tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39893127905639648122024-03-19T04:24:43.174-07:00A. Knight's Tale...Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-61598667241806201502011-11-30T22:53:00.000-08:002011-11-30T22:53:05.096-08:00"The Not so Invisible God"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnjNKtmC2nFVCUfhMEzIcf-o1xTmROVyOLPr91f6JYwieCWW2ErY4QRmf6xXqXWTFyHNtb-0V3gPzT8Nw5oRcTNWlKqM8iq325JUj1Q_kUcIg5BB99pAWJBT88IhpHEb4oCpb6ILv3Mpx/s1600/IMG_0649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnjNKtmC2nFVCUfhMEzIcf-o1xTmROVyOLPr91f6JYwieCWW2ErY4QRmf6xXqXWTFyHNtb-0V3gPzT8Nw5oRcTNWlKqM8iq325JUj1Q_kUcIg5BB99pAWJBT88IhpHEb4oCpb6ILv3Mpx/s320/IMG_0649.jpg" width="240" /></a> "Sometimes when I pray I feel stupid. I feel like I'm just talking to the air or my ceiling..."As she sits across from me I listen to her vulnerable honesty about her frustrations and confusion. She goes on to explain how she's grown up knowing ABOUT God. She's ALWAYS been in church. But something was missing. As I look through her glistening eyes I see a longing to experiencing the VERY REAL, VERY PRESENT, God she has read and studied about for most of her life. I listen to her desire to know this sweet Savior more intimately and personally, but her doubt of this miraculous, unseen Father makes it seem impossible, even foolish. How does she put her faith in and give her life to someone she can't even see?<br />
I feel like we've all faced times of doubt where we have asked these very same questions. The struggles this beautiful child asks are not as "silly" or "out there" as she believes. I've met with many girls that have struggled with the same questions along their journey of faith. To which I have to reply isn't that what the journey of faith is all about... asking questions, seeking answers, and discovering just how REAL and PRESENT our LIVING God really is!<br />
Hebrews 11 tells us that "<i>Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen. It gives us assurance about things we cannot see.</i>" Faith IS believing in what we cannot see. We could never grasp faith if we never sought after and questioned that which we cannot see. I've discovered that its in my seeking that faith develops more. The more I seek, the more real He becomes to me, and the more confident I become in my own faith.<br />
Over the past few weeks I've been stuck on these verses below. Colossians 1:15 says "<i>He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God</i>" It all starts with Jesus. Jesus makes this seemingly invisible, distant, fantasy God become VERY visible, close, and incredibly real. Infact, Jesus has become the most real thing in the world to me. Jesus resembles all that God is. The gospel of John explains this so clearly. Chapter 1 says "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>He was in the beginning with God</i>" & vs 14 goes on to say<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth</i>." By humbling himself and becoming a man- He made himself accessible to us. Because of Jesus we can now encounter our loving Father God. And since Jesus is the image of the invisible, we will discover more about this wonderful King by consuming ourselves with His word! Jesus is the Word so the word is the most tangible picture of who God is. When you seek God by reading His Word the invisible suddenly becomes visible. And the more you get to know Him the more you will want to know Him. And soon you won't feel so "foolish" because He will become the only thing in this world that makes sense. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">That's all for now... enjoy discovering more about this "Not so Invisible God!" </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"So then <b>faith</b> <b>comes</b> by <b>hearing</b>, and <b>hearing</b> by the <b>WORD </b>of God" Romans 10:17</i></span></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-35203243305258356762011-07-21T23:29:00.000-07:002011-07-21T23:32:51.077-07:00God is love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NhUGHoHgyREqXIgoLVPMHpJ4OYCamg6sDE71OzzBwamTe_LAQJfxG6801tQi92AnBZaJdxn8uxBBadlzOXRjiHfIPFXVfS4xRYeLaykncR_2qeTbSfZvRdj2mz5RrvnCI-8Pfjw9NxiH/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NhUGHoHgyREqXIgoLVPMHpJ4OYCamg6sDE71OzzBwamTe_LAQJfxG6801tQi92AnBZaJdxn8uxBBadlzOXRjiHfIPFXVfS4xRYeLaykncR_2qeTbSfZvRdj2mz5RrvnCI-8Pfjw9NxiH/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This past week I read 1 John 4:8 and the last part of it just jumped off the page to me- "...for God IS love" </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now this is something I have often read, heard, and thought... but this week it was different. God IS love... It's what defines Him - his personality, his actions, his very nature. It amazes me that anything I want to know about this infinite and mighty God can be summed up in one seemingly small 4 letter word that has a meaning far deeper than I could ever begin to describe. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">LOVE....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Love- Created me. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Love- Set me free. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Love- Gave me purpose. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Love- Saved me.</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I read a quote that said "Love isn't something God does- It is who He is" </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He IS my creator, my freedom, my purpose, my Savior.... </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes:</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He IS </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">patient and kind. He is not jealous or boastful or proud</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">or rude. He does not demand His own way. He is not irritable, and He keeps no record of being wronged. He </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. He</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How beautiful is that! He keeps no record of it when I wrong Him. He is patient with me. He never loses faith in me or gives up on me. He will endure through every circumstance. He will always BE kind. Wow... </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But here's the thing...And this part really gets me sometimes.... </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> am suppsed to walk through this life as </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a reflection of Him</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. So, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">MY life should be defined by this love. </span>Love should not be something I "do"- but who I am.<br />
I've been learning through this week that there are so many people in this world that don't need you to "do" anything but just "BE love to them"<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe it's by being patient with them when they cut you off in traffic, Giving a kind smile when they need cheering up, or by forgiving even when they have clearly done something against you.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KY5WsVbUJO63LSb254Xix9UezIPpQpvfcJYuLr7XJvOFT-_r3pf_JsGj2pQwgFZ-G7Zmf13hfeSIFTQeutuLjUoBWH7N9liw1-uKxya5rmQ3HWZV4yBBBKQAYqqgwEtpmp_TX85WKxGL/s1600/230280_226616630681846_100000005315314_1009559_4502598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KY5WsVbUJO63LSb254Xix9UezIPpQpvfcJYuLr7XJvOFT-_r3pf_JsGj2pQwgFZ-G7Zmf13hfeSIFTQeutuLjUoBWH7N9liw1-uKxya5rmQ3HWZV4yBBBKQAYqqgwEtpmp_TX85WKxGL/s320/230280_226616630681846_100000005315314_1009559_4502598_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My prayer is that we would BE LOVE- everywhere we go because you never know how far it will grow! When I leave this Earth I want to leave a legacy of love. I want people to remember me as a woman who loved much and loved well. </span><br />
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</span></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-65809224480878712702011-07-01T21:58:00.001-07:002014-07-07T00:24:00.716-07:00Just a Journal Entry from today...<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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I’m sitting at Panera Bread, Brooke Fraser on my Ipod, and thinking about all the Lord has been doing in my life over the past few months. I’ve been blown away by His goodness and faithfulness! </div>
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It has never been clearer to me that He is the Great I Am. Everthing I am not, He is, and that right there is enough for me to trust in, rely on, and believe in Him. <br />
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So many times I have found myself relying on my own strength, wisdom, and ability. These past few months have continually reminded me time and time again how I can do NOTHING apart from my King Jesus. Different circumstances and situations have brought me out of my comfort zone and put me in places where I could ONLY depend on Him. I’ve been challenged, and through my struggle I have learned so much. Throughout this time I’ve never been more sure of the importance of <b><u>His presence</u></b> in my life, <b><u>His power</u></b> being made perfect in my weaknesses, and <b><u>His purpose</u></b> being fulfilled for my life. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-91346833767251280422011-07-01T04:30:00.000-07:002011-07-01T04:30:25.926-07:00Love.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The following is an expanded translation of </span></span></span><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">First Corinthians 13:4-8 by Rick Renner. A </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">friend of mine gave me a framed picture of this translation that I keep on my nightstand. Every time I read it, I'm challenged and inspired...</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;"><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 2em; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love doesn’t demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love is not ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love is not rude and discourteous — it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaMjhsBE7rZ6fbMSLnxX0XWmpAamkuUmzG2We0AbIgqiuhWB9iuy-1rs7XEdW9UnhXwGsnc8TdjtqXUwHTchGxfuyjeTxJgKC8tDcs3Ngs_dfEZkIJ1VBrUNn4qWmC-PRdKWbNSWdpsGn/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaMjhsBE7rZ6fbMSLnxX0XWmpAamkuUmzG2We0AbIgqiuhWB9iuy-1rs7XEdW9UnhXwGsnc8TdjtqXUwHTchGxfuyjeTxJgKC8tDcs3Ngs_dfEZkIJ1VBrUNn4qWmC-PRdKWbNSWdpsGn/s400/IMG_1610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-43976059997457804782011-06-28T19:18:00.000-07:002011-06-28T19:18:13.962-07:00Love for All<div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This morning I was killing some time in Starbucks reading my bible and I came across this verse. </div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i>"As for the saints who are on the earth, They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3</i></div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This verse just JUMPED off the page at me. I love how David addresses God's people as "the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." David's love for God's people is so evident here.</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I read an awesome and challenging commentary on this verse that I thought I'd share... </div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i>For many followers of Christ today are so negative about the people of God that they find themselves unable to see any 'excellence' in God's people. They are unable to 'delight in them.' David delighted in the people of God despite their failings, scandals, and embarassment. </i></div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i>How we love other believers can be an easy way of measuring our relationship with the Lord. Do we love other Christians? Do we find it good and rewarding to be with them? Do we seek their company? This is a simple test. Those who love the Lord will love the company of those who love him.</i></div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 21.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The bible is pretty clear when it comes to loving other believers.. 1 John 2:9-11 says, "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them"</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Wow.</div><div style="font: 18.0px 'Lucida Grande'; line-height: 21.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I pray we can all have a heart like David's and can see EVERYONE through eyes of love-delighting in them as children of our Heavenly Father - Not Perfect, Just Forgiven.</div><div><br />
</div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-47758537844350535652011-06-23T08:36:00.000-07:002011-06-23T08:36:50.922-07:00Anna and the KingNot too long ago I watched the movie "Anna and the King." If you haven't seen its <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">he story of the romance between the King of Siam and a widowed British schoolteacher named Anna during the 1860's. I love this movie for so many reasons, but mostly how perfect the timing was that I watched it. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Have you ever had those moments when you see God's perfect timing played out in your life. It could be through a phone call from a friend or a message you may hear at church that just seems to come to you at the exact time you needed it. It's those moments I have to stop and smile because it's like a kiss from heaven reminding me that God knows and understands everything we go through. And even if He seems absent at the time He really is right there holding our hands through everything we face. It's just a reminder of how ever present He really is!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">But back to the movie... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">There is a moment in the movie where the Anna is sharing her story with the King. Her story is one definitely marked by heartache, suffering, and trials. She had lost her husband, and had to move to Siam to take this job as a school teacher with her young son. Can you imagine having to pick up everything you know and move somewhere that you knew no one and start a new life right after losing someone like that? You could tell the King felt compassion for her and the hurt she was experiencing. But instead of just offering His condolences, the King leans down to her and says something that wrecked me. He said, <b><i>"if you hadn't gone through your suffering..... then this unique opportunity to change the world would have been someone else's."</i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">When he spoke those sweet words to her I completely lost it. I had to stop the movie, it was like the Lord himself had just whispered those words straight to my heart. Many times we don't understand why we go through the things we do. It's hard to understand why we have to walk through some of the trials we face. But in those moments I feel like the Lord is up in heaven cheering us on saying, "Endure! Endure! Endure! You can do it! You have no idea how I can use this difficult circumstance and turn it for good! It's going to change the world! You can do it! Hold your head high! I've got you! Don't loose heart! It's this moment right here that is preparing you for even greater things than you could ever imagine!!!"</span><br />
If you find yourself going through something that seems overwhelming and hard to endure remember what Hebrews 10:36 says "Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised"<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He has a plan so beautiful that it will blow your mind once you see all that He has promised fulfilled through your life. Your story will change the world!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Praying for Patient Endurance....</span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-59262964920349704522011-06-07T16:09:00.000-07:002011-06-07T16:09:59.520-07:00You Are Worth It! By: Mattie Montgomery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loved this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Never forget </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">YOU ARE WORTH IT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1sFRoWIC92I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-90695720789043878042011-05-30T00:35:00.000-07:002011-05-30T00:35:42.357-07:00Hurt... Heal.... Help!I was reading this in my Joyce Meyer "Ending Your Day Right" devotional and felt led to share it.<br />
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<i><b>"God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" Romans 5:5</b></i><br />
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</b></i><br />
<i><b>Sometimes people say or do things that hurt you, but you have the God-given ability to love these people One good way to start is by following the well-known golden rule. It isn't easy. In fact, it requires discipline. But God will help you if you really want to do it. </b></i><br />
<i><b>Discipline is your friend- it is the ability God gives you to walk in His ways. Although, it is difficult, discipline is temporary discomfort that can lead to permanent or long-term enjoyment. </b></i><br />
<i><b>It you've been hurt and learned to overcome it, you have a valuable tool to help others. God comforts us so we can comfort others. Here's the progression: We are hurt...we allow God to heal us... and we are ready to help others. Hurt...Heal... Help! It's a process that can literally change your life... and the lives of many others around you.</b></i><br />
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</i><br />
-It's easy to find ourselves stuck in our own hurt. Pain has the ability to paralyze us and actually keep us from fulfilling the call of God on our lives. I think there is comfort in knowing that God himself has provided a way past our pain.<br />
When we learn to lean on the healing power of the Holy Spirit that is already at work in us, we will find ourselves loving others past our own capabilities. It's at that moment, the moment when we love outside ourself, that our hurt is transformed to help for someone else.Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-87312990546973335782011-05-16T22:16:00.000-07:002011-05-16T22:16:36.517-07:00You're Kind of a Big Deal...<div class="tweet-row" style="color: #444444; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGBW4bUOV0wAG-Xt1LW7ujU4eqDIYHqNkTrh4fjiG4Pati24VzHWGhjfsaECGwMHoAZH6eqkEIjOUNmCwTstfiHwa6IT6Eouyp6tJYDu19AFWB9iyTybUD0rVBSozTXPi5sEoVVgIn4rr/s1600/222240_1778777021840_1011810030_31622259_5209706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGBW4bUOV0wAG-Xt1LW7ujU4eqDIYHqNkTrh4fjiG4Pati24VzHWGhjfsaECGwMHoAZH6eqkEIjOUNmCwTstfiHwa6IT6Eouyp6tJYDu19AFWB9iyTybUD0rVBSozTXPi5sEoVVgIn4rr/s320/222240_1778777021840_1011810030_31622259_5209706_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ephesians 1:4-5 says:</span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. "</span></span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="tweet-text pretty-link" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before we were born, before we even took our first breath, the God of the Universe had us on His mind. We were chosen and loved before we even existed on this Earth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Never doubt how how valuable you are!</span></span></div></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-90344363715454686882011-05-04T21:55:00.000-07:002011-05-04T21:59:11.613-07:00TIMING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eTajI_ahgy6wvOoeS9BoQVzCrO-gSoUBo-5YctYjG0LC7W6UIH9E7nP0rCK_7KOZ7TKRypmW2Y3i13-saTBjP3clqExsDRkHNHRkOjRgW9ddnydLr4Vu0hLYxJZ9BhIRff0Lag6ieD5k/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eTajI_ahgy6wvOoeS9BoQVzCrO-gSoUBo-5YctYjG0LC7W6UIH9E7nP0rCK_7KOZ7TKRypmW2Y3i13-saTBjP3clqExsDRkHNHRkOjRgW9ddnydLr4Vu0hLYxJZ9BhIRff0Lag6ieD5k/s320/untitled.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">"</span></sup></strong>But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think.<u> </u><strong>No, he is being patient <u>for your sake</u></strong>. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." 2 Peter 3:8-9<br />
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We serve a BIG God who lives well outside of our concept of time. I mean a day is like a thousand years to him right? Even still, He is a God of perfect timing, His plans are laid out so perfectly for us and we so often fail to realize it. Many times we find ourselves questioning God's plans and purposes for our lives because they just don't seem to be working out the way we would imagine... BUT the good news is His plans for us are far greater than we could ever imagine! Never doubt the fact that God is ALWAYS working behind the scenes for your good!<br />
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"And this is the plan: <u>At the right time </u>he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth" Ephesians 1:10-12 (NLV)<br />
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"But <u>when the proper time had fully come</u>, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to [a]atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]." Galatians 4:3-7 (AMP)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg240is8MXuE9tHmYfViPGauLM-pjEixrA0w-A23pjvGDGCdMlz3JERnQMFNy9VtzsTUUm4DVxqrBTN2kNY7iqti1B1900NisjNJve3-Ksyq42VnXrREsMb8D1Ty1uCLTRp9832JGWPMHXW/s1600/221698_1778776661831_1011810030_31622257_7450263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg240is8MXuE9tHmYfViPGauLM-pjEixrA0w-A23pjvGDGCdMlz3JERnQMFNy9VtzsTUUm4DVxqrBTN2kNY7iqti1B1900NisjNJve3-Ksyq42VnXrREsMb8D1Ty1uCLTRp9832JGWPMHXW/s400/221698_1778776661831_1011810030_31622257_7450263_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-24910525855930851062011-04-20T21:56:00.000-07:002011-04-20T21:59:45.215-07:00My Shepherd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD0yB6yS7stzVvInDDKQbexCPzrK8u4Fkzhaz-pPd0DEtISdyzG4kRVTPpdMolZ-P4jb0NVjkuq57Ms_I1sJTHAUUpOYyjJ1vt1rSiOw26HZWQPKRIVTEnOg7KeeNSwOQ-LSs9JWr8GyH/s1600/good_shepherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD0yB6yS7stzVvInDDKQbexCPzrK8u4Fkzhaz-pPd0DEtISdyzG4kRVTPpdMolZ-P4jb0NVjkuq57Ms_I1sJTHAUUpOYyjJ1vt1rSiOw26HZWQPKRIVTEnOg7KeeNSwOQ-LSs9JWr8GyH/s320/good_shepherd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Over the past week I've been reading a lot in John 10. It's such a good chapter with so much about Jesus being our Shepherd. One of my favorite scriptures that i've been focusing on is from verse 4 "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." <br />
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I love how it says He brings us out and goes before us and then that we follow him by knowing his voice. <br />
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My pastor did a sermon a few weeks ago called <a href="http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/my-shepherd">Jesus is the Sheperd</a> and in it he talked about how sheep know their shepherds distinct call so well that if two herd were mixed together all the shepherd has to do is send his call out and his sheep would follow him immediatly. <br />
I thought to myself, now that is a beautiful example of what it means to have an intimate friendship. Which is what I desire most to have with my Savior. In this fast pace world we have so many things going on that sometimes it may seem hard to hear God's voice. BUT what if we can be as intimately associated with our sweet Jesus as sheep are to their shepherd. What if we were so close to him that no matter how many voices, opinions, negativity, busyness, etc... are coming our way that we still hear our Lord's voice. Doesn't that sound amazing?! <br />
Well how do we get there? I've also heard it said that many times shepherds will break a new baby lamb's legs and carry them around the back of their neck until the lamb's legs heal and it can walk on its own again. This may sound like a strange practice but I can't help but see how it is in that time of brokenness that they lamb learns <br />
1.)how much he can depend and trust in his shepherd <br />
2.)how he can become familiar with his shepherds call since he is so close to him<br />
3.)how his shepherd is there to carry him the whole way through while he heals. <br />
What if we started recognizing our broken places as times where we can grow in our trust and dependency on Christ, where we could become familiar with his voice, or even where we can rest in his presence as he carries us.<br />
Just some thoughts that have been weighing heavy on my heart to share.... Hope it blesses you!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-38929835607155921002011-04-11T16:51:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:51:57.162-07:00Have Faith<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi9fc2sYPQtKXBMF6KfUJ_ewjSSCj7LApBfQXTN6pF25Pt8KdNA-45GTMI3IVxdgNT8w6JEPtwvjlkntnHOsv89oMqNdcrs2VwrXn1VrXLZ_g6r0lECS91obCaFBrur1A0jiIVll9U9yc/s1600/prayer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi9fc2sYPQtKXBMF6KfUJ_ewjSSCj7LApBfQXTN6pF25Pt8KdNA-45GTMI3IVxdgNT8w6JEPtwvjlkntnHOsv89oMqNdcrs2VwrXn1VrXLZ_g6r0lECS91obCaFBrur1A0jiIVll9U9yc/s320/prayer1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
"Then Jesus said to the disciples, <span class="woj">“Have faith in God.</span> <span class="woj">I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.</span> <span class="woj">I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours." </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><span class="woj">Mark 11:22-24</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;">Matthew 7:7-11</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the past two days I've seen SO many prayers answered that it has rocked my faith.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">His timing is perfect, and His ways are good! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I just want to encourage you to have faith! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">God not only hears your prayers but is excited and ready to answer them! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don't loose hope! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Trust Him!</div><br />
If you want, leave a comment about one of your answered prayers! :)Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-75346517005867648462011-04-10T22:17:00.000-07:002011-04-10T22:18:37.510-07:00Phillipians 1:9-11<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k-TfzAmXA9ouVw6DjULCAzInAztZrjclTWNhVrXvC5bCAQPY5zF70FPfNIJl8c0WWR7wPPuOaxKHv7E29gHMvv40xN9jzWOYlAtE1DD6YATinvftfRvFEmoDUVd2u5yK_ejH3MC7R6Aj/s1600/180841_512707898561_146000058_30478080_2488471_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k-TfzAmXA9ouVw6DjULCAzInAztZrjclTWNhVrXvC5bCAQPY5zF70FPfNIJl8c0WWR7wPPuOaxKHv7E29gHMvv40xN9jzWOYlAtE1DD6YATinvftfRvFEmoDUVd2u5yK_ejH3MC7R6Aj/s320/180841_512707898561_146000058_30478080_2488471_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnTFwaSuaoC8ZYBbKelE_tqalraEpovNPMWVfVWQIAmvzvSluhtLpCqUqJoNjdw5A_5-KKRVR0U1-Ynao2WUlEAfm4D_MAvCeWoZSj1P7XDEAFOTTHc1NvyD9MXgNH-2-xpV5gSWejtQ5/s1600/filled+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnTFwaSuaoC8ZYBbKelE_tqalraEpovNPMWVfVWQIAmvzvSluhtLpCqUqJoNjdw5A_5-KKRVR0U1-Ynao2WUlEAfm4D_MAvCeWoZSj1P7XDEAFOTTHc1NvyD9MXgNH-2-xpV5gSWejtQ5/s320/filled+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_J2z0lp7KG0SjWzeSurCJHlnEroNoXz7TEbzHR8Sm_Bi72u7FvsmW_kE5smWGE7sp3iM9pca7ffQLbcF7NGF2s3pXPbe0EPE5-nRAwFWxu_b7np2ML1T-0VfsXGcql5_rZHKhqHX3vLt/s1600/fillled1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_J2z0lp7KG0SjWzeSurCJHlnEroNoXz7TEbzHR8Sm_Bi72u7FvsmW_kE5smWGE7sp3iM9pca7ffQLbcF7NGF2s3pXPbe0EPE5-nRAwFWxu_b7np2ML1T-0VfsXGcql5_rZHKhqHX3vLt/s400/fillled1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God."</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjazhWd2jyYWUZrnX9-E-IqVsvd033Zd5HIUcmReIn-Ru2SKavj4ezKqV0BMK0l_aaucJZfQDyDaHib3YNlNFvEzInxpD-gHKztMdTG2FJpZPt2wYK3b1Rf_IET5UsnB3J4Uxr38ponyd/s1600/filled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjazhWd2jyYWUZrnX9-E-IqVsvd033Zd5HIUcmReIn-Ru2SKavj4ezKqV0BMK0l_aaucJZfQDyDaHib3YNlNFvEzInxpD-gHKztMdTG2FJpZPt2wYK3b1Rf_IET5UsnB3J4Uxr38ponyd/s640/filled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-34173056857382545892011-04-09T09:26:00.000-07:002011-04-09T09:26:51.345-07:00Luke 8:22-25<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdGnQnjpnhzwvxKqNlz267UzXL48qEsIaap4wXd4WyxiHDGE5BWe2j6w8h2y3bRscg3k3rNLz0JIn7ACb3ZwOdmaR0KfVl06ZxLXvwPnuYs-jhmPozUMUVcslDhe2jf1dhTB-QN1sbtOP/s1600/boat.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 264px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 321px;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdGnQnjpnhzwvxKqNlz267UzXL48qEsIaap4wXd4WyxiHDGE5BWe2j6w8h2y3bRscg3k3rNLz0JIn7ACb3ZwOdmaR0KfVl06ZxLXvwPnuYs-jhmPozUMUVcslDhe2jf1dhTB-QN1sbtOP/s320/boat.bmp" width="320" /></a> One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. <br />
But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;">Luke 8:22-25</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Isn't it funny that the moment Jesus asks His disciples to cross to the other side He decides to go to sleep?!!</div>And so when the storm hits where is Jesus? Still asleep! <br />
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Some may first look at this passage and immediatly think; </div>Why is He sleeping on the job!<br />
If He really is "all knowing" shouldn't He have steered them clear of the storm, or at least warned them! <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How could he have slept when the people closest to Him were in danger?! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Is it that Jesus didn't care? </div>Maybe He was taking a day off, we all need a day off right?! <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While these thoughts have at one point passed through my mind as well, I can't help but KNOW Jesus is ALWAYS in control, and there is no storm that could catch Him off guard.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1TJObvFHGHdFV_Jpri3naC-M8KKCBdLHkOOMvMJ696pK18LzJ4QoUfEpx4sy2wAMBQs-TnQkb6raNZtjN5Zyeg6O-ktukUSMAPv0djfIh6-Pw6-OND5quL5-ahE7QUGuhNvweYUV8j2i/s1600/boat3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1TJObvFHGHdFV_Jpri3naC-M8KKCBdLHkOOMvMJ696pK18LzJ4QoUfEpx4sy2wAMBQs-TnQkb6raNZtjN5Zyeg6O-ktukUSMAPv0djfIh6-Pw6-OND5quL5-ahE7QUGuhNvweYUV8j2i/s200/boat3.bmp" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We all go through storms and trials at some point in our life that make us question where Jesus is at the moment. Does He even care or even see what's going on. The answer to those questions are YES HE SEES YOU! And while it may be difficult to see the reason why He hasn't "woken up" to stop the storm from rocking your boat, He is still in control and you can trust that He cares for you! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Look on down in the passage and you'll see that after Jesus calms the storm He turns and looks at His disciples and simply asks "where is your faith?"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Could it be that MAYBE just maybe Jesus believed in His disciples enough that He knew when the storm came that they had the faith to withstand? Could it be that maybe He was even giving them the opportunity to see their own faith in action? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kind of like when a child is learning to walk. You don't hold their hands all the time, at some point you have to step back and allow them the opportunity to walk on their own two feet, otherwise they will never be able to take the next step. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I was young I was terrified of taking the training wheels off of my bike. Both my parents would work with me on this but I would beg them with tears streaming down my face to not let go. But they knew better, and believed in my enough to know that they had to eventually let go of the seat if I was ever going to learn to ride on my own. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you are going through a storm or trial, first of all, know you are NEVER alone. Secondly, think of this as an opportunity to excercise your faith and trust in Jesus that with Him you will never fail!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Remember He cares more about your character than your comfort! He wants to see you reach your FULL potential in Him while you are on this Earth!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lastly, be encouraged with this scripture from James 1:2-4</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, <u>you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.</u>"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEFsUppS3vLvxZ1HG8YNd6bVmiCzERQXzfB7wi4rUOxfJvZv7RD1_D_B5YD0FwRqzu6T9f9eTFD6ogRX2PSNXXBU5voDL9RoaPGDlxcG8yvi2EjM2d5wTACMntYgNL7AIWbzTrAQBBexN/s1600/boat4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEFsUppS3vLvxZ1HG8YNd6bVmiCzERQXzfB7wi4rUOxfJvZv7RD1_D_B5YD0FwRqzu6T9f9eTFD6ogRX2PSNXXBU5voDL9RoaPGDlxcG8yvi2EjM2d5wTACMntYgNL7AIWbzTrAQBBexN/s320/boat4.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-79876475972434599362011-04-06T10:33:00.000-07:002011-04-09T08:46:31.130-07:00It's all in Your Attitude :)<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>THEN....</u></strong><br />
<br />
make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be <u>humble</u>, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.<br />
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You <strong><u>MUST</u></strong> have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phillipians 2:1-5</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This passsage of scripture has been on my heart the past few days. There is so much convicting truth in it and I had to share. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I really believe that God's Word is our ultimate tool to transforming our lives. His Word needs to DEFINE our very nature. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been challenged in my walk this week and praying for God's grace to take this Word and allow it to transform me and my attitude into being more like Christ! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to learn more about having the attitude of Christ you can read this book! It's great!</div><div style="text-align: center;">As my friend Connie always tells me... "Every Leader is a Reader!" :)<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41APvwJJ%2B8L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="300" /></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-25305479255307621962011-04-04T12:27:00.000-07:002011-04-04T12:27:49.311-07:00A Seeking HeartThis morning in my 'One Year Bible' reading I came across this passage of scripture that I am oh so very familiar with. It seems like everytime things get a little bit busier than normal this text always seems to find it's way to my life... <br />
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Luke 10:38-42<br />
<em>As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was <strong>distracted</strong> by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but <strong>few things are needed—or indeed only one</strong>. <strong>Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.</strong>"</em><br />
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Now in this passage I can't help but see how similar Martha and Mary's hearts are. Both are eager and excited that Jesus their Lord was there to visit with them. Both have hearts that want to please him. Both seemingly desire to serve him. <br />
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The difference is Jesus only asks one thing of them, he wants their heart's attention. He is there for THEM!<br />
He doesn't need everything cleaned up, set up, and fixed up perfectly... He ONLY wants them, his daughters, to sit with Him, spend time with Him, learn from Him, and ENJOY being with Him.<br />
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While Martha's service was good, honorable, and definitely all for the Lord, she was missing out on the very thing that He had came to their house for... to visit with THEM! He wasn't there to inspect things, and see if they were being diligent in their chores, and responsibilities... No, He came because His desire was to spend time with them!<br />
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God delights in a seeking heart and Mary had showed just that and there was NO WAY he was going to let that be taken from her.<br />
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My prayer is that I would not get distracted in my day to day life from the very purpose I was created for... to be with my Lord, my sweet Savior, Jesus :)<br />
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There is a song that comes to mind everytime I read this passage of scripture... "The More I Seek You" By Kari Jobe Check it out if you haven't heard it!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-76821210040570957542010-09-15T20:49:00.000-07:002010-09-15T20:49:45.306-07:00It's been awhile...So I had given up with trying to keep up with my blogging hobby for awhile, but here recently there has been so much burning inside of me that I've needed to get it out! So, I decided it may just be time again to try this out again. :)<br />
<br />
For some people writing can be a fun activity, for others it may be a chore, for me its neither. For me, writing is like an outlet that once I get "plugged in" to it, it becomes the very source of energy that produces a light inside of me that not only illuminates the darkest places of my heart, but also bring enlightenment that I might have never gained. In other words... its my therapy! haha :)<br />
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Let see... where to even begin...<br />
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Well the most recent happenings occured last Friday. My grandmother, a.k.a. my popsmommy, passed away. It was not sudden by any means. We all knew that her life's story was coming to a close soon. But no matter how much you try to prepare yourself... loosing someone is always hard and it always comes as a bit of a shock. <br />
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Friday afternoon after a long day at school I looked at my cell phone, saw the 6 missed calls, listened to the 2 vague yet sorrowful voicemails, and knew what I was about to "find out."<br />
I quickly made up some lesson plans, zipped home to pack a suitcase, and was on my way to my grandmother's home (1 1/2 hrs away) to spend the next 4 days in a house FULL of family members trying to figure out what to do with all the emotions they were experiencing.<br />
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That night I was ok. It was Saturday morning when I woke up that it began to hit me. I layed there early that morning in the bed that was full of memories of reading books late into the night, memories of hiding under it in hopes to avoid the nightly bath, and memories of lots of hugs and cuddles as we snuggled finally to fall asleep feeling safe and secure. I examined the quilt I laid under. One that had been hand sewn by beautiful tender hands of a woman who found such joy in simply making things that she knew would bring joy to someone else. My grandmother was an amazing woman whom I loved and missed.<br />
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I could go on for hours about all the wonderful things she did and was. I might have to dedicate a post (or maybe 5 posts lol) to just the story of her life. (Because believe me there are plenty of stories to tell!) She was a true Proverbs 31 woman. She came from humble beginnings, but with her faith in Jesus, a vision for a bright future, and determination to see it through she became a woman who was greatly praised. Even at her viewing I was amazed at the amount of people that showed up, all with a story about how my grandmother, my popsmommy, had impacted their life in some way. I honestly believe that as she met Jesus face to face on Friday morning that she heard her sweet loving Master say "Well done thy good and faithful servant"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And I wanna be just like her! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2uBY6CMGb-n9OiCz1IflXVew1TdYcdNDzMXEVQgNIVFqqk_YEFhzL4ML96e5_v6zq3h-mFP-d597LPAfHQRJM3KyK_GAHKXi3c6vPeI8b7N-MMr8nIE8K7kQBBqSFX1wjsK7XQWQBx8t/s1600/popsmommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2uBY6CMGb-n9OiCz1IflXVew1TdYcdNDzMXEVQgNIVFqqk_YEFhzL4ML96e5_v6zq3h-mFP-d597LPAfHQRJM3KyK_GAHKXi3c6vPeI8b7N-MMr8nIE8K7kQBBqSFX1wjsK7XQWQBx8t/s320/popsmommy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of my sweet "popsmommy" with one of the twins taken one month ago. :)</div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-82571902366172440552010-03-19T19:48:00.000-07:002010-03-19T19:49:48.723-07:00What does love look like?<div style="text-align: center;">If anything I can honestly say this song represents the past year of my life. I've been on an ongoing journey to discover what love really looks like. I've desired to know what 1 Corinthians 13 was really saying... I've wanted to know what REAL love would look like if I was staring it in the face. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What I have found is that REAL LOVE </div><div style="text-align: center;">would give up EVERYTHING, </div><div style="text-align: center;">would risk EVERYTHING, </div><div style="text-align: center;">for just a CHANCE at having that love returned... </div><div style="text-align: center;">This song is beautiful. Hope it grips your heart and opens it, as it has mine.</div><br />
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<object style="height: 344px; width: 425px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2ZCIp0HiRo"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2ZCIp0HiRo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-5058656526083000792010-03-08T04:46:00.000-08:002010-03-08T04:46:46.387-08:00Thirsty...<div style="text-align: center;">“Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them” </div><div style="text-align: center;">–A.W. Tozer</div><br />
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Do you remember what it was like when you first felt that tug on your heart? You know that feeling where you knew that no matter where you try to run or hide that the Lord was calling you to Himself. Some of us might have tried to bury that call away in things of this world, others of us may have responded immediately overwhelmed and humbled that this King, this Savior, would take notice and desire us to come to Him. Either way we’ve all heard it. <br />
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I remember. I remember being only 10 years old, and yet there I stood at the altar, at the end of the service on December 18th. My heart racing and pounding in my chest, sweaty palms gripping the pew, not understanding what this was that was going on inside my heart, but knowing that there was something I was missing. And that something was Him. My sweet Jesus. <br />
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This past Sunday I sat in church, barely paying attention to the message. My mind was in so many other places. And yet there it was, time for us to bow our heads, the big moment, the call was going out around the room to hearts that were ready… my attention was back. I looked around the room as hands went up in the front, back, the girl sitting in the row in front of me… and I was reminded. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was reminded of that call we’ve all heard at one point or another. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The call where we knew HE was real. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">His LOVE was real. </div><br />
I pray we never forget that moment. The moment where our corrupted, sinful lives were washed clean and made new. The moment where the old passed away and the new came. I pray that we remember the thirst that most of us first responded to Him from. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” John 7:37</div><br />
*Also, during the yesterday's service we focused on Jesus’ statement before He died “I thirst.” Pastor Chris focused on the importance of being transparent before people. How we should take off the masks of “Everything is fine” and be more real with each other. So here I am, mask down, saying the same thing “I THIRST!” There is something in me right now that is not satisfied. I thirst for more of my God. I thirst for the intimacy I experienced when I first met Him. I thirst to hear His voice, feel His presence, and commune with Him as I did when I first met Him. To find my first love.<br />
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Today I began reading a book called Sacred Romance By: John Eldridge. As I read the first chapter and wept my heart was awakened again. I was reminded how I thirst… and how deep within me there is a longing for more… Most of this blog is an overflow of what was going on inside my heart throughtout the day. Hope it touches someone! :)Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-84180107962491097042010-03-02T20:47:00.000-08:002010-03-02T20:47:18.756-08:00Just a quote that stirred my heart...<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcInHOizWYJOv4FSCOJePzB3UhbI3aZ53xnAxuRltBmEeQzdXskOQ5q3a1g57mQW1Z-Ncevycry5HVsizOUj0n4nTJa63xUhpHkYjDxbl_Zc8eFK-Jv5aKFdKZ5fWku_qDdEunvKEW4mZ/s1600-h/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcInHOizWYJOv4FSCOJePzB3UhbI3aZ53xnAxuRltBmEeQzdXskOQ5q3a1g57mQW1Z-Ncevycry5HVsizOUj0n4nTJa63xUhpHkYjDxbl_Zc8eFK-Jv5aKFdKZ5fWku_qDdEunvKEW4mZ/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">"How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose...! You drove them from me, You who are the TRUE, the SOVEREIGN JOY. You drove them from me and took their place, You who are SWEETER THAN ALL PLEASURE, though not to flesh and blood, You who OUTSHINE ALL LIGHT, yet are hidden deeper than any secret in our hearts, You who SURPASS ALL HONOR, though not in the eyes of men who see all honor in themselves... O Lord my God, my Light, my Wealth, and My Salvation" ~St. Augustine</span></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-39382677814388342102010-03-01T20:57:00.000-08:002010-03-01T20:57:03.627-08:00Can I be Real? :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo9pqq_utPSQ4pnL49EHJfspsvgHEfVkfJATeLFESqewrsk8DbjWmeecNtjuhOnCl1FwPIbWt82lSmyd9uOVK-asyaK28uUSfTtu1lKJ7mN_l9uCJpu5VxG2Wahc9if9tt_QmvYd7T9-6/s1600-h/8433_152027187815_500122815_3272077_5464761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo9pqq_utPSQ4pnL49EHJfspsvgHEfVkfJATeLFESqewrsk8DbjWmeecNtjuhOnCl1FwPIbWt82lSmyd9uOVK-asyaK28uUSfTtu1lKJ7mN_l9uCJpu5VxG2Wahc9if9tt_QmvYd7T9-6/s320/8433_152027187815_500122815_3272077_5464761_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">"Love is patient...." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Another version I read recently is...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">"Love patiently AND passionately bears with others for as LONG as patience is needed..." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">WOW... that just takes that scripture to a whole nother level doesn't it?<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I'm just gonna be real and take a moment to get out all that junk that the Lord began dealing with my heart on when I read this not too long ago- bear with me please.... :) remember love IS patient :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">~Sometimes its hard for me to be patient with people (especially those closest to me). I tend to be a results driven person-meaning I like to see change or growth- I like to see people continually moving forward. I tend to forget how some trials or obstacles may be more difficult for some people</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-I forget grace- I forget love- I forget that its God's KINDNESS that leads people to repentance- I forget that sometimes the BEST way to help someone be an overcomer is not to give them advice and think my pitiful attempt of words will change them, but sometimes letting them walk things out at their pace, just walking beside them, is the best way you can help them- I need to not forget the process that we all have to go through in life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I've recently been reminded loving someone patiently may be just allowing them to learn on their own and not putting expectations on them that they havent even put on themselves. Just think how patient Jesus must have been with His disciples. They were a bunch of screw-ups that He saw potential in to change the world- So he called them to follow Him- to walk through life with Him- Not once did He say "You can follow me but you must not have any problems, never complain, and never ever screw up anything, just be perfect" <br />
NO! He was their constant encourager and faithful patient friend who would remind them "in this world you may have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world" He didn't tell them they had to overcome it ... He just reminded them that He had and will continue to overcome any obstacle in their life as long as they trust Him for help.<br />
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<em>Lord, teach me how to walk through life with people who need someone to just love them as they learn, and who need someone to be patient with them to the point they have come to in their walk with You. Help me to not put my ideas on them of how I think they should be or act, but to love them with patience as they grow into who You created them to be. Help me to be a friend, and encourager that always points to the great overcomer of this world, You!</em>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-61143181831719254312010-02-20T22:51:00.000-08:002010-02-20T22:51:54.501-08:00Thought this was good!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZm0oqZveo0vE6NHQ5ccRvJBQPxXrOt0g8SuiP1pOhtY9lSOtm52t5KN67_o-aKXAXfjHCK-__q6aML-UFYNdAdKvYhSX8OUuzPqtkDP2qNXRXOoWv4NyknvKC05CS1Yhql-5YDkx6Vkj/s1600-h/desire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZm0oqZveo0vE6NHQ5ccRvJBQPxXrOt0g8SuiP1pOhtY9lSOtm52t5KN67_o-aKXAXfjHCK-__q6aML-UFYNdAdKvYhSX8OUuzPqtkDP2qNXRXOoWv4NyknvKC05CS1Yhql-5YDkx6Vkj/s200/desire.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><em>A friend emailed me this little devo and I really loved it... </em><br />
<em>just wanted to share!</em><br />
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<strong>An Invitation to Desire</strong> <br />
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This may come as a surprise to you: Christianity is not an invitation to become a moral person. It is not a program for getting us in line or for reforming society. It has a powerful effect upon our lives, but when transformation comes, it is always the aftereffect of something else, something at the level of our hearts. And so at its core, Christianity begins with an invitation to desire. <br />
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Look again at the way Jesus relates to people. There is the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well. She has come alone in the heat of the day to draw water, and they both know why. By coming when the sun is high, she is less likely to run into anyone. You see, her sexual lifestyle has earned her a “reputation.” Back in those days, having one partner after another wasn’t looked so highly upon. She’s on her sixth lover, and so she’d rather bear the scorching rays of the sun than face the searing words of the “decent” women of the town who come at evening to draw water. She succeeds in avoiding the women, but runs into God instead. What does he choose to talk to her about—her immorality? No, he speaks to her about her thirst : “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water” (John 4:10 The Message). Remarkable. He doesn’t give a little sermon about purity; he doesn’t even mention it, except to say that he knows what her life has been like: “You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband” (John 4:18 The Message). In other words, now that we both know it, let’s talk about your heart’s real thirst, since the life you’ve chosen obviously isn’t working. “The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life” (John 4:14 The Message).Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-20906313405280866722010-02-19T16:03:00.000-08:002010-02-19T16:03:00.958-08:00Climb EVERY Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-e8o0RdD_F2mbQJfyCW3XkfRooBBO3m6h2ts9c8Xsco3jlgatIcdm5eozE49brmu8FV0hwIKn_3G2pte6q0LKQemgx4dj4zblD6pEphXFCjgninBcwQ8hHu3hZ8o91zXTOgQqlNqkwKM/s1600-h/15849_187618092815_500122815_3570704_386267_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-e8o0RdD_F2mbQJfyCW3XkfRooBBO3m6h2ts9c8Xsco3jlgatIcdm5eozE49brmu8FV0hwIKn_3G2pte6q0LKQemgx4dj4zblD6pEphXFCjgninBcwQ8hHu3hZ8o91zXTOgQqlNqkwKM/s320/15849_187618092815_500122815_3570704_386267_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">"He makes my feet like the hinds' [firm and able]; </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">He sets me secure and confident upon the heights." </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2 Samuel 22:34 AMP</span></strong></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">We all have our mountains we face in our lives, some may seem a lot larger than others, but be reminded and encouraged that God would never bring you to something that He didn't plan on carrying you through. And know that with every step He is making you stronger and more into His likeness in order to bring you to the very place you were destined for- to reign on the heights with Him! </div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"> "The Beauty of the Mountain is hidden for all those who try to discover it from the top, supposing that, one way or another, one can reach this place directly. <strong>The Beauty of the Mountain reveals only to those who climbed it..."</strong> - Antoine de Saint-Exupery </div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-1331173887528749372010-02-17T08:13:00.000-08:002010-02-17T08:13:07.257-08:00Refocused<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJgXFFBjINYNkQbf6KhJioxRGMAhLfvNwS_7KSJLBPlHicgDCu0SczBFYdaxSTZDvpr97_0F0MzhYYNZjHZANGgz9E0a-5ywRmH0pXL-gX9w2dJowaurgZ-mQnipSRGNdIDIKvPRkinaw/s1600-h/refocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJgXFFBjINYNkQbf6KhJioxRGMAhLfvNwS_7KSJLBPlHicgDCu0SczBFYdaxSTZDvpr97_0F0MzhYYNZjHZANGgz9E0a-5ywRmH0pXL-gX9w2dJowaurgZ-mQnipSRGNdIDIKvPRkinaw/s320/refocus.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">"Let us <strong><span style="font-size: large;">fix our eyes on Jesus</span></strong>, the author and perfecter of our faith, who<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> for the</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">joy set before him endured</span></strong> the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <strong><span style="font-size: large;">Consider him</span></strong> who endured such opposition from sinful men, <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>so that you will not grow weary and lose heart</strong></span>." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Hebrews 12:2-3</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This verse has been my biggest encouragement lately. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Allowing this present world to fade away and </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">fixing my eyes on the hope of eternity.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Just wanted to share! :) </div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3989312790563964812.post-11535274730364047662010-02-04T21:28:00.000-08:002010-02-04T21:31:08.596-08:00Sorry it's been so long!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I'm back!! After a good 2 months of being away I'm back!!!! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQInuMc3K7XRdhnZrERfWPQZWfUdr34vtwktHbIGqWGYYcB80huAe-_JJMjHFdEszJArVJNUkg6fxEc_i4gh8U2JQGbGRmAuGDiSBMwbVAKdd-59TZ68rD26bjn_Xn6oSKdv40OgK1KIYO/s1600-h/12132_1237323205672_1006989954_30751337_6738056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQInuMc3K7XRdhnZrERfWPQZWfUdr34vtwktHbIGqWGYYcB80huAe-_JJMjHFdEszJArVJNUkg6fxEc_i4gh8U2JQGbGRmAuGDiSBMwbVAKdd-59TZ68rD26bjn_Xn6oSKdv40OgK1KIYO/s320/12132_1237323205672_1006989954_30751337_6738056_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Lord has done so much in my life it's hard to know where to begin... so I guess I'll just start with what He's been doing in me this week. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCbD9jCVUP9goUV5hfsGRP_pvJ3U2bwYu297oWLcl0dDpiPk4hUdqBJ7iRmvbKKb0WShBs6gNTWAGPCUk24ags-rv-OiDJGrUn2-h023u0R6ZNad8ssXur5HpIFL-Z_EIApthYnk_atvW/s1600-h/16247_212686796153_574981153_4652999_2765385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCbD9jCVUP9goUV5hfsGRP_pvJ3U2bwYu297oWLcl0dDpiPk4hUdqBJ7iRmvbKKb0WShBs6gNTWAGPCUk24ags-rv-OiDJGrUn2-h023u0R6ZNad8ssXur5HpIFL-Z_EIApthYnk_atvW/s320/16247_212686796153_574981153_4652999_2765385_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My motto this week is: </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"I'm a work in progress! Praise God He's not through with me yet! He's the potter I'm the clay!" </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With reason being, because I have been going through what some would call a "purging" season. I know I'm not perfect-just forgiven- but with that comes a desire for holiness, righteousness, and a desire to be like the one I love. The more I get to know this amazing man, Jesus, the more I see where my heart stands incomparison to His beautiful perfect love. I want to have More of Him in my life and Less of me! I want to love as He loved, with no conditions, limits, or fear. I want the relationships in my life to be consumed with the love of my Saviour... which brings me to the area He's been working on.... friendships.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB2p0QVnRQ3GuAXvbMgb-bfGjwfPsmI0xPxmg2WxrN0xI_C6mqoMp1N4t__LLEShxykiNu1xwE30P2Gnjld6Cejkxrm-waAk1_sD9_VTejhuew0924nGZYi7HlmK8bCN1WsJMrGxBMRrJ/s1600-h/8531_1223391697393_1006989954_30707521_2369901_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB2p0QVnRQ3GuAXvbMgb-bfGjwfPsmI0xPxmg2WxrN0xI_C6mqoMp1N4t__LLEShxykiNu1xwE30P2Gnjld6Cejkxrm-waAk1_sD9_VTejhuew0924nGZYi7HlmK8bCN1WsJMrGxBMRrJ/s320/8531_1223391697393_1006989954_30707521_2369901_n.jpg" /></a>I found an old sermon I heard once by Brian Houston Pastor of Hillson Church in Australia. It is called A Leader's Friendship. I want to share what I read with you and I pray that in some way it calls you to a deeper level of friendship in your relationships as it has in mine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">-As leaders we must set an example of our friendship for others to follow. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Proverbs 27:6 says "Wounds from a friend can be trusted" The true spirit of friendship is faithfulness, but many times being faithful causes us to have to confront things. This is never easy because it has the potential to would or hurt, but for the sake it may be necessary.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Real life example: Say your friend has something in their teeth. We can either:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjIgLY4s3LEvRsDmJtP2d1uWnXhhGARu6dthpNgIWjLbmKeaM-yN4Oi6F3dCWPObFoPl70PrSMKUVfqvqRm1i90WpgSAuVe0D2mX-7h78MpDKzle2t22dfK-ULreLkdUKFiJ0LgRkjLDB/s1600-h/6010_537140251039_156806456_31554493_338693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjIgLY4s3LEvRsDmJtP2d1uWnXhhGARu6dthpNgIWjLbmKeaM-yN4Oi6F3dCWPObFoPl70PrSMKUVfqvqRm1i90WpgSAuVe0D2mX-7h78MpDKzle2t22dfK-ULreLkdUKFiJ0LgRkjLDB/s320/6010_537140251039_156806456_31554493_338693_n.jpg" /></a>A. be a Faithful friend and tell that person</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">B. be a Faithless friend and say nothing</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">C. be an Unfaithful friend saying nothing directly to the person then going and telling someone else about it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now that may seem like a mundane example but I'm sure we would all hope to have the faithful friend who would risk "wounding" us in order to prevent further embarassment or hurt. And not only would we want the faithful friend, but I hope we would all have the courage and love to BE the faithful friend. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And that faithful friend is one who loves to the utmost degree. Who gives of themselves, and RISKS for the sake of their friends betterment. A faithful friends puts others needs first and foremost. They are one who sticks closer than a brother. A faithful friend is faithful till the end.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlk43qw3qoebpk9wVJ6xYO-0PRxJPSjvQGIa0a04O-n9tVcXHJsRWPFtDJShFl2UBSxXygt84nB0SHe7DOM3ndVNONXDG8vtIhqxLuTCAOPgoJuFegf0LQLGE3RnlCj1-tls179kD9T5n/s1600-h/n20514977_33011763_8218402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlk43qw3qoebpk9wVJ6xYO-0PRxJPSjvQGIa0a04O-n9tVcXHJsRWPFtDJShFl2UBSxXygt84nB0SHe7DOM3ndVNONXDG8vtIhqxLuTCAOPgoJuFegf0LQLGE3RnlCj1-tls179kD9T5n/s320/n20514977_33011763_8218402.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So with that said I know I'm a work in progress and I pray that the Lord would continue to develop His fruits in me so that I can be the kind of friend that He is to me! Thank you Jesus for filling my life with faithful friends who are amazing examples of your love and friendship! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtauAQ_jdVHEC4JBtP5u6p3_jvpz-XWMUWa8MCUgCbpmWq5-1AIlNYK8s35OPDZMJC-ytd3C84gGf0A88ZSOJMQRWLQ9p6NAUGNwKK-ik5ASJLMPb7ND7x2ndlIFlx2t_4DTFr0kOaWnF8/s1600-h/10524_1224646728768_1006989954_30711381_5930417_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtauAQ_jdVHEC4JBtP5u6p3_jvpz-XWMUWa8MCUgCbpmWq5-1AIlNYK8s35OPDZMJC-ytd3C84gGf0A88ZSOJMQRWLQ9p6NAUGNwKK-ik5ASJLMPb7ND7x2ndlIFlx2t_4DTFr0kOaWnF8/s320/10524_1224646728768_1006989954_30711381_5930417_n.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJcRA6OwPITHgv3I_41ZDsdDKqNYJC2BvPU9kgIo2gyCm4kiZ9zdUElpVQbQUc-X-cvHNSAZxFTYD9byWqDdJWlaN_2MHtF4ATyMdBAPDAb-qmG_inIM0LFwDx_jTnjWzdWGukAneDoHH/s1600-h/9616_162503664917_695689917_3604793_2830670_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJcRA6OwPITHgv3I_41ZDsdDKqNYJC2BvPU9kgIo2gyCm4kiZ9zdUElpVQbQUc-X-cvHNSAZxFTYD9byWqDdJWlaN_2MHtF4ATyMdBAPDAb-qmG_inIM0LFwDx_jTnjWzdWGukAneDoHH/s320/9616_162503664917_695689917_3604793_2830670_n.jpg" /></a></div>Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412014399048868427noreply@blogger.com1