />
<br />
In the meantime, all his *roaring* is really just <i>squeaky squawking, just feeble fussing, only useless yakking.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>One day he will be silenced forever.</b><br />
<br />
<b>By Jesus, the Victor who gives us victory.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The One who conquered the devil's ultimate weapon – death – and destroyed his power forever.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"[God] canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Colossians 2:14-15, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
So, here's how I read this verse from James for me:<br />
<br />
"Submit to God, for He’s the One with all the power. Push back when the devil pushes you. Take a defensive stand. He will be surprised at your resistance, and he will run away."<br />
<br />
<b>Yes, amen.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
I'd like to add some <b>extra thoughts </b>that I came across as I explored these verses. I think they help expand the concepts of opposing, fighting, standing, resisting:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to stand opposite or against<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to take a complete stand against – a 180 degree, contrary position<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to establish one's position publicly by conspicuously "holding one's ground"<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to refuse to be moved or pushed back<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to forcefully declare one's personal conviction where they unswervingly<br />
stand<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to keep one's possession<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> to ardently withstand, without giving up or letting go<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
And, <b>some more information</b> I discovered as I did a little research about the Greek words that I've looked at:<br />
<br />
The Greek word <b>"anthístēmi"</b> was a military term in classical Greek (used by Thucydides, etc.) meaning "to strongly resist an opponent" and to "take a firm stand against."<br />
<br />
The Greek word translated "withstand or stand your ground" in Ephesians 6:13 is <b>"antistēnai"</b> – and it is found in these other verses: <span style="color: red;">Matthew 5:39, Luke 21:15, and Acts 6:10</span>.<br />
<br />
The Greek word translated "to stand" in Ephesians 6:13 is <b>"stēnai"</b> – and it is found in these other verses: <span style="color: red;">Mark 3:26, Acts 8:38, Ephesians 6:11</span>.<br />
<br />
The Greek word translated "resist" in James 4:7 is <b>"antistēte"</b> – and is only found one other time in <span style="color: red;">1 Peter 5:9.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(See, maybe I'm not a Greek scholar, but I like being a Greek searcher!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>And I thought these commentaries were quite interesting, and very helpful:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;">"Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armour of God, which he prepares and bestows. The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we have to do with an enemy who has a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls. The devils assault us in the things that belong to our souls, and labour to deface the heavenly image in our hearts. We must resolve by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will flee. If we give way, he will get ground. If we distrust either our cause, or our Leader, or our armour, we give him advantage…Our enemies are mighty, and we are without strength, but our Redeemer is almighty, and in the power of his might we may overcome. Wherefore we must stir up ourselves."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;">(Matthew Henry commentary on Ephesians 6:10-18)</span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cccccc;">"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you – while you yield to God in all things, you are to yield to the devil in none. You are to resist and oppose him in whatever way he may approach you, whether by allurements, by flattering promises, by the fascinations of the world, by temptation, or by threats…Satan makes his way, and secures his triumphs, rather by art, cunning, deception, and threatenings, than by true courage; and when opposed manfully, he flies. The true way of meeting him is by direct resistance, rather than by argument; by steadfastly refusing to yield in the slightest degree, rather than by a belief that we can either convince him that he is wrong, or can return to virtue when we have gone a certain length in complying with his demands. No one is safe who yields in the least to the suggestions of the tempter; there is no one who is not safe if he does not yield." </span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-small;">(Barnes' Notes on the Bible, James 4:7)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So yes, the last few weeks of life have been tough.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But oh, how the Lord is stretching me and strengthening me.</i><br />
<br />
He is teaching me the <b>nuances of battle </b>– <i>the truth about how to do it well, how to rely on His power to fight a supernatural war, how to stand my ground, how to resist</i> – <b>and how to stand strong and firm in the aftermath.</b><br />
<br />
And speaking of the aftermath – <i>the *to stand* part </i>– one of my devotionals last week added this important knowledge to what I like to call <b>*the fight after the fight.* </b><br />
<br />
<b>Every victory must lead to occupation.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It does not take the enemy long to recognize an unguarded post and take advantage of it.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I must follow up triumphs with seizing the territory so the enemy cannot recapture it.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I must nail down my victories so that counterattack is impossible.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>There must be no vacancy after victory!</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Thoughts taken from "Daily with the King" by W. Glyn Evans)</span><br />
<br />
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<b>Dear friends, none of us are in this battle alone.</b><br />
<br />
<i>We battle together, and God fights for us.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Let's withstand the attacks.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let's stand our ground.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let’s resist.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let's remain standing after the battle is done.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let's claim the *new ground* of victory.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let's take the banner of Christ, the Victor, and plant it firmly in our hearts.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i><br /></i>
<i>And let's <b>never</b>, <b>ever </b>give in, give over, or give up.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>"Possideat terram."</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Latin for "possess the land.")</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>"Yahweh-Nissi."</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hebrew for "the LORD is my banner.")</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b>Having done all, let's stand.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What is your battle today? Are you standing strong?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFM9hIshyn8yuukesbj9cQQFcdgIwZ42FH5GRpbz3SlrKikCAA8bGDhVdEJPvwhni6iVRA_XicIZ6hcc7ySLDk2EMHPWzf2P6w0HYED4HcewbhYIrh7AUiVh-rx_caXKAaHQvAP8UZLw/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFM9hIshyn8yuukesbj9cQQFcdgIwZ42FH5GRpbz3SlrKikCAA8bGDhVdEJPvwhni6iVRA_XicIZ6hcc7ySLDk2EMHPWzf2P6w0HYED4HcewbhYIrh7AUiVh-rx_caXKAaHQvAP8UZLw/s400/IMG_1625.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">O enemy of mine<br />You will not cross this line,<br />Here I take my stand<br />And claim it as "God's land." </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The [enemies] you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" (Exodus 14:13-14, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me." (Psalm 18:17, KJV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'" (Isaiah 41:10, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." (Psalm 27:3, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me…</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 3:1-4, 6-7, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…" (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground…" (Ephesians 6:10-14, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cupcake-mistake-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-221-june-daybook/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/categorylinkup-preparing-for-marriage/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/bridge-of-healing/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-82/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-20/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-181/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_27.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/06/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_26.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/reading-aloud-importance/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/06/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-157/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/06/motivation-monday-linky-party-196/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/inspire-me-monday-week-234.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/having-it-all-and-modesty-living-proverbs-31/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-15/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/god-enters-room-moments-hope-link-up/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/06/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of_27.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/06/titus-2-tuesday-213.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/06/curse-calling-grow-spiritual-muscle-unite-linky.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/06/testimony-tuesday-good-soul.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/06/hello-and-goodbye-tuesday-talk-78.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/06/tell-tuesdays-link-party-71.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/rejected/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/myth-perfect-parenting/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-13/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/06/wise-woman-linkup_29.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/the-truth-about-the-power-you-hold-within-you-tellhisstory/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-160/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/living-life-to-the-full-wholehearted-wednesday-199/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/06/how-to-get-most-out-of-bible-reading.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/06/lessons-among-boxes.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/messy-free-loved/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-100-the-journey/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE AND CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/06/two-chairs-become-one-bench-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-pot-luck-6/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/06/29/breathing-peace-days-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/06/29/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-54/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/the-saviour-of-the-world/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/06/30/all-my-nevers/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.classicalhomemaking.com/2016/06/the-homemaking-party.html"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/06/29/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-244/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/06/party-at-my-place-linkup-22_30.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-103/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/crushed/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/06/29/from-house-to-home-link-party-177/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/06/grace-at-home-no-208.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-im-thankful-to-live-in-todays-world/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cozy-reading-spot-149.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/06/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-189.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/06/funtastic-friday-81.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/06/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_23.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-231.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/picture-of-the-father-waiting/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday4271067"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/07/independence.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/embrace-stillness/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/july-1-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/65-mentors/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-75-talking-about-church/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/smiling-sipping-coffee-and-breathing-deeply/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-feature-linky-party-24/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/07/adopting-adult-dog-part-3.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-128/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/07/inspirations-from-the-middle-of-the-road-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/waiting/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-109/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/07/social-butterfly-sunday-57.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/07/02/give-me-grace-in-my-newsfeed/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-91070406037520023452016-06-20T03:05:00.000-07:002016-06-26T11:13:10.574-07:00UPROOTING WEEDS OF BITTERNESS<br />
<b>It's been a tough week.</b><br />
<br />
So, I hope you'll understand today's repost of something I wrote three years ago. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It's timely for me to revisit these thoughts, and to try to realign my feelings with what I know is Truth.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>May God speak to us all again.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Ever been disappointed, rejected, betrayed?</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm thinking if you've lived long enough, the answer to that question is yes.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>People have a way of hurting other people. </b><br />
<br />
Sometimes it's intentional, often it's not. <br />
<br />
<i>Mostly it doesn't matter. </i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hurt still hurts…<i>a lot.</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>And though hurt often leads to sad, sometimes it leads to <u>MAD</u>!</i><br />
<br />
If I'm honest, I find that most of the time I get angry,<b> it's really because I've gotten hurt.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Why is that, I wonder? </b><br />
<br />
I think it has something to do with <b>vulnerability</b> – about how being vulnerable makes us <b>feel small</b> – <i>victimized, dismissed, invalidated, diminished. </i><br />
<br />
<b>And we are, perhaps, never more vulnerable than when we've been hurt.</b><br />
<br />
<i>That's understandable.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But woe to the angry one!</b><br />
<br />
Because <b>anger is like a weed in our hearts</b> – a weed that can quickly grow <b>roots of bitterness.</b><br />
<br />
And bitter roots are <b>dangerous, choking things</b> – <u><i>they are deadly</i></u>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>I've been thinking about this lately.</b><br />
<br />
Been going through some <b>new hurts</b> – <i>new hurts that are also stirring up some old hurts.</i><br />
<br />
I am dismayed at how easily I have become an <b>emotional bookkeeper.</b><br />
<br />
Yup, I'm a <b>good little accountant</b> – keeping tally of perceived wrongs. <br />
<br />
Keeping careful track of <b>all the hurts</b> inflicted on me. Recording the <b>wounds</b>, checking off the <b>snubs and slights</b>, <i>adding up the words and the attitudes and the actions.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Marking them all down in <span style="color: red;">red </span>– until, before I know it...</i><br />
<br />
<b>I'm seeing <span style="color: red;">RED</span>!</b><br />
<br />
<i>Ugly admission, but true.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>The enemy is quite happy about this. </b><br />
<br />
After all, he's pleased when people visit <i>*H & R Beelzebub*</i>.<br />
<br />
"Bring those receipts to me. Yes indeed. Let's add things up here. Sure enough, people have wronged you. You've been shortchanged. People OWE you…"<br />
<br />
<b>The fine print?</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">"Those shallow, selfish, evil people. You're better than they are. You should hate them…"</span><br />
<br />
<i>His math? </i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hurt + Anger = Bitterness.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Oh, what a battle it is when you feel *entitled* to your feelings.</i><br />
<br />
Now, I'm not one to dismiss those feelings. <br />
<br />
<b>Feelings are real. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>But they don't need to rule.</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>That's the secret, and that's the challenge.</i><br />
<br />
Learning how to face the feelings, feel them, <b>and then to let them go.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But, it's the only thing to do.</i><br />
<br />
Because once those<b> roots of bitterness </b>begin to grow, they grow deep. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>They cut a wide path of destruction. </i><br />
<br />
<b>They kill good plants, and thwart any growth of new fruit.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Like I said – <b>deadly.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>It's why God warns us so much about anger. </i><br />
<br />
<b>He knows it's a seed planted…</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"And 'don't sin by letting anger control you.' Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ephesians 4:26-27, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(James 1:20, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So, is anger wrong?</b><br />
<br />
<i>No, Jesus Himself got angry. </i><br />
<br />
But God warns us against being angry…<b>and sinning.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's not the feeling that causes the problem. </b><br />
<br />
It's the <b>underlying reasons</b> for the anger, and the <b>indulging of anger</b> that leads to problems.<br />
<br />
It is *feeling the feeling* and letting it <b>fester.</b> <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Ruminating upon it.</i> <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Feeding the flames. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Letting it lead us to bitterness.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Forgiveness?</i><br />
<br />
No room for that in a bitter and resentful heart.<br />
<br />
<b>And God calls us to something bigger</b> – <i>something behind the act of forgiveness. </i><br />
<br />
<b>He calls us to love.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And love requires poor bookkeeping:</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>God calls us to forgive the debts AND the debtors...</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>...the debtors AND the debts.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Sigh.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I am facing a battle inside myself lately. </b><br />
<br />
Knowing that the enemy is trying to<b> inflame my hurts. </b><br />
<br />
<i>Trying to stimulate my anger. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Trying to make it feel righteous. </i><br />
<br />
<b>He's trying to water the roots…</b><br />
<br />
<i>Me?</i><br />
<br />
<b>I'm trying to face the feelings – without feeling the fireworks.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Praying to let go.</i><br />
<br />
Allowing myself to feel the hurt, yes – but through the pain, learning to turn to the <b>Binder of Wounds, the Friend of the Brokenhearted, the Champion of the Crushed.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Using my will to battle my injured heart, even though I am sorely tempted to give in to bitterness.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Remembering that Jesus bore wounds for me. </b><br />
<br />
<i>My precious Savior – hurt, disappointed, rejected, betrayed Jesus. </i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He was wounded for me.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
So, I'm taking His <b>precious blood</b> and crossing out the debts in my <span style="color: red;">*red column* </span>of wrongs. <br />
<br />
<b>Giving Him the books. </b><br />
<br />
<i>Thanking Him for getting rid of the books that keep track of MY wrongs against other people. </i><br />
<br />
Asking Him to forgive me for the many ways that I hurt <i>HIM </i>– for all <i>MY </i>marks in the <span style="color: red;">*red column*.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Praising the Love that made it possible for my name to be entered into the only book that counts – the Book of Life.</b><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Are you feeling disappointed, rejected, betrayed?</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Has someone hurt you? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Are you reacting in anger?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Do you feel choked by the weedy threat of bitterness?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Oh dear friends, don't let the enemy get rooted…</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Attach yourself more tightly to The Vine.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Is there any bitterness in your heart that God needs to uproot?</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXmbLoffVZQbdzjSlGLpREzAXqDPUeA4R-Y-fBrapbw8C_RlDnhI9F0o6lDs6Dg83ilGafgJVMTSXbK75eOZKtFOLuDGQ5WGEN7oqsvWwVVUsF-XigtoHeJnqulN3xGjJs6JcM1vKMqo/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXmbLoffVZQbdzjSlGLpREzAXqDPUeA4R-Y-fBrapbw8C_RlDnhI9F0o6lDs6Dg83ilGafgJVMTSXbK75eOZKtFOLuDGQ5WGEN7oqsvWwVVUsF-XigtoHeJnqulN3xGjJs6JcM1vKMqo/s400/IMG_3876.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">A bitter root<br />can destroy<br />the mightiest tree. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.'" (Matthew 15:18, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil…It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(James 3:6, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Proverbs 16:27, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'" (Matthew 12:35-37, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'It is written: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.' So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.'" (Romans 14:11-13, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Peace has been stripped away…I cry out, 'My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!' The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Lamentations 3:17-23, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." (Philippians 4:8, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/accident-good-god-mondays-musings-221/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/category-linkup-gods-attributes/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/fathers-hand/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-81/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-19/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-180/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_20.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/celebrating-fathers-fathers-day/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/06/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-156/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/06/motivation-monday-linky-party-195-2/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/inspire-me-monday-week-233.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-14/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.lorischumaker.com/yes-wonderfully-made-moments-hope-link/"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">MOMENTS OF HOPE</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/06/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/06/learned-dads-man-stole-0-50-faith.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/06/titus-2-tuesday-212.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/06/tell-tuesdays-link-party-70.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/06/tt-with-noise-comes-joy.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/06/tuesday-talk-77.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/end-of-your-day/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/teaching-good-link-169/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-12/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/dont-hide-scars-tellhisstory/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/how-to-find-meaning-in-your-life-linkup/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-159-2/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/06/better-plug-in.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/06/joy-in-freedom.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/hope-tears-seeds/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-99-easy-cold-brew/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/summer-2016-bucket-list/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/06/Our-Garden-Sitting-Among-Friends30.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/06/22/contentment-blooms-paths-grace-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/06/22/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-53/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/jehovah-jireh/"><span style="color: blue;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/06/23/what-is-grace/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/06/22/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-243/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/06/party-at-my-place-21.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-102/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/today-is-not-a-diy-project/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/06/22/from-house-to-home-link-party-176/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/06/grace-at-home-no-207.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-confidence-in-prayer/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-146/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cozy-reading-spot-147.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/06/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-188.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-34/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/06/funtastic-friday-80.html"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/06/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_23.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-230.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/new-goggles-and-a-lesson-in-faith/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday7495527"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/06/welcome-back_24.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/people-pleasers-extra-patience/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/june-24-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/grid/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/small-actions/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wifemommyme.com/2016/06/rewind-friday-best-of-wife-mommy-mes.html"><span style="color: #f4cccc;">REWIND FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/06/adopting-adult-dog-part-1.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-74-are-fathers-important/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-127/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/06/an-unexpected-reflection-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/dont-criticize-wogslinkup/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-108/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/06/26/give-me-grace-a-broader-scope-of-love/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/06/social-butterfly-sunday-56.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-24893990471547086802016-06-13T03:04:00.000-07:002016-06-20T01:45:23.604-07:00IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?<br />
<b>Hellooo…</b><br />
<br />
<i>Is anybody out there?</i><br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel this way – like I say <b>"Hello"</b> and all I hear are <i>crickets answering me</i>…<br />
<br />
<b>Chirp, chirp.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Seems to me like Blog Land has been kinda quiet lately.</i><br />
<br />
Which leads me to wonder – <b>is blogging dead?</b><br />
<br />
If you google this question, you'll find various opinions on the matter. But most people agree that its <b>*heyday*</b> has come and gone, that its<b> peak popularity</b> is in the past.<br />
<br />
I certainly know that <b>many people</b> I became acquainted with when I first started blogging have long since left.<br />
<br />
<b>I get it.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It's hard to keep up with it.</i><br />
<br />
Inevitably, if you blog long enough, you'll face either <b>writer's block or burnout</b>, or both. <i>And life happens. Other things take priority. </i> I know that there have been a few times when I seriously considered discontinuing my blog. <br />
<br />
<b>I felt like my words were dry, my inspiration was lagging, life got complicated.</b><br />
<br />
But somehow I felt like God wanted me to stay, and He kept giving me<b> one more idea</b> at a time.<br />
<br />
<i>So I'm still here.</i><br />
<br />
But I <b>firmly believe</b> that God is the <u>only one</u> who can tell us whether <i>we need to stay, or that it's time to leave. </i><br />
<br />
<b>And we should heed His voice.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>It's just that I miss some of my old blogging friends.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Losing contact is a hard thing.</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes it's nobody's fault, it just happens. People move out of the area (like I did), or life gets busier, or we add other people to our lives.<br />
<br />
<b>But still…</b><br />
<br />
<i>There are times when I feel like my voice echoes back to me when I cry out…</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Is anybody out there?"</b><br />
<br />
It’s hard enough to feel this way with people, but <b>sometimes I feel this way with God.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Like He's moved somewhere and neglected to give me His forwarding address.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Hellooo…</b><br />
<br />
<i>Are You out there, God?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Chirp, chirp.</b><br />
<br />
I have often wondered to myself – <i>why is it that sometimes when we need God the most, He seems silent or hidden?</i><br />
<br />
<b>I have heard this referred to as the north face of God.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Though I have not read this book yet, I find that it's highly recommended: "The North Face of God" by Ken Gire. Also great, a book that I have read, "Disappointment with God" by Philip Yancey)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What does this mean?</b><br />
<br />
<i>The north face of a mountain in the northern hemisphere is generally the coldest, iciest and most formidable route to climb.</i><br />
<br />
I like the word picture of our <b>faith journey being like a long trek up a steep mountain. </b> There are so many apt parallels that can be drawn. But perhaps my favorite of all, is <i>the treacherous ascent to the summit.</i><br />
<br />
Climbers on Mt. Everest have a name for it – <b>the Death Zone.</b><br />
<br />
"At the higher regions of Mount Everest, climbers seeking the summit typically spend substantial time within the death zone (altitudes higher than 26,000 ft), and face significant challenges to survival. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Since temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death or injury by slipping and falling can occur. High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also a potential threat to climbers.<br />
<br />
Another significant threat to climbers is low atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure at the top of Everest is about a third of sea level…resulting in the availability of only about a third as much oxygen to breathe. Debilitating effects of the death zone are so great that it takes most climbers up to 12 hours to walk the distance of 1.07 mi from South Col to the summit." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Wikipedia)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Yes, sometimes the walk of faith is dangerous – fraught with trials and temptations.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And sometimes it can be a lonely walk.</i><br />
<br />
Because sometimes, <i>when we are in the midst of adversity, </i>this is exactly when <b>God seems absent.</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Why is that?</b></i><br />
<br />
I went on a search for answers, and found many interesting verses about the seeming <b>"hiddenness" of God.</b> <br />
<br />
And many of these verses speak about <b>times when God tests our faith</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I've included them in my Scriptures at the end of this post).</span><br />
<br />
<b>At first, quite honestly, these verses kinda riled me up.</b><br />
<br />
My reaction was like, <i>"C'mon, God. I'm in the midst of difficulty and You choose this time to feel far away? Not fair…"</i><br />
<br />
<b>And then I started to think about His promise to never leave me nor forsake me.</b><br />
<br />
Is that what He's doing – <u><i>leaving me</i></u><i>?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Grrr…</b><br />
<br />
But then, as I pondered this more, I began to realize that <b>there is a big difference between God's promise and my perception of it.</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Just because God "feels" far away doesn't mean that He is.</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>And the sense of His absence is actually a way for God and I to draw closer to one another, and a way for my faith to grow stronger.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Let me put it this way.</b><br />
<br />
When my sons were little <b>I hovered over them like a crazed helicopter pilot.</b> Not wanting them to get hurt or scared or sick, I was <u>right by them all the time</u>.<br />
<br />
<b>"Whoop, whoop!"</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Rotor blade sound effects...)</span><br />
<br />
But as they grew older, I realized that <b>it was important for them to launch out into life. </b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My toddlers ventured farther away from me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My preteens moved even more.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My teenagers traveled into the far reaches of independence – testing the boundaries, learning their own.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And now, my sons have developed into mature adults.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Strong in their values, their decision-making, and their wisdom.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Did I ever abandon them?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>Of course not!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
In much the same way, <b>God works for our spiritual maturity</b>. <br />
<br />
He <b><u>tests us</u></b> along the way, <i>allowing us to build our faith stronger in times of trouble.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And sometimes that means that He will feel far away.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I am consoled knowing that I am not alone in these feelings.</i><br />
<br />
David felt them:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief…Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Psalm 22:1-2, 11, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
And Jesus quotes David's words from the cross:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Psalm 22:1, NLT)</span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>No, we are not alone in feeling alone.</b><br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The north face of God.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The chilly silence. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The icy hiddenness.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The formidable sense that we are all alone.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Hellooo…</b><br />
<br />
<i>Is anybody out there?</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Are <u>You</u> out there, God?</b></i><br />
<br />
<b>He is.</b><br />
<br />
Ponder this –<br />
<br />
Those mountain climbers who dare to ascend the north face of Mt. Everest <u>rely on one thing more than anything</u> to make it to the summit…<br />
<br />
<b>Oxygen.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The very stuff that keeps them alive.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"…he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Acts 17:27-28, KJV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Job 12:10, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, though <i>my sense of His presence can be faulty</i> at times, though He <i>may seem distant for a time of testing</i>, the Truth remains the same:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He is with me.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Every step of the way.</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>So I keep climbing…</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Have you ever felt like God was far away?</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfWSRHKjb7xScibqn45JfYnLZAXGE6QVrhJieRwAW23xDrHVwEJbUOIXzMKP_1aZeEbnFqCWta4pKidoDOWlEtbK-wmBiUAkcqQgjnfOCOxI5DjT3kTPQjD23LZ2vEJ7xMkdyOlSg5IY/s1600/IMG_1595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfWSRHKjb7xScibqn45JfYnLZAXGE6QVrhJieRwAW23xDrHVwEJbUOIXzMKP_1aZeEbnFqCWta4pKidoDOWlEtbK-wmBiUAkcqQgjnfOCOxI5DjT3kTPQjD23LZ2vEJ7xMkdyOlSg5IY/s400/IMG_1595.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">He's as close as my heartbeat,<br />As near as a sigh,<br />A part of each breath,<br />He is ever nigh. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">So where is God hidden?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">He's here, in my heart,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Directing my pathways</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">As He has from the start.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Where is God hidden?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">He's not! Don't you see?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">The Most High of the Universe</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Dwells within me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">(© Sharon Kirby, October 4, 2000)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah <u>in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart</u>." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2 Chronicles 32:31, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, <u>to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart</u>, whether or not you would keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way <u>I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions</u>.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Exodus 16:4, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids <u>test the children of man</u>." (Psalm 11:4, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'I will refine them as silver is refined and <u>test them as gold is tested</u>.'" (Zechariah 13:9, Holman CSB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Search me, O God, and know my heart; <u>test me and know my…thoughts</u>. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. <u>Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind</u>; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 26:1-3, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"But he knows where I am going. And when <u>he tests me</u>, I will come out as pure as gold." (Job 23:10, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For you, O God, have <u>tested us</u>; you have tried us as silver is tried." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 66:10, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. <u>Test yourselves</u>. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that <u>when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.</u> So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(James 1:2-4, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. <u>It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold</u> – though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"<u>God blesses those who patiently endure testing</u> and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8, ESV)</span><br />
<div>
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/06/painting-playing-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-220-what-ive-been-up-to/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-why-cant-i-change/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/be-encouraged/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-80/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-18/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-179/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_13.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/06/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_12.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/books-inspire-love-reading/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/06/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-155/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://momfavorites.com/2016/06/motivation-monday-linky-party-195/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/inspire-me-monday-week-232.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/failure-and-old-doors-living-proverbs-31/"><span 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blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-11/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/06/testimony-tuesday-bulk-trash-pickup.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/06/summer-fun-features-tuesday-talk-76.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/someone-is-better-than-you/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/4-take-aways-jesus-water/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/06/wise-woman-linkup.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/case-youve-forgotten-really-tellhisstory/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/im-off-to-the-city-wholehearted-wednesday-197/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-158/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/06/it-is-good-pleasant.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/06/she-is-home.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/hope-when-it-rains/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-link-party-98-fathers-day/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-18-6/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a 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PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-101/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/speak-life/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/06/15/from-house-to-home-link-party-175/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/06/grace-at-home-no-206.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-depending-on-the-holy-spirit/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-145/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>,<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cozy-reading-spot-147.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a></span>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/06/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-187.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-33/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/06/welcome-to-funtastic-friday-79-is-fun.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/06/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_16.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-229.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/experience-remembering-strength/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday9401714"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/06/welcome.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/new-thoughts/"><span style="color: #e06666;">COUNTING MY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/june-17-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/poison-ivy/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-73-im-back/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/creative-conversations-for-families/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/06/happy-fathers-day-and-linkyparty.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://soseworganized.blogspot.com/2016/06/weekend-wind-down-126.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/06/getting-off-bench-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-107/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/how-can-i-live-a-vital-life/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/06/18/give-me-grace-of-churches-and-identity/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/06/social-butterfly-sunday-55.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-79301011154174759442016-06-06T03:05:00.000-07:002016-06-12T15:00:50.934-07:00ONE, TWO, KNOCKOUT FAITH!<b><br /></b>
<b>This last Friday, a sports legend passed away.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Muhammad Ali, perhaps the greatest boxer of all time, died at the age of 74.</i><br />
<br />
I've never been a boxing fan, but I have to admit that Ali was <b>gifted with incredible athletic ability. </b><br />
<br />
He was an<b> innovative and strategic fighter</b> (who could forget "rope-a-dope"), a <b>flashy and quick-witted character </b>("float like a butterfly, sting like a bee"), and became perhaps the first boxer to <b>bring celebrity to the sport.</b><br />
<br />
His death made me think of a post that I wrote five years ago <span style="font-size: x-small;">(with some 2016 *tweaks*)</span>, and I hope you don't mind me sharing a re-post of it.<br />
<br />
The original was titled, <b>"Two-Fisted Faith." </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Faith is tough sometimes, isn't it?</b><br />
<br />
And yet, we need to have <b>tough faith.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Faith that stands against the enemy's attacks.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Faith that stands strong…</b><br />
<br />
<i>But are you like me? </i><br />
<br />
Sometimes I struggle with faith – <i>struggle with what it requires.</i><br />
<br />
You know that little <b><span style="color: red;">red</span>-and-<span style="color: white;">white</span></b> bullseye logo for a certain company? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Target…)</span><br />
<br />
<b>Paint one of those right on my back.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And it always seems like the enemy seeks us out when we are least able to fight.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
When we are weak or tired or sick or hurt or overwrought.<br />
<br />
It's like our <b>vulnerability</b> draws him in – <i>like a heat-seeking missile.</i><br />
<br />
He zeroes in – waiting for the <b>perfect, unprotected moment</b> to strike.<br />
<br />
<i>And strike he does…over and over…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>I'm being bombarded.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Suffice it to say, the <b>attacks are coming on various fronts, </b>and my family has had more things happen in the last month than has happened in the last year…<br />
<br />
Sometimes it makes me feel like <b>I just want to run and hide. </b><br />
<br />
<i>It was easier flying "under" Satan's radar.</i><br />
<br />
It is so easy to <b>doubt God's presence and His plan,</b> when our eyes are so <b>short-sighted,</b> our minds so <b>limited</b> by human understanding.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we have <b>doubts and fears </b>– <i>and they seem overwhelming.</i><br />
<br />
After all, we're still walking through "the valley of the shadow of death."<br />
<br />
<b>And it is in that valley that the devil whispers one of his worst taunts…</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>"Is God really good?"</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>Sometimes, the evidence seems to point otherwise.</i><br />
<br />
I think this is <b>the believer's greatest battle</b> – <i>to believe, no matter what.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
A few years ago, at my church down-the-hill, the pastor gave a message that talked about this battle, and <i>about the kind of faith that we need to fight it.</i><br />
<br />
The pastor called it <b>"two-fisted faith."</b><br />
<br />
He used this Scripture to explain what he meant:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. <u>He will rescue us</u> from your power…" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Daniel 3:16-17, NLT)</span></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>That's one fist…</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"<u>But even if he doesn't</u>, we want to make it clear to you…that we will NEVER serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Daniel 3:18, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
That would be the <b>second fist</b> – <i>and I'd say it's the one that delivers the knockout punch.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego <b>trusted God to deliver them. </b><br />
<br />
<b>BUT</b>,<b> they were determined to be faithful <i>regardless of the consequences</i>.</b><br />
<br />
This is <b>crucial</b> – <i>we must be faithful to serve God whether He intervenes on our behalf or not.</i><br />
<br />
<b>OUCH.</b><br />
<br />
<i> That's such a tough one for me.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But I am asking the Lord to increase my faith muscles. </b><br />
<br />
<i>To strengthen my shaky legs, and restore my spirit. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To enable me to stand strong, in spite of the attacks. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To give me a sense of His presence and peace.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>We are never alone.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>Remember that fiery furnace?</i><br />
<br />
Catch this dialogue:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, 'Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?'</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">'Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,' they replied.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">'Look!' Nebuchadnezzar shouted. 'I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!'"</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">(Daniel 3:24-25, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b>Let me tell you this, fellow fighters...</b><br />
<br />
There will <b><u>always</u></b> be that <b>fourth person</b> in the fire…<b>standing alongside</b>…<i>keeping the fires of adversity from burning us up.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>God is good.</b><br />
<br />
He has a <b>Master Plan</b> that is unfolding, though it may be unknown to us.<br />
<br />
We must ground ourselves in the <b>faithful promises of God</b>,<i> not in our feelings.</i><br />
<br />
<i>We have to allow our doubts and fears to lead us <b><u>closer</u></b> to Him.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>We must fight strong.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
So, even though I have a target on my back, I'm asking the Lord to <b>help me raise two little fists in faith.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>One punch </i>– <i>I believe God will save me...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Two punch </i>– <i>and even if He doesn't, I will never bow down...</i><br />
<br />
<b>Knockout!!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Will you join me in the fight?</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
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<b><br /></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPNKXvZ5_dQBcH30MS8_t7I941_uJSICZ3WisbOVyxI1lbUGFutVotpIrHP_cqYqSI7GxEPMbzqyLpj_TC3uNuPwNNWMGwcyqNSx847uSIMV_zGKEaDdKTumWcfG-jrqlPw-fr-952Z4/s1600/IMG_1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPNKXvZ5_dQBcH30MS8_t7I941_uJSICZ3WisbOVyxI1lbUGFutVotpIrHP_cqYqSI7GxEPMbzqyLpj_TC3uNuPwNNWMGwcyqNSx847uSIMV_zGKEaDdKTumWcfG-jrqlPw-fr-952Z4/s400/IMG_1588.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Pow!<br />Kaboom!<br /><br />The enemy<br />hits the mat,<br />down and out,</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ten count...</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">and...<br /><br />Victory!!</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b><span style="color: red;">
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength!" (Habbakuk 3:17-19, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Lamentations 3:19-26, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.'" (Isaiah 43:1-3, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32:6-7, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me." (Psalm 18:16-19, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"...if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive </span><span style="color: red;">when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, </span><span style="color: red;">and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." </span><span style="color: red;">(Psalm 124:2-8, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(James 4:7, AMP)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And the satraps, the deputies, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered around together and saw these men – that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed; neither were their garments scorched or changed in color or condition, nor had even the smell of smoke clung to them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him!'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Daniel 3:27-28, AMP)</span><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><br /></b><b>Linked with:</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2016/06/sharing-his-beauty-blog-link-up.html"><span style="color: orange;">SHARING HIS BEAUTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-219/#sthash.lVIhp9GP.dpbs"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-what-becomes-brokenhearted/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/crystal-clear-vision/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-79/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-17/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-monday-178/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/06/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_5.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-summer-reading-joys/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.tidbitsofexperience.com/motivation-monday-linky-party-15/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/inspire-me-monday-week-231.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://mecoffeeandjesus.com/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">US, COFFEE & JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-mom-mondays-12/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/06/reading-true-story-you-are-invited-to.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/06/come-closet-stay-shadow.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/06/titus-2-tuesday-210.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/06/testimony-tuesday-welcome-home.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/06/features-tuesday-talk-75.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/06/tell-tuesdays-link-party-68.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a 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href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/06/08/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-51/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/holy-one-of-god/"><span style="color: blue;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/06/09/flipped/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/06/party-at-my-place-19.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-100/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/fight-smart/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/06/grace-at-home-no-205.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-encouragement-from-psalm37/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL 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SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/increased-patience/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/june-10-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/06/dogs-make-our-world-better-place.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/billions-linkup/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-72-spiritual-essence/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/read-reading-hacks/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/june-02nd-2016"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-125/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">NO RULES WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/06/just-keep-breathing-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/live-constant-contact-god/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-106/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/06/12/frequency-in-tune-and-time-with-love/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/06/social-butterfly-sunday-54.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-16287528460746512602016-05-30T03:02:00.000-07:002016-06-05T12:33:11.780-07:00WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER<br />
<b>Today is Memorial Day.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A day in which we honor all those who have given their lives defending our country.</i><br />
<br />
I got curious this year and wanted to learn more about this <b>special day of commemoration.</b><br />
<br />
<i>So I googled…</i><br />
<br />
This from Wikipedia:<br />
<br />
"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the Union war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service."<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>I further researched and found these statistics from The Department of Veterans Affairs and The Department of Defense –it's rather staggering and sobering…</i><br />
<br />
<b><u>Wartime U.S. Military Deaths</u>:</b><br />
<br />
Revolutionary War – 4,435<br />
War of 1812 – 2,260<br />
Indian Wars – 1,000<br />
Mexican War – 13,283<br />
Civil War – 498,332<br />
Spanish American War – 2,446<br />
World War I – 116,516<br />
World War II – 405,399<br />
Korean War – 54,246<br />
Vietnam War – 90,220<br />
Persian Gulf War – 1,948<br />
Global War on Terror – 6,852<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars is almost 1.2 million. </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(This does not include those who are MIA – people missing in action. In WWII alone, this number is 30,314).</span><br />
<br />
And the deadliest battle in U.S. history was the <b>Battle of Argonne Forest during WWI</b> – <i>a battle that resulted in more than 26,000 deaths. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Yes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Overwhelming, isn't it?</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>For these are not just statistics, these are people, individual lives.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And each of these deaths profoundly affected countless others' lives.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The casualties of war are far-reaching and never-ending.</b><br />
<br />
That's why I think it's important to take this day and <b>remember</b> – <i>to really ponder the sacrifice, and really appreciate what all those lives were sacrificed for.</i><br />
<br />
<b>For they did not die in vain.</b><br />
<br />
<i>They fought for a cause, they fought <u>for us</u>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's easy in our country to take for granted all the many freedoms that we enjoy. </b><br />
<br />
These freedoms, as outlined in Franklin D. Roosevelt's State of the Union Speech (also known as the <b>Four Freedoms speech</b>) given on January 6, 1941, are the following:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Freedom of speech</b><br />
<b>Freedom of worship</b><br />
<b>Freedom from want</b><br />
<b>Freedom from fear</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
It was a <b>powerful speech</b>, given in the context of World War II, just 11 months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and America's subsequent entry into the war.<br />
<br />
<i>For many, many decades, men and women have sacrificed their lives to ensure that our country enjoys these freedoms.</i><br />
<br />
<b>We must not forget their sacrifice…</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
In this past week, I have done so many things that <u>would not have been possible</u> if someone hadn't fought for <i>this</i> country – for <i>my</i> country – for <i>your </i>country.<br />
<br />
<i>Last week, I bowed my head and said *grace* at a restaurant –</i> <b>Thank you.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Last week, I drove my car, with a Jesus sticker on it</i> – <b>Thank you.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Last week, I read my Bible</i> – <b>Thank you.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Last week, I spoke to someone about my faith </i>– <b>Thank you.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Last week, I attended church and worshiped</i> – <b>Thank you.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Have you stopped lately and considered what a privilege it is to do these things?</b><br />
<br />
We have the <b>glorious freedom</b> to worship our Lord – <i>freely and publicly. </i> We are <b>not in danger</b> of being thrown in jail, or tortured, or killed.<br />
<br />
<b>And so many sacrificed so much in order for us to have that freedom.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Today I don't think it matters whether we agree or don't agree with political policy. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Today it doesn't matter if we are *hawks* or *doves*. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Today we simply focus on people</b> – <i>real people who served our country, who died for our country</i> – because <b>they believed in freedom.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Currently there are five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, six including the National Guard. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Many have subdivisions such as the Navy SEALS, the Army Rangers, and the Air Force Special Operations Command).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Here's the motto of each:</i><br />
<br />
<b>United States Army:</b> <i>"This we'll defend"</i><br />
<br />
<b>United States Navy: </b>Non sibi sed patriae (Latin for <i>"Not for self but for country"</i>)<br />
<br />
<b>United States Air Force:</b> <i>"Aim high... Fly, fight, win"</i><br />
<br />
<b>United States Marine Corps:</b> Semper fidelis (Latin for <i>"Always faithful"</i>)<br />
<br />
<b>United States Coast Guard:</b> Semper paratus (Latin for <i>"Always ready"</i>)<br />
<br />
<b>National Guard of the United States: </b><i>"Always ready, always there"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Let's take a moment and remember…</b><br />
<br />
<i>Those who gave their lives to defend.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Those who gave their lives, not for self but for country.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Those who aimed high – who flew, fought, and won.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Those who were always faithful.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Those who were always ready.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Those who were always there.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
In their honor, if you know someone who has served, or is serving, this country in the armed forces, I would encourage you to <b>reach out to them today. </b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Tell them how much you appreciate them. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Tell them we will always remember them. </b><br />
<br />
Tell them…<br />
<br />
<b>Thank you.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
And on this Memorial Day, may we take time to <b>remember those who gave their lives</b> – what they fought for – what they sacrificed for – <i>what they believed in</i>…<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>One nation…under GOD.</b><br />
<br />
<i>God, the One we serve and worship…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The One who gave His Son…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The Son who died to bring freedom…</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Ultimate Sacrifice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>Thank You.</i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Do you know anyone who gave their life in service to our country?</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rf3qOSLNxFmge6uiSg86eEZxW2C0FfnuQ9PFM5zW7SGDsoEDwt0ROrHfD6gYqlpaAYh7VVmrZ5WWIIobovp-H9HnCQJ3v-7hmhK4xvuDFytGiKvqxdUDMyBy1jUM2fIw9syJ4aYAR6M/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rf3qOSLNxFmge6uiSg86eEZxW2C0FfnuQ9PFM5zW7SGDsoEDwt0ROrHfD6gYqlpaAYh7VVmrZ5WWIIobovp-H9HnCQJ3v-7hmhK4xvuDFytGiKvqxdUDMyBy1jUM2fIw9syJ4aYAR6M/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">How many times<br />must the cannonballs fly<br />Before they're forever banned?<br />The answer, my friend,<br />is blowing<br />in the wind,<br />The answer<br />is blowing in the wind.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Lyrics from "Blowing in the Wind" by Bob Dylan)</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #f1c232;">Photo taken at the The Moving Wall™<br />Since 1984, the traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #9fc5e8;">"Never was so much owed by so many to so few." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: x-small;">(From a wartime speech given by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on August 20, 1940)</span> </div>
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<span style="color: red;">"'When you go out to war against your enemies, and see…an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you…And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, 'Hear…you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'" (Deuteronomy 20:1-4, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." (Psalm 33:10-12, NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"'…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s house will be the highest of all – the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.' For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Isaiah 2:2-4, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'" (Psalm 46:9-10, NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"'No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.'" (John 15:13, AMP)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1, NIV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:36, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:24-25, ESV)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"…the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, NLT)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">"'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'" (Revelation 11:15, ESV)</span><br />
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<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/05/resilience-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-218/#sthash.To14u2eY.dpbs"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-counseling/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-78/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-16/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-177/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_30.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/05/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_29.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-memorial-day-edition/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/05/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-153/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.tidbitsofexperience.com/motivation-monday-linky-party-14/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>,<span style="color: #76a5af;"> <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/inspire-me-monday-week-230.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a></span>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/encouragement-and-thrift/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-mom-mondays-11/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/05/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/05/dna-not-think-unite-linky.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/05/titus-2-tuesday-209.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/jesus-calls-us-deeper/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-9/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/05/tt-family-fun.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/05/features-tuesday-talk-74.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/05/tell-tuesdays-link-party-67.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/emotionally-win-arguments/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/secret-dealing-hard-times-tellhisstory/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/5-reasons-why-serious-health-journey-linkup-195/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/spiritual-warfare/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/06/break-every-chain.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/06/make-summertime-fun.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/dont-have-to-hustle/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-96-summer-bucket-list/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/06/do-you-want-knowledge-or-truth-and-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mydailywalkinhisgrace.com/2016/06/winsome-wednesday-tend-that-tree.html"><span style="color: blue;">WINSOME WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/06/01/3458/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/06/01/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-50/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/an-offering/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/06/02/messing-up/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/06/01/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-240/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/06/party-at-my-place-18.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-99/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/remedies-for-broken-hearts/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/06/01/from-house-to-home-link-party-173/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-22/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-143/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cozy-reading-spot-145.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-32/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/06/funtastic-friday.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/06/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_2.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/06/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-227.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/aint-no-sunshine/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/june-02nd-2016"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/06/welcome-back.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/be-patient/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/06/3-birthdays-and-weekend-linkyparty.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/june-3-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/between/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-71-a-dollar-store-summer/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/church/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/06/when-summer-doesnt-feel-carefree-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/be-wise/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-105/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/06/05/abide-a-story-of-a-weeping-husband-and-a-few-rings/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/06/social-butterfly-sunday-53.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"</div>
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-9947369505205480422016-05-23T03:05:00.000-07:002016-05-29T15:17:27.221-07:00HIDDEN TREASURES<br />
<b>Chipmunks and squirrels.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I love these guys, they are so much fun to watch.</i><br />
<br />
They're always <b>up to something</b> – <i>nature's purveyors of antics, hijinks, and shenanigans!</i><br />
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<b>Endless entertainment on the mountain.</b><br />
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I have spent many days watching them scurry around, chase each other, challenge each other to be king of the boulder, and dig holes.<br />
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<b>Cute.</b><br />
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The other day, I happened to catch <b>some movement </b>in my peripheral vision. I looked up just in time to see a chipmunk<b> run like crazy</b> into a gap between two boulders.<br />
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<i>How funny, I thought to myself.</i><br />
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Then "The Hub" said, <b>"There's a bobcat on our porch."</b><br />
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<i><b>What…really?!</b></i><br />
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Sure enough, a bobcat was prowling around our back door. No wonder Mr. Munk scampered away so quickly!<br />
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<b>Never a dull moment around these parts!</b><br />
<br />
One of my favorite things to do is watch the squirrels and chipmunks in the Fall.<br />
<br />
In the Fall, it's <b>rather amazing</b> to see them hard at work, <i>finding and storing nuts for the winter.</i><br />
<br />
<b>They are industrious and tireless.</b><br />
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Sometimes our trees shed lots of acorns, and the <b>food source is readily available.</b> Other times, there aren't so many, and yet, my <b>friendly little *neighbors*</b> manage to find some sort of food to hide away.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But it is during the Winter when I am most fascinated by their work.</i><br />
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I don't know how, despite freezing temperatures and multiple snowfalls, <b>these little creatures still manage to find their hidey-holes.</b><br />
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<i>They seem to know <u>exactly</u> where they've stashed their edible goodies.</i><br />
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And I love watching them dig up the dirt, scrounge around, and then hold their food in those <b>cute little hands</b> (paws!), and chew away.<br />
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<b>How do they know where they've buried their food?</b><br />
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<i>Do they detect it again by memory, or smell, or some other instinctual method that I'm not aware of?</i><br />
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<b>It's incredible.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>And it's a good lesson for all of us to apply in our own lives.</b><br />
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<i>Sometimes life just takes us into a wilderness time, a winter season of dryness or discouragement or trial or suffering.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It's easy to lose sight of what we know to be true.</b><br />
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I don't know what's going on with me lately, but <b>I've just been blah</b>.<br />
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<i>No particularly big "triggering" event, just the ongoing ebb and flow of life "stuff."</i><br />
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So today, when I went to church, <b>I asked the Lord to meet me there with something that I really needed to hear.</b><br />
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<b><i>Of course, He did.</i></b><br />
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Our pastor is doing a series on the <b>promises of God</b> – and this morning's message was entitled,<i> "The Promise of Answered Prayer."</i><br />
<br />
<b>The message was powerful and timely.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But, it was one verse that caught my heart.</i><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
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<b>I immediately thought of my little furry friends.</b><br />
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<i>And their hidden things.</i><br />
<br />
Several years ago, when I was going through<b> a particularly rough time</b>, I had a friend encourage me with these words:<br />
<br />
<b>"When you can't find your way in the dark, go back to what you knew and believed in the light."</b><br />
<br />
<i>I found it most helpful.</i><br />
<br />
The chipmunks and squirrels spend warm sunshine days <b>finding and hiding food</b>, so that during the cold winter months, <b>they'll have nourishment.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Do they hibernate like bears?</i><br />
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<b>Nope!</b><br />
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Though they sleep a lot, they <u>don't sleep all the way through the season</u>. <br />
<br />
They retreat to their burrows and dens but wake every few days or weeks, raise their body temperatures to normal, and feed on stored food rather than fat reserves! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'd personally like to be like a bear. I've got some pesky *fat reserves* I'd like to feed on…just sayin').</span><br />
<br />
When it's cold outside, <b>they still know where to go to sustain themselves.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>This is so true about faith, too.</b><br />
<br />
<i>What we store away will bring us through the wilderness times, through the winter seasons.</i><br />
<br />
So, what are four things, <b>four truths I can hide in my heart for those times when I am discouraged?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>One, I can be assured of God's presence.</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"'As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Joshua 1:5, AMP)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…for He [God] Himself has said, 'I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Hebrews 13:5, AMP)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Two, I can be assured of God's power.</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">"Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is His name." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Jeremiah 33:2, ESV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for Me?'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Three, I can be assured of God's purpose.</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Genesis 50:20, NIV)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"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." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Romans 8:28, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b>Four, I can be assured of God's promises.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Numbers 23:19, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
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<b>Hiding the Word of God </b>provides much-needed nourishment when we're <i>full of doubts and fears, or struggling with trials and tribulations.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It is a hidden treasure of great worth.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But, there's one other thing I want to mention.</i><br />
<br />
It's how God sometimes takes these wilderness, winter seasons and <b>uses them to reveal to us something really special.</b><br />
<br />
The photo accompanying this post is part of a <b>fallen log</b> that sits alongside the drive up to our house.<br />
<br />
<b>It's full of woodpecker holes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But would you take a moment to notice something else?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>Inside those holes are acorns!!</b></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Evidently, chipmunks and squirrels are not the only ones to store away some goodies!</i><br />
<br />
From a distance, those holes just look like holes.<br />
<br />
<i>But since this branch has broken off, we can see the treasures that are hidden there.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Again, a wonderful faith lesson.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Sometimes it takes some breaking for God to show us something really special</b> – <i>a revelation that we might never have known in good times.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD…who summons you by name.'"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Isaiah 45:3, NIV)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<b>Yes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Hidden treasures, secret riches.</i><br />
<br />
<b>God has a way of carving us deeper, enriching and growing our faith when we feel weakest.</b><br />
<br />
<i>When we feel broken, and hungry, and cold.</i><br />
<br />
I go back to Jeremiah 33:3 – <i>what were the great and hidden things that God revealed to His prophet?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Two pretty awesome things.</b><br />
<br />
This message came around the time of the <b>Babylonian Conquest</b> – <i>a terrible time when the Jews were defeated and led into captivity.</i><br />
<br />
Here God reveals that they will be rescued, returned to their homeland, once they repent and return to Him.<br />
<br />
<b>But, He also issues a prophecy about the coming Messiah:</b><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. 'In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David's line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: 'The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">(Jeremiah 33:14-16, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span>
<b>WOW!</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Can you imagine receiving that revelation?!</i></b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Me either!)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
So, <u>if we're willing</u>, <b>God can reveal new aspects about Himself, new revelations from His Word, new depths of faith, and new purposes when we least expect it…</b><br />
<br />
<i>...right in the middle of a dry or cold spell in our hearts.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Great and hidden things.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Treasure and secret riches.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Hide them in your heart.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Remember them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Let God reveal them.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Never go hungry again…</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What is a hidden treasure that you have discovered about God?</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM3wRV4k7wkNWgd8piBgqt_G2_vdu9dPJPfw6uUS1dC-akip35wMF3eR83GzpmokOI_s6N6QWU8LLwW4W3wLAqPAgxyDckxaEorR-uUvJsJ8BAKxohabGLEGOa4htwEzZEbLsBIjoc70/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM3wRV4k7wkNWgd8piBgqt_G2_vdu9dPJPfw6uUS1dC-akip35wMF3eR83GzpmokOI_s6N6QWU8LLwW4W3wLAqPAgxyDckxaEorR-uUvJsJ8BAKxohabGLEGOa4htwEzZEbLsBIjoc70/s400/IMG_4379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Heart of my own heart,<br />whatever befall,<br />still be my vision,<br />O Ruler of all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">("Be Thou My Vision" - ancient Irish hymn)</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.'" (Isaiah 48:6, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Isaiah 43:19, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." (Daniel 2:22, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness; he brings light to the deepest gloom." (Job 12:22, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.'" (Isaiah 55:11, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 37:31, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began." (1 Corinthians 2:7, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." (1 Corinthians 4:1, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…" (Ephesians 1:9, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.'" (John 14:21, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2016/05/sharing-his-beauty-blog-link-up_23.html"><span style="color: orange;">SHARING HIS BEAUTY</span></a>, <a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/05/establishing-summer-norms-we-dont-lick.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-217/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-foxes-book-of-martyrs/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/overcoming-fear-faith-2/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-77/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-15/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-176/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_23.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/05/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_22.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lets-talk-blog-series/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/05/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-152/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/inspire-me-monday-week-229.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://mecoffeeandjesus.com/2016/05/6-verses-to-make-us-brave/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">US, COFFEE & JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://smartmomsmartideas.com/mom-to-mom-mondays-10/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/05/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of_23.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/05/4011.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-8/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/05/tell-tuesdays-link-party-66.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/05/testimony-tuesday-girl-just-wants-fun.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/05/what-ive-been-up-to-and-features.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://purposefulfaith.com/come-alive-2/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/05/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-64/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/05/wise-woman-linkup_25.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/needed-begin-loving-actual-life/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/4-ways-neglect-time-god-linkup-194/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-155/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/05/the-christians-gps.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/05/not-to-do-list.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/longing/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-95-persistence/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-18-4/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.hollymcberty.com/2016/05/waiting-onwednesday-link-up-61.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">WAITING ON WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/05/A-Treasured-Gift-and-Sitting-Among-Friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/my-failure-to-control-myself-and-ww-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-pot-luck-5/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mydailywalkinhisgrace.com/2016/05/winsome-wednesday-prayer-powerful-tool.html"><span style="color: blue;">WINSOME WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/05/25/lingering-hospitality-grace-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/05/25/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-49/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/05/25/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-49/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/05/26/thankless/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/05/25/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-239/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/05/25/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-239/"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-98/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/43078-2/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/05/25/from-house-to-home-link-party-172/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/05/grace-at-home-no-204.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-help-in-time-of-need/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-142/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-cozy-reading-spot-144.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">THE COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/05/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-186.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-31/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/05/funtastic-friday.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/05/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-226.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/unstuck/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/05/welcome-back.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/may-27-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/goals/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="https://susanbmead.com/believe/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/pride-in-the-church/"><span style="color: #e06666;">COUNTING MY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday3728146"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-down-link-party-123/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-70-the-titus-2-woman/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/05/just-show-up-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/hope-now-and-forever/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-104/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/05/28/give-me-grace-nap-time/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-50503226194586169872016-05-16T06:02:00.000-07:002016-05-22T13:56:03.191-07:00PET PEEVES<br />
<b>Irritation.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Defined as this: the state of feeling impatient, annoyed, or angry.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Oh yes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Ever just feel downright irritated at life…and people?</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Just *bugged to death* by frustrations and aggravations?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Yeah, me too.</i><br />
<br />
So, just for fun I thought I'd list some of my <b>pet peeves</b>, some of the things that irritate me the most:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) Stickers on something</b><br />
<br />
You know, the stickers that won't come off. <br />
<br />
Oh sure, they fool you into thinking that they're going to come right off. They do this by letting you easily pry up one little corner. You start peeling, ever-so-slowly, only to end up pulling the top layer off, leaving a paper trail of the worst kind.<br />
<br />
Sure, then you try using your fingernails.<br />
<br />
That only succeeds in getting little bits of paper and adhesive stuck under your nails.<br />
<br />
The next step is using a little soap and water (which, incidentally, cannot be used on a book cover, which leads to more aggravation).<br />
<br />
Sometimes you can be successful with removing the paper, leaving only a gluey, sticky residue. <br />
<br />
At this point I usually try the *sticky loves sticky* method of removal. This entails rolling up a piece of tape and repeatedly pressing it against the residue. I have found that doing this slowly, applying pressure and then peeling the tape back, yields better results than quick jabs.<br />
<br />
If none of these methods work, I usually resort to using Goo Gone – a pleasant orange-smelling oil that usually does the trick. Of course, then you have to clean up the Goo Gone, another pet peeve.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) Perforations on bills</b><br />
<br />
OK, so you get the bills that have <i><u>no</u></i> perforation to aid in easily removing the payment stub they expect you to send in with your payment. This is irritating enough, as you must dig out the scissors and do the work yourself.<br />
<br />
As if paying the bill wasn't irritating enough.<br />
<br />
Or, and this arguably bugs me even more, the perforation does NOT match up with the fold. Most often the difference is about a millionth of an inch. But that is enough to make a real mess.<br />
<br />
I like a clean edge.<br />
<br />
And with this perforation/fold disparity, it becomes next to impossible.<br />
<br />
I've tried to do the fold one way, fold another way method of making the perforation more "tearable" – (which is a terrible waste of time).<br />
<br />
Even so, most of the time I end up with a ragged edge…<br />
<br />
…which I trim with scissors.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) Tamper-proof seals on containers</b><br />
<br />
You know the ones.<br />
<br />
The ones that you have to fiddle with to even try to find a starting point to peel – (without tearing off a fingernail in the process). Of course, if this is successful, you never, ever get the whole thing off in one piece. <br />
<br />
There have been times when I've gotten so frustrated that I just pierced the top with a sharp object – (probably the scissors that I have just used on my bills). Of course, then you have to fish the little flap out.<br />
<br />
Don't get me started on the pinch-and-twist caps.<br />
<br />
Or the cotton inside.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4) Exploding things </b><br />
<br />
Let me qualify this.<br />
<br />
"The Hub" and I live in the mountains at 6300 feet elevation.<br />
<br />
So, whenever we buy groceries *down-the-hill* and trek them back up the hill, there's a certain amount of pressure that builds up inside the containers.<br />
<br />
Evidently, things expand above sea level.<br />
<br />
Suffice it to say that on more than one occasion I have been baptized with yogurt.<br />
<br />
Or splattered with soup.<br />
<br />
Or celebrated with potato chip confetti.<br />
<br />
(To be fair, though, the potato chip thing could be a result of sealed margins that don't separate easily – ie, potato chips, crackers, cereal – another pet peeve of mine – grrr…)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) Slow drivers in the fast lane</b><br />
<br />
No need for a lot of explanation here. I'll make it simple…<br />
<br />
<b>MOVE. OVER.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>6) Bike riders who don't obey the rules</b><br />
<br />
Maybe I'm just a bit bitter about bikes in general after my fall a couple of weeks ago?!<br />
<br />
But when I go visit my family, down in the *city*, bike riders are often the worst rule-breakers around!<br />
<br />
They don't stop at stop signs, they don't signal their intentions, they cut in front of you, they zip around in their spandex like the road belongs to them.<br />
<br />
Not all bike riders are like this.<br />
<br />
So I'm just peeved at the offenders.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>7) People who cut into line</b><br />
<br />
I. CANNOT. STAND. THIS.<br />
<br />
The only times I can remember almost getting into a literal fist fight is when people have cut in line. In front of my kids. Especially at amusement parks.<br />
<br />
'Nuff said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>8) Impolite texting behavior</b><br />
<br />
Two things:<br />
<br />
One, leaving a texting conversation in the middle of the conversation. <br />
<br />
So, you're in the middle of a conversation and all of a sudden the person disappears. And maybe you don't hear a reply text until two hours later. Which leaves me with the whole <strike>paranoia</strike> thought that I might have said something to offend them?<br />
<br />
Like LOL??<br />
<br />
Two, people who text you a question and then when you start to fashion a reply, you see the little dots signifying that they're writing you another text.<br />
<br />
Honestly, give me time to reply!!<br />
<br />
Or, the worst is a combination of the two – they text a question and then disappear from the conversation.<br />
<br />
Know what I mean?<br />
<br />
I just think that it is so<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>9) Bending book covers or dog-earing pages</b><br />
<br />
Books are hallowed to me.<br />
<br />
I can maybe forgive you mishandling your books, but don't mess with mine!<br />
<br />
I almost lost a friendship when I loaned a paperback to a friend, which was returned looking like it had been run over by a truck. I asked them to buy me a new book.<br />
<br />
Feud ensued.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>10) People who can't spell my name</b><br />
<br />
Even when I spell it for them.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to name names (*$’s), but I have told them my name and spelled it, and they still get it wrong.<br />
<br />
Is it that old-fashioned?<br />
<br />
Or is it that we live in a culture where people spell names so weird that we don't know what to do?<br />
<br />
I've seen Sheran, Sharron, Cheran, Sherin, Shannon – once I got frustrated and told them my name was Cindy – (which they spelled Cyndi). I'm tempted to tell them my name is "X"…<br />
<br />
Ex, Exx, Ecks???<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>These are just a few of my pet peeves.</b><br />
<br />
Life is full of <b>exasperation</b> – <i>situations and people that endlessly irritate, frustrate, and aggravate us.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But how we <u>react</u> to it is up to us.</b><br />
<br />
We can let the enemy distract us, tempting us into a complaining, negative attitude, steering us into anger and bitterness.<br />
<br />
<b>Or we can let the Lord teach us about longsuffering.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Many people think that longsuffering means "suffering long."</b><br />
<br />
But the word longsuffering in the Bible is the Greek word <b>"makrothymía"</b> – and comes from the two words <b>"makrós"</b> meaning <i>"long,"</i> and <b>"thymos" </b>meaning <i>"passion, anger."</i> It can properly be translated "long-passion" – i.e. waiting sufficient time before expressing anger.<br />
<br />
To be longsuffering is to have <b>self-restraint. </b> To be longsuffering means <b>not immediately retaliating or punishing. </b><br />
<br />
<b>God is the source of longsuffering because <i>it is part of His character</i>.</b><br />
<br />
<i>He is patient with sinners, patient with our failings, patient with our weaknesses.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And when we become His followers, we must follow His example.</b><br />
<br />
<i>How might our lives be affected if longsuffering was exhibited in our attitudes, our words, our actions?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>How might our relationships change – with family, friends, at home, at work, at church?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Our human self-nature can be so easily peeved, so very short-fused.</b><br />
<br />
<i>We are quick to get irritated, frustrated, aggravated.</i><br />
<br />
So very quick to strike out with <b>unkind words and unforgiving attitudes.</b><br />
<br />
But, when we stop and think about how longsuffering God is with us – well, do we really have any right to be any less longsuffering with others?<br />
<br />
<b>No, friends, we do not.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
There are always going to be <b>things that really bug me</b> – <i>my pet peeves will always test my patience and drive me to distraction.</i><br />
<br />
<b>But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I'm going to try to look at them differently.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Not as interruptions and disruptions, but as learning moments.</i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Moments when I can step into the character of God Himself…</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What's one of your pet peeves?</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhHQrytt9TZnvyQ0fBrT7FY4GGofyepf-xrnjx2GZO1rUyDTVz-nUSiF6Ge1zKnWl9EPOu9a-WhPzK02s0v-pCMln-SoFb437tRU4izrs2rhao_IzftTZBHcqst7pKdIkBot-PagWF-w/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhHQrytt9TZnvyQ0fBrT7FY4GGofyepf-xrnjx2GZO1rUyDTVz-nUSiF6Ge1zKnWl9EPOu9a-WhPzK02s0v-pCMln-SoFb437tRU4izrs2rhao_IzftTZBHcqst7pKdIkBot-PagWF-w/s400/IMG_1569.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Easy peasy?<br /><br />Yeah, right...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (makrothymía), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, 'The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…'" (Exodus 34:6-7, KJV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression…" (Numbers 14:18, KJV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalm 86:15, KJV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" (Romans 2:4, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2 Peter 3:15, KJV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, Berean Study Bible)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:16, NASB)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Colossians 3:12, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…" (Colossians 1:11, ESV) </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love." </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(2 Corinthians 6:6, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." (Ephesians 4:2, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:14, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
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style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-103/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/05/21/give-me-grace-finding-your-voice/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/05/social-butterfly-sunday-51.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-85285316256397974342016-05-09T03:09:00.000-07:002016-05-16T12:20:40.722-07:00I FELL OFF MY BIKE<br />
<b>Oh yes, I did.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Wiped out, pancaked, crashed and burned.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Me and asphalt</b> <b>– new friends.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Would you like to hear the painful story?</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you're saying yes, shame on you! However, I would also say yes…)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>I celebrated my birthday several days ago.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I turned 62.</i><br />
<br />
"The Hub" and I decided it would be <b>fun to go out of town for a couple of day</b>s to celebrate. And, when you’re celebrating, you might do some <b>out-of-the-ordinary things.</b><br />
<br />
One day we went <b>antiquing.</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I am very lucky that my husband enjoys doing this with me! A birthday gift in itself!) </i></span><br />
<br />
<b>We had so much fun!</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes we saw things that we remembered our mothers or grandmothers having, sometimes we saw toys from our childhood, sometimes we saw things that reminded us of our high school years. <br />
<br />
<b>It was a great day. </b><br />
<br />
We spent over six hours traversing all the stores,<i> perusing and pursuing potential treasure.</i><br />
<br />
The next day I wanted to go on another sort of adventure – <b>I wanted to go on a bike ride</b> – <i>even though my antique-aching legs were protesting.</i><br />
<br />
<b>We don't go bike riding too much. </b><br />
<br />
For one thing, living in the mountains makes it more difficult. Nothing is flat, and <b>the hills are steep. </b> And, I am<b> "incline-challenged." </b> <i>Anything more than a 0% rise in elevation and I am toast.</i><br />
<br />
So, it's been <b>several months </b>since I hopped on my bicycle seat.<br />
<br />
But, where we were planning to ride our bikes was <b>ALL FLAT</b>.<br />
<br />
<i>You can go for miles, and that was our plan.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Things went well for quite a long time.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I enjoyed the fresh air, the cool breeze, and the wonderful sights and sounds.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I enjoyed feeling like a kid again</b>…and since it was the eve of my birthday, this was important.<br />
<br />
<b>"Ha, ha, 62 years old – take that!"</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Pride cometh before a fall…)</span><br />
<br />
It was just after we had turned around, maybe a good three miles into the journey, that <b>I made a</b> <b>fatal error in judgment.</b><br />
<br />
We re-encountered a <b>small circular area </b>where bikers and skaters and walkers came to a meeting place.<br />
<br />
On our way through the first time (on the going-out phase of our trip), <b>I stopped and got off my bike.</b><br />
<br />
<b>"What are you doing?" </b>my husband asked.<br />
<br />
I pointed to the sign that said something to the effect, <b>"Bikers must walk their bikes in this area."</b><br />
<br />
<b>"See,"</b> I said. <b>"And I'm a rule-obeyer."</b><br />
<br />
<i>Yes, well, consider that statement foreshadowing.</i><br />
<br />
When we returned to this area, <b>I didn't feel like stopping.</b> <i>I was feeling pretty cocky about my skills at that point. </i>Feeling kinda *fit* in spite of my long bike-riding moratorium.<br />
<br />
<i>I saw that there were hardly any pedestrians in the circular area.</i><br />
<br />
And, I noticed a little "driveway" next to a parking area where I could quickly ride through without getting off my bike.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>So much for rule-obeying.</b><br />
<br />
Thing is, this little driveway had <b>a bit of a lip</b> in it. Not much – maybe only an inch or so. <i>But not completely flat. </i><br />
<br />
<b>No worries.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I remembered distinctly that it was important to approach and ride through this type of obstacle head-on.</i><br />
<br />
You see, years and years <i>(and years)</i> ago, my dad and I used to take <b>long bike rides</b> together from our house to his parents' apartment in the next town. It took about four hours to make the trip. Which, in my humble opinion, was <b>pretty impressive</b> as I made the journey on my<b> *one speed, me speed* Schwinn!</b><br />
<br />
<i>But, there was this one trip when he attempted to cross some railroad tracks.</i><br />
<br />
A little too parallel, not enough perpendicular…and <b>BOOM!</b><br />
<br />
<i>He crashed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Things probably would have been OK if he'd been on a <b>mountain bike. </b> Those big tires would have saved him. <i>But alas, he had tiny little skinny *racing bicycle* tires...</i><br />
<br />
<b>Enough said.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(For the record, this incident is not to be confused with the time that he fell when traversing a pothole hidden by blowing sand. Or the time he crashed into a bridge over a small canal at the beach – a place where for years, every time we went over the bridge, my sons would say, "Look! There's Papa's paint!" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In my dad's defense, this incident is also not to be confused with the time that he told me to ride really fast to get up a hill, and not to worry about whether he was behind me. Well, I did, and turned my head to look back. My handlebars followed my lead. And no, my dad wasn't behind me – he was beside me. Yeah, that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nor should this incident be confused with the time that my dad had me hop on his handlebars to ride around a bit. This, after admonishing me to keep my feet up. Well, my legs grew tired, I dropped my feet, right into the spokes of the front wheel. Ahem...)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>So, lesson learned, right?!</b><br />
<br />
<i>Maybe not.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Fast forward 50 years, and I remembered this incident, but perhaps not completely enough.</b><br />
<br />
I approached the little driveway at about a 45-degree angle, which I <i>(inaccurately)</i> figured was <b>"enough of an angle"</b> to negotiate it just fine.<br />
<br />
<b>Nope.</b><br />
<br />
While I did get up and over the lip, <b>it sent my</b> <b>handlebars gyrating in an out-of-control manner, </b>and <b>headed me straight for the curb</b> only a couple of feet away.<br />
<br />
<b>"Houston, we have a problem."</b><br />
<br />
In the next nanosecond that passed like an eternity, my mind raced through <b>possible rescue scenarios.</b><br />
<br />
If I turned sharply to the right, I'd avoid the curb – <i>but the turn would have to be very sharp, and <b>I'd crash.</b></i><br />
<br />
If I applied my brakes, I might avoid the curb – <i>but the stop would have to be instantaneous, and <b>I'd crash.</b></i><br />
<br />
I distinctly remember my next thought, <b>"I am going to crash. How badly am I going to get hurt?"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And then I did.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Taking a sudden fall is a weird thing. </i><br />
<br />
One second you're <b>up</b>, and the next second you're <b>down</b>. <br />
<br />
Your brain is like a <b>stunned computer</b> – <i>unable to initially process what just happened. </i> I had a couple of seconds of preparation, but the moment you find yourself on the ground, something just <b>"does not compute."</b><br />
<br />
<i>I remember looking at the sidewalk – <b>up close and personal.</b></i><br />
<br />
I remember thinking that "The Hub" was going to be so sad to see me like this.<br />
<br />
I remember feeling all the pain, especially my right knee.<br />
<br />
<b>I tried to get up, but couldn't move.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And then, my hero was there.</i><br />
<br />
With tears in his eyes he plaintively asked me, <b>"What happened? Are you all right?"</b><br />
<br />
<b>Well, yes and no.</b><br />
<br />
Thankfully, I knew that I had <i>not</i> hit my head, had <i>not </i>broken any bones, had <i>not</i> sliced anything open, had <i>not</i> knocked out any teeth.<br />
<br />
<b>But I knew I was hurt.</b><br />
<br />
My loving husband helped me up, and we slowly – <i>oh, so sloooowly</i> – walked over to a place where I could sit down.<br />
<br />
<i>I remember feeling kinda dizzy and very nauseous.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And I remember the pain.</b><br />
<br />
My body – <i><u>and</u> my injured pride.</i><br />
<br />
That might have been <b>the worst</b> –<i> the knowledge that I had made a mistake, even though I knew better. </i>That I had chosen <b>not to obey the rules </b>and do the safe thing. <i>That I could have prevented all of it.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I thought about my dad.</b><br />
<br />
<i>My dad, the one who had given me such sage advice about bikes.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>And yet, the one who had a reputation for being accident-prone himself.</b><br />
<br />
I could almost hear him saying, <b>"Sharon, what a knothead."</b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Takes one to know one…??)</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<b>Well, how does the story end?</b><br />
<br />
I had to ride my bike the three miles back to our car. I returned to the hotel room, took some ibuprofen and iced my knee.<br />
<br />
<b>The next day was my birthday.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And instead of counting candles, I counted all the places that hurt…</i><br />
<br />
<b>"One, two, three…sixty-two…and one to grow on."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>What spiritual lessons could I draw from this?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Well, there's the obvious –</i><br />
<br />
<b>Be sober-minded and alert.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Be careful to avoid false pride.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Be obedient to the rules.</b><br />
<br />
But, the other day as I was driving in the car and listening to a local Christian radio station, I heard something that <b>hit me right between the eyes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>They had a man sharing his story.</i><br />
<br />
He said that he always listened to the radio station every day on his way to work.<br />
<br />
But on one particular day, he listened and <b>his heart was moved.</b> He decided to turn his life over to the Lord, <i>not just as his Savior, <b>but as the Lord of <u>his life</u>.</b></i><br />
<br />
Later that same day, on the job, <b>he fell 26 feet into a pit</b>…<i>landed on his stomach</i>…<b>and lived.</b><br />
<br />
He recounted how several of the workers in the bottom of the pit said that<b> they saw angels soften his fall.</b><br />
<br />
He ended his story with this line:<br />
<br />
<b>"Angels kept me from falling as hard as I should have."</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>I ponder this.</b><br />
<br />
<i>After my fall, I was hurting. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>But I was also grateful. </b><br />
<br />
Things could have been <b>so much worse.</b> My injuries could have been<b> terrible.</b> And though my pride took a blow, in the end, <i>I was still relatively intact.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I wonder now – did God send an angel to protect me?</b><br />
<br />
Years ago I read Frank Peretti's two classic books, <b>"This Present Darkness"</b> and <b>"Piercing the Darkness."</b><br />
<br />
And I <b>vividly remember one scene</b> when a car careens down a mountainside, narrowly missing a head-on collision at one point. Later we get to see behind-the-scenes, and find out that <b>an angel kept the car from crashing. </b><br />
<br />
<i>A timely angelic shove to safety.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Fiction, yes.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But I wonder…</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Could this have happened to me?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Maybe, maybe not.</i><br />
<br />
I have no need or desire to enter into a<b> theological discussion or debate </b>over the individual work of angels in the life of a believer. I don't know enough to say for sure <b>that we are each assigned our own personal guardian angel.</b><br />
<br />
<i>It matters not, perhaps.</i><br />
<br />
<b>What matters is <i><u>this</u></i></b> – <i>I <u>do believe</u> that sometimes God allows bad things to happen to us, but they are kept from being as bad as they could be.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Think of Job.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Twice God limited the scope of what He allowed Satan to do.</i><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'All right, you may test him,' the LORD said to Satan. 'Do whatever you want…<b><u>BUT</u></b>…'" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Job 1:12, NLT)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'All right, do with him as you please,' the LORD said to Satan. '<b><u>BUT</u></b>…'" </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Job 2:6, NLT)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
We may never know this side of eternity <b>how many times we are protected in our circumstances.</b> How many times we are <b>spared, saved, rescued, shielded, preserved, delivered.</b><br />
<br />
<b>How many times the worst-case scenario could be <u>so much worse</u>.</b><br />
<br />
<i>But isn't.</i><br />
<br />
<b>How many times we don't fall as hard as we should.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>This is the spiritual lesson that I have drawn from my bike accident.</b><br />
<br />
That <b>God is my Protector, </b>and <i>I thank Him for the many unknown times when He just may have saved me from injury or disaster, from pain and sorrow, from certain death.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>He alone knows the times appointed for me.</b><br />
<br />
<i>And nothing happens too early or too late. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Nothing happens outside of His watchful eye. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Nothing happens beyond what His hand allows. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Nothing happens that is not for my ultimate good.</b><br />
<br />
I have learned <b>another step of faith and trust </b>– <i>which ironically happened when my steps were hindered by the pain of an accident.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>God has ways of teaching His most precious lessons.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>Thanks, Father, for teaching me…</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Do you have a story when God protected you from *something worse*?</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eMEVKgY6XjA25OYInSfl_T2D_bkAq7ghcm89VmzoWAIQCg9ySXPw8rkojjK9P1hgEKZNvsb9SKGFd-jClRKOjt2DhqpzXew5R2P3sgDUI3KnM8liHDXPzUGLE4nFS03Pz86Wv5YE5U0/s1600/IMG_1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eMEVKgY6XjA25OYInSfl_T2D_bkAq7ghcm89VmzoWAIQCg9ySXPw8rkojjK9P1hgEKZNvsb9SKGFd-jClRKOjt2DhqpzXew5R2P3sgDUI3KnM8liHDXPzUGLE4nFS03Pz86Wv5YE5U0/s400/IMG_1539.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Be thankful the photo choice</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">is this...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">It could have been</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">my knee.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232;">"These bruises make for</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">better conversation...</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Everybody loses, we all got bruises</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">We all got bruises."</span><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: xx-small;">("Bruises" by Train)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands…" (Psalm 91:11-12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"He will guard the feet of his faithful servants…" (1 Samuel 2:9, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." (Psalm 34:7, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them…" (Isaiah 63:9, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.'" (Exodus 23:20, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety." (Job 11:18, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." (Psalm 5:11, NIV)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2016/05/sharing-his-beauty-blog-link-up_9.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: orange;">SHARING HIS BEAUTY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/05/cooped-up-smallwonder-link-up.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-215-soul-of-your-child/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://donnareidland.com/praying-the-bible-linkup/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://suedetweiler.com/every-mom-needs-encouragement/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-75/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-13/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-monday-174/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_9.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/05/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_8.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/special-quotes-oswald-chambers-mothers-day/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING 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href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/control-credit-card-spending-linkup-192/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a><b>,</b><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/little-r-r-wednesdays-linky-party-153/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a></span><b>, </b><a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/05/he-is-in-battle-too.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://holleygerth.com/dreamers-graduates/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-link-party-93-graduation/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-18-3/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.hollymcberty.com/2016/05/waiting-onwednesday-link-up-59.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">WAITING ON WEDNESDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/05/New-Is-Here-and-sitting-among-friends-blog-party-24.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/being-a-bossy-pants-wife-and-ww-linkup/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/05/11/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-47/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.mydailywalkinhisgrace.com/2016/05/winsome-wednesday-dissolve.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">WINSOME WEDNESDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/05/wise-woman-linkup_11.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/manna-symbol-jesus/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.classicalhomemaking.com/2016/05/the-homemaking-party-homeschool-prom.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/05/11/thursday-favorite-things-link-party-238/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2016/05/you-are-carried-a-mothers-day-devotional-for-your-soul/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">ONE WORD COFFEE</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/05/11/counting-faith-seeds-blooming-grace-gracemoments-link/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/05/dwts-party-at-my-place-15.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-96/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/keep-eternity-in-view/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/05/11/from-house-to-home-link-party-170/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/05/grace-at-home-no-202.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-praising-god-with-psalm-100/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-140/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-cozy-reading-spot-142.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/05/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-184.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO <span style="color: #a64d79;">RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-29/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/05/12/loving-jesus-all-over-again/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/05/bloggers-spotlight-link-and-pin-it_12.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGERS SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-224.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/being-reinvigorated/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a><b>, </b><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday73" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a><b>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/embrace-gift-waiting/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/05/our-beautiful-oceans-with-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/mothering/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-68-the-abcs-of-motherhood/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/jed-jurchenko/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/05/funtastic-friday-74.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/05/apology.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/stop-chasing-the-best/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mysnippetsofinspiration.com/weekend-wind-link-party-121/"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/05/stoke-the-embers-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/spirit-and-life/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-102/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/05/14/give-me-grace-on-subway-tunnels-and-seminary/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/05/social-butterfly-sunday-50.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></b></span><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-4894974609113160232016-05-02T03:02:00.000-07:002016-05-08T11:01:58.556-07:00A POEM FOR MOM<br />
<b>Mother's Day is this coming Sunday.</b><br />
<br />
I am so glad that my mother is still alive, and this year <i>I am more grateful for her presence in my life than ever before</i> - <i><b>still my mom, still my friend.</b></i><br />
<br />
To honor her, and the blessed calling of motherhood, I am sharing a poem I wrote several years ago.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hope you enjoy it!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A MOTHER</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She carries you for nine months,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then cares for you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Forever...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She watches out for you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when you are young,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then watches over you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a lifetime...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She holds you closely in her arms</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a while,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then tightly in her heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Always...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is there through every change,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then never changes </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
herself...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She teaches you about life,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then lets you leave home...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and live -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A mother is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every gift of God</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wrapped up in one person -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Joy, Peace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patience, Kindness, Goodness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And most of all...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I am no longer a child,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will always be </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother's child</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that is comfort personified -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A safe place to be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A soft place to fall</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A refuge in every storm...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She calms the winds of life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And helps smooth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the paths</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have chosen to walk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have never questioned </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her love</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or her faithfulness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My faith in her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
has never faltered...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is the sun</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that rises every morning,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the promise</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of a new day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The keeper of secrets,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The spark</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to my dreams,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The footsteps</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that walk beside me -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is the one</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on the sidelines</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who whispers quietly,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with hands</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
folded in prayer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tears in her eyes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Go...go...go,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm here."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The quiet heartbeat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that keeps time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with my own...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My best friend,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The beacon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of my life...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mother is home...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">© Sharon Kirby</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">May 10, 2007</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I LOVE YOU, MOM!!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">What's a favorite memory or moment of yours with your mother?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMZhiWsbs1PDBxIc6RMB0FL-cGVntCYPdL8uKlrPJbkP5Xe09qr83okRGi6Wdf3HhJ5fqd8JaVZQaC_edfQx6iJE4M-jdW3LpYgwujnyW6BdUCdKUMHuNXoXVWO9S8gUTRowoomJhCmQ/s1600/IMG_2682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMZhiWsbs1PDBxIc6RMB0FL-cGVntCYPdL8uKlrPJbkP5Xe09qr83okRGi6Wdf3HhJ5fqd8JaVZQaC_edfQx6iJE4M-jdW3LpYgwujnyW6BdUCdKUMHuNXoXVWO9S8gUTRowoomJhCmQ/s400/IMG_2682.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Her children rise up<br />and call her<br />blessed. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Thank you, Mom, for leading me to Jesus when I was young.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>And thank you, Mom, for always showing me how to follow Him.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">**********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY</b> to all of you wonderful moms out there!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">**********</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2016/05/sharing-his-beauty-blog-link-up.html"><span style="color: orange;">SHARING HIS BEAUTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-birthday-flock-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-214-bought-homemaking-bundle/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-uprooting-anger/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/childlike-faith/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-74/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-12/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-173/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/05/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/literacy-musing-mondays-lets-talk-genres/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/05/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-149/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://makingourlifematter.com/motivation-monday-linky-189/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/inspire-me-monday-week-226.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://aproverbs31wife.com/12237-2/"><span style="color: #e06666;">LIVING PROVERBS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janncobb.com/reflect-weekly-link/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">REFLECT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://mecoffeeandjesus.com/2016/05/no-hypothetical-jesus-girl-here/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">US, COFFEE & JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/2016/05/tell-me-true-story-blog-party-week-of.html"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/05/meet-titus.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/05/titus-2-tuesday-205.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/05/tt-god-created-identity.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/05/happy-mothers-day-tuesday-talk-70.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/05/tell-tuesdays-link-party-63.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="https://abby-mcdonald.com/2016/05/03/hgtv-and-the-things-that-matter/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/dying-self-world-mean/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/05/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-61/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/05/wise-woman-linkup.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://www.classicalhomemaking.com/2016/05/the-homemaking-party-summer-spoolie.html"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/miracle/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/connecting-other-blogger-lifeline-blogging-linkup-191/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/christian-women-community/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/05/comforting-one-another.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/05/choosingJOY.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/hope-mothers-day/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/whats-omnibus-whats/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-intention-wednesdays-18-2/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.hollymcberty.com/2016/05/waiting-onwednesday-link-up-58.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">WAITING ON WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="https://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/05/planting-seeds-sitting-among-friends.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/my-failures-gods-inroads-and-ww-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2016/05/you-are-carried-a-mothers-day-devotional-for-your-soul/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">ONE WORD COFFEE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.mydailywalkinhisgrace.com/2016/05/winsome-wednesday-that-elusive-thing.html"><span style="color: blue;">WINSOME WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/05/04/echoes-first-fruits-regret-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/jesus-christ-son/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/05/04/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-link-party-236/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/05/05/miracle/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/05/dwts-recap-party-at-my-place-14.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-95/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/break-every-chain/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/05/04/from-house-to-home-link-party-169/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-thankful-thoughts/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, </span></b><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/05/grace-at-home-no-201.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-139/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-cozy-reading-spot-141.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/05/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-183.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-28/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/05/bloggers-spotlight-link-and-pin-it.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-223.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/meaningful-connections/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday72"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/05/welcome.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/how-to-stop-comparing-embrace-humility-and-love/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/05/happy-mothers-day-with-weekend-linky.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/feeding-your-childs-faith/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/red-thong-strong-book/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-67-the-joys-of-motherhood/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/faith/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2016/05/thanks-for-joining-us-for-funtastic.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">FUNTASTIC FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://childrenareablessing.org/2016/05/04/growing-in-grace-thursday-link-up-46/"><span style="color: red;">GROWING IN GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-5/"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://soseworganized.blogspot.com/2016/05/weekend-wind-down-119.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/05/when-reality-alters-the-dream-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/gods-timing/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-101/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/05/07/jump-a-mothers-day-repost/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/05/social-butterfly-sunday-49.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG</b> = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
<br />Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00840994989201507494noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3168946904182381428.post-82208956434467675462016-04-25T03:07:00.000-07:002016-05-01T14:26:59.364-07:00OH LORD, I CANNOT...<br />
<b>Distraught.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Distracted, upset, worried, agitated, panicked, anxious, troubled...</i><br />
<br />
You get the picture.<br />
<br />
<b>Have you ever felt that way?</b><br />
<br />
<i>Like life was crashing upon you, wave after wave, and you just can't catch a breath?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Growing up, my family loved going to the beach.</b><br />
<br />
And we loved <b>bodysurfing.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The challenge of catching waves and riding them into shore was great fun!</i><br />
<br />
<b>But one day, the surf was anything but friendly.</b><br />
<br />
And I found myself<b> in trouble.</b><br />
<br />
The waves were particularly big, and kept coming closer and closer together. I had to keep swimming out to dive under them before they crashed on me, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.<br />
<br />
I can't tell you the times that I <b>*wiped out*.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Tumbled and tossed, not knowing if I was up or down, panicking that I would ever surface again. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Desperate for breath… </b><br />
<br />
<i>Weary, and caught far beyond my ability to get back to safety.</i><br />
<br />
That's the kind of feeling that I'm talking about.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it doesn't take <b>big events</b> to make you feel this way – sometimes it's just the <b>smaller stuff that piles up</b> <i>and topples you into a bundle of nerves.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>Recently I spent two weeks with my mother.</b><br />
<br />
We had a good time, though it continues to be <b>a difficult journey. </b><br />
<br />
Her <b>helplessness increases,</b> while at the same time her <b>cognitive abilities decline. </b> And if anyone has dealt with a loved one who suffers from dementia, you know how <b>challenging</b> it is to walk this path.<br />
<br />
<b>On the day that I had to leave, things were in turmoil.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Mom has a very tough time letting me go now.</i><br />
<br />
Even when I'm staying with her for a period of time, she is very upset when I have to leave for any reason. She panics, and asks me over and over if and when I'm coming back.<br />
<br />
<b>And, when I tell her that I will be going home in a day or two, she falls apart.</b><br />
<br />
Mind you, we have a caregiver who is with her most days, and my other siblings spend days with her during the week, too. So Mom is never alone on any day. But I think she gets used to me being there for longer periods of time, especially overnight, and it's quite disturbing to her when it's time for me to go.<br />
<br />
<b>This time was especially painful.</b><br />
<br />
You see, a couple of days earlier, Mom did something to her back, and she could barely walk, even with my help.<br />
<br />
<i>And so, I know she was feeling particularly helpless and vulnerable.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>My heart was heavy when I got into my car to leave.</b><br />
<br />
On top of those circumstances, there was also <b>*stuff*</b> going on in the rest of the family.<br />
<br />
<i>Stresses and medical issues.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Job pressures and financial concerns.</i><br />
<br />
It just seemed like <b>every single person that I love</b> was in some sort of distress, <i>and I felt a deep disquietude in my heart.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Sigh.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>I talked to God on the way home. </b><br />
<br />
<i>And later that evening, when I finally sat down, I wrote out my thoughts.</i><br />
<br />
You see, I have this <b>notebook. </b><br />
<br />
I wouldn't call it a journal, it's just something I write in when I'm <b>nervous. </b> It helps to get the feelings out on paper. It seems to lessen the endless ruminating that I do.<br />
<br />
<b>So, I wrote – sentence after sentence. </b><br />
<br />
<i>Releasing a litany of fears and worries, frustrations and burdens. </i><br />
<br />
Cataloguing my "what if?" and my "why this?" and my "how will this ever work out?" thoughts. My pen wrote as if possessed, <i>driven by my spiraling emotions.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It has been a very long time since I have felt this helpless.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Oh, how I want to fix everything and make all the bad stuff go away.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I want to intervene, and meddle, and give everyone my opinion.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I want to tinker, dabble, shape, and mold.</i><br />
<br />
<b>I want to take over.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And yet, I can only listen and pray.</i><br />
<br />
<b>It's so hard watching life happen, especially when you have to watch people you love struggle.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I don't like it…</i><br />
<br />
<b>AT. ALL.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Finally, exhausted, I wrote the only other thing I could think of to say:<br />
<br />
<b>"Oh Lord, I cannot…"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>I ponder those words.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Are they angry, frustrated, weary, broken?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Are they an expression of my fatigue or a plea for His help?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Are they an admission of my powerlessness or a surrender to His will? </b><br />
<br />
<i>I think it's all of that. </i><br />
<br />
<b>I cannot fix things.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I cannot change things.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I cannot make everything all right.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I cannot turn off my thoughts.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I cannot take another weary step.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I cannot make life work.</b><br />
<br />
And I find it <b>so incredibly difficult to trust God</b> <i>when things are hard and loved ones are struggling or suffering.</i><br />
<br />
But then I realized the <b>truth</b> – <i>I have nowhere else to turn, and no one else to turn to…</i><br />
<br />
<b>"Oh Lord, I cannot…"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
Quietly, I heard a reply:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Yes, dear Sharon. But that is the whole point. YOU cannot…"</span><br />
<br />
Then He reminded me of my life verses:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
Yes, I realized, He isn't asking me to <b>stop caring,</b> or to <b>stop doing</b> what I can do.<br />
<br />
<b>But He <u>IS</u> commanding me to not <u>LEAN</u> on my own power to figure life out. </b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My abilities are a faulty prop.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And if I lean on them, I will most certainly fall.</b><br />
<br />
<i>I must not rely on my limited comprehension, or put my faith in myself. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Instead, I must learn to trust God more. </b><br />
<br />
And certainly part of trusting God is <b>EN-trusting Him</b> with the people I love so much, <i>and committing their life circumstances into His hands. </i><br />
<br />
<b>It's very hard. </b><br />
<br />
But in this moment, God reminded me that <i>He loves them far more than I ever could.</i><br />
<br />
He reminded me that <i>He planned every single one of their days,</i> including all the situations that I fret so much about.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He assured me that He listens and He cares.</i><br />
<br />
<b>And He commanded me to remember that <i>HE</i> is firmly in control.</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Even when I feel totally out of control – even when I am anxious to take control.</i><br />
<br />
He spoke again:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"Don't worry. I've got this…"</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>Oh Lord, I cannot…</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot stop worrying without Your help.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot watch life unfold without Your help.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot surrender without Your help.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot trust You without Your help.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot take another step…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<b>And then He spoke the most precious words into my troubled soul…</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">"It's all right, Sharon…</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">I CAN."</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Do you ever feel that you *cannot*? How does God speak to you in those moments?</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3J63Cxy_DknloUw7n0Z0fpTJzby-s0CiC79X7y9zDMSPi4YlvFvdLM51T1bXNEsUjb4UheNQJCt69tdZ13loH0KOypdFA3_bs82oEbvagv39Rneli3NxENgppvAp5655WYPyKQnLUw/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0W3J63Cxy_DknloUw7n0Z0fpTJzby-s0CiC79X7y9zDMSPi4YlvFvdLM51T1bXNEsUjb4UheNQJCt69tdZ13loH0KOypdFA3_bs82oEbvagv39Rneli3NxENgppvAp5655WYPyKQnLUw/s400/IMG_1517.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">When peace, like a river,<br />attendeth my way,<br />When sorrows like sea billows<br />roll;<br />Whatever my lot,<br />thou hast taught me to say,<br />It is well,<br />it is well with my soul.<br /><br />Though Satan should buffet,<br />though trials should come,<br />Let this blest assurance<br />control,<br />That Christ has regarded<br />my helpless estate,<br />And hath shed His own blood<br />for my soul.<br /><br />It is well with my soul,<br />it is well,<br />it is well with my soul.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Words by Horatio G. Spafford, 1876)</span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<br />
<span style="color: red;">"'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the LORD. 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal." (Psalm 40:5, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.'" (Jeremiah 29:11-12, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:11, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The LORD Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'" (Isaiah 14:24, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." (Psalm 37:5, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." (Psalm 55:22, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken…Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, NLT)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." (1 Peter 5:7, AMP)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm…'Do not fear…do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you…in his love he will…rejoice over you with singing.'" (Zephaniah 3:15-17, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;">"…the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven."</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">(Psalm 11:4, NLT)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Linked with:</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/2016/04/sharing-his-beauty-blog-link-up_25.html"><span style="color: orange;">SHARING HIS BEAUTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.afieldofwildflowers.blogspot.com/2016/04/seeing-better-smallwonder-link-up.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">SMALL WONDER</span></a>, <a href="http://www.whatjoyismine.net/mondays-musings-213-aprils-daybook/#sthash.cdxIMg3A.dpbs"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MONDAY'S MUSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/linkup-7-men-the-secret-of-their-greatness/"><span style="color: blue;">MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL</span></a>, <a href="http://suedetweiler.com/gods-path/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LIFE GIVING LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://darlingdownsdiaries.com/good-morning-mondays-74/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GOOD MORNING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/monday-many-blessings-link-11/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_25.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2016/04/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party_24.html"><span style="color: lime;">MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://maryanderingcreatively.com/lmmlinkup-book-magic/"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">MUSING MONDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/04/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-148/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">MODEST MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/04/inspire-me-monday-week-225.html"><span style="color: #76a5af;">INSPIRE ME MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">TELL ME A TRUE STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.richfaithrising.com/2016/04/wins-battle-fierce-unite-linky.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">UNITE LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/04/titus-2-tuesday-204.html"><span style="color: #93c47d;">TITUS 2 TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://nourishingjoy.com/thank-goodness-its-monday-172/"><span style="color: magenta;">THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://makingourlifematter.com/motivation-monday/"><span style="color: yellow;">MOTIVATION MONDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://hollybarrett.org/2016/04/tt-wait-for-the-lord.html"><span style="color: cyan;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/2016/04/my-surgery-miracle-mom-vice-scriptures.html"><span style="color: orange;">TUESDAY TALK</span></a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/04/tell-tuesdays-link-party-62.html"><span style="color: blue;">TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.angelaparlin.com/running-after/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">RA RA LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://teachingwhatisgood.com/community-bear-one-anothers-burdens/"><span style="color: #38761d;">TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD</span></a>, <a href="http://www.crystalstorms.me/2016/04/intentional-tuesday-linkup-week-60/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">INTENTIONAL TUESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://jenniferdukeslee.com/compliment/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TELL HIS STORY</span></a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2016/04/wise-woman-linkup_27.html"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">WISE WOMAN</span></a>, <a href="http://www.classicalhomemaking.com/2016/04/the-homemaking-party-spring-comes-to-nw.html"><span style="color: yellow;">THE HOMEMAKING PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://wholeheartedhome.com/how-grow-gods-strength-linkup-190/"><span style="color: #e06666;">WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.rosilindjukic.com/linky-party-151/"><span style="color: #45818e;">A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.w2wministries.org/2016/04/look-to-lord.html"><span style="color: magenta;">WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2016/04/adventurers.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THREE WORD WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://holleygerth.com/feeling-overwhelmed/"><span style="color: #e69138;">COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART</span></a>, <a href="http://patandcandy.com/coffee-conversation-91-smoothies-crockpots/"><span style="color: lime;">COFFEE & CONVERSATION</span></a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/unplugging-from-technology/"><span style="color: #38761d;">WOMEN WITH INTENTION</span></a>, <a href="http://www.hollymcberty.com/2016/04/waiting-onwednesday-link-up-57.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">WAITING ON WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://youresewtrendy.blogspot.com/2016/04/stand-united-in-love-sitting-among-friends-linkup.html"><span style="color: cyan;">SITTING AMONG FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.messymarriage.com/how-grief-and-humility-sets-you-free-and-ww-linkup/"><span style="color: orange;">WEDDED WEDNESDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.leahadams.org/the-loft-link-up-pot-luck-4/"><span style="color: #93c47d;">THE LOFT LINKUP</span></a>, <a href="http://www.faithbarista.com/2016/04/step-out-new-as-gods-beloved-why-im-writing-book-2/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">ONE WORD COFFEE</span></a>, <a href="http://www.journeysingrace.com/2016/04/27/grace-marks-gracemoments-link/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GRACE MOMENTS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.frogslilypad.net/my-shield-my-glory/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">THANKFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2016/04/27/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-link-party-235/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS</span></a>, <a href="http://tsuzanneeller.com/2016/04/28/whisper-yes/"><span style="color: magenta;">LIVE FREE THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://grammietime2.blogspot.com/2016/04/party-at-my-place-13.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">PARTY AT MY PLACE</span></a>, <a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-94/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SHINE BLOG HOP</span></a>, <a href="http://3dlessons4life.com/transformation/"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/2016/04/grace-at-home-no-200.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">GRACE AT HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://creativekkids.com/thoughtful-thursdays-are-your-words-like-apples-of-gold/"><span style="color: blue;">THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://ichoosejoy.org/2016/04/27/from-house-to-home-link-party-168/"><span style="color: orange;">FROM HOUSE TO HOME</span></a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-138/"><span style="color: #45818e;">LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-cozy-reading-spot-140.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">COZY READING SPOT</span></a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com/2016/04/no-rules-weekend-blog-party-182.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days-27/"><span style="color: yellow;">100 HAPPY DAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.abountifullove.com/2016/04/blogger-spotlight-link-and-pin-it-party_28.html"><span style="color: red;">BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/04/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-222.html"><span style="color: lime;">FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.endlessimpact.com/no-more-orphans/"><span style="color: #38761d;">EVERYDAY TESTIMONY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up/faith-filled-friday71"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">FAITH FILLED FRIDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/2016/04/welcome-back_29.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://countingmyblessings.com/put-life-prayer-life/"><span style="color: #e06666;">FAITH 'N FRIENDS</span></a>, <a href="http://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2016/04/make-art-out-of-falling-and-more.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET</span></a>, <a href="http://arabahjoy.com/april-29-gt/"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">GRACE & TRUTH</span></a>, <a href="http://www.susanbmead.com/symphony-linkup/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">DANCE WITH JESUS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.asklatisha.com/tgi-saturdays-66-the-garden/"><span style="color: lime;">TGI SATURDAYS</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/mission-statement/"><span style="color: blue;">FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH</span></a>, <a href="http://soseworganized.blogspot.com/2016/04/weekend-wind-down-party-118.html"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY</span></a>, <a href="http://letuswalkworthy.com/2016/04/you-are-enough-let-us-grow/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">LET US GROW</span></a>, <a href="http://www.janiscox.com/here-i-am/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">WORD OF GOD SPEAK</span></a>, <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/small-victories-sunday-linkup-100/"><span style="color: cyan;">SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY</span></a>, <a href="http://lishaepperson.com/2016/04/30/give-me-grace-come-alive/"><span style="color: red;">GIVE ME GRACE</span></a>, <a href="http://raisingsamuels.blogspot.com/2016/05/social-butterfly-sunday-48.html"><span style="color: yellow;">SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b>BLOG </b>= "Blessedly Leaning On God!"<br />
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