tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306476562024-02-19T03:41:46.241-08:00KniTEAngDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-90828951861528395462010-08-26T19:07:00.000-07:002010-08-26T19:34:15.161-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwExySkr_AYwAFhx4e3gb2WzHYLcd3Gxevx7VcPBPDaXba0brpyZW61-YWHYoPkvvtFxPjGl2mK-XgGxTfkzxx8fvZ4qD74oxWLqVw0iCbRWx7cCf5oUbS-SqT0zS_jLS_MwCMw/s1600/head_logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwExySkr_AYwAFhx4e3gb2WzHYLcd3Gxevx7VcPBPDaXba0brpyZW61-YWHYoPkvvtFxPjGl2mK-XgGxTfkzxx8fvZ4qD74oxWLqVw0iCbRWx7cCf5oUbS-SqT0zS_jLS_MwCMw/s200/head_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509908950934201730" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Done</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">End of book - but only the beginning of changes in heart, hand, and life.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.biblein90days.org/">The Bible in 90 Days</a> was an adventure to say the least. It was a challenge at times, even for one who loves God's Word, and is in the habit of daily taking it in. It was made sweet by the times God's Word repeated a truth and it was so noticeable that I sat up and grabbed a colored pencil to highlight the truth the stood out in its repetition. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having a group to share the challenges, ah-ha moments, and delights made it rich. Its like a trip taken with family versus a trip taken alone. It is hard to share sights and experiences using words alone to describe it to friends and family, its far better to have shared memories, photos, and shared history. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Bible in 90 Days program provides you with a fast paced walk through God's Word that is meant to be shared. The sharing and insight God gives you as you attentively read His Word provides a desire to move into more of His Word when the day 90 comes and you read the final chapter and last verse. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I reached that point 2 days ago I was speechless, I exhaled loudly - it was a prayer of thanks for His Word, His message, His invitation to life in its fullness.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so, at our church, we begin a church wide Bible in 90 Days beginning Sunday, September 12th. In the planning for this we've already begun to make brand new friends and deeper other new ones. We are SO excited to hear the heart of our ministers who long for the people of God to take in the Word of God. (Thanks be to God!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm excited for what we'll learn, share, and be challenged by as we read through the Bible in 90 Days this fall - what an Advent season we shall have!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are interested and happen to live in the Tulsa, OK area, check it out! We will have multiple avenues of times each week that might fit your schedule to join us weekly as we read through the Bible in 90 days. I'd love to have you as a partner on this journey.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.firstchurchtulsa.org/bind.htm">First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">TGBTG!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>The unfolding of Your words give light;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>It gives understanding to the simple</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Psalm 119:130</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-28672485170867251342010-07-06T17:21:00.000-07:002010-07-06T18:17:49.762-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTZhZh-0kLBeTdYStKkqYMlGavPzj7l-U81zKOxUtA5wN2gA00Z78jxf47weZuQZFoZ3tR0ZawBsOJAreLoD7JwR5Z2lUineLAN_8fv2cnZYeC3Ya5TT7I2-Vdr9OYZ3UswIZhw/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTZhZh-0kLBeTdYStKkqYMlGavPzj7l-U81zKOxUtA5wN2gA00Z78jxf47weZuQZFoZ3tR0ZawBsOJAreLoD7JwR5Z2lUineLAN_8fv2cnZYeC3Ya5TT7I2-Vdr9OYZ3UswIZhw/s200/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490967329488532242" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">The Bible in 90 Days</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My Journal Post</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Week 4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weeks go faster as we continue to read through the Bible this summer reading 12 pages a day in the <a href="http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&id=102">specially formatted NIV Bible</a> published for the Bible in 90 Days ministry. We continue to see more of the big picture - of the many kings Israel and Judah had, the good, the bad, and the down right ugly! The bad outnumbered the good, sad to say. As we read through 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles. . . . we learned more about the individual kings as we read their history from 2 perpectives - Perspective is everything! (if you don't know the differing perspectives - read about it yourself, I won't tell ya!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We just read through Ezra and Nehemiah this past 3 day weekend - oh, what precious books these are! What stands out to me is how far we have come in American churches from the reading and teaching and explaining God's Word. God asked His people to annually read it as a group, to listen to it together. Today we rarely hear more than a verse or two and then lots of stories, quotes from modern books, and movie clips. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">God's Word is rich. It is truth. It does not change. It is alive, it can bring change! Man's word is not eternal, it may contain truth, but often contains personal opinion and it changes with popular opinion at that. I need something solid upon which to stand, how about you?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">jealous</span> of the public reading, teaching, and explanation of God's Word given to the nation of Israel. And yet, I realized I have my own copy. I have many copies - and I do read them, study them, and seek to learn what it means and how to adjust my life to its truth. I have the ability to study, to check word meanings, context, use internet study tools, and do this with peers. I am so grateful for <a href="http://www.precept.org/site/PageServer">Precept Ministries</a> which teaches me how to study God's Word AS I study God's Word.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How about you? Is your Bible dusty? Is it unread? It is confusing? Does your life line up with the clear teaching within its pages? Join me on my journey by reading through the Bible in 90 Days come September. Can't wait? Join a group online - there are many! <a href="http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/bible-in-90-days-reading-schedule/">One</a> began this journey yesterday. Check it out!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we read through we almost daily have confirmed that God <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">still</span> speaks to us - His Spirit is ready to give us understanding. My husband and I are needing direction and guidance regarding some things in our lives at this time - and He is reminding us that He has matters under control, we need not stress nor worry (in fact he commands that we NOT worry) and He can be trusted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sigh . . . . . . . </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">what a help this is!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Reading attentively makes a lot of difference. We are seeing some connections as we do this rapid read through the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next week I'll be able to join in the weekly meetings of our church's pilot group for the Bible in 90 Days! I can hardly wait! I've been leading a home Bible study that met at the same time as the church group - and we finished today. (I enjoyed the home study but at times wished I could have been in two places at once.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll share about the pilot group's discussion time as we share the points God highlights as we read through Job, Psalms, etc </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm enjoying this journey, I am <i>already</i> looking forward to repeating this 90 day read wait again this fall when our entire church will participate in this reading plan. Sharing this with others will be a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">richer</span> trip!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">when he opened it, all the people stood up</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">. Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">.</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Nehemiah 8:4-8</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-53837936560578493352010-06-26T13:06:00.000-07:002010-06-26T13:26:28.788-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWKSc-AktOApG4LWT5FjHoqpVq6uQOjW-rIcCryN2RwvSlXXHkze6j-0YGNj_vyCq40uX_JgVhHHXgEvaBhnrvAC7z2onKlYoVU2RN6i_amwaOZmg1uO4vaidL-ZdgDYzSzlsjQ/s1600/Rolling_Hills_463.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWKSc-AktOApG4LWT5FjHoqpVq6uQOjW-rIcCryN2RwvSlXXHkze6j-0YGNj_vyCq40uX_JgVhHHXgEvaBhnrvAC7z2onKlYoVU2RN6i_amwaOZmg1uO4vaidL-ZdgDYzSzlsjQ/s200/Rolling_Hills_463.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487180720203358674" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC66;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Looking,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">longing,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"> and loving</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today we got up, had breakfast at our 'usual' place, then headed north to Bartlesville. We had a destination in mind to personally check out and photograph for our granddaughter. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We grabbed some local BBQ at the spot we like to dine. Then we headed home via a less conventional route in order to view and appreciate the rolling hills, the green country that we know and love in northeastern Oklahoma. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was relaxing and refreshing from our air conditioned vehicle on this hot summer day. Ahhhhhhh! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Once home my husband emptied our pool, cleaned it, and began refilling it for our afternoon 'sit' and cool off time. As we await the filling he shared the following with me from a Friday morning reading of his. . . it hits the mark.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><i><b>Walk Closer to God</b></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Looking, longing, and loving </i>— three words to describe the responsibility of the Christian who is waiting the Lord's return.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC33;">Looking</span></i></b> for ways to know God better, to serve others more sacrificially, to become more like Christ and keep in step with Him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Longing</span></b></i> for the day when you will be free forever from the weaknesses of the flesh, the wiles of Satan, and the whisperings of the world.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Loving</span></i></b> God above all, and your neighbor as yourself — the greatest command.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Take a look back, and a look ahead. Are you holding your position in the race of life?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">From Closer Walk, June 25, 2010</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">let the sea roar, and all it contains;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Let the field exult, and all that is in it</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Before the LORD, for He is coming,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">For He is coming to judge the earth</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">He will judge the world in righteousness</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">And all the peoples in His faithfulness.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Psalm 96:11-13</span></i></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-32285172962577434992010-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:002010-06-20T14:28:42.500-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96TlJUneaj2jZxSCxvV34JKnoehC5ZD3RoAK04qV_gdUEddv_jGHN0atF5kBIcGPgXwCnmwkqeD8KAHiRA9aHoYPKY0ibrPqAQOfvnGDbCJHtk5oA1StQSRxqZecLsnSqgPDViQ/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96TlJUneaj2jZxSCxvV34JKnoehC5ZD3RoAK04qV_gdUEddv_jGHN0atF5kBIcGPgXwCnmwkqeD8KAHiRA9aHoYPKY0ibrPqAQOfvnGDbCJHtk5oA1StQSRxqZecLsnSqgPDViQ/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483075102802519218" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">What is your treasure and upon what are you hanging it?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This morning I awoke and was resting in bed, checking the weather and my email via iPhone when I heard a loud and long crash of what sounded like china in the house. I'm so grateful it was in the morning and </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> at night - for I'd have assumed someone was IN my house with me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I discovered that a teacup shelf unit had fallen - and with it came 6 teacups and saucers. Broken bits of pretty china were all about the dining room. Oh, my! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To work I went sweeping up the bits and peaces, checking which cups I had 'lost'.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then I set about to check the cause of the shelf falling from the wall. I found that the hook upon which it was held had wiggled out due to: vibrations of our washer and dryer that are placed on the opposite side of the same wall in the utility room. We have had rain, rain, and more rain along with thunder this week and I think that the weather caused the last bit of the hook/nail fixture to wiggle the last millimeter out of the wall - and C R A S H !</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Behold - I was grateful to know the sound did not cause me fear, just curiosity, did not cause me grief and tears, just surprise and housework at 6:30 a.m. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As I was reviewing for Bible study this morning I was reminded that we often treasure things/people/relationships above God. The test of this incident revealed to me that I did </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> treasure my china tea cups, even if I enjoy them, use them, and use them as decor in my living room. I thank God that He revealed to me what I did not treasure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What gives me greater joy? What do I find delight in and think on throughout each day?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I treasure God and His Word! I hang onto the words of God, more than my necessary food. (to paraphrase (Job 23:12)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On what do we hang our treasure? What do we think will keep it secure? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was the one who hung up the shelf that came down this morning. I did not think to check it on occasion for safety, I will now, but I did not think about the impact of the world's vibrations through the daily chores of washing clothes plus the storms of life adding its own. And over a period of time, day by day the hook was weakened and unsecured until it could not hold the shelf much less the cups and saucers - and so it all came tumbling down.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What is your true treasure? May this little incident give you pause to reflect with me upon what you value. Join me in humble self-evaluation and consider to what you hold in clinched fist. What will you offer up to God. And what will you treasure that is everlasting, can't be stolen, won't age or deteriorate. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You know what I purpose to treasure, now its your turn to respond.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Truth For Life</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Luke 12:34</span></i></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-73658029118172645392010-06-14T06:08:00.001-07:002010-06-14T06:27:48.939-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuQlV6D-fLA3saB5VC-MArZoc-F4IS2Mf6J_QI0PwnXErN3-8wiY-_30s8i0gGDSrtoG0CuRIlz009yISDGsxOiiYLRLNuZf9XGWJYiaN3OPBBCCXKRDq1nxq4BJWrzKuTZKtPA/s1600/journaling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuQlV6D-fLA3saB5VC-MArZoc-F4IS2Mf6J_QI0PwnXErN3-8wiY-_30s8i0gGDSrtoG0CuRIlz009yISDGsxOiiYLRLNuZf9XGWJYiaN3OPBBCCXKRDq1nxq4BJWrzKuTZKtPA/s200/journaling.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482615642644716338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Bible In 90 Days</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my journal of the experience</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b>Week Two</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - say that 5 times fast! Try reading it in 1 week - zooooooooooooooooooooooom!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And yet as I read it I remembered many things I'd learned from previous studies of each of these books. It brought to mind richness and revelation of who God is . . . and the main and plain truth is that</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">He is holy</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I picked up and read about these books in the supplementary book for this program called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Bible-Companion-Insights-ebook/dp/B000SEVSP4">The Essential Bible Companion</a>. This book <b><i>is</i></b> essential as a Bible reading companion - it provides the nutshell and main points of history, meaning, and applications lest you missed them.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The many details about the tabernacle in the scriptures read this week provide us with an awareness of how God is to be approached. We can't just walk right up and high five God. He is not one of us. And where he places the tabernacle is in the midst of His people. He desires us to be in His presence.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm once again grateful for what God did through Christ to give us the gift of His presence dwelling within us in His Holy Spirit.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Where I go, He goes, what I hear, He hears, what I do, He is present. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He also asks us to be holy as He is holy. He does not ask us to be what He does not enable us to be. I can not in my human effort become holy but with submission to His Holy Spirit I can become like Him, holy.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whether you plan to read the Bible in 90 days or not, this book is worth adding to your library. The first few pages give the story of the Bible which for many of us, is something we've not been taught in our local church. That is worth the purchase of the book alone.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>for you are a people holy to the LORD your God.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Out of all the peoples of the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be His treasured possession.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Deuteronomy 14:2</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled;</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>set your hope fully on the grace to be given when Jesus Christ is revealed.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>for it is written:</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Be holy, because I am holy.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>I Peter 1:13, 14</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-78066480466997760652010-06-13T13:13:00.001-07:002010-06-13T13:43:11.136-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ4Zd4BOlc8TsG6ptV8ZzTLEJQ4Z5P8kbmuesklBJT_CpRUtQLvQh_Rigfsv73-tYBXFPMVr3mSFd3S2GHwqtrpwU49aVyeLXhSXi1_8x8XDbqsiAvq3zUK8ByPCJro9_oGA9FA/s1600/slims.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ4Zd4BOlc8TsG6ptV8ZzTLEJQ4Z5P8kbmuesklBJT_CpRUtQLvQh_Rigfsv73-tYBXFPMVr3mSFd3S2GHwqtrpwU49aVyeLXhSXi1_8x8XDbqsiAvq3zUK8ByPCJro9_oGA9FA/s200/slims.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482354152965117122" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Have</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> we come a long way, baby?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Reading chapter 3 of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Voices-True-Woman-Movement-Counter-Revolution/dp/0802412866/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276461373&sr=8-1">Voices of the True Woman Movement</a> </i>brings us to the chapter on the history of the feminist movement and its impact upon women and society. The feminist movement changes have not been a good thing altogether, which is an understatement! If you do not know how far back the thinking that developed into the movement began, as this chapter provides, you do not realize how very much <b><i>we</i></b> have been influenced, even in Christian circles in America, by the thoughts and plans of those who do not consider God and His purposes for man, woman, child, and this world. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mary Kassian presents this information with humor, reality, and honesty. There is so much in this chapter that I felt it really calls for you, dear reader, to get a copy of this book if only for <b>this </b>chapter alone. My take on it will likely be pooh poohed by you without your own reading of the history.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I observe in the church, my neighborhood, and in the marketplace an attitude in women that is along the lines of "no one tells me what to do, no one, especially not some mere man" I hear those words as quoted or I witness expressions of disgust and superiority. I also see lives lived for oneself ---- shockingly some of these women call themselves Christian. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I read in God's Word, study it, meditate upon it, I witness God calling men and women and children to a life that is God centered, other oriented. Self centered living is opposite to the example of Christ. We have it all wrong, we are living life in the wrong direction.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Who will be God is the question underlying our lives. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is not a new question nor a new response. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Women may have gained independence in many ways but have also lost in living life with loving companions for life, extended family & the help and care offered in love to them. When we need no one - we are most vulnerable. And we do not find ourselves, we actually lose ourselves and become more desperate to find meaning and purpose in our lives. We demand from others, are put out with others, can't believe the error in the lives of all those with whom we cross paths. "How dare them!" is an attitude I witness. Far from the example and attitude given to us in Philippians 2. (I recommend you read that today!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Think about your desire for independence - is it our culture that has led us to it? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seek the direction of the word rather than the world. Check it out! It is timeless truth.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><b>Truth For Life</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Don't, by the way, read too much into the differences between men and women. Neither man nor woman can go it alone or claim priority. Man was created first, as a beautiful shining reflection of God -- that is true. But the head on a woman's body clearly outshines in beauty the head of her "head," her husband. The first woman came from man, true -- but ever since then, every man comes from a woman! And since virtually everything comes from God anyway, let's quit going through these "who's first" routines.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Romans 11:11-12</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>The Message</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-87721949260209095822010-06-07T12:26:00.001-07:002010-06-07T12:50:28.314-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2yqoWt_EKhQVxtzanuPURzoWftCQZ90QkFqBYFHOlzHanDPYlH3re6f6gMMZfPBk6GtjHKlzpTDUfN-SBff3OdcTipxQxGcDfKSZxObYSOmATxAJOWrNAx7j3SnTNEb-2YK4DA/s1600/journaling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2yqoWt_EKhQVxtzanuPURzoWftCQZ90QkFqBYFHOlzHanDPYlH3re6f6gMMZfPBk6GtjHKlzpTDUfN-SBff3OdcTipxQxGcDfKSZxObYSOmATxAJOWrNAx7j3SnTNEb-2YK4DA/s200/journaling.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480115522189237650" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">The Bible in 90 Days </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663333;">my journal of the experience</span></span></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Week One </span></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have overall enjoyed spending 40 minutes to an hour each evening after dinner reading our 12 pages in Genesis and Exodus. There were a few nights when it seemed like I would <i>never</i> get to the end of my 12 pages of reading - so I would stop, take a breath, pray, and continue on. What keeps me encouraged is that I will be sharing this journey with others, my husband and our small group. I am getting more and more excited to hear about their discoveries as well as to share some of mine.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am always amazed at the 'first time I've seen this!' details I discover as I re-read God's Word. I am humbled to see how God has reached out to man, come to be with us, seeks to save us and provide a way out of slavery. . . but He does not stop there, noooooooooo. That is where WE often stop. 'got the fire insurance policy! check! that is all I need you for now, God, check with you later!' as we go smilingly off on our own.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He offers us beyond that, He offer us a new life, He provides the setting in a new land. It comes furnished! And we forget this, don't 'hear' it, don't 'see' it and usually continue to plod along, walking uphill each day trying to carve a life out of our time on earth. God offers us life, full life, rich life. Shalom life because He will be with us! Thank you, Lord. Praise you, Lord! Bless you, Lord!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">As a note: I like the Bible they have published for this 90 day reading plan, it is good to read a clean copy that does not have study notes to distract the reader. it is easy on the eye text. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It has been fun to share this with my husband as well. We talk about what we discover after each days' reading. God is speaking into our daily lives concerning family, work, and faith. That is confirming things we have pondered upon or upon which we have wanted to action.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">More later . . . .</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">June 7, 2010</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed:</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>The Lord, The Lord God compassionate and gracious</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth, . .</i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Exodus 34: 6</i></span></span></span></p>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-28102433840365308372010-06-05T19:42:00.000-07:002010-06-05T19:54:47.919-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTCJXgLCNj6v-p-ePc8B7_ctsogAvbqkU3bbAQv2jYe4jZBQYkc3v6AMvDiUhK0ivFhlGbJ7h3YAm06PIGkUj_mUmMF-NSzt8UbWXv_H2HyPs0aFpisAEpH_5aRUXjYP7m5MJgw/s1600/ToclaSummit2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTCJXgLCNj6v-p-ePc8B7_ctsogAvbqkU3bbAQv2jYe4jZBQYkc3v6AMvDiUhK0ivFhlGbJ7h3YAm06PIGkUj_mUmMF-NSzt8UbWXv_H2HyPs0aFpisAEpH_5aRUXjYP7m5MJgw/s200/ToclaSummit2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479486550526341378" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b>The Summit</b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chapter 2</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Reading another chapter in <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/voices-woman-movement-call-counter-revolution/nancy-demoss/9780802412867/pd/412867">Voices of the True Woman Movement</a> brings things up close, and personal. So get yourself a chair, sit down, take a deep breath, and calmly consider these notes of mine. Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the author of this chapter.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The second chapter is based on Romans 11. I've placed the verses Nancy speaks from at the bottom of this post as my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Today</span> quote.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we climb the path of life, like a rocky mountain, we experience turns, rocky paths, washed out paths, overgrown paths, loose stones, thinning air, animals, weather, and harsh sun. We do so for we are seeking to reach 'the top'. In life we live with some goal(s) in mind, goals that will provide us with a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and fulfillment. As Paul writes to the Romans teaching what we believe as Christians, he reaches <i>the summit</i>. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then we read Romans 11. <b>The Summit.</b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our view of life may be self-centered for that is the message the world presses upon us. In music, video, ads, magazines, t.v., friends, neighbors, and sadly today, most churches. Or we are self-centered for we have been spoiled, indulged in, pampered, from childhood to adulthood. Thus, we find life a rat race because the honest truth we discover is that the world, our jobs, our family do not focus upon us, though the world sings that song to us. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am going to list quotes and paraphrases of what Nancy had to say in this chapter about the higher calling God offers to us. . . . </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We can not understand fully the plans of God nor His purposes, no matter how we try. . . </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He is not us. (ouch! but so true)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We may reach a low in our lives that is as low as we've ever been, but God has not departed. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We need not at that low point become women of bitterness and despair.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We may be in a pit but there is no pit that God is not deeper still. (to paraphrase Betsy Ten Boom) The pit we walk into, get pushed into, or slide into is not beyond God's view or influence.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God knows everything and everything </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">about</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> everything: past, present, and future. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He knows the details, the minutia, the big picture. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And His wisdom and knowledge are infinitely greater than ours. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We see life as about us. Life is really about Him.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our view is limited. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God's is not. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Its like our view of things AS we climb a mountain. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Its SO different from the view at The Summit.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Until we grasp what is true, that He created us, that He gave us to be women, and that He has given us a position, opportunity, and place upon earth that is unique to our sex, life will be unsatisfactory. We'll always be reaching for more, more, more. Or trying to simplify, simplify, simplify. If we wake up to the fact that our lives are not about us and humbly bow our knees to our creator, sustainer, and redeemer offering us our lives, we'll cease to live life limping along, desperate, hopeless, and helpless. We'll no longer be aiming and straining to become what is less than our true potential as God has made us. No matter how well meaning we once were.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What is a true woman? Nancy offers these facts:</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A true woman lives a God-centered life</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A true woman trusts God. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She does not live as an atheist at times, thinking that He has really messed things up this time. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A true woman does not have to strive, does not have to be afraid. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She can relinquish control, she does not have to manipulate and control every one and every thing in her life. She does not have to resent or resist, or run from the cross. She lives embracing the cross with faith. (now this is something we women tend to do - controlling everyone and everything in our path: "Organizing" "helping" "assisting" "arranging" all demonstrating a need to control.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A true woman says "Yes, Lord"</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She knows her life is not her own and lives to glorify God. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">His Word, not the world is her compass. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She is willing to make personal sacrifices, not asking What do I want to do or become? </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but rather What pleases You, Lord? (now this is truly counter cultural! </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How much we have become like the world)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But you ask, dear reader, what if I dare allow God to lead? Will He drop the ball? </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Will He be distracted? Will He be forgetful? Will I ever amount to anything? </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Will I be a doormat? Will I lose myself if I ask God to lead me?</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A great encouragement to me is the this word from John Piper:</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you cannot see and you do not know. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We may not see it all now, and some things in life we will not see during our life time. . . but when we see Jesus face to face, we will then understand, agree, bow down, and praise Him for His wisdom, knowledge, love, and position.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If I live as a child of God, not childishly live, but live trusting God will protect, provide, care for, nurture, and give me things to do that glorify Him and give me purpose </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I will find true purpose.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It will lead to a life of true freedom, freedom FOR life in its fullness, </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not freedom FROM anyone anywhere controlling or directing my life. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It will lead to what we so long for: peace, joy, love, and much fruit!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I realize this is bits and pieces and what I've shared may seem odd and out of step with society. . . that is Nancy's point and mine. If we fit in this world it has shaped and molded us, it has pressed us to line up and follow its leading. And the world really does not care about us, nor does it have concern for us. Its a marketed life and that is not life <i>at all.</i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well, there will be more to say in the days ahead as I read on. In the meantime, consider who shapes your thinking and choices. Be honest with yourself. I will do the same.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica; min-height: 20.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">For who has known the mind of the Lord,</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">or who has been His counselor?</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">For from him and through him and to Him are all things.</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">To Him be glory forever.</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Amen.</span></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Romans 11:33-36</span></i></span></span></p> </div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-87142090937143237822010-06-02T16:38:00.000-07:002010-06-02T16:44:04.766-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQocDScO_IAcVra0_z_c97KUGw9PpCMjJ77zAaX1guOO2t2RzYxn-xPsQalxAmJRhrkvUNeuNmrrPLCCKO86KSqNpBOdi95MF-9VbhchlpONpYH8ARJlzQDk0KoO8zK6qB4z9bHA/s1600/96312.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQocDScO_IAcVra0_z_c97KUGw9PpCMjJ77zAaX1guOO2t2RzYxn-xPsQalxAmJRhrkvUNeuNmrrPLCCKO86KSqNpBOdi95MF-9VbhchlpONpYH8ARJlzQDk0KoO8zK6qB4z9bHA/s200/96312.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478325373286398514" /></a><br /><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">October of 2008 while many women traveled to Chicago to attend the above event, I was at home listening via streaming on the internet as we heard many speakers who encouraged and reminded women of their unique role, honor, and place as women. We had the privilege to hear such wonderful speakers such as John Piper, Mary Kassian, Joni Eareckson Tada, Fern Nichols, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nancy Leigh DeMoss,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and Janet Parshall.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A <a href="http://www.truewoman.com/?id=1112">book</a> has just been released that contains the content of the speaking sessions of these speakers and I'm going to share what I find of particular worth of highlighting as I read chapter by chapter.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I received a copy yesterday and read chapter 1 last night. I smiled, laughed, Amen-ed, and shared quotes with my husband. The first chapter features John Piper and he began with a 'bang'!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A quote I heard online in October of 2009 that I read again and feel is noteworthy:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Wimpy Theology Makes Wimpy Women"</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He continued to explain "Wimpy theology simply does not give a woman a God that is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, and good enough to handle the realities of life in a way that magnifies the infinite worth of Jesus Christ. Wimpy theology is plagued by woman-centeredness and man-centeredness. Wimpy theology doesn't have the granite foundation of God's sovereignty or the solid steel structure of a great God-centered purpose for all things."</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm so encouraged and stretched to consider "... the ultimate meaning of true womanhood is this: It is a distinctive calling of God to display the glory of His Son in ways that would not be displayed if there were no womanhood. If there were only generic persons and not male and female, the glory of Christ would be diminished in the world."</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our world has swung from woman not being valued to woman as king . . . and neither brings out the best of what woman has been created to offer and represent. Our uniqueness as females adds richness, caring, and meaning to life on planet earth and we glorify Christ uniquely when we embrace and express our life as true women.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I could say more, but I will hold off. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have another chapter to read tonight.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More to come . . . . . . </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">God created man in his own image, in the mimage of God he created him; male and female he created them.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Genesis 1:27</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> </div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-89913894159716120822010-05-30T18:21:00.000-07:002010-05-30T19:07:46.111-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYguUr0Uf4MmjrFIlDlOQclZivtkbLn8XsWFV2_DaPDdxYsG_jnOpHaehyphenhyphenRsmg-Citk_KOE0TavVAJGEzGFKnBkpTBCPmprGbhPJqR_JGbwKaHjylgzMxf9RulCBN7NakexZWfg/s1600/panorama-from-mt-olives-wp-gfdl-crop-815-p.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 38px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYguUr0Uf4MmjrFIlDlOQclZivtkbLn8XsWFV2_DaPDdxYsG_jnOpHaehyphenhyphenRsmg-Citk_KOE0TavVAJGEzGFKnBkpTBCPmprGbhPJqR_JGbwKaHjylgzMxf9RulCBN7NakexZWfg/s200/panorama-from-mt-olives-wp-gfdl-crop-815-p.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477246218005074242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Getting ready to take in a</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">quick panoramic view of God's Word</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">from my home</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTCzVJzjN3uMfOiENGgaJaDS7bl-e6V7GXyIEM2f1g9PqeGxKpdOzJIs1qDKAD9rhceu8akG5-slrFXogqEg_VpEHf7pwpasTivMlFNPIAwOBV1C7ohCYScP5KPvwMCFNFz6GlQ/s1600/B90_Bible_Front_Cover-view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTCzVJzjN3uMfOiENGgaJaDS7bl-e6V7GXyIEM2f1g9PqeGxKpdOzJIs1qDKAD9rhceu8akG5-slrFXogqEg_VpEHf7pwpasTivMlFNPIAwOBV1C7ohCYScP5KPvwMCFNFz6GlQ/s200/B90_Bible_Front_Cover-view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477240565860138338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Tomorrow </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">is a red letter day</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">as will be </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">August 29th</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I am taking up a challenge extended to my husband and myself </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">to read through the entire Bible in 90 days.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Yup, 90 Days!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">We do read through the Bible annually but have not done so in a mere 90 days - </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">not sure if we can keep our read-thru-in-a-year plan going at the same time,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">we'll see how it goes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">BUT</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">we will read the Bible from Genesis to Revelatiom</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">at a pace of 12 pages a day,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">(which should take from 40 minutes to 1 hour a day)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><i>Obviously the Bible will be my summer reading.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">And we are <b>not</b> alone in this</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">for we'll meet up weekly with a small group to fellowship,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">discuss our questions and share our 'ah-ha's'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><i>(this is what will make it over-the-top worthwhile!)</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Curious? Check back on this blog.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I'll be sharing about it as we move along </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">getting a rapid & panoramic view of God's Word,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">listening to God, looking for God to reveal Himself to us.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I can NOT wait!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Join me if you want to do the same,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">visit the </span><a href="http://www.biblein90days.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> that features the materials and gather a few folks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;">Our local bookstore called Mardel has a few of their books on their shelves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I'll twitter about it, too. More details coming.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#009900;"><i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2019&version=NIV">Psalm 19</a> - enjoy reading it!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></i></span></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-41413202814588512112010-05-24T13:04:00.001-07:002010-05-24T14:40:05.118-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HkZDflfR7_8_Xm6i-_Zf11E5o7R1Caf-BCpGgEafje363Q2b3dDRPkYc3WIHs7lbebwoxLgPKoNt4SETo16puckQpZGMfAK4-pB_6Toxxft7NpIelbrLs8cqya-Uz29RGf7t2g/s1600/an+rsvp.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HkZDflfR7_8_Xm6i-_Zf11E5o7R1Caf-BCpGgEafje363Q2b3dDRPkYc3WIHs7lbebwoxLgPKoNt4SETo16puckQpZGMfAK4-pB_6Toxxft7NpIelbrLs8cqya-Uz29RGf7t2g/s1600/an+rsvp.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><b></b></a><b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HkZDflfR7_8_Xm6i-_Zf11E5o7R1Caf-BCpGgEafje363Q2b3dDRPkYc3WIHs7lbebwoxLgPKoNt4SETo16puckQpZGMfAK4-pB_6Toxxft7NpIelbrLs8cqya-Uz29RGf7t2g/s1600/an+rsvp.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Not</span></span></a></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HkZDflfR7_8_Xm6i-_Zf11E5o7R1Caf-BCpGgEafje363Q2b3dDRPkYc3WIHs7lbebwoxLgPKoNt4SETo16puckQpZGMfAK4-pB_6Toxxft7NpIelbrLs8cqya-Uz29RGf7t2g/s1600/an+rsvp.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> a lesson on etiquette</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HkZDflfR7_8_Xm6i-_Zf11E5o7R1Caf-BCpGgEafje363Q2b3dDRPkYc3WIHs7lbebwoxLgPKoNt4SETo16puckQpZGMfAK4-pB_6Toxxft7NpIelbrLs8cqya-Uz29RGf7t2g/s200/an+rsvp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474941702686216450" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">Question: </span></div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">I'm curious. Do you know what RSVP means?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Answer: </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">RSVP comes from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". </span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Question: </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So what do I do with an RSVP?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Answer: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If RSVP is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; "><b style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">whether or not they plan to attend the party</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're </span></span><i style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">All this leads to the thicker envelopes we get in our mail this month. . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX9XT5R7WeXcSJg3YMZGptMsB3TjGoVtaMqEtO-iA6uNjYdIBEyhRIFx9Fh8ucvlys7VN3BBlVaASg6IfklNfUPvJ66p56IJii3dnksncOEfQxb2H6cgQiQEqcvwLoySxSBd52A/s1600/rsvp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px; text-align: center; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX9XT5R7WeXcSJg3YMZGptMsB3TjGoVtaMqEtO-iA6uNjYdIBEyhRIFx9Fh8ucvlys7VN3BBlVaASg6IfklNfUPvJ66p56IJii3dnksncOEfQxb2H6cgQiQEqcvwLoySxSBd52A/s200/rsvp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474929942479449362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is that time of year when invitations arrive for weddings. . . . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The date has been chosen, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the celebration has been prepared for with much care </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">by the hosts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are invited to attend </div><div style="text-align: center;">and <i>o</i><i>ur part is to reply</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;">using the card enclosed in the invitation to indicate our response to the invitation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the past few decades I've both sent and received invitations by mail, by email, by phone, and now by text for wedding showers, weddings, graduations, baby showers, home warmings, charity fundraisers, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not all required a formal response, but for those that ask for one I reply as soon as I can confirm our availability. I do so for I know the hosts truly do need our reply to prepare a place of us at the special occasion they have planned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Sadly, I witness that few people practice the gracious art of etiquette. . . . particularly in the area of responding to invitations. It matters not your age or upbringing. We don't give a timely response much thought <i><b>until</b></i> <b><i>we</i></b> host something, then we expect our invitations to produce prompt responses for the desired accurate count. When we receive few replies, we become upset, angry, and frustrated at the few replies. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But when our event is over, we return to our practice of neglecting to replying to invitations we receive following our event, with nary a thought. Oh, my! We are focused so very much on me, mine, and ours to the extreme and don't recognize it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When will we learn to care for others more than ourselves? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It takes a change of our heart. And this is not a new problem!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Now, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">put yourself in the place of our heavenly Father.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has a truly major wedding feast planned</div><div style="text-align: center;">. . . Martha Stewart could not possibly out do this event of all events.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He knows the date it will be held, though we won't until that day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has been making plans for eons!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">He has invited us to join Him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and He is waiting for our response.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">1.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Have you replied to His invitation?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">2.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Are you preparing to attend?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Matthew 22: 1-14 tells the story.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take some time today, read it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">meditate upon it, consider THE invitation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And make a reply.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you say 'yes!'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Get ready. . . every day, live today preparing for THE day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Learn about that in His Word.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">"Again he </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast."'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Matthew 22:4</span></span></div></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-20553857068749696482010-05-18T18:34:00.000-07:002010-05-18T19:07:49.202-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Wear Red this Sunday!</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"What?????" </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Answer:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">This week it will be Pentecost Sunday.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So wear <b>RED</b> to celebrate the gift of</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">God's Holy Spirit!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:12px;"><p style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The Church has traditionally used the color red for Pentecost to symbolize the flames of the Holy Spirit. At first, only members of the clergy wore red vestments, but now it is common to see members of the congregation wearing something red on Pentecost Sunday.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Red is not the only color associated with Pentecost. Red symbolizes the divided flame-like tongues but the Holy Spirit is symbolized by a white dove. White is also worn by people who are being baptized. Baptisms and confirmations are done throughout the year, but having them on Pentecost Sunday is in keeping with the day described in the book of Acts where 3,000 people were baptized.</span></span></span></p></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:16px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">So plan ahead, what will you wear? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Red dress, skirt, slacks, shirt, red accessories? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Or if you are male, a red tie? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">But remember:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">The most important thing about Pentecost is to learn what the Spirit does, </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">and to trust God's Holy Spirit to lead you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Read this passage: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%202&version=NASB">Acts 2:1-21</a></span></span></div></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-19828398631341903792010-05-17T14:23:00.001-07:002010-05-17T14:41:30.544-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y68gaS3U9waYGt12CC9qdkcZI52UxEdOQxHDul7JB2zjqOoCaRaRtZ7Fl4vcI3c8SdDw1Db_CHec6ey5P6rfCZcWLqwOvE9S8P4SB7FGTNl91l5WKw7oNWBocml8egiE3NsnuQ/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y68gaS3U9waYGt12CC9qdkcZI52UxEdOQxHDul7JB2zjqOoCaRaRtZ7Fl4vcI3c8SdDw1Db_CHec6ey5P6rfCZcWLqwOvE9S8P4SB7FGTNl91l5WKw7oNWBocml8egiE3NsnuQ/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472352843137591426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Who (with reason) despises the day of small things?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Zechariah 4:10a</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not me, that is for sure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm taking my time these days, smelling the roses so to speak. Listening when others talk. Looking at them as they talk. Focusing on what they say and don't say. Trying not to think about my next comment as they are speaking. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is not an easy thing to do but it has been a worthwhile habit to form.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is also partnered with not interrupting others as they talk.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yes, I have the habit of both. I admit it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now I want to cease to do those two things. I realize my life is becoming crowded mentally with so many things, many good, but even many good things, when too many, are </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">well.....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">too much. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And so I am finding that those few who have God's wisdom,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">calmer lives, richer relationships, and peace that passes all understanding </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(yes, that last part is from a verse. . . .Philippians 4:7)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">are not in a hurry. They are not harried. They are not too busy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They aren't cussing, fussing, fretting, controlling others,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">stressing, ranting, or raving. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They are living life well. They are following after Jesus</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and imitating Him here, now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, I have begun, it is a small start, but a good one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As a new member at church I have opportunity to listen,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to learn who is who, how they believe,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">how they worship, how they study,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to observe how they live, how they speak,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">how they care, how they share.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is a small beginning but one I pray will </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">give me deeper roots, greater growth,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His peace, His understanding,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and Godly changes in me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pray for me, will you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Truth For Life</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Romans 11:33</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-8316622676021320682010-04-07T18:31:00.000-07:002010-04-07T18:52:22.905-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_ZRgAxTJrgZVvmUwAC7gHEQtJeoQFPP4mZhHoceJW3cjYm-5NtsVrYQbGSynYrsA0mM9_zV-Q8_JbX1Gs3Uhxf8uH1pBKMJgFyfRQdblncaaIS9FLRYHCTBneqPOaYJntejRCA/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_ZRgAxTJrgZVvmUwAC7gHEQtJeoQFPP4mZhHoceJW3cjYm-5NtsVrYQbGSynYrsA0mM9_zV-Q8_JbX1Gs3Uhxf8uH1pBKMJgFyfRQdblncaaIS9FLRYHCTBneqPOaYJntejRCA/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457573247253137026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>What could ever be better than a grandchild?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>(even our Avery whom we LOVE like crazy?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Give up?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">2</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> grandchildren!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We learned today that our daughter and son-in-love are expecting "Baby M #2"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We received a large package just as we had been told to expect to arrive <i>today</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We were to open it and then read a special email with an explanation . . . </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I found the package on our front porch as soon as I got home from work. I was alone but still I burst into <b><i>happy</i></b> tears when I saw the words on the packing box for I had a clue yet I couldn't believe it was true and I had to wait until my husband was home. Sent a text message to husband asking him if his deposition was over . . . and kept waiting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Husband arrived home an hour later and I had him read the special email as I set the unopened package before us and we opened it together - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to find a large box of newborn disposable diapers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Diapers? Newborn sized diapers?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We have been officially assigned the task of personally delivering them to Nairobi upon the birth of their second child. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Will we deliver them? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">ABSOLUTELY!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>I will sing for joy at the work of Your hands.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Psalm 92:4</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-15903448859803659082010-04-04T13:22:00.000-07:002010-04-04T13:44:45.821-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcywpglbD0G6LUR-WIMNcrbxPRYSKs7VgX1iWMQn327yiyO97XpCl4KVfwoMpnF7P1sLuJQ6_QoV5B2d99fpfSBai9cRjTOy3OVJMMGt8GKRZN4WfTIF7BkZMKQqmTBiAqhwYSA/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcywpglbD0G6LUR-WIMNcrbxPRYSKs7VgX1iWMQn327yiyO97XpCl4KVfwoMpnF7P1sLuJQ6_QoV5B2d99fpfSBai9cRjTOy3OVJMMGt8GKRZN4WfTIF7BkZMKQqmTBiAqhwYSA/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456382294692436882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He is risen!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He is risen indeed!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"The early Christians did not invent the empty tomb and the meetings or sightings of the risen Jesus..... Nobody was expecting this king of thing; no kind of conversion experience would have invented it.... To suggest otherwise is to stop doing history and enter into a fantasy world of our own. "</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is the good news which we have received,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in which we stand,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and by which we are saved,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">if we hold it fast:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that he was buried, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that he was raised on the third day,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and that he appeared first to the women,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">then to the Twelve,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and to many faithful witnesses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We believe that Jesus is the Messiah,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the Son of the living God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He is the first and the last,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the beginning and the end;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He is our Lord and our God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In Christ the world is gifted, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in Him the world is graced;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in Christ our hearts are lifted,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">through Him we see God's face!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">By Christ we're blessed with mercy;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">with Him we live in joy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Come, now, and sing His praises;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for Him your lives employ!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These are but a few items that we sang, read aloud, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">or prayed in our church service this morning. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was a grande celebration and rejoicing on this resurrection Sunday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May we continue to celebrate His resurrection </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">by the way we speak, work, play, share, love, and care.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is risen!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is risen indeed!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have been crucified with Christ;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and it is no longer I who live,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but Christ lives in me;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and the life which I now live in the flesh</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I live by faith in the Son of God,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who loved me and gave Himself up for me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Galatians 2:20</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-24925990825160619932010-04-03T17:03:00.000-07:002010-04-03T17:43:24.382-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fl7t5Am-NnoxkPDCAwB4RUtbS5174ByNp27ixuvWXtfYEdEkH5qXltmOpzf1a8J3V0-nzLEjQE8FQc492k9oAd7a3U0ImjFtF8BVTus1bcaB-pDVWp6l5AvZRnhngp39dQnqg/s1600/it-is-finished-closebible-gif.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fl7t5Am-NnoxkPDCAwB4RUtbS5174ByNp27ixuvWXtfYEdEkH5qXltmOpzf1a8J3V0-nzLEjQE8FQc492k9oAd7a3U0ImjFtF8BVTus1bcaB-pDVWp6l5AvZRnhngp39dQnqg/s200/it-is-finished-closebible-gif.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456067091472063714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">it is finished. . . </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter is nigh,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we await the hours to pass until the dawn breaks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have participated in a prayer vigil </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for our church,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">our ministers, the members, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the ministries within the church,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the ministries that connect with our community,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the missionaries local and global,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and for those who will attend church tomorrow,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">perhaps one of the few times they enter a local church building.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord, give us all ears to hear </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">& respond to the message </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">of this most holy of days,</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter will have arrived.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have anxiously anticipated this year's Easter </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">with daily Lenten devotions and journaling </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">which has made the season more blessed, more joyful, and rich.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have savored more of the days since Ash Wednesday,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">appreciating the dark days, the rainy days,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the signs of new growth on trees, flowering bulbs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">peeking up out of the dark soil,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">sounds of birds singing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">kids playing outdoors,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and sun on my face that is warm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our traditions are simpler now that the kids are grown</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Attending church on Easter is <i>the</i> highlight for us now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lunch with local family is valued more each year as we </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">lose family members one by one to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And we have also added a few, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">new little sweet faces,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">some will be near, some far,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">one is very far away, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but all are close to our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">hearts</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and in our shared prayers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Easter is also the high point in our faith calendar,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">it is the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">HOPE</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> filled celebration that makes </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">a expresses our great joy and gratefulness for the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">relationship with the God of the universe</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that is now possible and practical</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Christ is the resurrection and the life....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He offers us life eternal,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">life with all the richness, depth, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and fullness possible. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Life as we long for it, seek it, and attempt to achieve.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And He offers it to us in community,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He with the Father and the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">us with them, and with fellow believers: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in our church body,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in our family's, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in our neighborhoods,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">at our place of work, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in our interest groups.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Life includes ups, downs, births, deaths,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">success, failure, heartache, heartbreaks,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">joys unspeakable, tears, laughter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">duty, service, pleasure, and pain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Life is best when lived as one</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">follows the Master,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shares with fellow believers,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">welcomes in new believers,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and shares with non believers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He has placed eternity in our hearts. . . </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and He offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May your Easter be one of great joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in your heart, soul, mind, and strength!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With gratefulness to God for what He has done </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">through Christ Jesus</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And for anticipation in what He has planned that is yet to come.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is risen!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">He is risen indeed!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><b>Truth For Life</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus said to her,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am the resurrection and the life. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He who believes in me will live,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">even though he dies;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and whoever lives </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and believes in me will never die</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">John 11:25-26</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-71862959531016174802010-03-22T18:53:00.000-07:002010-03-23T05:28:16.332-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2B6-Bt1msB90-NFkgxOrPANfKduwOn-fR1tg_5bUmEXLNfGfpDauQZ1hcV9zMwX-j4b6mA3SgbmF4TSSUd4Hw3VzVBf61Rim4leJNhuHku-R3OX5UCsH-EGw2wQkVQh1a980AA/s1600-h/poems-about-life-changes.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2B6-Bt1msB90-NFkgxOrPANfKduwOn-fR1tg_5bUmEXLNfGfpDauQZ1hcV9zMwX-j4b6mA3SgbmF4TSSUd4Hw3VzVBf61Rim4leJNhuHku-R3OX5UCsH-EGw2wQkVQh1a980AA/s200/poems-about-life-changes.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451667986196257426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Changes</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the long and the short of it</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(but more of the long of it)</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My husband and I have made a move we never anticipated, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we never planned,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">it has been painful, difficult, and awkward for me</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I think I am going through the stages of grief</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I really do</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We have just transferred our membership to a different church </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">after being part of one for 31 years.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When I recognized a change was immediately ahead I became anxious inwardly due to our numerous connections over decades, the comfort of the known, the traditions we'd long loved, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">the service in the body of Christ that God had gifted and equipped us for, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the history we had shared, a place of belonging</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was inwardly looking backwards even as we moved forward outwardly</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That is not easy to do, nor safe to do</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That is not the way to live as a Christ follower.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have had to recognize I was learning another trust lesson</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I asked myself as I thought about my feelings </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- did I honestly think God had no place of service in this new church?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(I had those thoughts, fleeting, but I did have them)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> So after asking myself 'what is troubling your soul, girl? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I recognized the grief and lack of faith I felt</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so I literally held out my hands, palms up and offered up all those concerns:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">my service, my gifting, the things I had come to adore doing in the body of Christ,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">my familiar place of worship, friends, service, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(everything I knew I valued) to Him as an act of faith</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had to face thoughts, hidden ones I had not yet realized, thoughts that weren't true:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Did I honestly think, that I would be set on a shelf forever forgotten, unneeded,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or now that we were 'new' in a church, become forever an "unknown"?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">not</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> truth, I know this - </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">yet I can't see what is ahead clearly, no one can</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and I <i>have</i> been asked to serve using my gifting, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>which took my breath away and gave me a glimmer of hope</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(I praise Him for the hope given to me)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but as yet nothing is clear or certain or planned, and so I wait.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Telling myself to trust. He gave me a place before,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He is able to do so again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I want to be a part OF this new body - like <i>yesterday</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but more than that I want it to be in God's time, His way, His leading,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not my emotions, my needs to belong, etc.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">We are willing to take time to watch, observe, listen, learn, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">and get the feel of a new-to-us church. . . </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to be a part of this body. . . </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to learn who is gifted in what, to enjoy their service,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to thank God for their examples</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tonight I had a moment of grief, I've shed tears, again.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I realize that I long for a friend or two in our new-to-us church</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have precious friends, especially two or three dear sisters-in-Christ at our former church</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we are still in touch, but we don't regularly meet due to our different locations of worship now</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am waiting for the new ones I shall find in our new-to-us church.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm doing my part, honest!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm watching, smiling, talking, inquiring of others, offering to assist, waiting, and giving God time.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We've been in this transition since mid-October when we ceased attending our former church.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God had indeed led us, we realized that immediately</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We have attended their 'potential members' classes and learned what they believe, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and what they ask of their members. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We readily welcome the call to be disciples of Christ, to attend church regularly, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">no matter where we are on a Sunday, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to be readers of God's Word, pray-ers, servers within the church, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to be in fellowship with people within the church, and within our community,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to be mission minded near and far</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is a setting we have longed for </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- I did not know we would experience this in America. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I really did not. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But God did.....</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have a new sense of deep gratitude for God leading us </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to this place that feels more like home to me </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">than any church I've ever been a member of to this point in my life.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Testing 1, 2, 3.....?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A few years ago we were asked to consider move </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to another city in our state for my husband's work, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was ready to make that transition even then as we were already feeling restless, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I realized then that it would not have been terribly painful to move elsewhere </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">as our roots were not deep within the church. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was grieved to recognize this. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And the move did not happen. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now I wonder if it wasn't a 'test'. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">I knew then that God would be in the move, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">He would lead us to a new church home. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">He would lead us to friends through the new church, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">new neighborhood, and new places of work. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So while we did not move our physical belongings then, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>God gave me a chance to consider the possibility.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our move is a transfer to another place of worship within our city. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I know others do this, have done it and lived to thrive. I'm just not 'there' yet.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm in the faith stage. . . trusting without seeing, believing without experiencing. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today I read this quote in our new church's Daily Devotions for the Lenten Season </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">which says it well for all of us, wherever we find ourselves in the midst of changes: inward or outward.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Wherever you go, God is sending you, </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>wherever you are, God has put you there; </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>He has a purpose in your being there. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through you where you are. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Believe this and go in His grace and love and peace. </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Rev. Richard C. Halverson</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So dear friends of our former church, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we do not leave our friendships behind, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">we're worshipping just a few blocks away </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:medium;">from where we used to meet with you. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We love you, always will. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We look forward to running into you in stores, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">restaurants, parks, on Facebook, etc. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And to our future new friends - </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I look forward to the time I begin to recognize who you are. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am ready to walk life in Christ with you. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope to introduce you to my friends of the past decades</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I can't wait to learn from you and to share with you. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I will love you always, too.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Truths For Life</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was glad when they said to me,</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Let us go to the house of the LORD."</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem,</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jerusalem, that is build as a city that is compact together;</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An ordinance for Israel -- to give thanks to the name of the LORD.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For there thrones were set for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pray for the peace of Jerusalem</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May they prosper who love you.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May peace be within your palaces.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>For the sake of my brothers and my friends,</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>I will now say, "May peace be within you."</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>I will seek your good.</i></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Psalm 122</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-69587025076208521062010-03-19T19:09:00.000-07:002010-03-19T19:11:40.927-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE_OiiPyMIAwVYXsjm3rDNII1wcMyifTq5IY5JvzmLin25cse61IkdgEgDYaagZ9bA4pt5xH6OMCprnSZUUsO7KpceB3bJhRGMLomoHwHMlktRWYzLdf3fHqm6pyQCy_JsZyA8A/s1600-h/draft_lens2372454module13497671photo_1238813265daffodils.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE_OiiPyMIAwVYXsjm3rDNII1wcMyifTq5IY5JvzmLin25cse61IkdgEgDYaagZ9bA4pt5xH6OMCprnSZUUsO7KpceB3bJhRGMLomoHwHMlktRWYzLdf3fHqm6pyQCy_JsZyA8A/s200/draft_lens2372454module13497671photo_1238813265daffodils.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450532834791368386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Spring is peeking out . . . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got some plans for a new post. . . I'll be back this weekend to publish it. Do come back soon!</div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-63221233065977116802010-02-14T11:57:00.000-08:002010-02-14T12:38:39.361-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomLObstely27GvcT-lEemrowa-wxYbGrl-havEwPRR8ngQ33GOamPZ-rjykGHEHcHMhbztMgLefIMfzn4JJrIjBypz_crAyE84Zt-t8JxXE_4hsgA74ouM4E1qCkWKJEKxC27ug/s1600-h/Valentines-Day.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomLObstely27GvcT-lEemrowa-wxYbGrl-havEwPRR8ngQ33GOamPZ-rjykGHEHcHMhbztMgLefIMfzn4JJrIjBypz_crAyE84Zt-t8JxXE_4hsgA74ouM4E1qCkWKJEKxC27ug/s200/Valentines-Day.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438191560865571586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"Won't you Be My Valentine?"</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>takes on deeper meaning </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>when one looks into the person for whom this day is named</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Valentine was a man of long ago who shared his faith in Jesus Christ at a time</div><div style="text-align: center;">when it was illegal to publicly profess such faith. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And as a result, he was executed on February 14th.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His message was expressing a belief in Jesus, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and the love of God seen in Jesus Christ</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He understood he was loved by God through Jesus Christ.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We share our love for one another if we are truly</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the spirit of St. Valentine because God loves us first</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we understand enough to be gripped</div><div style="text-align: center;">by that truth and respond to it, embracing a faith</div><div style="text-align: center;">in which God sent Jesus</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We can learn of this love in His book, the Bible. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Its a journey into all kinds of possibilities.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If we want to know where God does His best</div><div style="text-align: center;">work in transforming our lives, </div><div style="text-align: center;">look no further than taking in the words of His book </div><div style="text-align: center;">but do so with open eyes and heart</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Words in His book are truly the Words of life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eternal Words. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Man's words are not eternal, they will pass, as will our candy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">cards, and flowers, which are expressions of our love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And yet there is much more to this day for expressing our love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God loves us - we often stop there. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But He loves us too much to allow usto stay the way we are. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He plans to grow us up to the image of His Son Jesus Christ</div><div style="text-align: center;">so we can be His image on earth to love Him, and to fellow man.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">it is a process that begins on earth and is completed when we </div><div style="text-align: center;">meet Jesus face to face in heaven or upon His return to earth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is plenty of growth and change yet to come in our lives. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We will not become mature on our own;</div><div style="text-align: center;">but as we mature we can begin to see God in the world </div><div style="text-align: center;">and see that as an invitation to join Him in His work</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Worship is focused upon God </div><div style="text-align: center;">and includes being engaged in the lives of other believers </div><div style="text-align: center;">to wrestle with God and what He calls us to in scripture</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are able to love because He first loved us - </div><div style="text-align: center;">we come to love the God and the overflow of that love will be seen</div><div style="text-align: center;">in our love for fellow man:</div><div style="text-align: center;">those who believe, those who have yet to believe,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and those who will refuse to believe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That my friend, is what St. Valentine represented.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So shower God's love upon those you love,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and upon those who need love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Truth For Life</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>One of them, a lawyer, asked Him (Jesus) a question, testing Him,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>And He said to him,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>"This is the greatest and foremost commandment.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>"The second is like it,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>"On these two commandments depend</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>the whole Law and the Prophets."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i>Matthew 22:35-40</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-26385648814802270552010-02-08T17:19:00.000-08:002010-02-08T18:16:01.728-08:00<p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Tea Time </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in Las Vegas</span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas with my husband </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and while he was busy at his work related seminar </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I met up with a tea friend I've only known through our online tea group</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> theteafriends@yahoogroups.com </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After a morning and early afternoon of shopping 'our' kind of stores:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">TJMaxx, Stein Mart, Big Lots!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we wrapped up our time together by enjoying afternoon tea at a new tea spot. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Its one that if you are <i><b>ever</b></i> in Las Vegas and you enjoy afternoon tea. . . </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">you <b>must</b> plan to have tea here, if not that, plan breakfast or lunch! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The place?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why the tea room at S<b>imple Elegance In Cake Design</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3655 South Durango</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">South of Spring Mountain Road</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Las Vegas, NV 89147</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">vegasweddingcakes.com</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is easy to find and oh, so worth the time to make a reservation!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KN2CRv8Q956_vxFj2yDmGGzF_iRNT1GKNwrAYL3-mr4A4kxxPI_Tpc9U9xHnHin6kvPTNc_F5eKd5XBLaskQajdaT0gxtv-rs0HMl3Fu3ly1f-je2PJxF0wa9CeqvokwECw_4A/s1600-h/about_r1_c1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KN2CRv8Q956_vxFj2yDmGGzF_iRNT1GKNwrAYL3-mr4A4kxxPI_Tpc9U9xHnHin6kvPTNc_F5eKd5XBLaskQajdaT0gxtv-rs0HMl3Fu3ly1f-je2PJxF0wa9CeqvokwECw_4A/s200/about_r1_c1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436054216027942610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Look inside! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are 2 views. . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8JZt_o9NvomrEldsDtYyYmHnDVXc9sm1N-qonu3O9bucwGpk5SiynV2IeohscyA8hgmR0-QYQAQ3wl4onk73la9JFnurcluF3QEWn5P6FjidhM0V4L9q4ZBpTTWmWyJ06fCVBw/s1600-h/DSC02603.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8JZt_o9NvomrEldsDtYyYmHnDVXc9sm1N-qonu3O9bucwGpk5SiynV2IeohscyA8hgmR0-QYQAQ3wl4onk73la9JFnurcluF3QEWn5P6FjidhM0V4L9q4ZBpTTWmWyJ06fCVBw/s200/DSC02603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053703809483266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DqtIdCxJKMsd-c83Bf1tolXLalOMIGgTpgAkrJ4um47PZ7E0ERSIs13WyZxaHnRz_uobXIMMSYLejLRPvGPsUBst0w0bqkJdulTQh0c7GO7CVL29Og2ADv0bdtOhRYttVqX47w/s1600-h/DSC02580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DqtIdCxJKMsd-c83Bf1tolXLalOMIGgTpgAkrJ4um47PZ7E0ERSIs13WyZxaHnRz_uobXIMMSYLejLRPvGPsUBst0w0bqkJdulTQh0c7GO7CVL29Og2ADv0bdtOhRYttVqX47w/s200/DSC02580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053692703999218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My place setting, my napkin was already</div><div style="text-align: center;">in my lap, in case you are wondering</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s5CD6VUfb6AyVLRAiklFtNwQXYyHfcyBBbRkZ51gNkE0V73H1scE1OLwiWK9BcMLbxB5VKhknKKPyfF-LWLxIhKLx4XefYrF1SzOfzKi17yhkIn7TeQXBRRpTc8cKuhMbgVbpA/s1600-h/DSC02579.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s5CD6VUfb6AyVLRAiklFtNwQXYyHfcyBBbRkZ51gNkE0V73H1scE1OLwiWK9BcMLbxB5VKhknKKPyfF-LWLxIhKLx4XefYrF1SzOfzKi17yhkIn7TeQXBRRpTc8cKuhMbgVbpA/s200/DSC02579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053683427580018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A just poured cup, our host poured</div><div style="text-align: center;">each and every cup we sipped</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pv8of83i8hzBm2nmZUwSPdNI1b25xHtUYeoo-kjikcjqGuoSiTI0g9SmGKoE2NOD-oA_O9wKXOHrcuPPHR4gCsFm8zSfwT0TxiPQyirsCGtHK1S6HGxsvNLk-RFYO_OXgE-xLQ/s1600-h/DSC02583.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pv8of83i8hzBm2nmZUwSPdNI1b25xHtUYeoo-kjikcjqGuoSiTI0g9SmGKoE2NOD-oA_O9wKXOHrcuPPHR4gCsFm8zSfwT0TxiPQyirsCGtHK1S6HGxsvNLk-RFYO_OXgE-xLQ/s200/DSC02583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053338739011602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My tea needed just a drop of honey and it, too, </div><div style="text-align: center;">was served by the host,Dane Barthea</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH6EYOjsihlVB9SytXtQQU7MLp-7OIc1j3DHW5fKPvJK9VniHxbxWAHVwJMe5nBqvHLDVyHWmFPXXtjqZVRuF5YKOtAZAv8sT4pgXbTGr1P91K1j7jgri9vfDYlBb8rgCeKR1DQ/s1600-h/DSC02587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH6EYOjsihlVB9SytXtQQU7MLp-7OIc1j3DHW5fKPvJK9VniHxbxWAHVwJMe5nBqvHLDVyHWmFPXXtjqZVRuF5YKOtAZAv8sT4pgXbTGr1P91K1j7jgri9vfDYlBb8rgCeKR1DQ/s200/DSC02587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053335185824178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The honey was served from the cutest honey bee server!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iDZSG_fRt7j-_eQWCtWulCcTRuTEduoM6k6-CSLvGTk_m7B91pRFbrYx1WU-BBKIYJ4q9k6Kuf-ZOnHlZTR5WknfrmdFuyTd2PpwQnkjWzZtauVjGdk6GrKMegKwMRerJzoO7Q/s1600-h/DSC02601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iDZSG_fRt7j-_eQWCtWulCcTRuTEduoM6k6-CSLvGTk_m7B91pRFbrYx1WU-BBKIYJ4q9k6Kuf-ZOnHlZTR5WknfrmdFuyTd2PpwQnkjWzZtauVjGdk6GrKMegKwMRerJzoO7Q/s200/DSC02601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053328789802786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The tea sandwiches!</div><div style="text-align: center;">They included chicken salad, egg salad, cucumber,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> sausage roll, and salmon mousse and </div><div style="text-align: center;">were served with grace and style</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHhwYDYcUVf6LNiBtiNmYrb0IrAcxKHmsodagoH3DhhaOrmP1WDveLnk79Q7mKH2R1rWt1t9DYS4PZeyAhDxOH3pTp2j0YUVWhdJfNZXWGffG7XK1daRMYeYYVIKgu-GSEQerA/s1600-h/DSC02584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHhwYDYcUVf6LNiBtiNmYrb0IrAcxKHmsodagoH3DhhaOrmP1WDveLnk79Q7mKH2R1rWt1t9DYS4PZeyAhDxOH3pTp2j0YUVWhdJfNZXWGffG7XK1daRMYeYYVIKgu-GSEQerA/s200/DSC02584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053320375164674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">a close up of the selection,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so many to choose from</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil980sYGAT0U9Dl35a6fqnSJYN7Mr9s23DAdhX4w6aSA_TpcGVS9vbJSQqqtsKQZQXjt2NyjP0ucRPNHKhMSL-zrlrtIwM1ammLkO0xoTwGxIFT1-AxBGlVr3n0ZcC_7wtEdOilQ/s1600-h/DSC02585.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil980sYGAT0U9Dl35a6fqnSJYN7Mr9s23DAdhX4w6aSA_TpcGVS9vbJSQqqtsKQZQXjt2NyjP0ucRPNHKhMSL-zrlrtIwM1ammLkO0xoTwGxIFT1-AxBGlVr3n0ZcC_7wtEdOilQ/s200/DSC02585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436053315351158546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and then it was time for freshly baked, warm scones!</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were baked with love. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We each were served two, one heart shaped</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-aDnaFwG4llN9yTb-jLrz2Vf-EAdLNuG7vJ8v2wGKprNkHlhu7YvHr4NFk78npsHOhjKi_JqQFNcjsCwiDO07X1TvRoy8rHqntpc8wkpPwvs95caqpdsdKqGUnCU9GQHemC8xg/s1600-h/DSC02593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-aDnaFwG4llN9yTb-jLrz2Vf-EAdLNuG7vJ8v2wGKprNkHlhu7YvHr4NFk78npsHOhjKi_JqQFNcjsCwiDO07X1TvRoy8rHqntpc8wkpPwvs95caqpdsdKqGUnCU9GQHemC8xg/s200/DSC02593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436052121065526002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and scones are not complete with out</div><div style="text-align: center;">very berry jam, lemon and lime curds, and 'devonshire cream'</div><div style="text-align: center;">all made by our host</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvMGKU52hEa5V5_pKtivSG2Q2ggL79IcVp7pNu8IWG9O0jnrhcDXiZIsErrBO65Du4GeFaWu8bih0bPCcCJjEm1_j12zEAjIMW6gF9B72jwyM42liEmbNaLWmBABmiOq0s6JywA/s1600-h/DSC02588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvMGKU52hEa5V5_pKtivSG2Q2ggL79IcVp7pNu8IWG9O0jnrhcDXiZIsErrBO65Du4GeFaWu8bih0bPCcCJjEm1_j12zEAjIMW6gF9B72jwyM42liEmbNaLWmBABmiOq0s6JywA/s200/DSC02588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436052111566927602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">when we were about to say 'no more!' </div><div style="text-align: center;">our host brought forth the sweet treats of:</div><div style="text-align: center;">praline pecan cheesecake oval,</div><div style="text-align: center;">rum bread pudding,</div><div style="text-align: center;">mini-palmiers with a swirl of his buttercream icing </div><div style="text-align: center;">(the icing was for our tasting - we had asked</div><div style="text-align: center;">to try his own recipe for his cakes)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and there were delicious heart pastries </div><div style="text-align: center;">filled with something that escapes my memory,</div><div style="text-align: center;">too many taste sensations, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was on overload! (but smiling!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-HLPzySoubzYTwQB9iVR27jbcbyMQdJzkw5EAsFnyeCdY2mlNwIrgX-Ybi-5b9rrjDyCRo5jG5tqxu7FCTwE7PvC2nxTd4ldmCEJyB_dmQJxRlhYZ0YMzRfqar2KnaGD7aDJDA/s1600-h/DSC02590.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-HLPzySoubzYTwQB9iVR27jbcbyMQdJzkw5EAsFnyeCdY2mlNwIrgX-Ybi-5b9rrjDyCRo5jG5tqxu7FCTwE7PvC2nxTd4ldmCEJyB_dmQJxRlhYZ0YMzRfqar2KnaGD7aDJDA/s200/DSC02590.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436052106853792530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is Dane and my teafriend Lady Patricia</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mVO5d7rxRMDyevtVCJL8sfDez5yBrpGWrlgGPjFbQ5JjPewlLdIpNhOkBnSCZ9XS88IK3_EmM8F7hSn8H8TakqUtzujTjvQEwJI1ckrKwS9U0k1oki5vJNZcb1BqT-38fV9S9A/s1600-h/DSC02607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mVO5d7rxRMDyevtVCJL8sfDez5yBrpGWrlgGPjFbQ5JjPewlLdIpNhOkBnSCZ9XS88IK3_EmM8F7hSn8H8TakqUtzujTjvQEwJI1ckrKwS9U0k1oki5vJNZcb1BqT-38fV9S9A/s200/DSC02607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436052093329410274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And yours truly with Lady Patricia after the </div><div style="text-align: center;">delightful and simply elegant afternoon tea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cfj0CQFUf_F3EMT8QO4VuTkFJKB0Qfhu38zemlxef-x8RRla170OzOmZU3_T4DW7kXX2FJ1h0ZQDj-pUoteN3YahOxoYLcWnap1jDnZ45G8UD3vjkKQKqIrRx3V_AgBU9AZM9w/s1600-h/DSC02606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cfj0CQFUf_F3EMT8QO4VuTkFJKB0Qfhu38zemlxef-x8RRla170OzOmZU3_T4DW7kXX2FJ1h0ZQDj-pUoteN3YahOxoYLcWnap1jDnZ45G8UD3vjkKQKqIrRx3V_AgBU9AZM9w/s200/DSC02606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436052085069285250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is nothing quite like meeting a friend you have </div><div style="text-align: center;">known like a pen pal for years,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then one day, at last,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you have the occasion to meet in person!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We spoke non-talk from the moment</div><div style="text-align: center;">I exited my rental car in her driveway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We sipped cups and cups of tea, </div><div style="text-align: center;">shopped, sipped, nibbled, laughed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">compared notes, and laughed and laughed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a treasured tea time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><div style="text-align: center; ">We gave our afternoon tea at</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Simple Elegance a 4 teapot rating!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Thank you, Dane!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Truth For Life</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Peace be to you </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">friend</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s greet you </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Greet the </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">friend</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s by name.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 John 1:15</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is a second one:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More Truth For Life</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Hebrews 13:2 </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-size: 16px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">(You just knew I'd find a verse that 'fit' this occasion as usual, didn't you?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#006600;"><br /></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-44786284808262034952010-01-13T12:52:00.000-08:002010-01-13T13:30:56.480-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_rAOtvA4TtLq3n451827yGu8gUSQ9YBTlFxEMqpF9RYC8lQ9aeoyeN7g_9KiUwEoQeIaydv7JWPkK4oKe9u-zE9jGE6Owmw0tjI9IqmqvfK1wz3aFZSm02RGbHtTEmbupYmX2w/s1600-h/jigsawpuzzlepieces.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_rAOtvA4TtLq3n451827yGu8gUSQ9YBTlFxEMqpF9RYC8lQ9aeoyeN7g_9KiUwEoQeIaydv7JWPkK4oKe9u-zE9jGE6Owmw0tjI9IqmqvfK1wz3aFZSm02RGbHtTEmbupYmX2w/s200/jigsawpuzzlepieces.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426332148220320914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Do you find reading</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">much less studying the Bible </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">puzzling?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I did for the most part until I learned how to study my Bible. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I did not see how things related to one another </div><div style="text-align: center;">within a chapter of a book of the Bible, </div><div style="text-align: center;">much less how one book related to another, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a puzzle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt I had a box of puzzle pieces without a photo to look at </div><div style="text-align: center;">so I could begin to seek for someone or something </div><div style="text-align: center;">to help me find what the picture was to become.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you been there, too?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It helps to think of reading the Bible or a portion of the Bible </div><div style="text-align: center;">as you would handle a jigsaw puzzle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First things first. . . </div><div style="text-align: center;">what would you first do? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'd dump out the pieces on a table, turn them right side up and then. . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">then you'd look for the corners and edge pieces.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In scripture there are things you want to look for first:</div><div style="text-align: center;">people</div><div style="text-align: center;">places</div><div style="text-align: center;">things</div><div style="text-align: center;">&</div><div style="text-align: center;">events</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Make a list of them, if not on paper, in your head. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then you would look the pieces of the puzzle over carefully again </div><div style="text-align: center;">and look for the pieces whose color and design printed upon them were similar</div><div style="text-align: center;">(focus on each chapter individually)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You would then look at those separate groupings </div><div style="text-align: center;">and see if the groups parts fit together and you'd fit together what you could</div><div style="text-align: center;">(how do the chapters flow from one to the other)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then you might begin to see which groups are possibly connecting to other groups</div><div style="text-align: center;">(what is the picture within the chapters of the book?)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bit by bit you would see order taking place</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'd see differences, connections, and similarities</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And a picture would begin to form that shows parts and the bigger picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'd really need the picture but you could complete the puzzle if you took extra time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And it would be more successful if you shared this experience, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It would be more fun, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you'd see things come together </div><div style="text-align: center;">and appreciate they things others saw that you had not.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So this can occur in Bible study & reading of the scriptures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That said, consider joining a group online, or better yet, </div><div style="text-align: center;">in your local church or community </div><div style="text-align: center;">to study a book within the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The study method I learned to use to step by step </div><div style="text-align: center;">put together an understanding</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the Bible and its books </div><div style="text-align: center;">is the inductive study method.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Want to learn more?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The best to-date study program I've found is</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://precept.org">Precept Ministries</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can find local classes from their website or click on the right column logo </div><div style="text-align: center;">on my page to find classes in Tulsa, Oklahoma.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll get "the picture" through their studies, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't recommend them highly enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After 20 years, I'm still studying with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Try it and let me know what you discover!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can't find a class? Learn <a href="http://www.precept.org/site/PageServer?pagename=brd_PFL_overview">online</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">or order their book <a href="http://store.precept.org/p-358-how-to-study-your-bible.aspx">How To Study Your Bible</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(or find it at Amazon or your local bookstore)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>Truth For Life</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">How can a young man keep his way pure?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">By guarding it according to your word.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">With my whole heart I seek you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">let me not wander from your commandments!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I have stored up your word in my heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">that I might not sin against you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Blessed are you, O LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">teach me your statutes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">With my lips I declare </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">all the rules of your mouth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">In the way of your testimonies I delight</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">as much as in all riches.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I will meditate on your precepts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">and fix my eyes on your ways.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I will delight in your statues</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">I will not forget your word.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Psalm 119:9-16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-41651522239342550072010-01-05T20:27:00.001-08:002010-01-05T20:54:02.419-08:00<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-oYNtg8Gf6Op4qSdGYIdx2HM7uIuoSB1Wn7M3PKlRBDG2Fjf-3QUYvCAxFh9TOVQ5fizT1D43jDIRnBTiEhmIG5uLZObgYQSs8DnXbnSWiwZQkHuFy7dfd-ug4nrQ8jT7RRhgg/s1600-h/HappyBirthdayhellokittylike.gif"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-oYNtg8Gf6Op4qSdGYIdx2HM7uIuoSB1Wn7M3PKlRBDG2Fjf-3QUYvCAxFh9TOVQ5fizT1D43jDIRnBTiEhmIG5uLZObgYQSs8DnXbnSWiwZQkHuFy7dfd-ug4nrQ8jT7RRhgg/s200/HappyBirthdayhellokittylike.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423478946216902738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Our sweet granddaughter is now 2!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">We are excited to celebrate her birthday. . . </div><div style="text-align: center; ">here is a quick scan of nearly 1 to 2</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CWvXsgTjDfDn8S5X41fBxTpFTdEfE3TmwKwmnKHOPQEGnWyXhaJ3qkUNs3EdaGvH4lP8nA_LbfRFdxhSP8V2o4b2gv6rQX3yuuC2VK7oby3nT_SzXN91iEsEznRppIgfj3W_3w/s1600-h/cutebackshot.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CWvXsgTjDfDn8S5X41fBxTpFTdEfE3TmwKwmnKHOPQEGnWyXhaJ3qkUNs3EdaGvH4lP8nA_LbfRFdxhSP8V2o4b2gv6rQX3yuuC2VK7oby3nT_SzXN91iEsEznRppIgfj3W_3w/s200/cutebackshot.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484525656389282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LYtQ9RWGZd9bG7P9r7Yv82bnvp3kWEQmI3rMcG9FE4uC0mW4c7EyBwcf05aTlMRqm-frpe5BxbkEjvR30RvN_bKzXlkBcQR9wHyLJrhiKJU7t8poSXNhYLh-Kph5jiIDt1PEOg/s1600-h/impishgrin.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LYtQ9RWGZd9bG7P9r7Yv82bnvp3kWEQmI3rMcG9FE4uC0mW4c7EyBwcf05aTlMRqm-frpe5BxbkEjvR30RvN_bKzXlkBcQR9wHyLJrhiKJU7t8poSXNhYLh-Kph5jiIDt1PEOg/s200/impishgrin.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484331577975554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMfPkHBZVFTKFg77ifaPNO7-rscF-JSeAQVGY0uwFu9J6lkYvMIfphC-FakQwZhF2Krjr2PjOduodBIry6NB1ke6CX8F1e3K8DrP5fhZgISaF9FYGr1WEbZaKrlU1xbLM1ADghA/s1600-h/crawling.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMfPkHBZVFTKFg77ifaPNO7-rscF-JSeAQVGY0uwFu9J6lkYvMIfphC-FakQwZhF2Krjr2PjOduodBIry6NB1ke6CX8F1e3K8DrP5fhZgISaF9FYGr1WEbZaKrlU1xbLM1ADghA/s200/crawling.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484325053335954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV8eXvna79HgFw1mlaEPwpGFKh5h_PuqeV2ggGKUdCPixDjKnEGbHwWqlfutve9AYV4iYxWA13MwRSK6brue-4U7O9AOd3wwElFrDcMMX0kfZ3vWQOcLvkAqnRUTCFXbRIRHBNQ/s1600-h/cruising.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV8eXvna79HgFw1mlaEPwpGFKh5h_PuqeV2ggGKUdCPixDjKnEGbHwWqlfutve9AYV4iYxWA13MwRSK6brue-4U7O9AOd3wwElFrDcMMX0kfZ3vWQOcLvkAqnRUTCFXbRIRHBNQ/s200/cruising.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484322469345650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCV5lXNyKHQwDtTgHe6IiSXW8k8tvFnWDntq5-XQ-pREBhSnC1UfpBcNmwH_CUY0aoQqPgr2zcIGtKi9IgIXcPrSWp_W_SvypBbiUX6a8licnkHVcjL4vk1fP1aBfR8Iqx2HNjg/s1600-h/laughing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCV5lXNyKHQwDtTgHe6IiSXW8k8tvFnWDntq5-XQ-pREBhSnC1UfpBcNmwH_CUY0aoQqPgr2zcIGtKi9IgIXcPrSWp_W_SvypBbiUX6a8licnkHVcjL4vk1fP1aBfR8Iqx2HNjg/s200/laughing.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484316222747266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN6mT16-RRP7qqgcU6rboMoEoN8ow3hu-1-zyzmrFI7svyvOCQ1jPgSUIaacpO1-0TyFc0v7mEaJUczfCtlqGuhbaGeoZfttct4qLgno0tPKZOLh73mNBXMKQofoXx5J2Y70kbA/s1600-h/walking+at+her+1st+christmas.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN6mT16-RRP7qqgcU6rboMoEoN8ow3hu-1-zyzmrFI7svyvOCQ1jPgSUIaacpO1-0TyFc0v7mEaJUczfCtlqGuhbaGeoZfttct4qLgno0tPKZOLh73mNBXMKQofoXx5J2Y70kbA/s200/walking+at+her+1st+christmas.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423484313262651538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLelm2zq2oyN4olf1wlEIILtEhu-yhbuhj3SkJlBO2YGLEku4gEcTiOHOUckCqy9zpzk2XKHCwzeWC3hNrQxKAQ2dtabnUP7eR4rMwP4ftlC1uSQb4CrRtD1daLayF6TaZpoRMWw/s1600-h/hamingitup.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLelm2zq2oyN4olf1wlEIILtEhu-yhbuhj3SkJlBO2YGLEku4gEcTiOHOUckCqy9zpzk2XKHCwzeWC3hNrQxKAQ2dtabnUP7eR4rMwP4ftlC1uSQb4CrRtD1daLayF6TaZpoRMWw/s200/hamingitup.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423483660784336546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHx7ms5CK-GVno155qoQQxTPzPC7vQO9YlmnmxQ6leHWPm9OBJGuEE-6V5ZVtVJQECKUpMJnUds-pAMM-X2ScEfCpNDvDlB2_OgNmX6SnatUuPDck2LH_w2SkGZ4EbuPfXMV28w/s1600-h/monkeysee.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHx7ms5CK-GVno155qoQQxTPzPC7vQO9YlmnmxQ6leHWPm9OBJGuEE-6V5ZVtVJQECKUpMJnUds-pAMM-X2ScEfCpNDvDlB2_OgNmX6SnatUuPDck2LH_w2SkGZ4EbuPfXMV28w/s200/monkeysee.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423483651488834738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBvGN6PGUkgJKjaE40yzCNObHhoPDPngO_XUeNeqj7Z2_I9tpXn7MOrsrTlBFn8CgmmUUZpnF1a8PdRRUCrwTs3RqPjRNznV-oqdOMym3nXPfiqbzK0QVbmRMz-La1dMxB58OeQ/s1600-h/city+view.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBvGN6PGUkgJKjaE40yzCNObHhoPDPngO_XUeNeqj7Z2_I9tpXn7MOrsrTlBFn8CgmmUUZpnF1a8PdRRUCrwTs3RqPjRNznV-oqdOMym3nXPfiqbzK0QVbmRMz-La1dMxB58OeQ/s200/city+view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423483648800936850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdat4bY4MkkMSMVxTOdYiPjv4h7Wj88NAp0neiIJ0H34IEjdT4aqa32pgQpLxcVlfSxDH_qZSFZfPI__fL-Ojj2ngUcXEb7vazEQG_nPgo77qV8RDh79kIiFJZLXNKW66kcITMuA/s1600-h/bye+bye+malakal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdat4bY4MkkMSMVxTOdYiPjv4h7Wj88NAp0neiIJ0H34IEjdT4aqa32pgQpLxcVlfSxDH_qZSFZfPI__fL-Ojj2ngUcXEb7vazEQG_nPgo77qV8RDh79kIiFJZLXNKW66kcITMuA/s200/bye+bye+malakal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423483637995662642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rxI5MBgItNxmwtXJpCGVgFKZU1F5-Tdfr9tZXL__nyKaGg_T6sMj7NTy50NE-4e3WX7ooJ0gX4LDSadZDqlM7HgDTEnVQTQ9GrZsjYy-GiorMSYr7qIdC5LIngYHHbyv5Lu-fQ/s1600-h/avery+%26+mama.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rxI5MBgItNxmwtXJpCGVgFKZU1F5-Tdfr9tZXL__nyKaGg_T6sMj7NTy50NE-4e3WX7ooJ0gX4LDSadZDqlM7HgDTEnVQTQ9GrZsjYy-GiorMSYr7qIdC5LIngYHHbyv5Lu-fQ/s200/avery+%26+mama.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423483634115461010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-oYNtg8Gf6Op4qSdGYIdx2HM7uIuoSB1Wn7M3PKlRBDG2Fjf-3QUYvCAxFh9TOVQ5fizT1D43jDIRnBTiEhmIG5uLZObgYQSs8DnXbnSWiwZQkHuFy7dfd-ug4nrQ8jT7RRhgg/s1600-h/HappyBirthdayhellokittylike.gif"></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">Truth For Life</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The LORD bless you from Zion,<br />And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.<br />Indeed, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">may you see your children's children</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br />Peace be upon Israel!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Psalm 128:5-6</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-89022072410164080042010-01-04T17:25:00.000-08:002010-01-04T18:01:22.954-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A "Little Christmas" or </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"Ladies Christmas" Tea</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>what is this you ask? Read on. . . . . . </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNN5BLUsCMVHjd2xKkKnET2RupGyh8D8N1WRvR__AhzhBoq9eO1d__D4REEicP2M8e0EnKyqJSAZtLoLjVi7axPOetw4tANJJxyhzahi9C5qFtoH1k0LNhiwZrH9NYjWv8F6Nzg/s1600-h/DSC02502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNN5BLUsCMVHjd2xKkKnET2RupGyh8D8N1WRvR__AhzhBoq9eO1d__D4REEicP2M8e0EnKyqJSAZtLoLjVi7axPOetw4tANJJxyhzahi9C5qFtoH1k0LNhiwZrH9NYjWv8F6Nzg/s200/DSC02502.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061656759633634" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Homemade/individually wrapped chocolate marshmallows</div><div style="text-align: center;">and freshly peeled and segmented orange segments</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKCz1VgKQ2GAZRbCa1uILTAibkpxFBD3EEpWJqOa4X9381g56aR-VUF2A8T8zccQrLufMfiL13R3AIzV3WWnJMYgSrSkNoclSMxD4kLT6KVZer4w9noXhfWkDHqLvmAp2B1qkdw/s1600-h/DSC02505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKCz1VgKQ2GAZRbCa1uILTAibkpxFBD3EEpWJqOa4X9381g56aR-VUF2A8T8zccQrLufMfiL13R3AIzV3WWnJMYgSrSkNoclSMxD4kLT6KVZer4w9noXhfWkDHqLvmAp2B1qkdw/s200/DSC02505.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061652984143698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Tea sandwiches</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWbEetI2tJzFNF4PzXFQtNK6bLajV50N4_rNw_JubPsuWPMcMIbgd9wI-_be61dgPa45H-z8bn9krYWmP5rwqM-PTOnQBPJlKh3fooZh3S_oYu_pT45cg1LP05CCZj68GaubjZA/s1600-h/DSC02504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWbEetI2tJzFNF4PzXFQtNK6bLajV50N4_rNw_JubPsuWPMcMIbgd9wI-_be61dgPa45H-z8bn9krYWmP5rwqM-PTOnQBPJlKh3fooZh3S_oYu_pT45cg1LP05CCZj68GaubjZA/s200/DSC02504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061639678345570" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Cups awaiting my guests choice of beverage,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I poured for each guest</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIehkEYOw4HlLOFqyKMeJAEYq78q6MT8V3VSHjcuvbwBORy-CF2N50Xaz-niMwfSq1Aw8-QvuTcvssPXscqx3uQsmnbC6vwKoLMLZxIvJpFxQZTdVqWVElB_c95p5SJ0xecGBCxw/s1600-h/DSC02507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIehkEYOw4HlLOFqyKMeJAEYq78q6MT8V3VSHjcuvbwBORy-CF2N50Xaz-niMwfSq1Aw8-QvuTcvssPXscqx3uQsmnbC6vwKoLMLZxIvJpFxQZTdVqWVElB_c95p5SJ0xecGBCxw/s200/DSC02507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061638221672482" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">the table from one view</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowXyfh_nKYx5fDZW6Ct4i_0pX7FJPzykswlf4fMLzUuKryawe855c5p4ipDAQl7dJDrvBaUOlyqFu9mPo_PQdtGc8QFtXfyxUj6gjAZ68rBq7WDmYQgjmZGQu4RO7tdaR3OAlsA/s1600-h/DSC02506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowXyfh_nKYx5fDZW6Ct4i_0pX7FJPzykswlf4fMLzUuKryawe855c5p4ipDAQl7dJDrvBaUOlyqFu9mPo_PQdtGc8QFtXfyxUj6gjAZ68rBq7WDmYQgjmZGQu4RO7tdaR3OAlsA/s200/DSC02506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423061626894936914" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"> another view of the table</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Bookman Old Style'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A Blessing for Nollaig na mBan</span></span></b></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Bookman Old Style'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Women's Christmas </span></span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Bookman Old Style; min-height: 19.0pxcolor:#2f631a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May you always seek your spiritual star</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Away from home, whether near or far.</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May you delight in wonders unforeseen,</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And in new adventures only just begun.</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A blessing on your Epiphany tea,</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May all go well with that,</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and may all go well with you and yours</span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">in the year that lies ahead.</span></span></i></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Bookman Old Style"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"></span></span></i></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It commemorates the arrival of the Wise men. It is the final day of of the 12 Days of Christmas and is the time when seasonal decorations are to be taken down. It is also known as Little Christmas in Ireland. In Irish, Nollaig na mBan, means Women's Christmas. Traditionally the woman of the home was given one day off after the 12 days of cooking and acting as hostess for the holiday. The men would take over the household duties while the women went out with their friends. And they would head to local pubs, etc. to visit, sip, and eat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This tradition is sadly dying out, but I read about it in a post by a tea friend and decided that I would host a tea by this name for the same reason. And so I planned it, sent out the invitations, and the ladies of my neighborhood street came! We'd been snowed in by a highly unusual blizzard on Christmas Eve followed by bitter cold so we had been in home or fighting bad roads for a number of days and a time with some ladies sounded GOOD!</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Menu</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cucumber sandwiches on white rounds of bread</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cream cheese with minced spanish olives </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">on wheat bread cut into stars</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Freshly peeled and segmented Clementine oranges</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tiny cherry preserve tarts</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Snowball cookies</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Freshly made-from-scratch cream scones</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mock devonshire cream</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Apricot preserves</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Baci candy from Italy</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Baci means kiss)</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Homemade chocolate marshmallows </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(from Williams Sonoma, a gift we received)</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For the beverages choices:</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Betjeman and Barton's Christmas Tea</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Harney and Sons Christmas Black Tea</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and spiced apple cider</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b>Truth For Life</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> after Jesus was born in </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bethlehem of Judea</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> from </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the east came to Jerusalem, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">saying, "Where is he who has been born</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> king of the Jews? For we saw </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">his star when it rose </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and have come to </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">worship him." </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the Christ was to be born. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,<br /> are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;<br />for from you shall come a ruler<br /> who will </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shepherd my people Israel.'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. </span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Then, opening their treasures,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> they offered him gifts,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> gold and </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">frankincense and </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">myrrh. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> being warned</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in a dream not to return to Herod, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">they departed to their own country by another way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 2:1-12</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">P.S. Happy birthday, Avery, our Epiphany grandbaby!</span></span></span></div></i></span><p></p></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-70743295576382678782010-01-03T17:50:00.000-08:002010-01-03T18:34:03.694-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2Of_Wx9gTszvxFS__xB-yAyvGHMmbT_VMfBtR1x3IGB6fLE_PaeQ1rdBXS5gHIGD2L9y73uwiZB1EMJzmnCuuAdog-eqr6sUkK2IDvm-kQ_7N8vTwVC7TwXJ0PTweNPCNC4c5w/s1600-h/janus_small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2Of_Wx9gTszvxFS__xB-yAyvGHMmbT_VMfBtR1x3IGB6fLE_PaeQ1rdBXS5gHIGD2L9y73uwiZB1EMJzmnCuuAdog-eqr6sUkK2IDvm-kQ_7N8vTwVC7TwXJ0PTweNPCNC4c5w/s200/janus_small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422699491670765394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Welcome January!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Happy New Year!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 35, 14); "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is a new year, "twenty ten" is the phrase I hear our new year being called. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today in church we heard about the meaning of this month's name. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It can be related to the spirit of annual resolutions that abound these first weeks. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The information I have gathered this afternoon is: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their god of Gates and Doors, Janus. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A very old Italian god, Janus has a distinctive artistic appearance in that he is commonly </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">depicted with two faces...one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">while looking forward to the new. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some sources claim that Janus was characterized in such a peculiar fashion </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">due to the notion that doors and gates look in two directions. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore, the god could look both backward and forward at the same time.</span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In his role as the Guardian of Exits and Entrances, Janus was also believed to represent beginnings. The explanation for this belief being that one must emerge through a door or gate in order to enter into a new place. Therefore, the Romans also considered Janus as the god of Beginnings and his name was an obvious choice for the first month of their year...a month referred to by the Ancient Romans as </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ianuarius</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, which is not so far removed from the modern-day "January," </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">taken from the Etruscan word </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">jauna</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> which means "door." </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, as I see the beginning of this new year in light of my faith, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I take time to look back, learn from the past year, and look forward, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">making intentional plans for the year yet to unfold. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The plans will not be </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">merely</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> physical ones such as : </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">lose weight, more time with family, make better use of our finances, etc. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but deeper ones, the ones that are the rich soil </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in which all of these usual physical plans are best planted.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, my dear reader, do your plans echo mine? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm wondering. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I don't know what you have sensed as essentials for living a God centered life in 2010.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mine include:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Slower reading, meditating upon and memorization of scripture </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">as God highlights them in my portions of daily reading through the Bible.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Listening to the Word more often via podcast and CD's. . . </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">listening to the text I'm studying. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Letting God guide me to have not just a full calendar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but a meaningFUL calendar. I like that difference.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ending each day with a re-reading of the day's reading (in NASB)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but in a different translation as I drop off to sleep. (in ESV)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In other words: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want to bear more fruit </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and to make disciples and be further discipled.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">See John 15</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is a commitment written in 1785,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">read it and consider how shallow our resolutions have become.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is heavy stuff, this is deep, this is more of what Christ called us to consider:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I give myself up to your will in all things.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am no longer my own but yours. So make me what you will;</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">put me where you will, rank me with whom you will.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Put me to doing, put me to suffering.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">exalted for you or brought low for you.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me be full, let me be empty.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let me have all things, let me have nothing.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I freely and with a willing heart,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And now, O glorious and blessed </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">you are mine, and I am yours.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So be it.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And this covenant which I have made on earth,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">let it be ratified in heaven.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amen. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">John Wesley</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Truth For Life</span></b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be careful then how you live,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not as unwise people but as wise,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">making the most of your time,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">because the days are evil.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So do not be foolish,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but understand what the will of the Lord is.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians 5:15-16</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#44230E;"><br /></span></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30647656.post-74269393458337377492009-12-29T19:24:00.001-08:002009-12-29T19:48:21.738-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLsR_1S-NymgDrfJwpZ9SS-yAY3qO_hYUIrU65C12eVtMjiyRf6W61tj0mXo919zsFkjcB6Dg48c8Brnd6kwUked_ufPI8S4SUG_mNizBu45c5s_of3L1mrX0sVamJsXQuMa5bg/s1600-h/tea&bible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLsR_1S-NymgDrfJwpZ9SS-yAY3qO_hYUIrU65C12eVtMjiyRf6W61tj0mXo919zsFkjcB6Dg48c8Brnd6kwUked_ufPI8S4SUG_mNizBu45c5s_of3L1mrX0sVamJsXQuMa5bg/s200/tea&bible.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420865439591337618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A new year is ahead. . . </div><div style="text-align: center;">want your life to be transformed?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Consider reading thru the Bible </div><div style="text-align: center;">and sharing your experience with others in 2010!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Join me on facebook in the group</div><div style="text-align: center;">Read Thru the Bible</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you know:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEynXoybgqOuCmGwTgaqcqsrRYqY0BCOiAgE4gnrtakSELiRfR6rj9gomxUQTMJse99XTSgagdn1grl3tXPv2DUooiV-Pt4kJijUn7PZMUt5tn-LeIqniRjtBwq24nLyUwu_wuQ/s1600-h/bible_readthru.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEynXoybgqOuCmGwTgaqcqsrRYqY0BCOiAgE4gnrtakSELiRfR6rj9gomxUQTMJse99XTSgagdn1grl3tXPv2DUooiV-Pt4kJijUn7PZMUt5tn-LeIqniRjtBwq24nLyUwu_wuQ/s200/bible_readthru.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420865429583871954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I have read through the Bible for 17 years after my now deceased father in law challenged the grandchildren to read through the Bible that year. He offered to pay $1 per book to each child who read it through. Only one of the 4 grandchildren completed the task. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">She is now on the mission field with her husband and child. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I offered to match my father in laws offer to my children </div><div style="text-align: center;">and I thought it an opportune time to join them in the adventure </div><div style="text-align: center;">because I had never read it through before. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought them each <a href="http://www.mardel.com/god-sightings-one-year-bible-nlt-paperback.aspx">Daily reading Bibles</a> for Christmas that year </div><div style="text-align: center;">and opened my own Bible using a reading plan </div><div style="text-align: center;">I found in a Family Bible we had received when my husband and I married.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And off we went!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have continued to read through the Bible each year since. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It takes from 15 to 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week using the plan I now use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> (<a href="http://www.walkthru.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5403">Daily Walk</a> from Walk Thru The Bible ministry, a subscription) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can read through with <a href="http://www.biblepathway.org/English/InDepthDailyDev.html">Bible Pathways</a> by subscription or</div><div style="text-align: center;">by logging on daily and reading the notes online.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I share what we discover, learn, and apply all year long. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has guided us to know what to do in life, work, church, </div><div style="text-align: center;">family, marriage, finances, etc. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We consider it the best habit we have ever started.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are MANY methods offered online, </div><div style="text-align: center;">you can check my posts from last year to see some I mentioned then. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There are even podcasts that read it to you! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">www.biblegateway.com</a> you can even have the Bible </div><div style="text-align: center;">read to you via your computer a chapter at a time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So what are <b>you</b> waiting for?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If the Bible <b>IS</b> God's Word, His God-breathed message to us,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and <b>IF</b> you call Him Lord, Savior, and your God,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>when</b> will you take the time to see what He has to say?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How about in 3 days?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>T</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>ruth For Life</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Your hands made me and </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>fashioned me;<br /></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.<br /> May those who fear You </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>see me and be glad,<br /> Because I </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>wait for Your word. </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i>Psalm 119: 73, 74</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00889047101466450094noreply@blogger.com0