tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-349197582024-03-14T10:57:36.355-07:00 SinceritySincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-56270280711695753952020-05-25T21:21:00.001-07:002020-05-25T21:21:56.364-07:00What Is Life?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZPgDmLbXFCznWGkKPgZEUew1ljCnD35sxgwa11YEvAHW_UeFVkrfHde1oy6lg538h3Hd2MgMwwwPpZPu4OmTWaYYPo_8iNL2tzCzOBOq5rEV2gDeg6XbTsHDw6xRku57WOJQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZPgDmLbXFCznWGkKPgZEUew1ljCnD35sxgwa11YEvAHW_UeFVkrfHde1oy6lg538h3Hd2MgMwwwPpZPu4OmTWaYYPo_8iNL2tzCzOBOq5rEV2gDeg6XbTsHDw6xRku57WOJQ/s320/4761536-A-R-Bernard-Quote-Life-is-God-s-gift-to-us-What-we-do-with-it-is.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What comes to your mind when you hear that word?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What does it mean to you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My understanding of the word Life use to be very limited. When I was younger I believed that the word simply applied to what was right in front of me... mainly myself. Life was essentially all about me and how I perceived the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But as time went by and I began experiencing significant losses, people whom I loved, the word Life took on new meaning. It became something much bigger than myself. It became something precious, beautiful, intangible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Life, I realized, is the very deepest desire and pain in every human heart. It does not last. There is no way to preserve it. There is no way to convince it to linger. Life shines for the time it is given. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But what happens when it fades away? What happens when Life sleeps? The Bible describes the passing away of all human beings who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as sleeping or resting in the Lord <i>I Thessalonians 4:14</i>. But to live only for this world is an absolute promise of despair. It cannot last. To live for Life that never dies... Life that continues forever... that is true living!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bible states in <i>I Corinthians 9:24-27</i> that true Life is akin to running a race. And not just any race, a marathon. A test of your endurance to persevere and cross the finish line victorious. To run for the prize.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Life lived for the purpose of glorifying and honoring God is a Life well lived. It is the kind of Life that gains the attention and praise of Heaven <i>Hebrews 12:1-2</i>. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The world, as I write this post, is heavy with fear and sorrow. There has been so much suffering and abrupt endings to many lives during the past few months; Pandemics, economic disintegration, minimal to absolutely no direct human interactions, and the loss of loved ones. All this on top of the usual struggles the world grapples.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But God is faithful. He is among us feeling our pain. Only He can shoulder the overwhelming needs that have bubbled to the surface of global societies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesus has promised us hope over despair, strength over weakness, and victory over death itself. In the end of all things He is there, standing with us, carrying us if need be. In the end...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life wins.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have realized that Life is Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>John 11:25</i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-78421681618758387092016-03-14T22:35:00.000-07:002016-03-14T22:35:14.970-07:00Emotionally Dependent Friendships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Friendships are wonderful! They can be an encouragement. They can be a safe place to grow. They can be a place of support. They can inspire you and make you a better person.</div>
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But sometimes friendships can become a hindrance to your growth and even your well-being. And probably the most self-defeating relationship you could ever experience is that of an emotionally dependent friendship.</div>
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This relationship doesn't always begin in such an unhealthy place. These toxic friendships can develop over time when one or both friends begin to expect emotional well-being and strength from each other. This often leads to one of two kinds of unhealthy friendships: The Inseparable Gang and The Encumbered Duo.</div>
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The Inseparable Gang is an equally toxic friendship that presents itself by the same two or three friends always hanging out together. They go to the same Bible Study, they sit together in church, they go out for lunch together, they go to public events together, they may even work and live in the same place. </div>
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These friends will often talk about how people of the opposite sex never ask them out or how snobby other people are because they never invite them to "hang out," etc. </div>
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These groups often have one person who is the "ring leader," "mother," figure or "Big Sister." She is the one who calls the shots.</div>
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The Encumbered Duo is more strained and usually between two individuals. Only one friend is emotionally dependent and the other friend is not. One friend will push for more time and a closer level of emotional intimacy that the other friend does not feel or desire. </div>
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This relationship is often festered with feelings of frustration, confusion, and resentment. And this causes the emotionally dependent individual to cling more tightly. At the same time the other friend begins to pull away and may even try to avoid shared experiences all together.</div>
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Do you see yourself in either of these scenarios? If so do you recognize which "role" you are playing? </div>
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Most often people will stay in unhealthy friendships because they're afraid they will be all alone and nobody else will want to be their friend. People wrongly assume that if they back away or end a friendship that something is wrong with them. Nothing could be further from the truth.</div>
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And here I arrive at the point of my post; turn to The Lord for guidance before anyone else, including yourself. You can and should search for mentors and listen to your instincts but those sources of knowledge are not enough. When it comes to relationships, especially unhealthy ones, we all need wisdom. The Bible states in James 1:5:</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">who gives generously to all without finding fault,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">and it will be given to you. </span></div>
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God has a lot to say about relationships and friendships in particular. Read and reflect on verses and Bible stories He brings to your attention. Pray and tell Him your worries and frustrations. He hears and He acts. Trust Him to know what to do. </div>
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May your current and future friendships be blessed with peace and closure if that is needed.</div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-54962247366231357852016-02-14T18:47:00.001-08:002016-02-14T18:47:43.109-08:00What Is Beauty To You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What is beauty to you?</div>
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Is beauty something that only belongs to people who are born with great genes? Or is it reserved only for those who are popular, famous, rich? Is beauty something that can be attributed to inanimate objects? Is it something that you can buy?</div>
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We learn from living in the world that there are different kinds of beauty. A tree has a beauty that is very different from a cherished pet or a porcelain doll or a brand new car. We learn from interacting with people that beauty can be different from one person to another. </div>
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But one thing the world gets wrong is that beauty is only something that can be seen and enjoyed on the outside. The Bible states that true beauty, the kind the outlasts all fashion styles and ages, is something that comes from within. <span style="background-color: #ffe599;">It is an attitude, a choice we make every day</span>. And the world we live in needs to see more beauty and less ugliness. But the only way that can happen is if we each evaluate our own hearts and allow them to be molded by the Lord. </div>
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We have opportunities to be beautiful all the time. It just takes practice to recognize those moments and allow the Holy Spirit to make us more sensitive to His urging.</div>
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What encourages me on this Valentine's Day is that God reminds us that we are all beautiful to Him. None of us deserve His love but He offers it to us freely. I am beautiful to Him! You are beautiful to Him! </div>
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Never let the circumstances of life, or the critical attitudes of others, make you believe otherwise. Saturate the following verse. Let God's promise seep into your heart and heal any brokenness you may have. You are loved. You are precious. You. Are. Beautiful. That, friends, is truth.</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>" ... it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #741b47;">which is of great worth in God's sight."</i></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>I Peter 3:4</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-63747838684145328222016-01-25T16:54:00.002-08:002016-01-25T16:54:10.221-08:00So Your Still Single?<br />
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So your still single? </div>
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What does that mean to you today?</div>
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I ask myself these two questions from time-to-time. Sometimes I'm too busy to think about the questions and other times I wish I didn't remember them. But as the years have marched on I have watched my expectations about singleness change.</div>
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I don't see singleness as a handicap. I don't believe that anyone should see it that way. We each have everything we need to succeed in life. If we can think for ourselves, if we can dream for ourselves, then we can see those dreams come true. It will take time... but that's okay. Rushing life along never works out very well and it can leave a person with regrets.</div>
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I don't know what is happening in your life journey but if you are reading this post I imagine you needed the comfort of knowing you are not alone.</div>
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Life as a single woman means that you sometimes feel exhausted. This past weekend the east coast was pummeled with snow. I headed out to shovel with enthusiasm and gusto. And that morphed into exhaustion three hours later. Non-stop shoveling will do that to ya. And for a moment I stepped back and thought how much easier it would be if I had a husband to help me out.</div>
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Yeah, it hits me like a snowball to the face once-in-a-while. The realization that I'm alone. Most of the time it happens in moments like these: </div>
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<li>I have to carry several heavy grocery bags to the car because everyone left their empty carts in parking spaces all over the parking lot.</li>
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<li>I find out I have a flat tire and I need to put on my spare tire tire.</li>
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<li>I decide to go see a movie by myself and all around me people are with their sweet hearts.</li>
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<li>I go to church and most of my friends are there to greet me... along with their husbands and 2-3 kids.</li>
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Yep. Those are some moments when it can hurt. But the truth is that as I've grown older the pain doesn't hurt as much as it used to. That doesn't mean I have given up hope on meeting the right person. I'm simply not waiting around to "start my life." </div>
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I am living my life regardless. And I want every day to count as a new and rewarding experience even if nothing amazing happens on that particular day. The truth is that as a single lady amazing things can happen any day! </div>
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This past year God opened the door to two mission trips. One was in Ireland and the other was in India. It took a leap of faith each time... but I'm so glad that I didn't back away.</div>
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I didn't have a husband when I stood on the Cliffs of Moher and heard the song of the seagulls and watched the crashing of the waves. I didn't have a husband when I walked the dusty streets of Uttar Pradesh or witnessed Indians bustling along the banks of the Gange River. </div>
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There was no husband by my side when I saw the Taj Mahal for the first time and touched its walls and stepped inside. It is considered one of the greatest monuments of love from husband to wife and yet there I was, single. But I wasn't thinking about my marriage status then. Only now looking back do I understand that even though I was unmarried I have always had a true love by my side.</div>
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I feel very deeply that God makes His presence and His love known to singles in ways that He does not for married people. Not because single people are more spiritual or somehow better than married people, but simply because He knows that it isn't always easy to be alone.</div>
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I know that I would not have been able to go on these trips and in some cases take part in humanitarian work if I were married with kids. I never dreamed the things God has given me by this point in my life. But that's how God works. He goes over and beyond every time. </div>
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But what about all those moments, days, years in between the amazing experiences? What are we to do with all the times when every day events start to suck the hope and dreams right out of you? Is it even worth it to keep hoping for marriage if it doesn't happen in your 20s? In your 30s? In your 40s?</div>
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What if you never have kids of your own? Can you still trust and love God enough to let that dream go? And what if marriage to someone wonderful never happens to you? </div>
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Does that mean that there is something wrong with you? Does that mean that God is punishing you? Never. Does it mean that you will not have anyone to help you in your old age? That does not fit with the character of God.</div>
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I know it is easy to worry about what will happen to you. But during those times turn to the Lord and tell Him those thoughts are haunting you. Tell Him how sad, disappointed, and scared you are in that moment. Its okay. Be honest with Him. </div>
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But don't just vent and walk away. Let God reply to you. Read your Bible and listen to what He has to say. He is a good God and a loving God and He watches and cares for His own.</div>
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So your still single? Cool! </div>
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God has some amazing experiences in store for you. He's going to take you places you never thought you would go and He's going to show you who He is in ways that will amaze you. Don't be scared. Don't be sad. But if you find yourself feeling this way once-in-a-while then know that you are not alone. And God sees your tears. And He knows your fears. And He says:</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>" So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>~ Isaiah 41:10</i></span></div>
Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-27488120961945081872015-08-05T09:42:00.000-07:002015-08-31T08:09:25.400-07:00When Friends Get Too Needy<br />
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The other day I checked my phone and found a message from a friend waiting for me. And soon more messages appeared. They were all some variation of my friend's frustration and disappointment in me not responding to a Facebook invite she had created just two days before.</div>
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My internet had gone out prior to her invite so I never knew about it. I could not get on Facebook or any other website for several days. When I explained this to my friend she relented. But I began to have doubts about whether-or-not our friendship was healthy.</div>
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Why would a friend think that I was purposely avoiding her, especially after we had already agreed via phone to attend the exact event she decided to create a Facebook page about? Something didn't add up.</div>
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The first thing I did was check if there was something I might have done to cause the confusion. But after speaking to a mentor about the issue it was clear that the problem was not with me.</div>
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My friend and I did go to the event and had a good time but I still felt uneasy. Trust had been broken. My friend was doubting me friendship and care for her. Why?</div>
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Any relationship in life takes time to build. Friendships are a very special blend of trust, respect, and wisdom. When any of these three elements are missing, friendships can become sour. How far things sour depends on how well both sides of a friendship can recognize the issue and resolve it with kindness.</div>
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But what happens if a friend simply doesn't see the problem? What happens if a friend becomes too needy and reliant upon you for emotional stability?</div>
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It can be that a friend is now envious of your accomplishments or opportunities. It could be a friend is not willing to look at their personal issues of low self-esteem. It could be that a friend is not turning to the Lord as their source of fulfillment. Or perhaps you are at a new stage of life and your friend is not comfortable with the changes happening in you.</div>
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I think its important to recognize that friends are not meant to be 24 hour personal counselors. If a friend is constantly dumping all their drama and frustration on you, then its time to seriously consider stepping away from the relationship for a bit. </div>
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Friends who become nags, easily offended, or "clingy" are all signs of trouble in a friendship.</div>
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The difficult thing is to know whether-or-not you should maintain it.</div>
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Here are a few questions to ask yourself:</div>
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<li>If I continue my friendship with so-and-so would she continue to act this way?</li>
<li>Do I feel encouraged or drained after spending time with this friend?</li>
<li>Am I hesitant when I see a text or email message waiting for me from this friend?</li>
<li>Is this friend happy to listen to me or is it always about her life issues?</li>
<li>Have I failed to set up boundaries in this friendship and can I still do so?</li>
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Returning to my story, my friend and I talked about the incident. I learned that she was having major troubles with her family, in particular with her mother, and felt stressed and unappreciated. </div>
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I reassured my friend that I would not abuse her the way her mother did. But I also realized that I now had to be more mindful of my actions toward this friend. I don't mind being someone others can lean on from time-to-time. But I also see the potential for her neediness to grow and for me to feel drained. </div>
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We both have friends who run in the same circles so it was to our advantage to talk things out. And I made a point of stating that good friends exercise mercy and forgiveness. I also stressed that its okay and healthy for us to have other friendships too, which I do. </div>
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A new set of boundaries have to be put up so that we can both enjoy each other's company, encourage each other, and yet respect our individual time and emotions. Part of that is letting my friend know when I am and am not available to chat. </div>
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<li>Having a phone does not mean that I will always be able to message her.</li>
<li>Just because I have internet access does not mean I will be checking Facebook every day.</li>
<li>If I am unavailable once-in-a-while to communicate it does not mean I am angry or rejecting her.</li>
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Might there be some boundaries you need to look at with a friend? Could you be part of the problem? If your friend is needy is there something you can do to encourage them to pursue a healthy friendship?</div>
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May the Lord encourage you and lead you in your friendships!</div>
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~ Sincerity</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" Wounds from a sincere friend is better than many </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>kisses </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>from an enemy."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Proverbs 27:6</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-79244122171703791332015-04-28T23:31:00.002-07:002015-04-28T23:31:43.758-07:00True Love and The Friend Zone <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Life has been busy this year. God is stretching me in many areas of my life. And its only April!<div>
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One of the more emotional areas of growth has been the ever morphing relationships with my guy friends. One in particular.</div>
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These guy friends and I have been doing a lot together for about four-ish years. Of course I have more friend girls then friend guys but the point I want to make is that these men have been in my same social circles for a significant amount of time.</div>
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We all had many game nights, movie nights, lunches after church and all manner of excursions. It has been a lot of fun. And then, all-of-a-sudden... something changed. </div>
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I suppose I should have gotten the hint that all was not well when my friend gals and my guy friends' friend gals stopped attending excursions, frequently hitting the "Maybe" button on Facebook invites if they responded at all.</div>
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These guy friends always showed up to anything I planned or attended and soon began inviting me to their excursions too, along with my friend gals of course. But it soon became apparent to me that the gals were backing out on purpose and no matter how I asked them they would kindly give some version of, " I am too busy."</div>
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It was during one lunch after church that I made a final decision. As usual an invite was sent out with a string of "Maybe" responders. I decided to attend hoping that would encourage others to do the same. But it did not.</div>
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That day I was the only gal that showed up to the lunch. And after an hour or two I prepared to leave. As I did so every man in the room stood up and I turned around to say goodnight. That was the moment I felt like Snow White with the Seven Dwarfs. Not that any of the guys were small in stature and that's not to say that there is anything wrong with being short. Nor were there exactly seven guys.</div>
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Basically I felt like the Belle of the ball. My guy friends were looking at me in a way that made me feel beautiful and appreciated and I remember wondering why no other gals decided to arrive.</div>
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But I worried that my guy friends were getting the wrong impression about why I was the only gal spending time with them. So I began declining events when no friend gals joined in. It was not long after this decision that one of my guy friends asked to speak with me after a church service.</div>
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And only moments after finding a quiet corner he expressed his deeper feelings for me. I, for the most part, did an excellent job of not letting me jaw drop to the floor. This guy friend took me by complete surprise. I never thought he felt anything but friendship for me. And the fact that he took the initiative to tell me in person, not even by smartphone, really impressed me.</div>
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He made it clear that he wanted to move our friendship to one of dating with the purpose of getting to know each other better. And I was touched and impressed by his willingness to be rejected. That took guts and it took trust in God. A mentor later told me that it also showed the level of trust he felt with me. So I agreed to give us both a chance and see where God might lead us.</div>
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Several months and several dates later he is still interested in moving forward. But my feelings for him remain that of friendship and nothing more. And so a few trusted mentors have encouraged me to have " the talk" with him sooner rather than later. It isn't fair to continue a dating relationship if I know my feelings for him will not change. We are both desiring a spouse and so letting this relationship go can free us to find the right match.</div>
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It is no fun to be the one suffering love-sickness and it is no fun to be the one who has to dash the hopes of something more. Why is it that men and women can fall in love with someone who doesn't reciprocate?<br />
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Can I ask you to please join me in praying over this situation? I need God's guidance. </div>
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As for the other guy friends, several are still around. A few have definitely shunned me which causes me to wonder if more than one friend wanted to ask me out. Those individuals have not even showed up at church anymore. *sigh* I suppose its a blessing I was not hoping for more than friendship with those men.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">I Corinthians 13:4-8a</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs....</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails..."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Painting: "A Difference of Opinion" by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema </span></div>
Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-47939397683918462492015-03-02T17:19:00.003-08:002015-05-13T16:57:02.575-07:00Your Future Looking Back<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Tomorrow. The future. What do those words make you feel? How far ahead are you willing to ponder?</div>
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Sometimes we are faced with a future that is uncertain. We don't know what is to come. We yearn to take just a peak into the future. And at the same time we fear to do so. Perhaps in truth we as human beings would never learn to appreciate all the beautiful moments we have today if we knew what every tomorrow would bring. There is a mystery and wonder in not knowing.</div>
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Only a few days before he died, Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock) posted his final Twitter message. It said the following: </div>
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" A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory..."</div>
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God knows that our lives are short and that the days of our lives arrive and disappear like vapor. Why do some of us cling so tightly to the past when life itself propels us forward? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" You do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ James 4:14</i></span></div>
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All the most beautiful experiences, all the most breath-taking moments we may ever know are only a fraction, one iota, of the beauty waiting for us in heaven. The Bible says that no human being has ever even imagined the wonders and hope and love that God has waiting to give everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior.</div>
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Meanwhile, though, we must live our lives today. And sometimes that is not an easy thing to do. We suffer in living. The whole world groans for its redemption. And even so it is possible to rise above the pain and the hurt. It is possible to ride the crests of sorrow and loneliness. We don't have to give in.</div>
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I am learning that whenever I hand over my expectations to the Lord everything works out. Sometimes that means that my expectations have changed to better mirror what He desires of my life. Sometimes it means that I have let go of what I want. And many times God surprises me by revealing that He had been making them so much better and bigger and brighter than I ever hoped for.</div>
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I am learning to let go, take a deep breath, and step forward into my tomorrows. I used to be so afraid of this when I was younger. In my heart I used to cling to everything and everyone in my past. I just couldn't imagine living without them. </div>
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Who am I without my past? What hope is there in a tomorrow where my loved ones are not with me?</div>
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What is the point in living today if my future looks bleak?</div>
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These are questions many people ask. And these questions plague the rich and the poor, the famous and the obscure. Deep down we are all the same, really. We want to know that everything will be better tomorrow. We want to believe that someone trusting and loving will be in our future to take care of us. We need to know that who we are as a person is never forgotten.</div>
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These things are entirely human and good and true. I might even go so far as to say that they are divine. And I say this because there is a part of us that is eternal. We were created to live forever. But not as we are today.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>"He remembered that they were but flesh, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>a passing breeze that does not return."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Psalm 78:39</i></span></div>
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A single thread cannot depict an entire pattern. It must be woven under, over, and along side countless others. It must be led by the weaver who alone knows the final design.</div>
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Never be afraid to step into your future no matter how dark your today may be. Learn to let go of your yesterday's so that you are free to accept the beautiful moments you have right now.</div>
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God is always with you and He has promised to always be your future.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" ... and your life is hidden away with Christ in God. When Christ, who is</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory..."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Colossians 3: 3-4</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> "Alice" by Elena Kalis</span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-57373929361103571892015-02-07T22:29:00.001-08:002015-02-07T22:29:20.084-08:00No Mr. Grey for Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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God says in Jeremiah 31:3:</div>
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<i>" ... I have loved you with an everlasting love;</i></div>
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<i>therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."</i></div>
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We live in a broken world filled with broken hearts. There are so many people walking around us every day wondering if they will ever know what it feels like to be whole again. Some of us may feel like we are undeserving of love. Some people feel that God could never forgive or accept them. Past trauma and abuse, broken relationships and trust, wrong choices... all these and more can haunt the heart of anyone. So even when our minds might know that God loves us our hearts don't accept it.</div>
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Have you ever wondered why? There are perhaps as many reasons why hearts resist as there are traumas and wounds they receive. Perhaps one of the most powerful causes of heartache, whether someone is married or single, is loneliness. </div>
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What woman doesn't want to be noticed, cherished, and wanted? What woman doesn't want to know from the top of her head to the tips of her toes that her life made a difference in a man she loves? Who doesn't want to meet their "soul mate" and live together for the rest of their lives?</div>
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These are universal desires of a woman's heart. But when these desires are left unfulfilled, even within marriage, it leaves her wanting. It leaves her empty and sad. And when the pain becomes too much to bear she must turn somewhere for relief.</div>
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And this is where many women fall into a cycle of addiction and despair. Instead of turning to God and to the Bible women are turning to erotica and romance literature. They find it in physical books like 50 Shades of Grey and they find it in on-line reading like fanfiction.</div>
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This topic is not talked about much anywhere, especially in churches. Its as if they don't want to admit that women have sexual and emotional needs as powerful as men do. Its as if Christians believe that experiencing any sexual desire outside of marriage is wrong.</div>
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But is it a sin to desire sex even when you're not married? Is it a sin to seek an outlet for such powerful emotions and needs? I don't think so. The Bible never says that sexual desire in and of itself is a sin. It says that lust and acting on lustful desires is a sin. </div>
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1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</div>
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<i>" For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you abstain from sexual immorality; </i></div>
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<i>that each one of you know how to control her own body in holiness and honor,</i></div>
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<i>not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God."</i></div>
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God created sex! God also created the emotions and desires that go along with sex. God also created romance and beauty and youth and everything gloriously enchanting about this aspect of human nature.</div>
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But what on earth are we suppose to do when these powerful emotions and needs are unmet? God urges us to go to him with all our needs. But the world has other suggestions for us doesn't it? </div>
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The movie 50 Shades of Grey, based on the popular books by same name and coming out in a few days, is representative of a movement that has been sweeping the entertainment industry for the past few years. Erotica, also known as "mommy porn" or "soft porn," is just as emotionally and psychologically damaging as straight pornography. It does for women what porn does for men... it turns human beings of the opposite sex into objects.</div>
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For women it encourages a habit of retreating from reality and living in worlds of fantasy where the object of desire, the man, has no real flaws. Everything is over the top and if the man does have issues they always resolve in a manner that is favorable to the woman.</div>
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More than all of this, pornography of any kind creates very real physiological responses. Women who habitually expose themselves to this kind of entertainment train their minds, hearts, and bodies to respond more to the fantasies than to the real deal. And after a time a little-bit of fantasy isn't enough anymore. Ultimately it destroys a women's ability to nurture true intimacy in current or future relationships.</div>
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Psychologist, wife, and mother Dr. Julie Slattery has done extensive research on this very topic. She even went so far as to read all the 50 Shades of Grey books. This is what she has to say about erotica and entertainment of the same nature.</div>
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So what are women to do when they are lonely and frustrated? Is God just a kill-joy? What if you are single with no man anywhere on the horizon? What if you're a widow? What if your husband, for whatever reason, is unable to help in this matter?</div>
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I think the first thing women need to do is recognize that God is loving and good. He cannot do anything against His own word. So when temptation knocks we can focus on promises from the Bible like this one:</div>
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I Corinthians 10:13</div>
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<i>" No temptation has overtaken you that is uncommon to men (meaning men and women.) </i></div>
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<i>God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,</i></div>
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<i>but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able</i></div>
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I think with sexual sins the temptation to believe," You are the only one," is very common. There are so many women of all ages wrestling with loneliness and turning to lust mistakingly believing that it is a safe alternative. </div>
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The truth is that no one is alone in their struggles even when it seems that way. As stated at the beginning of this post God loves us forever. He is faithful and good. No matter how many times we mess up we can still go back to Him and try again. In Christ there is no condemnation. That is not an excuse to continue in habitual sin. He will forgive us if we are sincerely broken about our bad habits.</div>
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This Valentine's Day would you consider spending quality time with the Lord? If you do not struggle in these areas would you please pray for the sisters-in-Christ who do? This is a very real need for so many.</div>
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And if you know someone who struggles in this area would you consider reading and/or giving this book to that someone?</div>
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Dr. Julie Slattery shares below what she hopes this book, a true labor of love, will accomplish for everyone who reads its pages.</div>
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May God bless each of you who truly seek to honor the Lord in all areas of your life. May you always remember that in Christ Jesus you already have the victory! It is finished! </div>
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Ephesians 3:17-19</div>
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<i>" So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,</i></div>
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<i>being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long</i></div>
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<i>and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love</i></div>
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<i>that surpasses knowledge..."</i></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-23244129691714556462015-01-27T09:54:00.000-08:002015-01-27T10:02:11.687-08:00Social Media and TMI<br />
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I think its safe to say that most people the world over are connected in some way to the internet. Believe-it-or-not I can remember when the internet was a novelty. I was still in college and had to ask some fellow students what was "internet." I had no idea what they were talking about when they began to explain how to type in a URL address.<br />
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I spent many hours at the library computer lab teaching myself how to get around the "web". The main search engines I remember were Yahoo, Google, and Ask Jeeves. I really picked up the concept of email pretty quick because that was how all the professors were asking students to contact them.<br />
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It seems like another life time ago now. Today I don't think twice about internet searches and emails and twitter and Facebook and Youtube. There is soooo much to do online, am I right?<br />
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And as wonderful as the internet and sharing information can be it is a double-edged sword. Especially when I see how reliant so many people are with social media. As a teacher I see so many kids and even college students completely incapable of setting down their smart phones or smart pads. Or if they do set them down they are constantly glancing at their devices to check if someone updated their Facebook status yet. Honestly, does a 4th grader really need a blackberry?<br />
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Its as if we have opened Pandora's Box. " Pay attention to me!" That's what the message really means when people snap selfies and post them online. " Look what I did or where I've been/am!" And then there are the articles and posts filled with opinions. Everyone becomes a critic and an authority in anything and everything... including this post. *sigh* See what I mean? <br />
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Don't misunderstand me. I do see good things too like people coming together to raise support for a good cause or creating prayer chains. Those are great ways to use the internet and social media.<br />
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But in general there is too much information. And by that I mean people are being exposed to too much and becoming increasingly pessimistic. There is so much negative news and sensationalized news about events all over the world. I honestly don't believe that people were ever meant to know about all the bad things happening the world over. Its simply too much. <br />
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But we our enticed to soak in more and more with the idea that we must remain informed of current events. Could all of this be a way for modern man to try and push God out of the driver's seat? Has knowledge become the modern Tower of Babel? It seems that mankind wants to believe that through knowing we can have power and control over our lives. But the truth is that we don't. <br />
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The internet and social media have become a drug that either sedates or incites the masses. It is becoming more and more the tool of choice to manipulate. And it has become a place where people socialize and fantasize to the point that they no longer know how to have a face-to-face conversation. Friends don't call or visit anymore they just glance at your Facebook status and have their fill of you. Its all so sad!<br />
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Let me end this post with a few challenges: <br />
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For anyone on Facebook try for one month to physically visit with any "friend" whose status you check. And when you do, don't spend that time checking your smartphone.<br />
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For those of you who are news junkies limit your feed to only three articles/news stories for one week.<br />
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For those of you addicted to writing posts pull back to writing once a week or less for one month.<br />
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The point I want to make is that we don't realize how much time we waste online. What could we be doing for the Lord during that time instead? Is there a neighbor who needs a ride to the grocery store? Do you know someone who needs to visit the pharmacy or doctor office? Perhaps there is someone at the hospital or at a nursing home.<br />
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Do something that requires you to physically be involved and present for the sake of others. It may take some practice if you don't already do this. But that's okay! Practice. Do little things until they are habitual for you. The Lord will lead you in how He wants to use your life to be a blessing to others.<br />
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I wish you success!<br />
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~ Sincerity<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" ... dear brothers and sisters, never tire of doing good."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ 2 Thessalonians 3:13</i></span></div>
Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-32029361692182080952015-01-17T22:41:00.000-08:002015-01-17T22:41:05.819-08:00When Life Presses Restart<br />
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The other day I was reflecting on the first week of the new semester. For over ten years I have taught music and I am no stranger in having to say goodbye to students and begin new relationships with new students. It has not always been an easy thing for me to do. Especially when I had two semesters back-to-back of classes filled with students who were just amazing. </div>
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Several times I have also had to say goodbye to tearful private students and their parents. Some of those goodbyes were very special to me. Some of those goodbyes have made me a better teacher.</div>
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But even though I have some practice in goodbyes, letting go of what I have can be so difficult. Just the thought of having to restart all over again can be overwhelming. It can even be heartbreaking. </div>
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And life is full of restarts, isn't it? Dating relationships, friendships, schools, universities, jobs, moving, a new pet, a new season of life... all these things require letting go and starting over. </div>
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For me, what has been the most difficult thing in these situations is not knowing how the future of a student or students will be. I want to know that they will be okay and I wish to witness their accomplishments and see them become their own persons. </div>
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But then I realize that whenever we are willing to teach or encourage someone else we help form their future. When we show someone that their life matters to us we are witnessing them become their own person.</div>
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And heaven knows that in this day and age we all need people in our lives who are willing to press restart and try a new relationship with us.</div>
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In my darker moments of ruminating I have focused on the pain experienced at the end of things. How intolerable at times the pain of goodbye can be. And I wondered, how many disappointments can a person suffer before running the risk of becoming embittered or hopeless? </div>
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And then I wondered why God allows so many restarts in a person's life? It isn't that they are all sad and melancholy but it seems that as we age there tend to be more goodbyes then not.</div>
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Some things have never changed from the beginning of time and saying goodbye is one of them. I mean, have you ever wondered what the rest of the story was for Adam and Eve, or Esther, or Joseph, or Priscilla and Aquila? </div>
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I find comfort in knowing that for all the endings we can experience in life God is always willing and eager to restart with us wherever we are in time. He doesn't get bored or anxious or frustrated or sad. He yearns for us to take all of our cares to Him so that He can take on the heaviness of life's goodbyes off our shoulders. </div>
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The Bible states that every morning is a restart. We have another opportunity to bond with God and experience new hellos. Perhaps this is one of the greatest lessons I have learned from all my students over the years. Goodbyes are simply making way for new beginnings, new hopes, new dreams, new futures.</div>
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We don't always know what happens next in someone's life, and if we're honest we don't even know what will happen next in our own. But maybe that's because we really don't need to know. Maybe what is most important is appreciating the moments we have a part in telling today. Appreciating the now rather than worrying about tomorrow or lamenting yesterday.</div>
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The Bible gives glimpses of an eternity that is a future of hope and love and peace. As a Christian I believe that one day I will sit with many I have met and learn all about the rest of their stories and how God never fails. It would certainly be a wonderful way to spend a sliver of eternity. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>' The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I will hope in Him.'"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Lamentations 3:22-24</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-87188116087576333312015-01-08T15:40:00.000-08:002015-01-08T15:40:23.448-08:00She Said The M Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Caution Please</span></div>
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Because I wish to honor the Lord in what I write anywhere online I will begin by stating that the topic in this post contains sensitive material. Please exercise wisdom in your particular situation. May the Lord be honored and may those seeking His grace be brought closer to Him.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">The What and Why</span></div>
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This post has been a long time in the making. I have wrestled with whether-or-not to place it on this blog. This is partly because I have been fearful to share my personal experiences and partly because Christian women just don't talk about this topic. I know now that it actually does more harm than good to keep certain struggles a secret. <br />
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What on earth am I talking about? The M word. The word that for so many women brings feelings of shame, loneliness, and bitterness. I am talking about masturbation.<br />
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There is a belief in society today that men struggle in this area but that women do not. This belief couldn't be further from the truth. It either puts women on an impossible pedestal or completely undermines their innate sexuality. Women can and often do struggle just as much as men do.<br />
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So many women feel as if they are the only one struggling. They don't realize that there are many, many women who are afraid to say anything because they believe the same lie.<br />
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I personally never truly realized how "taboo" this topic tends to be until a friend broached the subject with me one day.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">One Afternoon</span></div>
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I will never forget that afternoon. We were sitting in her kitchen visiting when all of a sudden she became very quiet and her body language screamed discomfort. I asked her if she was alright and she looked at me with tears in her eyes. A moment later she shared with me one of the most painful secrets of her life: She wrestled with masturbation and has tried to stop repeatedly and failed.<br />
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There was a pause and I realized that she was holding her breath waiting to see how I would react. I remembered thinking, " <i>Why is she telling me this? What could I possibly say that would be an encouragement to her?</i>" And then God gave me the words she needed to hear. <br />
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" You are not alone." And it was as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. And I felt the same way. She told me that confessing her secret sin was something God had been encouraging her to do but she didn't know who to tell. And then I came to visit and she felt I was the right person.<br />
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We spent several hours sharing our struggles and exploring theories behind past failures and how that in turn affected our relationship with the Lord. <br />
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Which brings me to the topic of this post. Chances are that if you are still reading this it is because you also have felt alone in this struggle and have been discouraged by repeated failure and grieved by the associated distance from the Lord.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">My Journey</span></div>
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The reasons behind why people struggle with any habitual sin can be complicated. I am not a psychologist or a saint. My word is not the final word on any matter. Please study the Bible and pray to the Lord for guidance on this topic and how He wishes to lead you.<br />
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For me the struggle began when I was eleven years old. I didn't know it at the time but that day would mark the end of my innocence. I was at the home of a trusted family friend. I remember playing dolls upstairs with the eldest teenage daughter. <br />
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She stepped out of the room for several minutes during which time her teenage brother entered and sexually assaulted me. Up until that moment in time no man or boy had ever wronged me. My mind couldn't even imagine anything of a sexual nature. It was a complete and terrifying shock.<br />
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What happened to me was wrong. What happened to me was not my fault. But I was told in no uncertain terms to never speak of what happened to anyone. Instead I was encouraged to believe that what happened was, " No big deal." And so I chose to believe the lie and keep the whole ordeal a secret. I never prayed about it, I never wrote it down in a journal, I never shared it with a friend or my parents.<br />
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My pain remained a secret for over eighteen years. <br />
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As time went by I literally forgot about the assault and focused on other things. But my choice to forget only made my suffering worse. I won't go into all the details about my suffering during those difficult years, perhaps something to share on another post. But I will say that one of the symptoms of my pain manifested in the form of masturbation.<br />
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This was not unusual, as I later discovered through research and counseling. I can say that God has done miraculous work in my life. After I confronted the truth about my assault I finally was able to begin healing. I saw God reviving the pure, trusting, hopeful little girl I once was so long ago. For the first time in so many years I felt like there was hope.<br />
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God still loved me! He didn't reject me or judge me for the wrong choices I had made. He wanted to help me heal and become the woman He created me to be. But even though I suffered a terrible thing and even when it wasn't my fault I still had a responsibility to live in a manner that honored the Lord. I didn't know it at the time but the battle for supremacy over my secret sin was just beginning.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Strategies for Battle</span></div>
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One of the first things God helped me realize was that sexual urges and consequent actions begin in the mind. More to the point, my mind forms thoughts based on what type of information I feed it. So I began studying myself. What were my habits? What were my feelings before, during, and after behaving in a habitual manner? In my mind I saw the act of sinning like the part of a plant you readily see above the surface of the soil. There is more hiding underneath. The roots.</div>
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I soon learned that there were certain things that either encouraged or discouraged my sin. Triggers, if you will. For instance, whenever I saw a scene in a movie or TV show that had sexual implications, I struggled with impure fantasies. </div>
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But I struggled the most when I gave in to temptations that I had a habit of turning towards like a security blanket. For me my "trigger" of choice came in the form of erotic fantasies I read in fanfiction. I did not realize it was a trap. I didn't know how addicting it would become for me.</div>
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God helped me find the "root system" to my sin by encouraging me to uncover <i>why </i>I turned to sin in the first place. Then began the hard work of pulling it out. And that brought me to the real ugliness hidden inside my heart. </div>
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Most of the time masturbation is accompanied by fantasy. Either a woman fantasizes about a real person or a fictional person. But regardless of whom the fantasy features, the subject is generally not one's spouse. It is the subject of fantasy that has a person's full attention and affection and this is a form of worship. Worshipping anyone or anything other than God is idolatry. And that truth spurred me to dig deeper until I understood that even my fantasies were a symptom. </div>
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Just how deep did the rabbit hole go? How far did the root system extend?</div>
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I had not one but two idols and they were: comfort and attention. I soon recognized that often whenever I felt bored or lonely I turned to fanfiction and that fueled my fantasies. I was not turning to the Lord for the encouragement and support my spirit, heart, and mind so desperately needed. It was wrong on so many levels.</div>
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But I was afraid to let go. Whatever would I do without my sinful security blanket? Pleasure equalled comfort. Fantasy equalled personal attention. This was a clarity about myself I could only learn from God. And I was disgusted by my own self. How could God stand to be anywhere near me?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Victory in Truth</span></div>
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And that's when the Bible came alive with new meaning. For the first time I saw what Jesus did on the cross for me clearly. I was trapped in a cycle of sin and shame and Jesus took them off my shoulders and placed them upon his own. He died in order to take the penalty God would have dealt me otherwise. Jesus Christ saved me from myself. And because of His love I am a new creation. </div>
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That doesn't mean I am free from temptations. It doesn't mean that I am no longer wrestling with my fleshly longings. It doesn't even mean that I have victory every time I'm tempted. Complete, regenerative healing of the spirit and soul can only happen once we die.<br />
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But Christ's death in my place secures for me, and anyone who puts their trust in Him, power to fight back for today. I have His strength to resist if I want to do so. It means that I am not condemned or unworthy of God's love because His love is not conditional to anything I do or don't do. That was already decided at the cross. It is finished.</div>
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My friend also struggles with feelings of loneliness and a need for comfort. She too sees triggers that make resistance difficult. But we both realized that through God's strength we are more than conquerors.</div>
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Here are a few practical things we came up with that have helped:</div>
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1. Know your personal triggers. Study yourself and be honest.</div>
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2. Avoid your triggers. Not an easy thing I know. Practice. Habits can be undone.</div>
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3. Follow your train of thought. Why are you doing x,y,z? Why are you feeling x,y,z? </div>
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4. Repeat step three until God reveals the root cause(s). Remember you must dig deep.</div>
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5. Repent and claim God's promises.</div>
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6. Remember the victory of the cross.</div>
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7. Share with others what God is doing in your life.</div>
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8. Study the Bible and pray every day. The more time you spend with God the easier it will be to </div>
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recognize His will in any situation.</div>
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9. Ask God to grant you strength to resist temptation and added protection when you are most </div>
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vulnerable such as: when you go to bed at night.</div>
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10. When tempted recite a few verses that are meaningful to you and sing or hum worship songs.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Be Renewed</span></div>
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The Bible says that we must renew our minds. Romans 12:2</div>
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God does not see us as unworthy of His love. We are not judged by anyone in heaven because of Jesus and His sacrifice. Romans 8:1</div>
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But this is not an excuse to continue in habitual sin. I Corinthians 6:12</div>
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Our physical bodies are now the temple where the Holy Spirit lives. I Corinthians 3:19-20</div>
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The only way to please God is to obey Him. Fight against your lusts. The Bible goes further and says we must kill our fleshly desires. That is the battle. Colossians 3:5</div>
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Living each day in this way is God's will for our lives. Obeying Him in this, no matter how painful it may seem in the moment, brings victory. I Thessalonians 4:3</div>
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Resist temptation with God's strength and Satan and his demonic forces will flee from you. James 4:7 </div>
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Remember that Jesus came to heal the sick. If you struggle with habitual sin you are in good company and Jesus is willing and able not only to forgive you but to free you from all shame. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">"<i>When Jesus heard this he told them, ' Healthy people don't need a doctor--</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><i>sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><i>but those who know they are sinners.'"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><i>~ Mark 2:17</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Links</span></div>
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Below are a few ministries and blogs that have been an encouragement to me. Feel free to visit and share. And if there is anything in this post that you would like me to expound upon in future posts please let me know in the comments. <br />
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May God bless you in your desire to live a life that honors Him. In Christ you have the victory.<br />
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~~~</div>
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<a href="https://hornychristiansinglegirl.wordpress.com/tag/self-control/" target="_blank">hornychristiansinglegirl.wordpress.com</a>: A great blog filled with honest and encouraging insight and testimonies.<br />
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<a href="http://dirtygirlsministries.com/?p=7143" target="_blank">dirtygirlsministries.com</a>: A ministry that focuses on the sexual temptations Christian single women face. A wonderful place to be encouraged and to find resources. It also has opportunities for women retreats that focus on this area of Christian single life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.net-burst.net/singles/sex.htm" target="_blank">Christian Singles: Celebrate Your Sexuality</a>: A webpage that is part of a very in-depth look at singles and the struggles of sexual sin and masturbation. Fantastic resource.<br />
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<a href="http://women-masturbate.com/2013/09/15/anonymous-an-open-book/" target="_blank">Stephanie: An Open Book</a>: A wonderful and honest testimony that is worth the read.<br />
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<a href="http://www.boundless.org/adulthood/2009/a-balanced-view-on-singleness" target="_blank">A Balanced View on Singleness</a>: Fantastic post on boundless.org, a website specifically geared to helping and encouraging Christians singles in our modern times.<br />
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<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2012/january/getting-to-root-of-female-masturbation.html?paging=off" target="_blank">Getting to the Root of Female Masturbation</a>: An insightful and sympathetic post about issues that affect women.<br />
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<br />Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-57009108052055893542014-12-23T22:10:00.001-08:002014-12-24T09:15:10.059-08:00What really happened on the first Christmas?<br />
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As a little girl one of my favorite things to do in preparation of Christmas was to take out the Manger scene and put the baby Jesus and animals and wisemen and shepherds on display. And I would hum the Christmas carols about baby Jesus and I would remember the flannel boards I saw in Sunday School. </div>
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But as I got older I began to wonder other things like: How could anyone be so mean as to turn away a very pregnant woman? Why did Joseph take Mary on such a journey just before she gave birth? Did Joseph know how to deliver babies or was it customary for women to give birth without any midwives or help of any kind?<br />
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This post is my attempt to help clear away some of the myths I wrestled with in the past and hopefully inspire people to "dig" for answers they're seeking too. The further you go into your research the more alive the Bible becomes. Its really cool!<br />
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I began with the issue of a pregnant woman traveling to Bethlehem from Nazareth. Upon doing some research I learned that traveling from Galilee to Judea back in the day was quite a distance. No vehicles. No nicely paved streets. No air conditioning or heat. Just donkey power... maybe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu-fP-p3q9oa-K8gDsD7T6Us_3Vr24HoXZWExCJwjt5jJAtgoeYThpnSJp00D3CZzatdf2c-FYvqNG80rxb5W-byV7FNSlbRDRjg4TG6RASs0NjWjj99GnpZb4LzwnIe2UalZ/s1600/detailedGalJudmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnu-fP-p3q9oa-K8gDsD7T6Us_3Vr24HoXZWExCJwjt5jJAtgoeYThpnSJp00D3CZzatdf2c-FYvqNG80rxb5W-byV7FNSlbRDRjg4TG6RASs0NjWjj99GnpZb4LzwnIe2UalZ/s1600/detailedGalJudmap.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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Bethlehem was and remains today a mountainous region. Estimates say it would have been anywhere from 80-100 miles or so traveling straight from Galilee in the north to Judea in the south. Two and a half days walk at least. That path would have taken travelers through Samaria but the Bible does not tell us which path they chose. It is possible that travelers preferred to avoid Samaria, effectively doubling travel time, because of the prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans. <br />
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Just a side note here: Jews disliked Samaritans and considered them "low-class" because they married non-Jews and did not live according to the strict Jewish laws. Later in his life Jesus would stand against this prejudice with parables (Luke 10:25-37) and a beautiful demonstration of love and concern for the Samaritan people via the woman at the well (John 4:1-42). He even rebuked his own disciples for their prejudice and judgmental attitudes towards the Samaritans (Luke 10: 51-56).<br />
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Anyhow, Joseph and Mary would not have been alone on their travels to Bethlehem because of the threat of attack by ruffians and the like. During those days most travelers joined others on the roads to create impromptu caravans. Safety in numbers and all that. But it was also possible that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem with family and friends, being that Joseph and his family all came from ancestors who were from the City of David. <br />
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Luke tells us that the reason for Joseph and Mary's trek was due to a Roman census which required all Jews to return to the city or town of their ancestors, which would be considered their taxation district. (Luke 2:2-4)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Ez7M1XnyXd4jQuAPK-zKpSGm6Mq05eXTDDpP16kUTx6MB2MY_PEHnVpgVUCXr7usQdPl929mkrCj6izZnpuqxo6Zm-plW0rQ9blHyeHKOjtUh-RQZS9qs-LEVF5A1CWt6CN/s1600/Bethlehem-80750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Ez7M1XnyXd4jQuAPK-zKpSGm6Mq05eXTDDpP16kUTx6MB2MY_PEHnVpgVUCXr7usQdPl929mkrCj6izZnpuqxo6Zm-plW0rQ9blHyeHKOjtUh-RQZS9qs-LEVF5A1CWt6CN/s1600/Bethlehem-80750.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The streets of Bethlehem are very narrow.</td></tr>
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Bethlehem itself was not a big city, more like a village (Micah 5:2), even though it was significant to the Jews because David was born and anointed king there (John 7:42). Some cultural historians have offered the possibility that because of the small city size only people who had relatives already living there would be able to stay for any extended period of time. It has also been stated that it was not customary or beneficial for small cities, that were both out-of-the-way and unimportant to most travelers, to even have a hotel. Most travelers would not be visiting Bethlehem if they didn't personally know anyone living there.<br />
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In Luke 1:39-41 the Bible tells us that Mary's relative, Elizabeth, lived in the hill country of Judea. This area would not have been too far away from Bethlehem so Joseph and Mary could have visited her relatives if they had no place to stay. But it is most likely Joseph had relatives in Bethlehem who welcomed them.<br />
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A widely accepted misconception is that Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem during her final days of pregnancy. There is no proof to solidly back that up. It is more likely, given that cultural historians know their stuff, that what is stated in Luke 2:6 which begins: " While they were there,..." implies that there was a significant passing of time. This could have been several weeks before her due date. Mary could have been in her final trimester but certainly would have taken care not to do anything to endanger the life of baby Jesus in her womb. <br />
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The belief that Mary and Joseph arrived only hours before her imminent birth and that they presumably arrived at night have become popular today because of paintings, songs, and people taking artistic license for greater emotional impact. Traveling at night was generally avoided except for the most dire of circumstances. A prime example is found in Matthew 2:13-14 when the angel warned Joseph that Herod the king was sending soldiers to kill Jesus and instructed him to flee to Egypt during the cover of night.<br />
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It has also been widely believed that Mary and Joseph did not have a place to stay when they arrived at Bethlehem. I already stated earlier that this situation is unlikely given the evidence presented by multiple historical culture experts. But the belief has also stemmed from a misunderstanding in translation over what the word "inn" really means in the Greek word Kataluma. The translators in this case did not understand the cultural context behind the word's meaning.<br />
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The early Christians who were translating from the original Hebrew texts into Latin, Coptic and the like never once translated the greek word Kataluma to mean "inn." If that had been the case then the Greek word Pandocheion would have been used. Kataluma's meanings are: living accommodations, guest room, or even dining room depending on context.<br />
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To better understand how Kataluma did not mean an "inn" as we think of a motel or hotel today, we must go back and study the cultural context Luke was assuming all readers would know. You see, back in Luke's day most homes in Bethlehem had two main levels. An upper level where everyone resided and a lower level. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77y1MTjnmaAsNPHpY4tM7TJ1Rvm05ex3qxTYIm1s4T-KT_f2f7GyyeEJy13oUNTsHswwWIPW1zcFSZw_m2mZ72W41HVAIewyu0593sxGgyzSxh0EZYrHJvxWNf8VNsFb_hUG6/s1600/kataluma-jewish-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77y1MTjnmaAsNPHpY4tM7TJ1Rvm05ex3qxTYIm1s4T-KT_f2f7GyyeEJy13oUNTsHswwWIPW1zcFSZw_m2mZ72W41HVAIewyu0593sxGgyzSxh0EZYrHJvxWNf8VNsFb_hUG6/s1600/kataluma-jewish-home.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Usually homes would have a room set aside in the upper level either for an eldest son recently married, or to serve as a guest room (Kataluma). But the Kataluma didn't have enough room in Joseph and Mary's case. This could have simply meant that there would not be enough room for all the female relatives who would lend Mary a helping hand during the birthing process. Something the men would usually not take part in and who were expected to remain separate. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB7C_6mFnm4yBaPoWRf_VTbLPkFLuqjMne029rDr4CuclJcVjrh26rPj2Qi-JICEKWt4VwglZvj90L29n3CIxUfADU1QAcrRAp0JbU_7Cy-bVzAeSyTq2l_20QAjd__04R3d2/s1600/no-room-at-inn-guest-room-kataluma.jpg.crop_display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB7C_6mFnm4yBaPoWRf_VTbLPkFLuqjMne029rDr4CuclJcVjrh26rPj2Qi-JICEKWt4VwglZvj90L29n3CIxUfADU1QAcrRAp0JbU_7Cy-bVzAeSyTq2l_20QAjd__04R3d2/s1600/no-room-at-inn-guest-room-kataluma.jpg.crop_display.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guest room in ancient Jewish homes. Sometimes these were built on the roofs.</td></tr>
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Animals and beasts of burden were brought indoors at night and stayed on the bottom floor level, usually built into lime caves. These were not large caves but they provided enough room for the animals to reside at night. They provided safety, protection from the elements, and were easily cleaned in the morning when all the hay and debris was simply swept outside. These lower levels also had mangers, or feeding troughs, usually built/carved into the floors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmplKxsY7wrDjAolSiDdVn4y5YfANtWjXCIygq-tOh0yVK8iler84iYdn4fkJMzQ3Q2byXL9iRVvvlW2gwCQ7bNKoeJgjJX3mcgTnEYaAa-cMb0YlUG_lsDqxxNWR3GcyBybIh/s1600/manger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmplKxsY7wrDjAolSiDdVn4y5YfANtWjXCIygq-tOh0yVK8iler84iYdn4fkJMzQ3Q2byXL9iRVvvlW2gwCQ7bNKoeJgjJX3mcgTnEYaAa-cMb0YlUG_lsDqxxNWR3GcyBybIh/s1600/manger.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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The wooden mangers and barns we see in manger scenes today began with Francis of Issisi who built manger scenes based on his cultural surroundings and not 1st century Israeli culture.<br />
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Once a birth took place it was traditional for newborns to be cleansed in a mixture of olive oil and salts and then wrapped or "swaddled" in strips of cloth to give the baby a sense of security and to keep him warm. Laying a baby in a manger padded down with clean hay would have been ideal and very comfortable too.<br />
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I like the idea that Jesus was born in a peaceful setting, surrounded by family, pets, and the humble atmosphere of those who have what they need. He wasn't born in a royal setting but He also wasn't born in abject poverty or rejection either. God set Jesus in a family that loved Him and I think that is so beautiful and powerful.<br />
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Hopefully something here has tickled your curiosity and encouraged you to seek out answers you may have on this or other events in the Bible.<br />
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However the events surrounding Jesus birth really took place it is the incredible gift God gave humanity that remains the most important fact of all. And I am happy to say that the Bible has lots and lots to say in reassuring us that God's love is very real and has not changed since the beginning of time.<br />
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I hope that all you readers have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
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Below is a sampling of places I have visited in the past. Feel free to check them out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.womeninthebible.net/childbirth.htm" target="_blank">childbirth in the ancient world</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cbn.com/CBNNews/CWN/122002birth.aspx" target="_blank">Life in Ancient Bethlehem and Nazareth</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/11/08/the-manger-and-the-inn.aspx" target="_blank">Biblical Archeology: The Manger and the Inn</a><br />
<a href="http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2014/12/11/There-Wasnt-Any-Inn.aspx" target="_blank">There Wasn't Any Inn</a><br />
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<br />Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-27380613408870270592014-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:002014-11-29T10:00:47.881-08:00Is Thankfulness Lost?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7POtSx297xyPQjtLE5F0JxnR_9iOh-uYmUX4Rowy5xKOkuMG8KPSF2vfbJcNhLJapxJEzFdEl4ijuJQx4alNQJmSnpgkunGfDq9ewSZqRDhEK7oZuv0gxIEEXKXqOAbJyHIk/s1600/black-friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7POtSx297xyPQjtLE5F0JxnR_9iOh-uYmUX4Rowy5xKOkuMG8KPSF2vfbJcNhLJapxJEzFdEl4ijuJQx4alNQJmSnpgkunGfDq9ewSZqRDhEK7oZuv0gxIEEXKXqOAbJyHIk/s1600/black-friday.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything good you have been blessed to have and experience. And it is a time to focus on the future with a thankful spirit. But Thanksgiving, and its important message, has been overshadowed by greed.</div>
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People want more stuff. Shopping malls and stores want more money. And even while folks are still eating their Thanksgiving dinner the conversations turn to what they will shop for.</div>
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Stores open on Thanksgiving Day in most places now. Many employees are not allowed to take any time off over Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Shoppers fight and steal and hurt each other over "deals" that can be found later or even during the year online. There is a disturbing trend of entitlement that is so very ugly.</div>
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I'm not against shopping and searching for bargains but when getting stuff overshadows healthy and beautiful moments of being with family, friends, and a healthy outlook on life... well... I just don't believe that any materialistic bargain is worth its price.</div>
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And I think another issue, that is a bit less obvious, is that everyone is always in such a rush these days. Even before Thanksgiving arrives stores are pushing Christmas. Can we just... enjoy one holiday and relish in its uniqueness and beauty for a bit? And instead of having to buy all the stuff to properly celebrate a given holiday, can we simply be thankful that we're able to celebrate at all?</div>
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Perhaps some new traditions should be encouraged such as: helping to feed the homeless, or spending some time with elderly at a nursing home, or writing a letter to someone you haven't reached out to in a long while. </div>
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There are very thoughtful, meaningful things we can all be doing that don't require money. Or if money is required it isn't spent on something that has little to no meaning.</div>
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Memories and experiences are what matter to people most. They won't remember something you bought them when its obsolete in a year or so. But they will remember your attitude and your willingness to spend time with them.</div>
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Thankfulness is a state of the heart. We all have the choice to decide what we will focus on in life. Let's aim to be people that inspire healthy and selfless attitudes. Let's aim to live lives that honor The Lord and not our stuff or the retail stores. </div>
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One of the true marks of a Christian is an attitude of thankfulness at all times. No exceptions. And its not always an easy thing. But if we practice having a thankful heart it will become easier to maintain it even during difficult times. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2 Corinthians 2:14, I Peter 1:6+7</span></div>
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Sometimes learning to have a thankful attitude begins by noticing the little things we should be aware of. For example: I am thankful I have the health and internet connection to even write my thoughts and share them here online. And I am thankful for readers who find encouragement on this blog. Thankfulness... its a beautiful thing!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>" Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>let us be THANKFUL, and so worship God </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>acceptably with reverence</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>~ Hebrews 12:28</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-29312550494696779062014-11-14T14:26:00.000-08:002014-11-14T14:48:24.038-08:00Thankful To Be Cancer Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are many things that we can find to be thankful about in our lives. But I think this year the thing that has me most thankful for is my health. In a post I wrote back in January I shared that I found a lump in one of my breasts. And it began to grow. At one point I could notice it just by looking in a mirror. All very bad signs. Previous to that discovery I had never experienced anything even remotely suspect.</div>
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Let me pause here and say that it is so, so very important to make a habit of breast self-exams. I have been doing that since I was fifteen. For women it is important to know what feels normal for your body and what does not. And it was because I was so familiar with what is normal for me that I noticed a small lump. </div>
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In the beginning it was maybe the size of a pea and as it grew over the course of a few weeks so did my pain and discomfort. I began researching what could be happening. Of course cancer was a possibility and with breast cancer it is SO important to catch it early.</div>
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Another issue was that there is cancer in my family. Not too long ago an aunt of mine was diagnosed with colon cancer and needed surgery. So I didn't think it was in the realm of impossibility for my mystery lump to be cancerous because many women (85% according to breastcancer.org) diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of that particular cancer at all. But just thinking that I could have something malignant definitely got my heart rate going.</div>
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I don't have health insurance and that was adding to my stress levels significantly. There would be fees for every examination and procedure. Fees for the doctor, fees for the radiologists, fees for everything. I needed help on all fronts and the first thing I did was pray and ask God for wisdom. He gave me a peace and inner calmness that I needed in order to get my head straight and prioritize.</div>
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Just a month or so before my discovery of the lump I had felt it important to get my affairs in order and set up a will, a living will, and funeral details. I had never sat down to do that before but whatever the reason I felt it was time. Looking back now I'm so thankful that I did all that preparation and thinking because it was one less thing I needed to consider during my planning and research.</div>
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I decided the first thing to do was to find realistic estimates of test and examination costs in my area. </div>
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But since I never did that before I had to begin by first learning what types of examinations and procedures might be needed in my case. I'll go more into that a bit later in this post.</div>
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After I had a ball park idea of how much things might cost me I went ahead and searched for financial assistance. And I found great help through the Linda Creed Program. The website is here: <a href="http://www.lindacreed.org/" target="_blank">lindacreed.org</a>. </div>
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This website is wonderful and if you call their number they are quick to answer or get back to you. They helped me get in touch with programs in my area that offer financial assistance ( in my area I found financial aid through the Healthy Women Program) and they are very knowledgeable about breast cancer. If you have concerns or need a " shoulder to cry on" they are wonderful. Through the help of these programs I was able to have every examination and procedure done for free. It was a tremendous blessing.</div>
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I felt God's presence close to me every step of the way even though I would shed tears from time-to-time. Everyone I interacted with had a wonderful attitude and treated me with respect. And no question I asked was too naive or ridiculous. </div>
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I learned a lot about breast health, as you can imagine. For instance, the density of your breast tissue may make it difficult for a mammogram to get clear images. If someone has very dense breast tissue then there is a higher possibility of false-positives in a mammogram. It is recommended that in those cases ultrasound tests are performed along with an MRI.</div>
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In my case I underwent both mammogram and ultrasound examinations. But I did had reservations about having a mammogram done not only because they are painful, especially when mystery lumps are involved, but they expose the body to higher levels of radiation than an X-Ray. And if a woman is nursing or pregnant she would not be given a mammogram for this very reason. </div>
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Returning to what I stated earlier about researching the various examinations and procedures, I learned about many examination options including what was possible in an out-patient scenario. For instance, if a woman had a cyst she could get it aspirated (drained) at the doctor's office. They would use a long needle in a procedure called Fine Needle Aspiration. If there was a tumor or mass then depending on its size and location either a needle biopsy or a tiny incision or both would be performed. And any biopsy done to breast tissue does tend to bruise and increases the risk of infections.</div>
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But finding suspicious lumps are not the only warning signs of breast cancer. Which is why it is so important for all women, young and old, to do self examinations in front of a mirror. And why its important that every woman do her own research before going to a doctor so that she is knowledgeable about her options and her rights.</div>
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I also learned that every woman has a right to own a copy of her official report and a copy of every image taken. Its best not to assume you will be given these things. Double check and ask at every location that these things are done for you.</div>
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Its amazing to me how the mind works because all throughout that experience I was constantly living in a state of flux. I didn't know if the diagnosis would be negative or positive. Did I have cancer or not? And if it was cancer how developed could it be? Was I ready to go through chemo and surgery and possibly death? When should I start asking everyone I know for prayer? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span> says that God's grace is sufficient for all our needs. And it is true. He kept me sane while I waited for answers. He gave me peace when I feared my health and body may have betrayed me. He gave me hope that no matter the outcome I would be with Him.</div>
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When I learned that I was cancer free... I felt like I had been given a second chance at life. The relief and joy I experienced was <i>that </i>powerful. </div>
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So I am thankful for many things this year and I hope that this post might be helpful and encouraging to someone else. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">" <i>But He said to me, ' My grace is sufficient for you, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">~ 2 Corinthians 12:9</span></div>
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What are you thankful for? </div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-91511845896243768792014-10-20T22:25:00.002-07:002014-10-20T22:38:03.348-07:00The Humble Letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I was reorganizing my room in preparation for the fall season and unearthed a hand-written letter from a friend. I was so excited that I immediately sat down and read it.</div>
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Even though I knew the contents of the letter there was something so fun and special about holding a physical letter in my hands. The texture of the paper, the grooves that the pen tip made, the way that light hit every fold, and the thought that my friend took time out of her busy day to write something just for me.</div>
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Letters are so beautiful. In fact I would even say that they are precious. It represents the care and thought someone took to put each word to pen. There are feelings and emotions in every sentence.</div>
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I get the same great feeling when I read birthday cards my family gives me each year. I know they love me and we still see each other just about every day but there is something wonderful about having love presented to me on ink and paper. Its physical proof, evidence that they care.</div>
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After carefully tucking away the letter I thought about other letters that have influenced my mind and moods. During the times of the Roman Empire the church was young and suffering tremendous persecution. The New Testament speaks of their many sufferings and struggles. And God sent His church a man who had a talent for writing: Paul. </div>
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Paul, known before his amazing conversion as Saul, was highly intellectual and religious. Previous to becoming a Christian he firmly believed that his life was undeniably holy and pure. He believed this even as he hunted down Christians, imprisoning them, torturing them, and ensuring their deaths (the most famous of these being Steven). In fact I sometimes wonder if Paul's "thorn in the flesh"(II Corinthians 12:7) might have been his memories of what he did and/or witnessed of the many innocents who died because of his actions.</div>
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But that's a thought for another post. Little did Paul know that God was hunting him. Ah! His conversion and life is such a fantastic story! Anyhow, once Paul humbled himself and allowed God to use him it didn't take long before he started writing letters. And he wrote beautiful, heart-felt letters to friends, colleagues, and churches.</div>
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His letters were personal in that even though anyone could read them it was evident that he took great pains to write them. He chose only to write what the Holy Spirit impressed upon him. The themes were often a mix between encouragement and constructive criticism. To me, many of his letters have the tone of someone much older and wiser. As they well should, right? When I was younger I often thought his letters sounded a bit like a favorite uncle or a loving grandparent. </div>
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But it was his letters to Timothy where Paul revealed his heart as I imagine a father would to his son. I can only imagine what Timothy felt reading those beautiful letters and keeping them safe for the times when he would want to "hear" the words even after Paul died.</div>
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The Bible is so amazing. From front to back it is physical evidence of God's love and promise that my life, my story will have a happy ending. And so it will be for anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God tells us how far He is willing to go to rescue us and bring us safely home.</div>
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I love personal letters! I especially love physical letters. So I'm going to begin writing and sending personal, physical letters to friends. Hand-written. Hm, I might have to clean up my handwriting a tiny bit. Its been quite a while since I've written any physical letters "just because." Maybe someone will need the physical affirmation that they are remembered and cherished.</div>
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How about you? When was the last time you received a personal letter that warmed your heart? When was the last time you wrote and sent a letter? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>" Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>This is the mark </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>in every letter of mine, it is the way I write. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"><i>~ II Thessalonians 3: 16-17</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-56302051638313385552014-09-23T22:48:00.001-07:002014-10-16T11:31:09.389-07:00Do You Fast?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you fast? I suppose if this question were very technical in nature than the answer would be a resounding yes. Everyone fasts when they sleep. That's why we have Breakfast.<br />
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But my question is not for the cycle of rest our bodies undergo every night. The type of fasting I am bringing to the "table" in this post is Biblical fasting.<br />
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And let me be the first to say that fasting was never a top priority in my spiritual life. I had read about it in scripture and for some reason always believed it was for those super spiritual people like the prophet Elijah or beautiful, Godly queens like Esther, or the disciples, or even the Son of God. But fasting for the every day, ordinary Christian gal? Really?.... why?<br />
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That was the question I often asked whenever this topic came up anywhere. Why on Earth would a person willingly put themselves through that if it wasn't to lose weight, get over the stomach flu, or prepare for surgery? It just didn't seem like something a Christian living today had to do.<br />
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I used to believe that it wasn't as important as paying your taxes, loving your enemies, and tithing. But then I was convicted when I read Matthew 6:16. Jesus begins this verse by saying,<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" And when you fast..."</i></span></div>
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Not IF you fast.</div>
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Jesus was talking to his followers and talking in the future tense. He was giving instruction on what was proper behavior during fasting and expected that fasting would be a natural part of the Christian life.</div>
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Hm. It wasn't a part of mine. Once I realized this I knew I had to make a decision. Would I obey in this or... not. I certainly had a list of reasons why it would be better to just ignore this verse. I mean, I'm a tiny, petite young woman to begin with. I struggle to gain weight and keep it on. So to skip meals for several days at a time just didn't seem wise.</div>
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So I took this excuse to the Lord in prayer and He led me to examples of different fasting. Some were as long as forty days! Others were as short as one skipped meal. The one commonality of each type of fasting was that the faster (fastee?) would spend their time praying and reading the Bible instead of eating.</div>
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So, I understood that fasting meant serious one-on-one time with the Lord but why does He expect us to do it in the first place if we are already reading and praying each day?</div>
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When I went back to the Bible for this answer I learned that fasting always precipitated breakthroughs in the lives of those who fasted and sometimes in those who were the subject of those prayers. And then the lightbulb turned on in my head. There have been a few areas in my life were I was still waiting for answers. There were some areas in my life where I was still struggling. Fasting helped me and I'm so encouraged that I felt it a good idea to encourage each of you to do it too.</div>
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As I stated earlier I really can't handle a long fast. And before you try fasting do pray about it first and do your own research concerning how the body is affected by skipped meals. Please use common sense and know that fasting may not be possible for everyone such as: diabetics, pregnant or nursing women, the very sick, the very old, the malnourished, and people on medications. A person who fasts should be healthy at the time of fasting.</div>
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When I began fasting I decided to start by skipping one meal and spend all that time with the Lord. After a few tries I felt good about skipping two consecutive meals. I paid attention to how I felt emotionally, spiritually, and physically by writing in a journal my experiences.</div>
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Work days keep coming don't they? So either plan to fast on a weekend or when you won't have a heavy load of responsibilities at your job. I started keeping track of how much time, in terms of days, my body would need to be back to full strength and scheduled accordingly.</div>
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I also began planning what would be acceptable to ingest. Under no circumstances should anyone be fasting for lengthy periods of time without drinking anything! There are exceptions in the Bible but those were special cases and miracles in their own right. Forty-day fasts must be planned and carefully monitored. The Holy Spirit will never ask someone to do anything that would be detrimental to their health. The idea of fasting is to achieve a closer relationship with the Lord in this world, not just the next.</div>
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After a time of practicing fasting for two meals I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to fast for a full 24 hours. Because of my physical needs I did continue to drink water and fruit juice in the form of orange juice and apple juice. I also prepared several days in advance by eating smaller meals as I drew closer to my fast in order to help my stomach transition. I also planned my meals after the fast. </div>
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I was careful not to do anything physically strenuous the day before, during, and after my fast. I wrote down a list of things I wished to bring before the Lord and I asked for His direction in planning what to focus on in Bible reading.</div>
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I made certain to get a good night's rest before and after my fast and I removed all distractions as much as possible. And I decided to put on a summer dress. Something I felt pretty and presentable in since Jesus is my best friend and I like looking good for my friends. It really did help me get focused on why I was fasting in the first place.</div>
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Things I noticed: </div>
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As long as I kept to a scheduled time of drinking the hunger pains were minimal. </div>
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I did experience feeling cold later in the day and had a warm tea and put on a blanket. </div>
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It soon passed. </div>
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I was careful not to stand up too quickly to avoid dizziness.</div>
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I experienced several breakthroughs concerning my life and God spoke to me profoundly through His Word. I feared I would run out things to pray about but I never did.</div>
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I did experience a few bouts of fatigue. By the end of the 24 hours I was quite tired. </div>
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In fact I did take a short 20 minute nap during the day.</div>
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After the fast I felt renewed, invigorated, and very happy and content as I haven't felt in a long time. And those feelings have lasted to this day. I have no doubt it is because of the time I spent seeking the Lord and I want more.</div>
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Something to keep in mind is that not every prayer will be answered as we wish. God cannot be manipulated. He is not a genie in a bottle. </div>
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You will probably face opposition but if the Holy Spirit is leading you then obey Him anyway. It is soooo worth it!</div>
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Never fast in order to brag about it. Fasting is to humble us. No one is "more spiritual" by fasting since we are all called to do so. Those are common reasons why other religions fast (monks, nuns, etc.). Fasting can never replace salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.</div>
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I will continue to incorporate fasting into my life and I hope that you will too. The benefits are wonderful and if you are struggling with strongholds in your life, or if you are wrestling with defeat or discouragement, then let me urge you to fast. </div>
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No way around it. Fasting is hard work. So start small... one meal and go wherever God leads you from there. It is possible to fast. You can do it! God will help you as He did I and so many others.</div>
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And when fast you will be joining the ranks of Christians leaders who rocked the world. People like: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Finney, etc.</div>
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Blessings to you as you seek to know the Lord more deeply.</div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-13013429786852402982014-09-04T22:48:00.000-07:002014-09-04T22:48:34.207-07:00An Unexpected Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWBoxmHEskCL6yiK_N-ifeKmyIx-6ccg2tieZS82WQ0EpvKvt05ZbqniPAfLiIHOnAj4t7x69d-SQ0P-VkBrh0kJ8L0SCvDIfbuuI7-dv2JkwQIvZOPki226QaaTfm1MdLMP8/s1600/Jesus-at-the-door-photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWBoxmHEskCL6yiK_N-ifeKmyIx-6ccg2tieZS82WQ0EpvKvt05ZbqniPAfLiIHOnAj4t7x69d-SQ0P-VkBrh0kJ8L0SCvDIfbuuI7-dv2JkwQIvZOPki226QaaTfm1MdLMP8/s1600/Jesus-at-the-door-photo-4.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
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There was an unexpected knock on the door one evening. When the front door was open an old friend was standing on the other side. Once we were all settled in the living room after warm greetings the nature of the visit came to light.</div>
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The friend was in need of encouragement. You see this friend of mine has been battling depression and confessed that recently it has worsened to thoughts of suicide. This individual is a Christian and loves the Lord but the world and life circumstances have been cruel. There has been much suffering and grief in this person's life.</div>
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It was shared that in recent months the Lord lead my friend to seek professional Christian counseling and to begin mild treatment with medication. And there have been struggles to remain on the medication too. The devil has been busy trying to shame my friend by feeding the lie that a person should only need to read the Bible and pray to get over depression. But this not always where God wants us to stop.</div>
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Yes, we should always turn first to the Lord in prayer and the Bible seeking His wisdom. But there are certain conditions of the physical body that need physical solutions. Certain things, if not discovered and stopped early, can become dangerous. Heart attacks, a burst appendix, a severed limb, high blood pressure etc. can all be life threatening. </div>
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In certain cases it is well and good to use the tools, knowledge, and experience of modern science and medicine to aid the body when its in deep distress. Similarly severe chemical imbalances can be very dangerous to the mind and may require medical intervention. </div>
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I share this because I have known several people who have battled depression and have found help through medication. When our bodies are suffering our spirit and soul suffers too. This can directly weaken a person's will to live. And the Bible is full of examples where God addressed the physical needs, sometimes even before the deeper spiritual needs, of people in great suffering.</div>
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Besides applauding my friend for taking the initiative to seek help I pointed to examples in the Bible where God comforted mighty Christians who suffered from depression. The first example God brought to my mind was Elijah. I have written a post about him and his incredible struggle on my blog a while back. It is possible to be a strong Christian and have a powerful testimony yet still suffer depression. </div>
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I also pointed to a living day example of someone who suffered tremendous depression and even attempted suicide: Dr. Ravi Zacharias of RZIM. He is today considered one of the greatest apologists in the world. Truly his life is phenomenal and he carries with him, besides his incredible intellect, a tender heart.</div>
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It is no mistake, from what I have read in scripture and from the testimony of people I have met, many times those who suffer from depression possess a sensitive spirit. Meaning that these individuals have the ability to feel very deeply the suffering of others. This is a double-edged sword because it can be used very powerfully in God's hands or it can destroy when handed over to the devil.</div>
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I reminded my friend of the promise God gives us in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Psalm 34:18 </span>which says, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">"<i> The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit."</i></span> A tender and sensitive spirit can notice the needs of others more keenly and can be more specific in providing comfort and aid. This upsets the devil greatly and can make them targets. These individuals can also be more vulnerable to spiritual warfare and so must be certain to put on the armor of God. </div>
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Another important thing we discussed was how important it is to share with trusted friends and family the anxieties of the heart. I again applauded my friend for coming, even if unannounced, and seeking comfort and support. That was the right thing to do. We prayed and embraced and finally said our goodbyes.</div>
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It dawned on me the next day that what happened was exactly how everyone in church should be towards each other. We should be hospitable and non-judgmental of others. We should always be ready to encourage and point fellow believers to God. It is very possible that by being receptive, attentive, and loving that evening the Lord may have used me to save my friend's life. There were tears and sighs when I spoke of God's love that evening and so I knew the Lord was working a deep healing.</div>
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There are times when Jesus will knock on our doors. Sometimes it is literally, sometimes it is figuratively but always it is with purpose. May we always be ready and willing to open the door even if it is inconvenient. The blessings are abundant and life changing.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you? The king will answer and say to them, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>' Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>even the least of them, you did it to me.'"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Matthew 25: 39, 40 </i></span> </div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-82207390297859556362014-08-31T23:00:00.002-07:002014-08-31T23:06:16.476-07:00Are You Beautiful?<div style="text-align: center;">
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Are you beautiful?</div>
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Just the other day I was wrestling with this very question. And even though I do not consider myself ugly, and even though I know what God thinks of me I still wondered. I could see beauty everywhere around me. I could appreciate the beauty of others and the beauty of nature but I could not see it in myself.</div>
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Have you ever been there? Have you ever wondered if there was anything truly beautiful about you?</div>
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As the years go by and friends and relatives marry, do you wonder about your dream of building a family ever coming true?</div>
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Do you wonder about your true beauty if your career doesn't pan out or you can't find a job?</div>
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If you have ever been abused do you perhaps wonder if it was because there isn't anything beautiful about you? </div>
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For me I was having a normal day. It was a good day. I felt happy and then, out of nowhere I suddenly felt very sad. I can't remember if it was a song on the radio or a happy couple I passed by on the street but something shifted my perspective in a moment. Suddenly I was uncertain. Suddenly I felt tears stinging my eyes.</div>
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I was hyper aware of my single status and every dream and hope, every prayer that has yet been unanswered. It was so sudden and unexpected, like getting hit in the head by a cement block.</div>
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" What is <i>this</i>?" I wondered. " I was happy! What just happened?" My thoughts recalled <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Psalm 43:5</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?..."</i></span></div>
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And I remember wishing in those moments that I had a husband I could turn to who would hold me and tell me that I was beautiful to him and that I was cherished. I so desperately needed to hear those words. </div>
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And then I remembered the rest of the verse: <i style="color: #741b47;"> "... I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again- my savior and my God." </i>I started to pray and cried to God, sharing my sudden heart-ache and desire. </div>
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God understands our sufferings and searches our hearts. I heard His words in my head and felt them in my heart: </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Psalm 34:18</i></span></div>
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I can't explain what triggered such a powerful mix of emotions that day. All I can say is that He was with me and heard my cries. Perhaps He knew someone reading this post would need to know that they are not alone. </div>
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God knows the incredible worth and beauty each of us possess. He doesn't see us as we see ourselves. Married or not, successful or not, abused or not abused our beauty does not lie in our flesh and all the things that weigh it down. </div>
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No dear friends, our beauty comes from the new life, the new creatures we have already become through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Are you beautiful? Yes! You are beautiful even when you don't feel so. Our beauty rivals the stars! We shine with a glory that is hidden from this world. But one day we will know ourselves as He knows us; perfect, whole, and beautiful.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~John 3:16</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~Psalm 45:11</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~Song of Songs 4:7</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-32841954624680168882014-07-10T14:45:00.000-07:002014-07-10T14:45:03.387-07:00Purpose In The Ordinary Every Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I was doing my laundry and hung it outside to dry. And as I commenced in the action I was suddenly hit by the realization of how ordinary that experience was to me. There is truly nothing very exciting about hanging one's laundry. And yet I was struck by how profoundly human I felt while doing that.</div>
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" How many people hang their laundry in the world today?" I thought to myself because I didn't know. But it must be a lot. " And how many people hung their laundry in generations past?" Lots and lots I imagined. </div>
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And as I hung laundry I wondered about all the other mundane acts I did every day that were also shared experiences with the collective human race. It made me wonder about all the private, normal every day moments of Christians in the Bible. Did Mary, Jesus mother, hang laundry too? Did Jesus maybe even help her? Did Joseph, Jacob's son, learn how to cook meals and clean when he was a servant in Egypt? Did David feed the horses and sheer the sheep?</div>
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I began to wonder of all the moments the Bible never tells us about. And I was deeply moved by the thought that God saw every single one of those moments. Every single one. From birth. Can you imagine? And even more profound to me was that He chose to keep those moments hidden from us. He respected their privacy and only shared the things that would help us grow. God cherished each life mentioned in His Word. </div>
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That thought got me thinking about what He cherishes about my ordinariness. I am, in many ways, quite simple. And I like who I am. But to think that the God of all creation watches my every moment of every day... that's so amazing to me. Why does He bother? </div>
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And its not just me He watches. God sees every moment of every life in this world. I cannot fathom that fact. But its true. And I think if we all could see those moments of each other, the moments of complete vulnerability and humanness, it would help us understand how terribly our sins hurt others.</div>
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God loves you and me and every person, He always has. And I sometimes wrestle with that thought because there are some truly horrible acts committed by people towards others (animals and nature included.) And I think... how can God care about them? Does He not see what they do? Does He not care? But I believe that He cares so much more profoundly than any of us can ever know. </div>
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And I wonder, after all this pondering, if ordinary days have a purpose beyond the now. Could it be that the long days, weeks, months, and even years when nothing profound happens in our lives... could it be that we exist just so that God can love us?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" What are mere mortals that you should think about them, </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>human beings that you should care for them?"</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Psalm 8:4</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-9689413987855778932014-06-30T20:37:00.000-07:002014-06-30T20:37:31.809-07:00Grace For Prolonged Singleness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anyone who has been following my blog for a fair length of time knows that the issue of singleness has been frequented a bit. And the fact that this post will be focused on the topic again means that this blog will have a bit more to say. <br />
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Recently, I had the privilege of attending the 2014 RZIM Summer Institute. The theme this year was Freedom. Sessions and talks delved into how living with Christ grants Christians unparalleled freedom not just for spiritual gain but also for life in this world. Contrasts between current societal norms and what scripture proclaims were clearly defined. At times I felt both convicted and uplifted.<br />
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But what made the experience so complete and satisfying was the interaction I had, not only with the speakers, but also with fellow attendees. Talking about the issues brought up in sessions was very rewarding. During the week-long institute several people were surprised that I was single and traveled alone. So I found myself explaining my perspective on the matter.<br />
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" How does one neatly sum up the experience of prolonged singleness?" I wondered. For it is, in a word, an experience. Neither completely negative or completely positive. There is always that yearning deep inside to have someone who knows and accepts you completely, despite your worst moments. Someone who "gets" you. The world sometimes refers to this person as your "soul mate."<br />
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Truthfully though no one can fulfill the deepest ache in our souls. Only Jesus Christ and the power of his love can do that. But human companionship with another person is a close second. God understood this when He created Eve for Adam. Life in this world is so much more pleasant when you have the right person to share the experience. <br />
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For many people prolonged singleness is unfulfilled longing. On somedays being single is difficult. Yet society says that living the single life is better than being stuck with the "ball and chain" of marriage. People live together and sleep together without any commitments and then wonder why the other person never takes the relationship seriously.<br />
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It takes a deep, inner strength to resist the constant tide of " do what feels good" messages. Feel like sleeping with that cute guy or gal? Go for it. Just use a condom. Not sure if you're really compatible with him or her? Then live together for a year or so and see what happens. Go on... roll the dice. Try your luck.<br />
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And so many people do. Only to discover that "what feels good" yesterday does not feel good today. We don't hear the rest of the story in those care-free messages. Why don't they tell us of all the broken hearts and shattered lives? There are so, so many.<br />
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Inevitable questions arise. Questions such as: What is wrong with doing whatever feels good? Should Christian singles ignore their natural yearnings? Should singles sequester themselves in convents, monasteries, and the like? Does God even care for the unique struggles singles wrestle with?<br />
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Coming back to my experience at the RZIM institute, I soon discovered that I was not the only single who arrived alone. The other singles present understood where I was coming from without any need of explanation. And we encouraged each other and prayed for each other and found many similar experiences amongst us regarding how society, friends, relatives, and families treated us.<br />
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We all had people in our lives who encouraged and supported us in our pursuit to live lives that honored the Lord regardless of our marital status. But we also wrestled with questions.<br />
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1. What is wrong with doing whatever feels good? The Bible teaches that the human heart is naturally inclined towards selfishness and malintent. Doing whatever feels good will many times end up hurting ourselves and even others in the future. <br />
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There need to be boundaries that keep us from going too far. That is where this conference excelled in explaining this dilemma. The theme was on the freedom Christians have through Christ. We studied the example of the Ten Commandments and how they can still be applied today. Every society in the world, even the most remote, have rules to not take what is not theirs. They all have rules about taking the life of another. Why? Even when God is not formally recognized people know that we need boundaries to preserve life.<br />
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Without boundaries anyone can do whatever they want and that creates chaos. An easy example is driving a vehicle on a road. We need signs and lights to let us know who has the right-of-way. Otherwise someone could barrel down any intersection and kill someone else in the process. Speed limits are another example. One does not take a sharp turn at eighty miles an hour. <br />
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2. Should singles ignore their natural yearnings? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that it is a sin to desire a spouse, sex, or children. God created man and woman with all their "inner workings" for the specific purpose of strengthening the bond between a married couple. Experiencing natural yearnings in and of themselves is not sinful or wrong in any way. It simply means we are human. Likewise, it is not a sin to be attracted to someone who is handsome/beautiful. It is not wrong to admire the beauty others may possess. <br />
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It is, however, wrong to fantasize about others. It is wrong to have any involvement of any form in pornography. It is wrong to sleep with anyone who is not your spouse. And it is wrong to envy anyone who is married when you are not.<br />
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These are tough issues. The Bible is very clear that immorality leads to great suffering and envy embitters the one who feeds it. <br />
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What to do then when, as a single, you feel overwhelmed? Some people go out and do something social. Others find something constructive to do where ever they happen to be. And still others have a mentor or prayer buddy whom they can call and ask for encouragement. <br />
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But of course the one thing Christians all have in common is that they can take their struggle to the Lord. <br />
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3. Should Christian singles sequester themselves? No way. Isolation makes a Christian vulnerable. This is not the same as having private time alone with the Lord. Staying away from society damages the soul. We were all created for relationships with others. First God, then family, then community. <br />
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God will not drop our spouses at the front door while we twiddle our fingers and hope for him/her to show up. We must do our part and be out and about living and growing our character and our faith! In a sense we have a responsibility to be on display but not just to catch the eye of a potential mate. The Bible states that Christians are the salt of the Earth (world), and light in darkness. <br />
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We stand out in a very good and refreshing way when we are among people who don't know Christ. They need to see His love lived out in our lives and that can never happen if we are always at home watching TV or playing video games or constantly with our noses stuck to our smart phones. <br />
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4. Does God even care about the unique struggles singles wrestle with? Yes God cares! At the conference my fellow single brethren all shared times in their lives when they asked God this question and found Him to be faithful. <br />
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God grants His children endurance of heart and mind and spirit and soul. He doesn't always relieve our pains because He is forming us into His image. Human beings tend to become better versions of themselves through suffering. <br />
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That does not mean that everyone who suffers is a nice person. And I can say that there have been times in my life when my attitude needed adjustment. But by God's grace He always carries me through and I learn the lesson I must. All of that aside though, I believe that God never with-holds a good thing from those who love Him without giving them something far better.<br />
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If you are like me, floating in the deep waters of prolonged singleness, please let me encourage you. You are not alone. There are many others in this world going through the same pains, and asking the same questions, and wrestling with what God is doing in their lives.<br />
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Do not isolate yourself. Do not allow the internet to be your only way of communicating with others. Get out and meet people and care about them and let yourself become vulnerable. Allow God to mold you and follow Him with faith. You don't need a lot. Just a little-bit is enough. He won't always let you know what's coming up next but He will show you the immediate next step if you're willing to trust His timing.<br />
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God loves you very much. He truly does! Being single is not a curse. You are not being punished. You are very precious and very important to the kingdom! Don't be discouraged or heavy-hearted. You are not forgotten. <br />
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God is about to do a miraculous thing with your life. So take a deep breath, close your eyes, and take a step forward. <br />
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Prolonged singleness is an experience unlike anything in the world. Enjoy it and let everyone know that it is God's marvelous work in you they are witnessing. Who knows where He will take you next!<br />
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Psalm 27:1 <i>"... the Lord is the strength of my life."</i></div>
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<br />Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-81936821686536542052014-05-18T12:32:00.000-07:002014-05-18T12:36:17.784-07:00Mothers, Flower Petals, and Sentiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcwtVe2kz5X8nvfmeSDUo7yMQrD8XFLl_R3gmHNfdhSUQhyjbmOB1bfnWW2g2bC6ng6qVy351W-4WWOLQLHiq0Vb3ta25xDPViUJapY6TAuWaOC4ybiPodYHS84jfd3V1Xx9p/s1600/darlingmother.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcwtVe2kz5X8nvfmeSDUo7yMQrD8XFLl_R3gmHNfdhSUQhyjbmOB1bfnWW2g2bC6ng6qVy351W-4WWOLQLHiq0Vb3ta25xDPViUJapY6TAuWaOC4ybiPodYHS84jfd3V1Xx9p/s1600/darlingmother.png" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
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May is the month dedicated to graduations and our wonderful, beautiful, so much smarter than us in every way mothers. I have had the blessing of being raised by not just one but two amazing women: my mother and my grandmother.</div>
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Both of these ladies have been through so much in life. I have watched them and learned from them for as long as I can remember. And they both know and trust the Lord in everything. They are prayer warriors and very giving of themselves... sometimes to their own detriment.</div>
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They are both hard workers and often feel guilty when they take time for themselves to simply relax. But they won't stand for I or anyone else they love working themselves into the ground.</div>
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My mother and grandmother are very protective and nurturing. Lionesses when they believe it necessary. Angels of mercy more often than not.</div>
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They have their faults, no doubt about that. But their love and their actions overshadow their human flaws. </div>
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I often wonder why I was blessed to know and be the object of their love. And I wonder how I could ever live up to their examples. I often feel too selfish in comparison to them. My life is so different from their experiences. </div>
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Even so, I wanted to bless them with lovely cards this year. Only I didn't like any of the cards I found in the stores. What to do? </div>
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I remembered that tucked away amongst my favorite books sat a box with hidden treasures. I had long ago began drying and saving flowers and their petals. This year seemed to be the right time to take a few out and do something special.</div>
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Each petal and flower represent a time and place very precious to me in my memories. And I thought it would be nice to use these natural representatives of my love in home-made designs for my cards.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1VIZXnS0l_7eZuLssoV3Xx5UV9lPpsffrhgwD46WgyBmxB7zTUYVGk_m14GYPsqNhd2alB7YEJKlJNgmNzNpCdvTQmWjufI5FAsq8gk-UWY74EgEbkVWC32RRnj7vIKTUEBA/s1600/forgrandmother.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1VIZXnS0l_7eZuLssoV3Xx5UV9lPpsffrhgwD46WgyBmxB7zTUYVGk_m14GYPsqNhd2alB7YEJKlJNgmNzNpCdvTQmWjufI5FAsq8gk-UWY74EgEbkVWC32RRnj7vIKTUEBA/s1600/forgrandmother.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Grandmother</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bPUIUW-mKw72DQsgqmC-645qY0vQtva8PzwD2q2qmJam35d5G5RR2peUUS1trJQq0pb8ukjTW_vRKIiAu8p2Ym6Jkz-vnoojIFRM52nXyaOdlXaY1nuqEtecJmC1rcYLYevM/s1600/formother.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bPUIUW-mKw72DQsgqmC-645qY0vQtva8PzwD2q2qmJam35d5G5RR2peUUS1trJQq0pb8ukjTW_vRKIiAu8p2Ym6Jkz-vnoojIFRM52nXyaOdlXaY1nuqEtecJmC1rcYLYevM/s1600/formother.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Mother</td></tr>
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I am so thankful for the relationships I have with my two mothers. I sometimes become melancholy when I recognize that they are aging. And that fills me with a determination to enjoy and cherish them as much as possible today while we are still together.</div>
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Much love to all you darling mothers. Blessings upon blessings to you for all the love you give us, your children.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Oh Lord of beauty and light, </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">thank you for the incredible blessing of mothers,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;"> who sacrifice,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">who nurture,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">who teach through word and deed,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">that life is more than living for oneself,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">and for instilling in young hearts and minds,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">the seeds of your divine love.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">~ Sincerity</span></i></div>
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<i>" She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." ~ Proverbs 31: 26-27</i></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-3529112594025983442014-04-29T11:23:00.000-07:002014-04-29T11:23:42.488-07:00In Christ Everything Has A Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For anyone whose life is hidden in Christ, everything that happens to them has a purpose. Yes, in Christ everything has a purpose. That was the title I finally decided upon for this post. You see it has been a very challenging and "purposeful" month. </div>
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April always has great meaning to me because of Easter. And every year I am reminded of the incredible love Jesus displayed when He died on the cross to offer me a chance at redemption. When I quiet my heart and mind and really allow myself to think about what He did, I am filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions. Gratefulness being one of the most pronounced.</div>
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But this year God wanted my Easter to stand out from the rest. This year He sent me a special message. </div>
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The last day of March I was returning home from a long day at work and was only three blocks away when someone hit me from behind. It was not a pleasant experience and within that same hour I began feeling aches and pains in my back and my neck. </div>
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The other driver apologized repeatedly and I could see that they were honestly upset about hitting my vehicle. I knew that I could be harsh because the accident could only happen by a very careless driver. And the driver admitted that they were not paying attention. </div>
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But instead of being angry and justifying any harsh words, I felt compassion. I forgave and comforted the other driver. We did eventually exchange information and a policeman, who happened to be driving our way, pulled over and helped get everything down in writing.</div>
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During the following weeks I wrestled with car insurance companies, juggled doctor and physical therapy appointments, and had tests. Around the same time I had been given the opportunity to join a short-term mission team to New York City. Our purpose would be to aid a young church in their outreach to the community via a massive easter egg hunt. It would take place on Easter weekend and our goal would be to share the Easter story with as many children as possible. I was excited at the prospect and wondered if I could go.</div>
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That Sunday I arrived to church late and found a seat in the back of the auditorium. When the service ended the stranger beside me turned and introduced himself. He was a visitor to my church. After a time he shared with me that the Holy Spirit had urged him to visit my church that morning because he was to encourage and pray for someone who would arrive late and sit beside him. </div>
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That someone was me. I shared with him my heart for missions and my desire to serve the Lord where ever He might lead. And eventually I shared about the car accident. The stranger prayed over me, asking God to grant me strength, courage, and healing. He told me that I might receive bad news and be confronted with my health getting worse. But he told me not to worry about a negative diagnosis and shared with me an experience he had with his health and how God was healing him even though modern medicine said it wasn't possible. </div>
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And then he shared verses with me that spoke of God's power to heal. I cried. We both cried. I was so deeply encouraged and amazed by how God works. I never saw the stranger again but before we parted ways he told me that I had been an encouragement to him and that I shouldn't be afraid to go wherever God leads. I had to believe that I would be healed. </div>
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Later that week I had an x-ray that showed something wasn't right in my neck. It was unclear whether-or-not it was something serious so my doctor ordered an MRI. I underwent the MRI and remembered the message God sent to me in church. I decided to join the mission team and go to New York on faith. The weekend was beautiful. The weather and travel and company were wonderful. We participated in the outreach ministry with joyful hearts and impacted well over 300 children in under four hours! That Sunday we participated in the Lord's Supper (communion) and through all the business my health was strong.</div>
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The day after I returned, my doctor shared with me the results of the MRI. The trauma from the accident was not serious and I should make a full recovery. But the test revealed something none of us expected, something that apparently had already been developing. Osteoarthritis. It is in my spine. This diagnosis is not often found in people younger than 40 so we were puzzled and a bit disheartened. How could this be happening to me? And what could be the cause?</div>
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The osteoarthritis is in the early stages so there is still time to minimize the damage and possibly prevent it from spreading. Currently modern medicine believes that osteoarthritis is incurable and degenerative. The diagnosis I have been given is that I will get worse. Exactly how worse and how quickly is unknown. And yet I have hope that God will stop its development and grant me the wisdom I need to know what to do next. I believe He can heal me from this disease but if He does not it isn't because He can't do it. </div>
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I realize that I never would have known I have this disease had I never undergone the MRI test. And I never would have undergone the MRI test had I not been given an x-ray. And I never would have had the x-ray if a driver had not hit me while I was returning home from work.</div>
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God works in mysterious ways and sometimes He allows us to go through trials because He knows that's what is best for us. My plan is to continue with the summer institute in June and do my best to maintain my health. Beyond these things I know my life is not in my own hands. None of us can really know what tomorrow may bring. But if we are close to God, if we trust Him, then we don't have to worry about what could happen. </div>
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God is faithful and He is sovereign. Everything in the life of a Christian has a purpose.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>" But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>to those who fear Him,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>and His righteousness to children's children,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments."</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><i>~ Psalm 103:17-18</i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-54929943493320143662014-03-21T11:20:00.000-07:002014-03-21T11:30:57.447-07:00Christianity = Uncomfortable<div style="text-align: center;">
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Jesus said very clearly that Christians are not meant to just coast through life and be comfortable and be happy all the time. In a perfect world these things would be all that would be expected of us. And when Christ returns this will be the case. But at this point in time we live in a broken world filled with so many hurting people. How many times do we look the other way when we see them? </div>
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Even in many churches people don't really connect with each other. They sit beside the same people every week but they never talk to them or know their struggles. And sometimes when folks are new believers they are asked to be discreet and just raise their hand while everyone's eyes are closed and heads are bowed. </div>
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The insinuation seems to be that having faith in Jesus Christ is an embarrassing or shameful thing. It's as if being a Christian means you don't tell anyone and you keep your personal struggles to yourself. You should just live a "good life," pretend you have no issues, and somehow... magically you will feel better and people in the community will be impressed want to go to church too.</div>
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But is that what the Bible teaches? No! The Bible teaches us to GO OUT into the community wherever we are and share the good news that we have! The hope that we have of eternal life and forgiveness and freedom to no longer be chained down by sin and shame.</div>
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But how many of us are actually doing that? Do we prefer to stay in our Christian bubbles because it's easier? Less scary?</div>
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Sometimes Christians in their bubbles sit around and talk about issues. And talk and talk and talk
about them. And they come to conclusions and agree on them and then
walk away and do nothing about the issues.</div>
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Sometimes
Christians see or know of people who are in need. They will share the
needs and talk about them and agree that something should happen and
then they themselves do nothing. What is the point of it all? Why
bother talking about things if no one has any intention of doing anything? </div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;">" If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion- how can God's love be in that person?"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #741b47;">~ I John 3:17 </span></i></div>
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It's not okay to let "other people" do the hard work of mission trips or
reaching out in your community. We do not have the right to do
nothing. We were bought with a price. Jesus died so that we could go
and do everything we can to tell everyone we can about Him.</div>
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Look, I'm not saying all of this as if I am living the perfect Christian life. I struggle too. But God is convicting me and teaching me that being uncomfortable and being misunderstood is okay. In fact, many times God prefers that I experience those things because then I am dependent on Him! And then my efforts have supernatural power because I'm not going and doing things by my own strength. </div>
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What if God is calling you to do this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i8qvEw2tZ_9VDlQFt9sLog60MZS0yWOI1v3tE3vvIBro2A9tmnwkYJbT-0YOldLc7VoC5QPqZVMEdqrJ1rYH0YH8fcUu0UEOBbRaYJQ4EymWp62QFDXCtaJHZWRIxnOaYrRW/s1600/helping_the_homeless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i8qvEw2tZ_9VDlQFt9sLog60MZS0yWOI1v3tE3vvIBro2A9tmnwkYJbT-0YOldLc7VoC5QPqZVMEdqrJ1rYH0YH8fcUu0UEOBbRaYJQ4EymWp62QFDXCtaJHZWRIxnOaYrRW/s1600/helping_the_homeless.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or this:</div>
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Or this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEFzfoA0SdrUC2WQLltzzulc-QUIRvjbS6XZv-F-z_eqirVX_U6qnpFuOvVT27vmV8pGDglxQwu0MpEzLdF5yv0cz5kXwsFIo5HikNYrS-EPQZp1b0H25Vazik6AWbln5luN1/s1600/img_thrfun_com_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEFzfoA0SdrUC2WQLltzzulc-QUIRvjbS6XZv-F-z_eqirVX_U6qnpFuOvVT27vmV8pGDglxQwu0MpEzLdF5yv0cz5kXwsFIo5HikNYrS-EPQZp1b0H25Vazik6AWbln5luN1/s1600/img_thrfun_com_0.jpg" /></a></div>
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Or this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZW2nxpmofw3iZ2OjpWLYSylgqOX5GPwURvLGIRw91Qa4r_hl9h388a8PBA0fpKznVi6m6lW0xGes9PZ_lsgPkiVxuGOlOJCUVI3GpJwzI2Xvpc-ffSIW49WHUSY1IeJaFdl-/s1600/sharing+with+boys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZW2nxpmofw3iZ2OjpWLYSylgqOX5GPwURvLGIRw91Qa4r_hl9h388a8PBA0fpKznVi6m6lW0xGes9PZ_lsgPkiVxuGOlOJCUVI3GpJwzI2Xvpc-ffSIW49WHUSY1IeJaFdl-/s1600/sharing+with+boys.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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How do you know God doesn't want you to actually get on a plane and go to places like Haiti or Thailand or Alaska or Africa? How do you know He couldn't use you in those places? Do you fear that the creator of the universe would be unable to provide financially?</div>
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How do you know that you would be ineffective reaching out to the homeless in your community or those who have suffered abuse?</div>
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How do you know that your unbelieving coworker won't listen to you if you shared what Jesus did for you?</div>
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You don't know. You assume. It isn't true that you are not good enough, smart enough, experienced enough... fill in the blank.</div>
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God can use you! I used to think I didn't have much to bring to the table. But God proved me wrong. And if God can use me He can use anyone. Period.</div>
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As Christians we are called to go out and be a comfort to those who are grieving. We are to be counselors to those who have suffered abuse and trauma. We are expected to speak up and stand up for injustices and the evils readily accepted as politically correct in society today.</div>
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We no longer have the excuse to live only for ourselves. And even if you are married and have kids you are not excused. </div>
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Being a Christian should be hard work. Every day. But Jesus promises that He will be with us. He promises that there are rewards for being faithful workers. Because the time is coming when there will be no more opportunities to help anyone. </div>
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Go!</div>
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Do!</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>" And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." ~ Hebrews 13:16</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i> </i></span></div>
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-41908109201452437812014-03-13T09:42:00.003-07:002014-03-29T10:09:34.072-07:00Adventure in Philadelphia 2014 Flower Show <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QuvQoZTNQojGaZ07Mfw9oW1ga7tvMhOYifgM0kYkw3zYf-fzwmrv4UATtyY3vComybJHrNHPC9zBLYQt9uXDnD9umr2xXLV9Nvipf_cgINOE5uoRuZFD0oCFqe18hjqb8bZf/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QuvQoZTNQojGaZ07Mfw9oW1ga7tvMhOYifgM0kYkw3zYf-fzwmrv4UATtyY3vComybJHrNHPC9zBLYQt9uXDnD9umr2xXLV9Nvipf_cgINOE5uoRuZFD0oCFqe18hjqb8bZf/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been doing a lot with friends and family for several months and realized that it might be a good idea to go do something alone. An adventure with just God and myself. But what?<br />
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One of my favorite hobbies is gardening and out-door, backyard hosting. I cannot wait until the weather gets warmer! And while I was perusing information about flower shows in my city I learned about the Annual Flower Show in Philadelphia.<br />
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" That's it!" I thought. " That is what I want to do for myself. Go and admire lots of flowers in pretty arrangements and just imagine what it would be like to have a few of them in my back yard."<br />
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So I hopped in my car and drove to Philly on a surprisingly warm afternoon. Already I felt as if Spring was on its way! There were crowds of people all heading to the Convention Center and I felt the excitement of being a part of something beautiful and unique.<br />
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Upon entering the main show my eyes were greeted by the most beautiful bold and vibrant colors of yellow and pink flowers. They were everywhere! And after I stared for several moments I finally remembered to take out my camera.<br />
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There were so many arrangements of flower art I could hardly believe my eyes. Every single one was unique.<br />
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And the various competitions were stunning. The variety ranged from pressed flowers to miniature flower arrangements to outdoor spaces to bonsai trees and everything in between.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7tgt5O5_osS2LLj0vnX_0Eq6XEEp3OLMgelOn8PXO5U9YDMVFS7R0BhOXZyTU_LUp90fSrstwtpp6xz-_vs8iEKvSBqEB7yas58WwYcr8D77t1VMXFi8OzNVZ6mZZRxbZZoZ/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7tgt5O5_osS2LLj0vnX_0Eq6XEEp3OLMgelOn8PXO5U9YDMVFS7R0BhOXZyTU_LUp90fSrstwtpp6xz-_vs8iEKvSBqEB7yas58WwYcr8D77t1VMXFi8OzNVZ6mZZRxbZZoZ/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressed Flower Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature Arrangement </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100 Year Old Bonsai</td></tr>
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Before I called it a day I decided to visit the butterfly room. It was a room where people could go and feed and hold rare butterfly species from around the world. Apparently it was the first time this was open to the public so I didn't want to miss my chance. And what an experience it was!</div>
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I left Philadelphia that day feeling happy and amazed at all the beauty and wonder I saw. Man is capable of beautiful things. And God's artistry never disappoints. </div>
Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34919758.post-37545540864230366112014-03-04T22:34:00.000-08:002014-03-04T22:34:03.484-08:00When Jesus Says "Come"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Have you ever had the experience of wanting to do something outside of your comfort zone but never actually doing anything because of your fear? Of perhaps it wasn't your fear, per se, but the fears of those closest to you concerning your own person?<br />
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I have. And yet I see God doing amazing things around the world and I want to be a part of what He is doing. But that can never happen until I join Him on the water.<br />
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In Matthew 14: 27-29 the disciples were in a boat during the early morning hours when they suddenly spotted someone walking on the water. The person was Jesus! Peter was so amazed that he asked Jesus to call Him over. And He did. And Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water too!<br />
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I have been out of my comfort zone before but it never seems to get any easier. Perhaps because God keeps stretching it in directions He never has in the past. This time I want to get more involved in providing spiritual counsel, encouragement, and physical aid to those in need around the globe.<br />
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For many years I have been a caretaker for my mother and grandmother. And before that I helped raise my brother. I understand very well both the joys and frustrations of serving. And I understand that everything that happens to us is something God plans to use in a big way.<br />
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This month I am asking God to provide people who will help me step out of the boat. I will need prayer, encouragement, and financial help to achieve one of my goals. During the summer I hope to attend an institute focused on the question about whether freedom is a dream or a delusion. <br />
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This is important for me to study because I will, by God's grace, begin helping orphans, leper communities, human trafficking victims, and the like. All of these people need to know about the hope they can have in Jesus! But they also will have questions, some of which will be about freedom. <br />
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In the right column of this blog is a green picture that says, " Deposit A Gift." Once clicked it will take you to my fundraising page. Please know that giving through that page is safe and you will not be charged any fee. Feel free to give any amount and please share my link with others. The deadline is May 1st.<br />
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<a href="http://summerstudies.mydagsite.com/" target="_blank">http://summerstudies.mydagsite.com/</a><br />
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However you believe God is calling you, don't be intimidated by the winds of negativity or the waves of despair. Know that God is with you and that if He calls you it is because He can certainly catch you. But mostly... life is so much more vibrant and exciting and amazing when we put our faith into action.<br />
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Blessings to you!<br />
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Sincerityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135778203560012397noreply@blogger.com5