tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21025715251567129312024-03-05T12:54:01.382-08:00Healing Hearts Renewing MindsDarlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-35521909732804941852011-01-20T15:29:00.000-08:002011-01-27T07:03:01.806-08:00HHRM Beginnings<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One year ago this week, I introduced you all to me, my broken past, and my redemption through Jesus Christ, right here at </span></span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</span></span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. To say that the year has been personally trying and quite tiring would be an understatement, but since we are settling into our new home (the third one in thirteen months) and a new routine, I hope to be here at this ministry site much more often.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As we approach yet another Roe v. Wade anniversary and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sanctity of Human Life Sunday</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, please oh please know that you are on my heart, on my mind, and in my prayers. As I stated in the very first blog post here, I understand how </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sanctity of Human Life </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sundays send post-abortive women reeling with intense, but oftentimes secret, pain and agony. Most of us are</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> already wounded and near dying as we sit silent in church pews across America. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This site is for </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">your</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> healing. It is for </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">your </span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">renewing. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though I would like to, I cannot do it alone. I cannot redeem myself, nor can I redeem you. Please, if you haven't yet felt God's gentle forgiveness and strong embrace of grace, reach for Him. He is waiting to take your hand, for whatever wounds (abortion, abuse, etc.) you may carry.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Following is the first piece (with minor modifications) that I wrote for this ministry site... And please, if you need to talk, just leave a comment. I must approve them before they post so I can read it and delete it if needed. It is unfortunate, but I currently have no access to the email listed on my contact page. Since this most recent move, I have not found the box with all my office paperwork and passwords. I am very sorry. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just know that I am here for you.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Okay, here is a re-run of the most important story I've ever shared:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am Darlene and this is a place inspired by God out of a very wounded woman’s past. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My past</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I spent twenty-two years heavy-laden with guilt, pain, and shame due to a teenage abortion. Oh, I never really expected to be healed of that wrenching heartbreak and the deep-rooted pain, shame, and unforgiveness. </span>Actually, it all practically strangled me. Thankfully when I started walking with the Lord nearly eight years ago, He had other plans…</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As dawn broke last December 25</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, God spoke to me. Our Lord whispered in my ear as I lay in bed with my head resting on the pillow of Christmas morning. This is what I heard:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“you…such a time as this”</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I rescued you from your own self, </span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">from your sins, and from your past;</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">your future was doomed without Me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You have a letter – share it boldly, in My name</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You know women who will help, pray, guide, encourage…</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">elicit them, ask them.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look, I gave you my son, birthed in the dirtiness of a barn,</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">what are you waiting for? </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do it now, if for Me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Two years ago this week, I penned </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the Letter</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. And for the past year I held onto it. Tightly. But while I was clinging, God ever so diligently was busy working, molding, changing, and shaping me. With divine tools in-hand, He chiseled, refined, scraped, peeled, de-gunked, and fired me red-hot in the furnace heat. After all of this intense sculpting, one might erroneously think I emerged as a finitely finished, delicate ceramic bauble. Indeed not. Rather I am a work in-progress and it is in this very condition that I gently come to you.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On bended knees and with tears streaming down my face, I humbly hand you not only </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the Letter</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, written two years ago, but I tenderly hand you my heart. Because He wants this of me, I must obey.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Dear Pastor/Church Leader,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Consider for a moment the way the church acknowledges “Sanctity of Life Sunday.” Facts are spewed, data is presented, images are shown, pamphlets are handed out, books are dispersed, and preaching is perfunctory. And wait a minute, what is happening right there in the church pews?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">In some, folks are squirming with discomfort of public discussion regarding such a horrid topic. It is an atrocity they cannot even imagine and don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking about.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">In a few, people even are shouting “Amen!” out loud as a battle cry to join forces and money and prayers to hinder such an appalling act.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">In most, congregation members are joining forces quietly. They put money in the offering plate for their local pregnancy care center, while some even make baby blankets sewn with love and prayers to donate to those moms who keep their God-given babes.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">But in an alarming number of those wooden, hymnal-lined pews, women are dying. Dying because they have never felt the forgiveness offered to them by their Heavenly Father. And they are dying because they haven’t taken His hand in order to forgive themselves. One out of every three women sitting in church pews across America are suffering unknown pain, agony and torment come “Sanctity of Life” Sunday. Often times they do it discretely and silently. Some even do it right next to you, but behind a mask. A great deal of our church-going women are being overlooked. Neglected. They line the pews.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">“Sanctity of Life” Sunday is an honorable and worthwhile day, but for many, it is a day that bashes them against the cold, hard brick wall of their reality. They had an abortion. They did the unspeakable. They committed the sin of murder. They killed a baby. They broke God’s heart right in two. While “Sanctity of Life” Sunday revelers spout the statistics and pass the offering plate, the broken sit in the pews. And they bleed all over the place.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">If they haven’t taken their burden to the cross and have not rested their head in God’s forgiving lap, they remain broken, bleeding, and dying. And what is the church doing about it? Rubbing their faces in it. To those precious women sitting in your midst, it feels like their sin is being held up front for everyone to see. It feels personal.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">How do these women cope? Why don’t they seek help? Many may harden their hearts and push it deeper down into the pits of their being. Bury it way inside. After all, they are sitting in a church pew.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">What would the other proper ladies think? Would they turn away in disgust? Would they shake their heads, lower their eyes, and walk away from me? There is no way I could confess my sin. Not here. Not in God’s House. No way.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">If I tell them of my history, will they understand my choice? If I tell them of the troubled teenage promiscuity I experienced, could they relate? If I tell them of the rape, would they pity me? If I tell them of my drunken stupor, would they still listen? If I tell them someone else made me get the abortion, could they, would they, comfort me?</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">And what about my family? My husband. My children. Do they know they are living with a murderer? How could they endure the shame? The whispers? The guilt of being related to me?</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I should tell somebody. I hear that God forgives. But how could He forgive this mess? How could He forgive me? Why would He? Look, it is a big deal they are making today. It even has a name and a national day of recognition. Oh, I would mess up their service with my truth. With my pain. But I feel like I need to talk.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Oh, no. I won’t even bother. The service will end soon. Who will care after today? It’s a touchy subject. What does the man preaching know about women anyway? Who could I turn to? Not the pastor’s wife, she definitely won’t understand. Not the elder’s wife, she couldn’t possibly relate. Nope. No one.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">So, I will stuff it down. Oh, my. I am bleeding all over the pew. My tears. Oh no, does anyone see? What’ll I do with the mess I have made here in my pew? Smooth it over with a weak smile. Wipe it up with a donation to the pregnancy center. There you go. Shove it back inside. Until next year.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">It may cross the mind of a suffering woman to find help, but when the focus is on the atrocity, on the act itself, and on the innocent baby, the broken woman, although surrounded by Christians, often sits alone in her very own church pew. Hoping no one is on to her. Her secret. Her past.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I know. I was that woman. By God’s grace, mercy, compassion, and infinite love, He helped me lay down my burden. I am one of many who bore that cross, but only one of the few to lay it down. To really lay it down. I had a couple of trusted women on my side. They knew. They prayed. Twenty-two years after the abortion, God spoke to me and filled me with a supernatural strength. I reached out and someone was there. Right there.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Very soon after, and in God’s strength alone, I literally went to the cross and wept. I did it when no one else was at the church. I placed my heavy burden of guilt, shame, fear, sorrow, remorse, and depression right into God’s hand. I wept for the baby. I wept for myself. I wept for could-have-been grandparents. I wept for the doctor and nurses who took my baby’s life. I wept for the baby’s father. I wept for my family.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">That night when I gave my burden to the Lord, I accepted His forgiveness. And I forgave myself. You see, that is the component of the equation that often gets overlooked. Forgiving ones very own selfish self.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Forgiving the one that is being talked about at church. Forgiving the one who feels like her sin is absolutely unforgivable. Now, that is hard to do. And the burden gets oh so heavy every “Sanctity of Life” Sunday. So heavy that I, being free from my sin, but knowing other women are weeping and bleeding from their wounded past, felt God gently tapping me on the shoulder to write this note.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Please know that there are precious daughters of Christ right in your midst who sit broken and bleeding and dying among you. Some may be young, some may be up-town, some may be down-and-out, some may be elderly—but all are children of God who deserve grace, compassion, mercy, their Father’s forgiveness, and your tender love.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Consider for a moment the way the church acknowledges “Sanctity of Life” Sunday.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Sincerely,</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><div><br /></div>Darlene</span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Only because God healed me, do I have no shame in sharing this part of me with you. And in doing so, I pray that God will intervene and bring other wounded women to a similar place of peace and freedom as they rest their whole heart and head in His forgiving lap. It is in the Lord’s name and by the Holy Spirit’s urging, that I boldly dedicate </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> as a ministry to and for post-abortive women.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though my initial thoughts to His Christmas morning prompts were laden with doubt (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What? Why me? Why now? But, I don’t even know how!),</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He lit a fervent fire deep in my soul. So, it is with a burning desire to trust and obey that I am here, doing this. In hindsight I see that God divinely wove together my sinful past, my current forgiveness and healing, some rather lengthy and painful periods of refinement, all to bring me right here. Right to this very place.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, I trust you with the utmost and most tender places of my very being. These nooks and crannies used to be dark and scary and tormenting, but ever since I set my burdens down at His feet, I am no longer haunted. I am forgiven! I am free! It is my prayer that this ministry will be used for His glory. He is the only One who can heal hearts through His loving salve. He is the only One who can renew minds through His Truth-filled words.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Gently join me, please, as God continues to move in </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. If you are a post-abortive woman, come, take my hand and let us bow before the King in humility, seeking His forgiveness, grace, mercy and love. If you are a church leader, please spend some time getting to know the hearts of these wounded women. Please remember that God’s mercy and His Truth have no boundaries or condemnation, rather it is steeped in love and forgiveness.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Mind</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s is here solely because God whispered to me, “Do it now, if for Me” and I unabashedly am saying, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yes, Father!</span></span></i></p></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><br /></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-38835419076370952002010-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:002010-12-29T07:32:38.392-08:00Priorities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe65t0tTib44NgwJsqMeynqZrBrcsfv54cBbD4eW-MdB6XCZCphyphenhyphenwz8Smsjaj8IK3aCR8oTV5K9nJ6eBQQ0Al36TcJCIa3bZXh5asCL_5AowyyswiEgl9JLUaLOROMi45YTPemwrfi4nc/s1600/scg-blue+bf.jpg"></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This time last year I was still marveling over the whispers God placed in my ears and imbedded in my heart:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span></span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“you…such a time as this”</span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.25in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span></span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I rescued you from your own self, from your sins, and from your past;</span></span></span></i></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">your future was doomed without Me.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span></span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You have </span><a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/letter.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a letter</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> – share it boldly, in My name</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span></span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You know women who will help, pray, guide, encourage… </span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">elicit them, ask them.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></o:p></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span></span><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look, I gave you my son, birthed in the dirtiness of a barn, </span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; height: 0px; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; text-indent: -0.25in; "><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">what are you waiting for? </span></span></span><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do it now, if for Me.</span></span></span></b></i></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">With the prayers, technical assistance, and encouragement of a few ladies, this site was pulled together and launched in less than one month. I was blown away by not only the help, but by the immediate response. By the need. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">With the initial launch, and for the first few posts, many people visited. I looked at the site meter. Of course I did. Then two weeks later, we moved again, our second move in four months. It took some time to get semi-settled and to get things rolling here. Next, things waned here and visits spiraled down and admittedly my focus got hazy and my selfLESSness got out of whack.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I regrouped, refocused, and repurposed because your healing is what matters. Even when I have been absent in words, you have been as close as my every heartbeat. I felt (and still feel a bit awkward) that I have let you down. But then God comes and shine His bright light of Truth and I realize that if this ministry's whole purpose was to free </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">one</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> woman in the first week of its launch, then it all has been well worth it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Due to the variables of my family's recent relocation saga, we moved again last month. Our third move in just over one year. So, absent I have been again. Hopefully this leg of our journey will last more than a few months as we finally found a home to buy. So, here I am once more, knee-deep in boxes, clutter, and disorganization. Folks, this is not the way I want to start a new year. Not only is my home a mess, but honestly, I fear that my heart is also a mess. Again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><p></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wanna start things right with the ringing in of a new year.</span></i></span></div> <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">- Who doesn't?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wanna be organized</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">- Who doesn't?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wanna do something spectacular this year.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">- Who doesn't?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wanna, I wanna, I wanna...</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">That is beginning to sound a lot like whining. And I don't know about you, but whining is b-aaad. It shreds me like moldy cheese over a grater. I do not like it. I don't tolerate it from my kid so why do I tolerate it from the recesses of my own heart? </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Me, me, me, I , I, I.</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Like most of you, I need a </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%202&version=ESV"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Titus 2</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> leader in my life. Someone who speaks only His Truth, someone who encourages, and someone who understands real women seeking God. Someone who understands that the seeking and chasing oftentimes includes slipping and falling and standing and reaching, yet again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Please take some time to either listen to and/or read these podcasts and articles by </span><a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/aboutus/nancy.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nancy Leigh DeMoss</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. She is leading women along a path of PRIORITIES for the upcoming new year. Even though I don't know her in-person, I know her in sisterhood of Christ and sometimes she helps fill that Titus 2 woman gap for me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"Now, I want to begin today, and over the next several days, to share some thoughts about how to get our priorities in the right order. We’re especially focusing on this matter of how we use our time—priorities as they relate to our time. What I’m going to do is to take the word priorities—</span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">priorities</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">—and make an acronym out of it, with each of those letters, suggesting something that will help us get our priorities in order."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Nancy Leigh DeMoss)</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I think her teachings will help me (and possibly you too?) to trade the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Me, me, me, I, I, I </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">for the </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Him! Him! Him! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Let's trade the whining for the shining.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Your wounds matter. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The healing of your hearts and the renewing of your minds matter. You matter to me. And most importantly, to God.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Dec. 27: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10727"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">State of Bondage</span></b></span></a></span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10727"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b></b></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Asking Him to order my steps</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> . . . Once I’ve inquired of Him, and I’ve been in His Word and on my knees and sought His heart and believed that He has directed me, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">then I can trust that even if that decision puts pressure on me, that there will be grace to deal with that pressure</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(DeMoss)</span></span></blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Dec. 28: </span></span><a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10728"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Review God's Priorities</span></b></span></span></a></blockquote><a href="http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10728"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b></b></span></span></a></div><div><blockquote></blockquote></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"Now, here’s the concept that has challenged me over the years, and I have to go back to this every day of my life. </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">If I’m too busy to cultivate my relationship with God by the means of grace God has provided for me, then I’m too busy. Then something is wrong and something has to change."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (DeMoss)</span></span></blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In the spirit of Truth, let us join together and encourage one another, to love God, and to love others. But before we can do that...w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">e need to get our priorities straight, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">not only for the new year, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">but for our new hearts in Christ.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Friends, please feel free to leave comments, send emails, and/or link here to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. What started out last year as a place of </span><a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-it-now-if-for-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">rest and redemption for post-abortion women</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> (& men), will broaden this year to include </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">all</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> the wounded.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We all have pasts. We have hurts. But by the grace and love of Christ, He holds our todays and our tomorrows. Are you ready for a new year and a new you--in Him?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe65t0tTib44NgwJsqMeynqZrBrcsfv54cBbD4eW-MdB6XCZCphyphenhyphenwz8Smsjaj8IK3aCR8oTV5K9nJ6eBQQ0Al36TcJCIa3bZXh5asCL_5AowyyswiEgl9JLUaLOROMi45YTPemwrfi4nc/s200/scg-blue+bf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555778982060529618" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, You hold each one of us in the palm of Your gracious hand and You love us with a love so big nothing can compare. Some of us come to You and willingly hand over all of our tattered and ripped baggage while others cling to broken luggage, unwilling and unable to surrender the wounds. Lord, I ask that You give each one the strength to release their grasp on their past so that You will be able to heal and renew with redemption, restoration and love. Lord, let this be a place, a community where folks find Truth, encouragement and safety. Lead us by the Light of Your Truth. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">and all these things shall be added to you.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Matthew 6:33 NKJV)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jesus said to him, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(22:37)</span></span></span></span></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></i></p></span></span></div></span></span></div></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-27911051590146489122010-11-10T08:10:00.000-08:002010-11-10T08:21:33.843-08:00Dine-n-Dash (revisited)<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Here is something worth re-reading and tucking away into the folds of your hearts and minds. And as usual, I ask several questions...</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you believe these statements I gleaned from my Bible the other morning?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But this Man,</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">after <b>He had offered one sacrifice</b></span></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>for sins forever</b>,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">sat down at the right hand of God.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For <b>by one offering</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>He has perfected forever</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>those who are being sanctified</b>.</span></i></span></div></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center; ">(Hebrews 10:12 & 14)</div></span><br /><br />Do you live like you believe those Words are true?<br /><br />And what about the following words?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us;</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center; "><i>for after He had said before,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>“This is the covenant that I will make with them</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>after those days, says the LORD:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>I will put My laws into their hearts,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>and in their minds I will write them</b>,”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>then He adds,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>“<b>Their sins and their lawless deeds</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>I will remember no more</b>.”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Now <b>where there is remission of these,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>there is no longer an offering for sin</b>."</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">(Hebrews 10:15-18)</span></i></div></span></i></span><br /><br />Even though you know God tells only the Truth and your head believes these Biblical utterances, does your heart readily follow suite too?<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you really believe that once you lay your sins at the foot of the cross, they are no longer yours to carry?</span></b><br /><br />Chances are high that you have heard of the poor man's restaurant trick referred to as the Dine-n-Dash. Come with me, let's try it together.<br /><br />I, the poor woman, and you the other poor folks, let's eat a feast (of forgiveness), then we will dash. We will run right out the door, dragging one another by tightly held hands, as we race to our car in the parking lot.<br /><br /><i>Wait a minute! Something is different here at the Divine Diner.</i><br /><br />When we leave this particular eatery, we don't have to look over our shoulder in fearful expectation of the manager running after us, hollering, and demanding payment. No, quite to the contrary.<br /><br />Guess what? We don't even have to beat feet or make haste in our departure.<br /><br />Actually, The Boss would prefer we stay, meal after meal.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because <b>His Son already paid the bill</b>. He even tipped the waitress.<br /><br />Friends, His Words are true. And they are ever-so-filling. Ya know, like the stick-to-your-ribs wholesome food that your mamma used to make to fill your always-starving teenage stomach? Yeah, like that. <b>God wants to fill you up just like that.<br /></b><br />Go back and re-read the scripture above.<br /><br />Now, do you believe those Words with your head and heart?<br /><br />You should.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God does not hold onto bills. He doesn't keep I.O.U.s in a neat little stack. Once you come to His Divine Diner, you actually hand Him the receipt of your lifelong sin list before you sup of His meal of forgiveness. Once you eat, you are free. But God knows that these sins like to noodle their way back into your head and even your heart. So, look up. See that neon flickering sign? Yeah, His diner is open 24-hours.<br /><br />See you there.<br /><br /><br />I will be the one licking my plate clean.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdcLMqzP-KZrs8XPUAw2wyBtKJqRQ7qQHk6kGvQzBQhEwDiDNcdTrwzGkew5BnMGh_Aufh0qbxqDoxqTPCbV8A-RGTXty1FE2WPgMWhuyAUNJt2aGIUSgzh_lU3GynAOwIB_Sme5YVE8/s320/scg-lickplate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491641544325891026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></span><div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, thank You for your platefuls of mercy and forgiveness. Thank You that we can dish up helping after helping. Lord, please be with each one reading this today. If they are still dragging a sin-bag, give them the strength and peace to finally hand it all over to You. And to fully accept that You paid the price already. In Jesus' Name, amen.</span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-5983655122399799332010-11-02T07:21:00.000-07:002010-11-02T08:40:08.743-07:00Broken<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuqnVs1pBewaiM0KdICZQluKBmKrmRvDAAUk7EDOdufgIsm502qR8W4SY4K7qUpmpbFmZ7ARx7d2n0AWsUfLQevTSVk_1qRu_pxZ8M9ZbPAdMxLc_Lbis5RGILkEBA-m0MPx3ipWc4Sw/s1600/feet.jpg"></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Despite the apparent flaws of broken people, amazingly God uses those fissures and cracks and breaks to shine His Light. In fact, it is those things of greatest repair that cast the most shimmering rays of hope into the darkness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Some of the broken have fissures that dig deep through the skin and fleshy layers and cut to the heart. Others have shallow, surface cracks that cascade like webs, covering their whole facade. And a few are unrecognizable because only bits and shards of their former self remain.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuqnVs1pBewaiM0KdICZQluKBmKrmRvDAAUk7EDOdufgIsm502qR8W4SY4K7qUpmpbFmZ7ARx7d2n0AWsUfLQevTSVk_1qRu_pxZ8M9ZbPAdMxLc_Lbis5RGILkEBA-m0MPx3ipWc4Sw/s400/feet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534973469891291938" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Rather than brokenness being an act of ruin, </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">if we let our brokenness </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">be the shattering </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">of our own self-will</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">,</span></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">then, and only then, will we depend solely upon God to make us whole.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Did you get that? We need to</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">let our brokenness </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">be the shattering </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">of our own self-will.</span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Simply put, we cannot reassemble our own vessels. We cannot tell God or a preacher or a friend how we want to look when we are healed and restored. If we think we must have that sort of say-so, we are not really ready for a complete restoration in Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Healing hearts and renewing minds is not about smoothing wrinkles, lifting saggy places, or plumping lips, it is about:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">humble hearts</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">contrite spirits</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">and complete surrender...</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to the One and only God who can make us whole. The restoration comes only after the breaking.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">Gideon's men shined</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His saving light</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">a widow poured</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His blessing oil</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">Mary's alabaster spilled</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His righteous perfume</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">a boy shared</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His humble bread</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">Esther's faith rescued</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His chosen people</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">our God revealed</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">His precious Son</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">in the breaking-</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"> </span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">Jesus.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Throughout the Bible God used broken things, like bread and lanterns and alabaster flasks, but more than that, He used broken people. And He continues in this manner today, using the broken to shine His greatest light of glory & love & redemption & healing & salvation.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you ready?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you willing?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have you set your own self aside?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have you endured the sharp places long enough?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Come. Come to Christ with a humble and contrite heart. Whether is is barely cracked or it is completely shattered into dusty hunks and sharp shards, bring it. Bring all of your broken parts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now, give it up. Every single little piece. God wants to meet you there, in the breaking. In the already broken. He has been waiting for this time with you, dear one.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have you noticed that candlelight not only illuminates a dark room, but when it shines forth from a cracked glass jar, it bounces and shimmers and dances? Have you seen this? It is this sort of flickering light, shining through fissures and even cascading web-like cracks, that brightens rooms with unique beauty. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">You there. Yes, you. <i>You</i>, be that that beauty. I am here to listen. And pray. Please leave a note in the comment box or just go on your silent way. Just know that I have covered you in prayer this day.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, oh how I come to You with a heart that wants others to feel and know and breathe Your healing and restoration. Whatever caused their brokenness, set that aside and continually whisper Your Truth into their ears. Fill them with Your beauty. Your love. Your freedom. Shine Your light into all their nooks and crannies. Use the willing and the ready to shine Your light into and onto others who desperately need and seek Your healing. Lord, lead the broken to Your feet just as You did with me. Let Your love shine through all of our broken places. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Truths:</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>The sacrifices of God </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">are</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> a broken spirit,</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> A broken and a contrite heart— </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> These, O God, You will not despise.</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Psalm 51:17</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>For thus says the High and Lofty One </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> Who inhabits eternity, whose name </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">is</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> Holy: </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> “I dwell in the high and holy </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">place,</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> With him </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">who</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> has a contrite and humble spirit, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> To revive the spirit of the humble, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Isaiah 57:15</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <i>Humble yourselves </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>in the sight of the Lord, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>and He will lift you up.</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ James 4:10</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>For all those </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">things</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> My hand has made, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> And all those </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">things</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> exist,” </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> Says the LORD. </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> “But on this </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">one</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> will I look: </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> On </i></span></span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">him who is</span></span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> poor and of a contrite spirit, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> And who trembles at My word. </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Isaiah 66:2</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* brokenness quote in bold credit: </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> by Nancy Leigh DeMoss p. 44</span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* all scripture taken from NKJV </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* Darlene's </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"in the breaking" poem inspired by "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman; </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Oct. 15 reading</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* image: taken by me (aka </span><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">A Simple Country Girl</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">)</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-58626485913347480172010-10-26T08:15:00.000-07:002010-10-26T09:00:24.285-07:00Beautiful Truth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ2Uz5ihx0EezQSba9Idj72VGFW513dI1LmabJO529KqralOco2pn17fh_ISuIBm8s5K4nS91BlM7pItXGFg-5v0iHrTmbjgqFoNIrB4hDQHl3KXiUR-4LiQsVf5jh4QxLswKor6UUsM/s1600/by+God-pink+rose.jpg"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><u><br /></u></span></span></i></span></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">"Finally, brethren, </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">whatever things are</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> true, </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">whatever things </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">are</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> noble, </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">whatever things </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">are</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">just, </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">whatever things </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">are</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> pure, </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">whatever things </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">are</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> lovely, </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">...</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">meditate on these things."</span></span></b></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">make for yourself</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">an alone place</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">with empty space enough</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to reflect</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and to pray,</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for this is where He seeks</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">your upturned face,</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">perhaps glistening wet with tears</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">because you felt His gentle</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and loving embrace.</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">in the silence</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">of this day,</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">open your heart</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to hear</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">what Truths He has to say,</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for it shall be</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">in such a way</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that healing flows</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">swift with</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">His bountiful, </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">merciful, </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">beautiful</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">grace.</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ2Uz5ihx0EezQSba9Idj72VGFW513dI1LmabJO529KqralOco2pn17fh_ISuIBm8s5K4nS91BlM7pItXGFg-5v0iHrTmbjgqFoNIrB4hDQHl3KXiUR-4LiQsVf5jh4QxLswKor6UUsM/s400/by+God-pink+rose.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532384374146514466" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Friends, please forgive me for neglecting this place, this sacred space. Although my heart, my mind, and my focus wavered and fluttered, my faith has stayed the same. I am forgiven. I am free. I am a new woman in Christ. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And I desperately want to share this gift with you.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Your healing matters to me.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I know not the plans or the route or the fellow travelers on this journey. The only thing I am certain of is His presence. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His forgiveness. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His strength. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His mercy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His grace. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His heart. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That ole nasty enemy would like discouragement and confusion to reign, but I am praising God and asking for His Truth to fall from the heavens and water our searching hearts so we can blossom fully into the beautiful women He created us to be.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">:</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, turn each woman's heart to you this day. Fill any voids with Your Truth and mercy and love. Pour Your thoughts into these hearts so that they spill over with Your love. Grant every woman some quiet time each day so they are able to fully grasp Your gifts of forgiveness and freedom. Focus each mind on what is beautiful and True, both in them and in You. In Jesus' precious name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-755779970567737932010-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:002010-08-16T08:50:14.404-07:00My Heart<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Readers, if there are any of you remaining, please forgive me for my unexplained absence here in this place of ministry. Although I have been gone from this site for a bit, you have been forefront on my mind.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you continuing the post-abortion study with <a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b>Jennifer</b></span></a> and <a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Lelia</span></b></a>? Here are some important <b><i><a href="http://www.surrenderingthesecret.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Surrendering the Secret</span></a></i></b> links:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">week 1 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><b><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-1_13.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jennifer</span></a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-1_13.html"></a></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">week 2 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><b><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jennifer</span></a></b> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">week 3 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-3.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jennifer</span></b></a> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">week 4 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"><b><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/08/yes-to-god-study-week-4.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jennifer</span></a></b> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">week 5 <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Jennifer%20&%20Lelia"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Jennifer</span></b></a> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here is some of where I have been. Writing about surrendering my secrets...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* Guest post at Katdish's blog:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://katdish.net/2010/08/a-simple-country-girl-by-darlene/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">A Simple Country Girl (by Darlene)</span></span></span></b></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* Guest post at Jennifer Dukes Lee's blog: </span></span><a href="http://gettingdownwithjesus.blogspot.com/2010/08/on-being-me-guest-post-by-simple.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">On Being Me (A guest post by A Simple Country Girl)</span></span></span></b></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you have an idea or request or comment, please do leave a bit of your heart here in some typed words. I am listening and wondering and praying.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thank you for your understanding. Sometimes we all have to figure out the next step whilst we are sitting off to the side, alone, all while seeking God. And listening...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></b></i><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">that their hearts may be encouraged, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">being knit together in love, and attaining</span></span></b></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">to the knowledge of the mystery of God, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">both of the Father and</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></b></i></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">of Christ, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For though I am absent in the flesh, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">yet I am with you in spirit, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">rejoicing to see your good order </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. </span></span></b></i></div></div></blockquote><div><div><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Colossians 2:2-5</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, please touch each person reading this message. Grasp them fully in your grip of forgiveness and grace and redemption. Make them whole in You. Lead each of us this day, this week, in our thoughts & words & deeds. Let us bring glory to Your most precious name. And Father, give us each the strength we need to meet the challenges and opportunities You set before us. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-42498559234304371782010-07-29T06:59:00.001-07:002010-07-29T08:21:22.444-07:00Unclenching<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Earlier today I saw this video clip and as I watched the man at the chalk board, the person I actually saw was me. What about you, who do you see?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8972924&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8972924&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><br /></p></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What are you clenching so tight in your fist today? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Is it worthy of your sweaty grip? Really?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you ready to uncurl every single thing that squeezes your heart?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you willing to let go so that you can let God in?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sometimes the sin and shame and guilt and unforgivenss become so much a part of us that we no longer recognize them as not belonging. Did you get that? </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not belonging.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I carried my sin and shame and guilt in not only clenched hands, but in a clenched heart. It is true, the more I clenched my heart, the less I let out. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But the contrary is also true. My unyielding grip to my unsurrendered secrets also prevented God's healing and renewing from coming in. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><i></i><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">temples made with hands</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Nor is He worshiped with </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">men’s hands</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. </span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i></i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And He has made from one blood</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, </span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us...</span></span></i></blockquote><i></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Acts 17:24-27 (NKJV)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sin and shame and guilt and unforgiveness do not belong to you. Friends, it is time to open your fist and join hands with someone in prayer. Friends, it is time to open your heart and mind so Christ's redeeming blood can freely pump through your entire body, cleansing you from the inside out.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></div><blockquote><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">...the very points on which you refuse to surrender will become "enemies" that rule over you...</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For those of us who are followers of Christ, any resistance to the will of God will keep us from enjoying and abundant life and will create barriers in our fellowship with God.</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Christian surrender means that a person <b>lifts his or her hands</b> and says to God, "Here I am; You take over; I belong to You!"</span></span></i></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Surrender, </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i></i> book included in A Revive Our Hearts Trilogy </span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">entitled </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Moody Publishers, 2008</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What about you, did you see your reflection in that video clip? I pray it was in the part of unclenching.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, we come before you this day with obedience to Your will for each of our lives. And in doing so we ask that You help us open our hands and hearts and minds so we can trade our burdens for Your freedom and Truth and forgiveness and love. We want to live surrendered lives that bring glory to Your name. Lord, I ask that you give each of us the strength to do so. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Please, check out these posts by Jennifer, one of our </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> sisters.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">- </span></span></span><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-1_13.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">week 1</span></span></span></a></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">- </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-2.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">week 2</span></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Also, stop by here with </span><a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-surrendering.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lelia</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for more insight on Jennifer & Lelia's current book study, </span><i style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><a href="http://www.surrenderingthesecret.blogspot.com/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Surrendering the Secret</span></span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For my story and to see how God placed this ministry on my heart, please go </span></span><a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-it-now-if-for-me.html" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><b style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">here</span></span></span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-66135162393549927092010-07-21T07:30:00.000-07:002010-07-21T08:28:37.971-07:00Silence & Secrecy<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Over the years, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">as we learn to live in silence and secrecy, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">many of us end up with a large stockpile of hurts </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that we've buried deep inside ourselves."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Pat Layton, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Surrendering the Secret: Healing the Heartbreak of Abortion</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Lifeway Press, 2008, p. 30</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Silence.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Secrecy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Those two things will rot you from the inside-out. But like me, maybe you think you will be okay, just as long as you can keep stuffing it down and burying it. Let me tell you, that does not work. Not at all.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What's interesting is that the unresolved things (be it an abortion or abuse or neglect or substance abuse) actually attract more hurt. For me, I had issues of not being heard in connection to my teenage abortion. So, from fourteen years old and on, I was tormented with misconceptions and lies that no one wanted to listen to me. That no one thought what I had to say was important. That no one thought I was worthy enough to hear.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oh how we attempt to hide in blankets of silence and try to smother the reality of our past in vows of secrecy. But in doing so, we still carry those lies with us into relationships and marriage. Those secrets somehow morphed into lies. And those lies seeped into our heads and hearts as reality. Ugh. What a crazy cycle. It is no wonder women (and men) have a hard time in surrendering their secrets. The secrets get so entangled and ingrained that it becomes difficult to discern fact from fiction.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">How I interpreted almost every single thing someone said or did to me, was filtered through those rotten, ratty blankets. What came out on the other side was tainted heavy with lies. My basis for me as a daughter, wife, sister, and friend was wrought with lies and misunderstandings. Even though I may have looked fine on the outside, inside I was a mess. My relationships were a mess.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then I met Jesus and asked Him to be the Lord of my life. But I still kept secrets. And I still kept silent. Why and how would He forgive the mess I had made? When I had no place else to look, but up, He worked miracles and sent women into my life to help me surrender. Surrender it all. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Although others held my hands and my heart and showed me His Truth in my Bible, I learned that God is the only One could untangle those blankets of shame and guilt and unforgiveness. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He was and still is the One who can take those stockpiled hurts and change them into mounds of grace.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And heaps of love.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And piles of forgiveness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For you were once darkness, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">but now you are light in the Lord. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Walk as children of light </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">(for the fruit of the Spirit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">is in all goodness, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">righteousness, and truth), </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And have no fellowship </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">with the unfruitful works of darkness, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">but rather expose them.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Ephesians 5:8-11</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Friends, you must let Him in your house. If you are tired of suffering in silence and secrecy, fling open the front door to your heart. And invite Him in! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When I met Him at the cross and surrendered my secret, the foundation of who I thought I was and the foundation of how I based my self-worth came tumbling and crumbling down. In its place, God built a new house. As that stockpile of lies were incinerated, He filled my rooms with Truth. Now my foundation is strong. My walls are solid. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Please, check out these posts by Jennifer, one of our Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds sisters.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">- </span><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-1_13.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">week 1</span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">- </span><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-week-2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">week 2</span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And stop by here with <a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-surrendering.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Lelia</span></a> for more insight on the current book study, <i><a href="http://www.surrenderingthesecret.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Surrendering the Secret</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b>Let us humbly pray:</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, please touch each one reading this today. If they are suffering in shrouds of silence and secrecy, give them strength to seek You. Give them direction to find someone who will support them on their journey of surrendering it all into Your hands. Bless each one with all that they need to build their foundations on Truth and love and mercy. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For my story and to see how God placed this ministry on my heart, please go <a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-it-now-if-for-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>here</b></span></a>.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-61785496633813257162010-07-08T13:51:00.000-07:002010-07-08T14:12:21.515-07:00Dine-n-Dash<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdcLMqzP-KZrs8XPUAw2wyBtKJqRQ7qQHk6kGvQzBQhEwDiDNcdTrwzGkew5BnMGh_Aufh0qbxqDoxqTPCbV8A-RGTXty1FE2WPgMWhuyAUNJt2aGIUSgzh_lU3GynAOwIB_Sme5YVE8/s1600/scg-lickplate.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you believe these statements I gleaned from my Bible the other morning?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But this Man,</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">after <b>He had offered one sacrifice</b></span></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>for sins forever</b>,</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">sat down at the right hand of God.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For <b>by one offering</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>He has perfected forever</b></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>those who are being sanctified</b>.</span></i></span></div></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">(Hebrews 10:12 & 14)</div></span><br /><br />Do you live like you believe those Words are true?<br /><br />And what about the following words?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><i>But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us;</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for after He had said before,</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>“This is the covenant that I will make with them</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>after those days, says the LORD:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>I will put My laws into their hearts,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>and in their minds I will write them</b>,”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>then He adds,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>“<b>Their sins and their lawless deeds</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>I will remember no more</b>.”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>Now <b>where there is remission of these,</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><b>there is no longer an offering for sin</b>."</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Hebrews 10:15-18)</span></i></div></span></i></span><br /><br />Even though you know God tells only the Truth and your head believes these Biblical utterances, does your heart readily follow suite too?<br /><br /><b>Do you really believe that once you lay your sins at the foot of the cross, they are no longer yours to carry?</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Have you heard of the poor man's restaurant trick referred to as the Dine-n-Dash?<br /><br />Come with me, let's try it together.<br /><br />I, the poor woman, and you the other poor folks, let's eat a feast (of forgiveness), then we will dash. We will run right out the door, dragging one another by tightly held hands, as we race to our car in the parking lot.<br /><br />Wait a minute! Something is different here at the Divine Diner.<br /><br />When we leave this particular eatery, we don't have to look over our shoulder in fearful expectation of the manager running after us, hollering, and demanding payment. No, quite to the contrary.<br /><br />Guess what? We don't even have to beat feet or make haste in our departure.<br /><br />Actually, The Boss would prefer we stay, meal after meal.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />Because <b>His Son already paid the bill</b>. He even tipped the waitress.<br /><br />Friends, His Words are true. And they are ever-so-filling. Ya know, like the stick-to-your-ribs wholesome food that your mamma used to make to fill your always-starving teenage stomach? Yeah, like that. <b>God wants to fill you up just like that.<br /></b><br />Go back and re-read the scripture above.<br /><br />Now, do you believe those Words with your head and heart?<br /><br />You should. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God does not hold onto bills. He doesn't keep I.O.U.s in a neat little stack. Once you come to His Divine Diner, you actually hand Him the receipt of your lifelong sin list before you sup of His meal of forgiveness. Once you eat, you are free. But God knows that these sins like to noodle their way back into your head and even your heart. So, look up. See that neon flickering sign? Yeah, His diner is open 24-hours.<br /><br />See you there.<br /><br /><br /><br />I will be the one, licking my plate clean.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdcLMqzP-KZrs8XPUAw2wyBtKJqRQ7qQHk6kGvQzBQhEwDiDNcdTrwzGkew5BnMGh_Aufh0qbxqDoxqTPCbV8A-RGTXty1FE2WPgMWhuyAUNJt2aGIUSgzh_lU3GynAOwIB_Sme5YVE8/s320/scg-lickplate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491641544325891026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father God, thank You for your platefuls of mercy and forgiveness. Thank You that we can dish up helping after helping. Lord, please be with each one reading this today. If there are still sins they are dragging around, give them the strength and peace to finally hand them over to You. And to fully accept that You paid the price already. In Jesus' Name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">* Please, consider joining hearts in a healing </span><a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-to-god-study-surrendering-secret.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">journey together through an post-abortion study</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Surrendering the Secret</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I will see you there. Prayers are already being sent heavenward for your healing, so if you haven't found Christ's forgiveness for an abortion, please stop by and pull up a chair...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><br /></div></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-60408687128480305202010-07-01T08:30:00.000-07:002010-07-01T09:22:27.732-07:00Before & After<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div>Do the storms of your past still threaten you with tumult and fear and anxiety and ferocity? </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you still riding the waves of those storms, barely hanging on for dear life?</div><div><br /></div><div>Is your soul tossed and battered and bruised?</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you ready for the calm?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">*</span></b> BEFORE:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.</i></span></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-10</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">but</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> the LORD </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">was</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">but</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> the LORD </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">was</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> not in the earthquake; </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>and after the earthquake a fire, </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">but</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> the LORD </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">was</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> not in the fire; </i><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ 1 Kings 19:11-12</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">*</span></b> RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"...like a flower that has absorbed the cool </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">and refreshing drops of dew </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">through the darkness of the night. </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><br /></a></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-weight: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ZqKVJMiSBGWuY0_UIO2m6HtJ7RabW1JSt1urjPxefKbkPaumXT_FvrvWGVOjNaz0cZxTnGxgMtOYad2odL25DCIkrYjiOBFKwy2GU7qw8-EFaIgrzcqpUQsEEiWQshP1pYqhUwGKNo/s320/crying+leaves2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488970817915827250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';color:#666666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-weight: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Yet just as dew never falls on a stormy night, </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">the dew of His grace </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">never covers a restless soul."</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ A.B. Simpson; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">by L.B. Cowman, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">edited by Jim Reimann; June 30 reading</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">* </span></b>AFTER:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">man</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> temporary, but the things which are not seen </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> eternal.</i></span></span><p></p><p></p></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-18</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>...and after the fire a still small voice.<br /></i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>So it was, when Elijah heard </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">it,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice </i></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">came</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?</i>”</span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ 1 Kings 19:12</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, did you pin-point calm's location? Yep, it is true, we cannot see the calm with our eyes, but we sure can feel the calm within our hearts and minds.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Whatever your storms, Jesus is right in the midst of them with you. He is merely waiting for you to tire of the storm-thrashing so He can speak with words that will lead you out of the raging rivers. And when His whispers of Truth do break through, climb onto the shore and run! Run straight to Him. He is waiting and His arms are open wide.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is your turn. Yes, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">you</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, so often we let the storms of life toss us until we don't even recognize our bedraggled and beaten selves. Let us breathe deeply of You, Your peace, Your healing and Your renewing. Let us be still so we can hear Your Truth and absorb Your drops of love and forgiveness and grace and mercy. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* Please come over here to <a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/2010/06/walking-down-aisle.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Lelia's</span></b></a> place and see how you can join others as they come out of their storm too... <i>Healing Hearts, Renewing Minds</i> very own <a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/hhrm-sisters.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b>Jennifer</b></span></a> will be there too!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-50399737972279367982010-06-24T07:09:00.000-07:002010-06-24T08:46:35.938-07:00A Lie Believed<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God really quite clearly put the message for this week on my heart. It is amazing how He works. And when we take the time to piece the puzzle together, quite often a beautiful image has formed from the jagged parts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Most are familiar with the well-known Christian author </span></span><a href="http://www.karenkingsbury.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>Karen Kingsbury</b></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. While perusing the library bookshelves, I found her stash. And wouldn't you know it, just at that moment my husband and son were next to me and ready to go. I just gabbed two books, quite randomly, or so I thought. One of them was entitled </span></span><i><a href="http://karenkingsbury.com/books/standAloneTitles/ShadesofBlue/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>Shades of Blue</b></span></span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. Little did I know that it was a post-abortion story of redemption, acceptance, healing, forgiveness and love. As Mrs. Kingsbury's website says about the book, "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yes, even as much as we stuff and hide and pretend, the fact that we had an abortion is still there. It clings to the very network of vessels that run throughout our bodies. The trauma, the pain, the guilt, the sadness, the shame, the fear, all of it, it is still within us. Oh yes, some do a better job of looking good on the outside than others. Some can pretend so well. But pretending isn't what Jesus calls us to do. Friends, there is healing and wholeness in Him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I devoured the book in one day and night. I knew Mrs. Kingsbury would weave a cloth of healing for all involved. She does that sort of thing with her characters. What I liked from the book is that she made the memories so heartbreakingly real that I didn't dare set the book down. I am healed. I am free. So in reading the story, I was only that frightened and confused teenager for a minute. Because Jesus is way bigger than my mistakes and my pain and my regret, I was able to read it through. And in doing so, I realized once again how many women (and men) are suffering in silent agony. Bumping shoulders in the check-out line, but not sharing broken hearts at church. Hiding. We are good at that.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then this morning I looked back at my journal entry from one year ago today. I wrote of how God was speaking to me to do something with my post-abortion healing. I wrote about following God's will in the endeavor to lead others to the cross too. And at the bottom of the page I wrote </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">an idol can be a lie believed</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Ouch. I remember that. How that truth pierced my heart back then. And how it pierces my heart again today. It is easy to say we don't have idols. Yeah, especially us church-going, Bible-study attending women. <i>Me? Not me.</i> Even if one of the more commonly recognised things of today (like money or shopping or your home or your wardrobe or any number of things) is not an idol in your life, there are other not-so-talked-about things can creep into that spotlight. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Things like believing you do not need God's mercy and grace.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Things like believing no one will understand.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Things like believing you are the only one.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Things like believing you are meant to suffer alone.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">Things like believing your sin is too big.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">On second thought, do you have any idols?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;">God kept putting this message on my heart... After reading last year's journal entry, I flipped to my reading for today.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><h4><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mark 7</span></span></span></h4><h5><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Defilement Comes from Within</span></span></span></h5><i><div><br /></div>Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.<br /><br /></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><i>Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” </i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(7:1-5 NKJV)</span><br /><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-24466" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><br /></sup></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-> Religious leaders were <b>very busy looking holy</b>. They focused on outward appearances, rather than honoring God. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><i>He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:<br /><br /> ‘This people honors Me with their lips,<br /> But their heart is far from Me.<br /> And in vain they worship Me,<br /> Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(7:6-7)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">--> As the Life Application Study version of my New King James Version Bible says in regard to this reading, hypocrisy is "pretending to be something you are not and have no intention of being.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It goes on to say that "we become hypocrites when we pay more attention to reputation than to character."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, are you a hypocrite? I was. Although I didn't purposefully and intentionally sit there in my pew condemning those who had suffered abortions, I condemned myself. I thought I was not worthy of healing. I thought I was unforgivable. In all, I thought too lowly of myself. I became a backward hypocrite. A hypocrite nonetheless.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had placed my (mistaken) unworthiness above the love of Jesus. A lie (or a bunch of them) believed had indeed become my idol.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” </span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(7:17-19)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">--> Also stated in those wonderful study notes regarding this passage Jesus explains how "sin begins in the attitude of the inner person."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wreaked of that sin. The aroma of that sin, of believing I was unworthy, was a rotten stench. It wafted into every nook and cranny of my life. Now, in hindsight, I can see how it tainted my relationship with my husband. I can see how the stink lingered on my clothes, how I took it with me wherever I went. To town, to the grocery store, to church. I filtered what other people said through that sieve of lies. Friends, that is not a good thing to do. Everything comes out a bigger mess. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”<br /><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”<br /><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”<br /><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(7:24-30)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">--> Friends, just like this woman, come to Jesus! Come as you are. Fall at His feet. She compared herself to the little house dogs that were pets of that day. She said she was willing to eat from not the crumbs, but the children's crumbs that fell to the floor. The crumbs that the little doggies ate.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Be </span></b><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that</span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> woman! </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She not only believed that if she just got a tiny morsel of what Jesus offered, her daughter would be healed, but she humbled herself. She likened herself to a dog. No, I don't think she did it in a negative way. I can only imagine that she was glad to be in Jesus' presence. That she was so filled with faith that she only desired an itty-bitty piece of His healing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends. God clearly spoke to me over the last couple of days. And He put you, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">yes you</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, front and center on my heart. Don't pretend things are okay with your heart and mind. Whether or not you suffer from having had an abortion, chances are high that you believe some lie. Chances are that you have made an idol out of that lie. And unfortunately you may have made a hypocrite of yourself in the process.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Don't stop looking for crumbs. In fact, get out from under the table. Pull up a chair. Sit next to me. And let us look to the head of the table at the seat reserved for our Healer. Our God. Just ask. I know He will pass you a gigantic heaping of healing and renewing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just like the characters in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shades of Blue,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> you also will find clarity and Truth at the foot of the cross.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lord God, help us this day to put none before You. If there are idols in our lives, even though they may be unintentional and unrecognized, help us to see them for what they are. Lord replace lies with Truth. You are the ultimate Healer. Don't let undiagnosed hypocrisy ruin who you want us to be in You. Father, just as this book and Your Words in Mark spoke clear to me over the last couple of days, use something to speak clear to other women and men who are haunted by their past. Please bring them to a place of healing and renewing. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lLXJGzF17Rc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lLXJGzF17Rc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do consider reading the book I spoke of in today's post. It is an insightful and tender look at how abortion torments not only women, but men. Girls and boys. Mrs. Kingsbury shares a personal story in the post script that demonstrates how each of us (even if we haven't personally suffered the trauma) has the capacity to influence those who wrongly think abortion is their only option.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 6px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-48106728402505734072010-06-18T07:24:00.000-07:002010-06-18T09:51:43.787-07:00Hands of Faith, Knees of Prayer<div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>This verse is God's word of encouragement </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>to us </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>to lift the hands of faith </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>to fortify the knees of prayer.</b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">KJV</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the feeble knees;</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And make straight paths for your feet,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">lest that which is lame be turned out of the way;</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but let it rather be healed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">NKJV</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the feeble knees,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and make straight paths for your feet,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so that what is lame may not be </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">dislocated,</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but rather be healed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">MSG</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>So don't sit around on your hands! </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>No more dragging your feet! </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Clear the path for long-distance runners </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>so no one will trip and fall, </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Help each other out. </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>And run for it!</i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">NLT</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>So take a new grip with your tired hands </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>and strengthen your weak knees. </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Mark out a straight path for your feet </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>so that those who are weak and lame </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>will not fall but become strong.</i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">NIV</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>and weak knees. </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>"Make level paths for your feet,"</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> </i></span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>so that the lame may not be disabled, </i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>but rather healed.</i></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No matter which version of the Bible you fancy, </span></span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">they all say the same thing:</span></span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><br /></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>God says, "Lift up the hands that hang down."</b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#663366;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>Do not allow your feet to be "turn</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>ed out of the way," </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#663366;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>but let your body "be healed," </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#663366;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>and your faith strengthened. </b></span></span></span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><br /></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><br /></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, can you believe what God does for us?! I mean, really? Ain't it something to be His child? As we near Father's Day, let us not forget to thank and honor the most High Father we know. And if you don't have a personal relationship with The Man yet, may I encourage you to start one today. He has changed my life. He has given me Life. Real Life!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This post today was a result of my devotional reading in <i>Streams in the Desert</i>. Whenever I read the first half of Hebrews 12, generally I focus on running the race at the beginning and the peaceable portion near the center, but today, I found this tid-bit tuck in between those two.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amen. Amen, sister. So, what are you waiting for?</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">May I take this moment to encourage you <a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/06/ready-to-surrender.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">to join</span></b></a> this study with my dear sister in Christ, <a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/hhrm-sisters.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Jennifer</span></b></a> (and her friend <a href="http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/2010/06/back-again-to-surrender.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Lelia</span></b></a>)? You will not be the same once you <i><a href="http://www.surrenderingthesecret.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Surrender the Secret</span></a></i>. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And ladies, that is indeed a good thing. In fact, it is the best gift you can give your Father in Heaven for Dad's Day!</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, give us all that we need this day to lift our hands to you, both in a longing for healing and a sign of praise for what you promise. Turn our feet to trod upon Your path. Heal our hearts. Renew our minds. Strengthen us as we raise up and kneel down. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>* Quotes above from <i>Streams in the Desert:</i> 366 Daily Devotional Readings by L.B. Cowman, edited by Jim Reimann; p. 227-238, June 18 entry</p></span></span></span><p></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Friends, I would like to share another ministry with you. And in doing so, I am offering you a discount on any order you place before Father's Day. Won't you take another minute to read about it, please?</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">A new photography m</span>inistry, </span><i><a href="http://matthew2540.zenfolio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for The Least of These</span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Use this code </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">DadsDay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and receive $1.50 off your order.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/introdutions.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Go here to read an introduction</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to the ministry web site. And don't forget to tell me when you place an order. Two names will be drawn from a hat this Father's Day and an additional print will be sent directly to each winner!</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On behalf of the orphans that continue to break my heart,</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">THANK YOU</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for orders already placed, and those yet to be.</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#111111;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-30794619945537529482010-06-11T07:43:00.000-07:002010-06-11T08:28:39.777-07:00Burn For Him<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">2 Corinthians 4:1-15...</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(1) Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">do not lose heart</span>.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- I have to give myself this sort of talk. I want so desperately for others to come to Him for healing. When I don't hear of that happening, I do begin to lose heart. But, God is way bigger than what I see with my eyes. His is working here. He is!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(2) But <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">we have renounced the hidden things of shame</span>, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- At God's feet we find redemption. The world wants to lead us astray, away from His healing and His renewing. Let us renounce the hidden things of shame. All of it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(3-5) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake</span>.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Those of the world, and perhaps even you, don't think post-abortive women have anything for which to be sorry for and/or to seek redemption from. But worse than that is thinking that there is no one to offer it to you. Friends, there is Someone. God is not veiled, nor is He hidden, not from a thirsty soul seeking His life-giving water. Indeed He is the Light. And won't you join me in tossing aside shackles so that you can freely take His outstretched hand?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(6) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>For it is the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">God who commanded light to shine</span> out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">to </span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">give</span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"> the light of the knowledge of the glory of God</span> in the face of Jesus Christ.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Yes, God commands light. Hello. Did you get that? Our Father in Heaven commands light. Ask Him to shine His Light into your darkness!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(7) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>But <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">we have this treasure in earthen vessels</span>, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- What is your treasure? Is it Jesus? You are the vessel, what are you holding?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(8-10) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>We are</i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i> hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>we are</i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i> perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body</span>. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Like the grapes in the vat, we are smashed into a non-recognizable pulp. But if we let Him prepare us, He will turn us into a juice that quenches the thirst of hell-bound souls. Let Him turn you into a beautiful stream of His love.</span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(11-12) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh</span>. So then death is working in us, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">life in you</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Yes, we live. And we die. Are you willing to die while you live? Are you willing to put to death the enemy's stranglehold so that the light of Christ may illuminate the life you live as a renewed woman in Christ?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>(13-14) </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>And since <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">we have the same spirit of faith</span>, according to what is written, </i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>“I believed and therefore I spoke,”</i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i>we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present </span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">us</span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"> with you</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Friends, I want so much for you to join me in that spirit of faith. Be with me, make me the "us" of that scripture! Let us raise up together before the Lord our God, shouting our hallelujahs of thanksgiving for what He has done for us!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b>(15)</b></i><i><b> For all things </b></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b>are</b></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b> for your sakes, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">that grace, having spread through the many</span>, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.</b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">- Oh yes, let grace spread like a wild fire burning the countryside. Let grace ravage you until you truly believe that you are free in Christ. When this happens, your thanksgiving will not cease. You will burn with desire to see others join you in such a glorious place!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpz4wXzu2dChb13zTzZT2oIGU9ADlbgQKlOvVStdO4-qCPJcUu1usik0TAWsakFY6vdkZUfWkQRU2DiFo6BXCipsijA0WxUjwVg_cR9Xbp0K1DQsJsfYBJqwDcJh2VgWVaT1MyaPYWVY/s1600/burning.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpz4wXzu2dChb13zTzZT2oIGU9ADlbgQKlOvVStdO4-qCPJcUu1usik0TAWsakFY6vdkZUfWkQRU2DiFo6BXCipsijA0WxUjwVg_cR9Xbp0K1DQsJsfYBJqwDcJh2VgWVaT1MyaPYWVY/s400/burning.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481537197814511954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, this day we come before You, seeking You with desperate hearts and hurting minds. We need You to burn in us so that we may shine Your Light of forgiveness and redemption. Lord, grant all reading this today a desire that cannot be dampened by the world or clouded by the darkness. Grant us a desire that burns so hot and bright that it heals and renews and attracts others to its blaze. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-11626091834634032982010-06-05T08:20:00.001-07:002010-06-05T08:45:05.959-07:00Us Only<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 25px;font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">"Let <i>us</i> go over to the other side."</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">~ Mark 4:35</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';">Christ said that.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';">Notice the "us" in the simple statement.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';">Disciples, men hand-picked by Jesus, being told to climb aboard. With Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';">Christ said, "Let us go over to the other side" - not "to the middle of the lake to be drowned." <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">(Daniel Crawford; Streams in the Desert by Cowman; June 3 reading)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">He didn't intend for the boat to capsize and the sea to swallow them all whole. Jesus wanted his disciples to come with Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">To come with Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Join Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">As in "you </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">and Me"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Together boys. Come on fellas, get in the boat. With Me.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">I don't reckon God wants us in the boat with Him so that He can take us to the middle of the lake and turn us out. Maybe He wants </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">us</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> in the boat</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"> so when seas get rocking and waves get nasty, we will cling to Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We must let go of that which threatens to drown us. Unforgiveness. Guilt. Shame. Sadness. Wounds. Lies. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How about this? Let me know what your prayer needs are on your journey to being healed and renewed. As you row your boat, I will be there too. And when the sea seems roughest, that is when you must heave all that junk overboard. Toss it to the sea. Drown it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And leave it there.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now don't you see that by the time you reach the other side, you will be free! Your hand, your heart, your mind... Grasp God. Cling to Him. Fill your empty places with His healing. With His renewing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C6Y9d2sx90xrjLoEcyjjCUVbyUBbShMiVRfIlZ7lHvf_cWa64mwj20jbVYTCTpY9_pNETUeaDEs8_C0WbAMfFZhjKjVNPJTGhcaS37A1KNFRDpmPQyfMzMFXQbM7Ptd1u6HsJ0S4NBzj/s1600/green+waters.jpg" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C6Y9d2sx90xrjLoEcyjjCUVbyUBbShMiVRfIlZ7lHvf_cWa64mwj20jbVYTCTpY9_pNETUeaDEs8_C0WbAMfFZhjKjVNPJTGhcaS37A1KNFRDpmPQyfMzMFXQbM7Ptd1u6HsJ0S4NBzj/s400/green+waters.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479301653812028594" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(127, 127, 127); border-right-color: rgb(127, 127, 127); border-bottom-color: rgb(127, 127, 127); border-left-color: rgb(127, 127, 127); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">“Do not be afraid; <i>only</i> believe.”</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">~ Mark 5:36</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Christ said that too.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Notice the "only" in this simple statement.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, being told to "only" believe. The man was a ruler. Of a synagogue. And he had to be told where to put the focus of his soul.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">To believe in Christ, not the words of the world. Not the words of even his friends. But to believe.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Only.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">If Jesus told you to do this, what is it that you would retain as your belief?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">What about all that other stuff (Unforgiveness. Guilt. Shame. Sadness. Wounds. Lies.)? It is all darkness, so let it meld into the background. Let it become nothing of focus.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Let it go.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Turn your soul dial. A bit more. Come on, some more. There. What do you see?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Only Christ?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Us Only</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">U</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-under God's wing</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-sit and sing</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">O</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-omnipresent, alpha to omega</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">N</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-no other does reign</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-lean into Him</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">Y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">-yes you, now fiercely cling</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, bless each one reading this today. Fill each one with Your Truth and love. Help each one to cast off their burdens and cling to You. Lord, I am trusting in You to bring them to the other side of the sea, to a place filled with forgiveness and redemption and healing and renewing. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* This piece was also posted at <a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/us-only.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b>Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life</b></span></a>--although it is in its entirety here.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div></span>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-50464139011320730202010-05-28T07:28:00.000-07:002010-05-28T09:20:22.448-07:00Live Deep<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.</span></i></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ What can cause you red-faced guilt or lame excuses? Until I got right with God regarding my abortion, it was unforgiveness. Selfish unforgiveness, to be exact.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.</span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Even though we may wonder and struggle at times as our hearts writhe in pain, we are His children. And we know He loves us. We know this is absolutely true. So, knowing all this, do you take Him seriously? Do you wear His name tag only on your outer garment or do you pin it to the inside of your heart?</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.</span></i></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Wow. There is a lot going on in that verse. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. We are children of God. Indeed this is true.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. When Christ is openly revealed--<i>uh, you mean when I wipe my own fog off of the window and I clearly see me in the way God sees me? Then, that is when I will see Him?</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. Okay, now things are looking clearer, I realize I have some smudges and held-onto sins that I need to hand over to Christ. I cannot fathom being pure as Jesus, but I want to set my sights on glistening, just a little bit. For Him.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God's order. Surely you know that Christ showed up in order to get rid of sin. There is no sin in him, and sin is not part of his program. No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backward.</span></i></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Once I met the Lord and begged Him to reside in my heart, I still continued to disrupt His order. <i>I mean really, did I need to tell Him of my past? My whole past? </i></span></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Even the stuff I stuffed deep down?</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh yeah. I did. I mean He showed me that my selfish sin of unforgiveness has no part in His program. He forgave me. <i>Yeah, I had heard about that.</i> But what I hadn't grasped was that my holding onto my selfish unforgiveness was a sin. It was as if I had my reflection in Him all backwards. For in Him, I was wholly forgiven.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from the truth. It's the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways.</span></b></i></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Diverted from the Truth. Yeah, the world doesn't understand how God could forgive a wretch like me (and like them), </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but He did! I was </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">acting</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> right for the world to see, but my whole heart wasn't right. Not until I fell to my face and asked for forgiveness. It is true, I asked for forgiv</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">eness that was already mine. I pleaded with Him to give it to me. Once I felt certain I had it, then I was able to ask Him to help me forgive my very own selfish self. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That was the hardest part. Not only wiping off the window fog, but wiping off the gooey unforgiveness. I had to step back into the shower and run the waters of purity and lather up with His love, all before I could face myself in the mirror again. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0yf6KhzVBf-G4PAR20EM7PDyDF3B5vlYxcRvpUAkNaei_b8W56lVuv9XIF5feYlVI89HbtLuvyCvQ7kJZi4xsOhyphenhyphenknQRlkErdbDp1VHgOslwUoZdZ9oWpww7NEh-dfdlvViQamkxcC0/s1600/cross+reflect.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0yf6KhzVBf-G4PAR20EM7PDyDF3B5vlYxcRvpUAkNaei_b8W56lVuv9XIF5feYlVI89HbtLuvyCvQ7kJZi4xsOhyphenhyphenknQRlkErdbDp1VHgOslwUoZdZ9oWpww7NEh-dfdlvViQamkxcC0/s400/cross+reflect.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476355300598016354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then ya know what I did? I burned the towel that rubbed me raw with the enemy's ways. Afterward, when I bent down to blow the ashes away, they were white as snow.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">People conceived and brought into life by God don't make a practice of sin. How could they? God's seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It's not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.</span></i></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ So, now I try not to make a practice of sin. I try really hard. I bet you do too. It is challenging enough to keep the day-to-day strife at bay, but when you add in selfish-sins, it becomes near impossible to practice righteousness. And it oftentimes entangles you in such a way that you keep falling upon and injuring your brothers and sisters in Christ. <i>Did I fail the simple test? Or did I pass it? </i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other.</span></i></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">~ And in loving each other, we must love our very own selfish selves enough to look upon our reflections in the same way that God does...we are children of God! He loves us, even the sin-smudged parts.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What are you waiting for? Step into the shower so you can glisten with His droplets of purity and forgiveness. </span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when he arrives.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; font-size:16px;"></span>~ 1 John 2:28-3:11 (The Message Bible)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, You have extended us such marvelous love, thank you! Your forgiveness and righteousness are ours, thank you! Please touch each one reading this and fill them with these Truths. Fill them to the point of bursting so that when they look into the mirror, they see these things glistening on their skin. Lord, overcome the world's impact and influence. Heal us with Your love and renew us with your Truth. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* Cross image: first posted at my other blog,</span><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></b></span></a><i><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life</span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What reflections do you see in your mirror?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-15235337251260277492010-05-21T07:06:00.000-07:002010-05-21T07:52:20.315-07:00HouseKeeper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div><br /></div>Do you really know how God's mercy and love and grace drip from my soul? Can you see the trail of suds and bubbles that fall from my bucket, the one He put into my hands? I pray that something here at this ministry site is a blessing you...</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You are God's very own precious daughter. He dwells within you and He yearns for you to open your windows and doors, to expose the mess within your soul's rooms and closets. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Are there any doors you leave shut or windows you leave closed, firmly trying to keep something locked away or neatly shelved or hidden from view? Why?</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Recently a friend shared the following scripture with me. It really stuck with me, for it seems to have a variety of meanings tucked into its reassuring words. Today as I thought of those looking for peace and comfort and Truth, it came to mind again. Let His divine Words wash over you...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The God who made the world and everything in it</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is the Lord of heaven and earth </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and does not live in temples built by hands. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And he is not served by human hands, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">as if he needed anything, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">because </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">he himself gives all men life </span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and breath and everything else</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From one man he made every nation of men, </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that they should inhabit the whole earth; </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and he determined the times set for them </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the exact places where they should live. </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">God did this so that men would seek him </span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and perhaps reach out for him </span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and find him, </span></b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">though he is not far from each one of us</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Acts 17:24-27 (NIV)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am a new person in Christ. I knew that when I accepted the Lord as my Savior. But I admit, I didn't willingly invite Him into all of my rooms. Golly, no. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why would I ask Him into my dingy and disorganized and disheveled places? Wouldn't He flee from me?</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Uh, no. No He did not flee from me. Rather, He did the initial sudsing and mopping and organizing. Then God handed me the bucket of soapy water. And amazingly, He refills it with His powerful cleaning solution. Time and again.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When a friend let me show her all my nooks-n-crannies that were filled with clutter and junk, she actually enabled me t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">o wildly fling open once-locked doors and stuck windows. And when I invited God inside, He just came a waltzing right into those dungeon-like rooms and simply flicked on the Light of His Truth and love and mercy and grace and forgiveness. Then He scrubbed the sticky places, mopped the confusion, and left a fresh scent of Truth. With God as my HouseKeeper, I am a new person. All of my doors are freely flung open. Everything is right in plain sight, for all to see. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And just like our real brick and wood and mortar homes, things can get all messy, even after we've invited Him in. But now I know that when the messy things (fear, doubt, depression, guilt...) of me get too big, I open His Word and rea</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ch for that which calms the chaos and directs the disaster. And if needed, I willingly (not begrudgingly, but </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">willingly</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) call upon some friends, some sisters in Christ. They help me to organize and sort and re-shelve the mess that I have become.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, it is Spring. A time of new growth and blossoms and sweet scents. Prop open your doors and lift up your windows and let His healing and renewing rush in. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>For you are His house and He is the best Housekeeper you will ever find.</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, there are women today who need Your touch in their lives. And there are some who keep doors tightly shut and windows bolted down. As You fill the earth with the wonders of Spring, fill hearts with healing and minds with renewing. Enter our beings and make us new. Wash us in all that is Truth and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Can I pray for you today? Leave your request right here. I have my soap, bucket, and a sponge...but mostly, I have God.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-83915294546136634872010-05-11T06:26:00.000-07:002010-05-11T07:30:45.303-07:00Talking Psalms 107/108<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="result-text-style-normal" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Psalm 107:26-30 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">(NLT)</span></span></b></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:#993399;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Their ships were tossed to the heavens<br /> and plunged again to the depths;<br /> the sailors cringed in terror.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Have you sailed the seas of your life on a similar ship? I think we all have faced storms that toss and plunge and torment us until we are barely able to hang on.</span></i></span></span></div></span><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They reeled and staggered like drunkards<br /> and were at their wits’ end.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Does that sailor's uniform fit you? Yes, indeed, it used to be just my size. Although I gave my life to the Lord, I had wrongfully held back bits and pieces, some knowingly because I misjudged His capacity to handle my sins. And in doing so, I cringed and reeled and staggered. And I was most definitely at my wit's ends.</span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“L</span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, help!” they cried in their trouble,<br /> and he saved them from their distress.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">These sailors finally hollered out to God, the one captain who could see them through the raging seas and rocking vessel. Why did they wait until the point of near-destruction to yield their ways to God and Hi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s ways?</span></span></span></div></span><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He calmed the storm to a whisper<br /> and stilled the waves.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Perhaps it was so that God's greatness would be magnified in His contrast. His gentle, loving calm, settled the destructive waters.</span></i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What a blessing was that stillness<br /> as he brought them safely into harbor!</span></span></p></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#993399;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Have you felt your rollicking ship stop lurching and tossing you against the splintered rails? If not, call out to God. He will reach out, hold you, and comfort you until the waves quiet and your soul meets Him in placid stillness. He needs your full attention. He needs your full heart. He needs you to meet Him in the very place where He calms the s</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">torm.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Psalm 108:1-4 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">(NLT)</span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My heart is confident in you, O God;<br /> no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What about this? Isn't this the sort of cruise you would like to take? </span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wake up, lyre and harp!<br /> I will wake the dawn with my song.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You bring on the morning with your singing. Because of the Lord's mercy, you chase the darkness away by shouting His praises.</span></i><i> </i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I will thank you, L</span></span><span style="font-variant: small-caps; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, among all the people.<br /> I will sing your praises among the nations.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then you keep singing His glorious, redemptive song. All the day long. And loud enough for all the other sailors to hea</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">r.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.<br /> Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This ship is right on course. This ship not only gently sails on the waters of life, but it gives you ample opportunities to touch the clouds.</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, when we have suffered storms and our very souls seem scattered to the wind and our hearts feel as though they are battered beyond repair, hand tight to God. Once you have a firm grip, let go. Not of His hand, but of the things that storm within. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Toss the fear, guilt, shame, burdens, regret, and remorse. Toss them right over the edge. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now ease into God's grace and mercy and love. He will take those items which you tossed overboard and He will sink them deeper than the bowels of the raging sea. You are now free! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do not cling to that railing while you search for what has been removed from you. Turn to Him with your whole self! Give Him your hands, your heart, your mind. God will fill you up with all that you need. He will heal your broken heart and He will renew your muddled mind. Remember that God's Truth reaches to the clouds. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It also reaches right into your very soul.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Let us humbly pray:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, let all those saying this prayer with me feel Your lovingkindness and Your mercy. While we suffer and struggle as the storms toss us about and ravage our souls, come into our midst to calm the seas. Touch us with Your stillness and in doing so, let us be renewed in You. Give us all that we need to find You and cling to You. Be our stillness. Be our life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-41989357503141828372010-04-28T08:30:00.001-07:002010-04-28T09:08:19.442-07:00The Light<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Admittedly, sometimes I struggle with this ministry blog. I think I am too eager to see God moving in other peoples lives. Too eager to see healing. And renewing. And sometimes I even feel guilty for sitting comfortably in front of a computer screen, merely plunking out words while others are on the battlefront lines, caring for the brokenhearted and holding actual hands in theirs. But isn't that just where the nasty little enemy would have me--wallowing around in a state of confusion and doubt?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I plainly heard God speak to me, so I obeyed by </span><a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-it-now-if-for-me.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">starting this ministry</span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> site. Friends, I want your broken hearts and tangled minds to heal. I want God to find you and you to let Him in. Oh, how I yearn for this. Selfishly I want to know of your healing and your renewing in Christ. For when it happened to me, I became a new woman. And then when I wrenched my abortion secret from the drowning depths of my heart, He rescued me again. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He rescued me again.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He wants to rescue you too. He yearns for this. He wants yo to be a new woman too.</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As I plunk keyboards and pound the gates with prayers, my friend and sister in Christ, </span></span><a href="http://emmalkittredge.blogspot.com/2010/04/light.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Jennifer</span></span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, boldly leads women to hope and healing as a </span></span><a href="http://www.surrenderingthesecret.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Surrendering the Secret</span></span></b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> leader. In addition to her ministry calling, her job involves birth moms and birthed babies and adoption papers. She is part of my outstanding HHRM prayer team and is the captain of its cheering squad. She is hands-on in healing, in walking the bumpy road with others, sending encouragement, bowing in prayer, detouring women away from the deceptive doors of abortion, and loving sisters wounded by it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Recently God has been speaking to her. Despite her vulnerabilities, she is listening and obeying, and in doing so, sharing the aches and pains and the heart beats of her very soul. Friends, please join me in reading a poem penned not just by her hands, but one that flowed from her tender warrior's heart...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>The Light</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 20px; font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:13px;">These women Lord-they go into an abortion clinic one person and come out another.<br />Never to be the same.<br />Never to be who we once were.<br />We lose a piece of ourselves in that place.<br />Not only do we lose our child, we lose ourselves.<br />We don't realize it at the time.<br />Relief comes so quickly.<br />But then pain-numbness-anger-regret<br />It swallows us, holds us down<br />Like the raging sea-<br />But who can we tell?<br />Who would understand?<br />We chose this.<br />We chose to end a life.<br />We thought we knew best.<br />We thought we were in control.<br />Sadly, we lost that control the minute we make the decision to abort our child.<br />The enemy now has it.<br />Oh, how he loves it.<br />He loves where we are.<br />He can't wait to destroy us.<br />He loves watching us drown.<br />He waits and lurks and cheers as we continue to drown.<br />He wants our ultimate destruction.<br />He wants us completely destroyed.<br /><br />But wait......<br />What's that?<br />A hand reaching into the abyss.<br />A light ever so slightly, shining in the darkness.<br />I can't reach it-<br />I'm afraid-<br />I'm trying-I'm kicking-I'm screaming-<br />but it's so faint, so far away.<br />Who would dare come down this far?<br />Who would want to share this place with me?<br />It's so dark down here-<br />So lonely-<br />So heavy-<br />There is nothing but shame and guilt here.<br />Who would dare come so close to me?<br /><br />There it is again!<br />Only it's a bit brighter now.<br />Maybe I'm seeing things.<br />Maybe it's all in my head.<br />But no, I see it.<br />The light is getting brighter.<br />Is someone coming to rescue me?<br />I'm afraid to hope.<br />I'm afraid to open myself up.<br />This pain is too much.<br /><br />Here He comes.<br />Who could this be?<br />Who would dare to rescue me?<br />The light is so bright now.<br />The darkness has been swallowed.<br />Light-precious light<br />How I missed your warmth<br />This man I see-<br />Surrounded in light<br />Stretching His hand out to me.<br />Do I take it?<br />Is it real?<br />Is there one who can save me?<br /><br />I am He, he says.<br />I want your darkness.<br />I can heal you and make your whole.<br />He reaches for me.<br />He brings me to Him.<br />He embraces me.<br />Oh the warmth, the light, the peace.<br /><br />Only HE can heal me.<br /><br />"But you are a chosen people,<br />A royal priesthood, a holy nation,<br />a people belonging to God,<br />that you may declare the praises<br />of Him, who called you out of the<br />darkness into his wonderful light"<br />1 Peter 2:9<br /><br />It's time sweet sisters.<br /><br />It's time to step out of the darkness and into HIS light.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jennifer's HHRM <a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/02/lay-it-down.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b>guest post link.</b></span></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My <a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/02/meet-jennifer.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><b>introduction</b></span></a> of Jennifer to HHRM.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father God, here we are, gathered in Your name as we ask for Your light of love and redemption and healing to shine deep into the dark and even scary places of unhealed hearts. Lord, give each of us all that is need to make us whole. Touch our wounds with Your presence. And love us like crazy so that we may walk unabashedly and unashamed and loudly proclaiming Your wondrous shining Light. Thank you Father for sisters who share their hearts and their hope in You! In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Times, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-12151294913516294412010-04-21T07:08:00.000-07:002010-04-21T08:21:04.902-07:00Holiness<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Holiness,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> as described by Nancy Leigh DeMoss in her book by the same name, is</span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"the overflow of a heart </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">that is deeply grateful to have been redeemed </span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">by God from sin...</span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">it is motivated and enabled by the Holy Spirit</span>"</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Overflow of a heart.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>You mean that since I have accepted Jesus as my Saviour my heart easily will spill holiness?</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yes and no. It depends on you, actually. Yes, God calls you to do just that--to overflow with His holiness:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>but as He who called you </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>is</i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> holy, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>you also be holy in all </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>your</i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> conduct, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>because it is written, </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>“Be holy, for I am holy.”</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>...you were not redeemed with corruptible things...</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> but with the precious blood of Christ</i></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ 1 Peter 1:15, 16, 18, 19</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">No, this sloshing over of holiness won't just happen. You, the redeemed, must willingly seek it. You have been forgiven from all of your sins, now act like it. Live like it. Play like it. Love like it. Be like it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Deeply grateful heart.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>You want me to show my gratitude to God by being holy?</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yes, in a simple word, yes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Therefore God, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Your God,</i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b></b></i></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>has anointed You</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>With the oil of gladness </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>more than Your companions.</i></span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Hebrews 1:9</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Did you realize that holiness is akin to joy, to gladness? Indeed it is true. They are interconnected as if by heavenly tendons. Just as the body's own tendons connect the muscles to the bones, so too your salvation connects your holiness to your joy. His joy. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When someone gives you a most wonderfully delightful gift, what do you do? You smile at the giver, you beam with joy, and you are glad. Everyone sees this and knows you are grateful.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Motivated and enabled.</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>So now you are saying that I need to get myself a coach to motivate and enable me to continue on in such a manner?</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Again with the <i>yes and no</i> answer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yes, you need a "coach." But thankfully in the case of Christians, once we accept Jesus as our Lord an<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">d Saviour, boom! we are given a coach for Life. So, no, you don't have to search the want-ads or check the yellow pages, because thankfully The Holy Spirit already lives within us. In fact, He fills us, strengthens us, guides u</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s along this course as we seek holiness.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <i>but He for </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>our</i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> profit, </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>that </i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>we</i></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i> may be partakers of His holiness...</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness </i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>to those who have been trained by it.</i></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Hebrews 12:10, 11</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Just let Him do His Holy job of coaching you. Pay attention to His cues as He trains you. In fact, come over here and read the list He taped to your section of the gymnasium. Look, He taped it right here, at the mirror.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b>What Holiness means:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. to be consecrated or set aside for sacred use--as opposed to pagan or common use</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. standing apart from sin and evil</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. characteristic of God</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b>Training objectives:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. to realize one cannot set their own self aside for such use</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. to stand apart from sin and evil, but to run full throttle ahead as a part of God</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. to be the most like Him as we are able</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><b>How we will meet our goals:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. know, I mean really know deep into your very soul, that YOU ARE GOD'S, you belong to Him!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. to flee from evil; to strengthen your Holy muscles by heavy the sin far, far away (take off the sin-laden backpack, toss the things that entrap you and keep your focus from Christ)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. the woman, the man and the serpent will try to divert your heart and soul, but if you look unto the author and finisher of your race as your very reflection, you will be able to build your character in His holy image</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Always remember this...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Holiness is described as "the overflow of a heart that is deeply grateful to have been redeemed by God from sin...it is motivated and enabled by the Holy Spirit"</span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Father God, as we seek You today, let us recognize that what we are seeking holiness. It is intertwined with You and it is intertwined with who You want us to be. This "holiness" is not an unachievable proposition, rather is what should exude from our very pores as we are eternally grateful for all You have given and done for us. Lord, bless each one today saying this prayer with everything needed to live a life whole and holy in You. In Jesus name, amen.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* I am reading </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Holiness</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I highly recommend this resource. She speaks His heart. Each page is steeped in Truth and sweetened with her ability to teach it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* <i>What Holiness Means</i> section of note taped to the mirror: points 1-3 taken from the NKJV Life Application Study Bible's concordance/dictionary for the word "holy"</span></span></div></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-65067139497339581092010-04-15T06:05:00.000-07:002010-04-15T07:22:39.503-07:00Arterioles<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you ever used your concordance to read some or all of the "heart" references in the Bible? Wowzer. There are a ton and a half scriptures with a "heart" focused message. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I reckon this means God is concerned with the state of your heart.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is it joyously beating for Him?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is it thump-thumping a rhythm reflective of His unwavering love?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If not, why?</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oftentimes we let </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">other things</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> get inside our hearts and as a result, the proper functioning of the arterioles are messed-up. Big time. Arterioles are the small blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood throughout the body. These micro pathways feed the body with life-giving oxygen. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To alter their function means to starve the body's tissues. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tissues devoid of oxygen die.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Is that what happens with us?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For instance, if we have a heart that heaves with the unhealed wound(s) of abortion (or abuse or neglect or a myriad of other things), we recognize something is wrong and we try to fix it on our own. Perhaps we don't yet know God (like my story) or we ashamedly turn from Him (like I did even after accepting Jesus into my heart). Either way, here we are all on our own.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How does one <i>fix </i>herself?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some turn to substance abuse, some turn to self-punishment, while others turn aside and cram it way deep down. I was going to say the latter explains me best, but in actuality, all three coping methods have tangled my heart at one time or another. And in hindsight, now I see how all of it was related to my post-abortion trauma. My unhealed heart. My tormented soul. My disheveled mind.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- substance abuse</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Drinking one too many beers or glasses of wine to take the edge off. I blamed it on the alcoholic roots of my family tree. Easily. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- self-punishment</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Punishing myself by thinking that every "bad" thing that happened to me was something I deserved. As if it was actually some sort of badge of dishonor I had earned. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- cram it way deep down</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Stuffing it into the depths of my soul. Oh, I was so good at that. So good that I soon forgot I was doing it. And this too was discovered once I was healed and was able to look back with clarity. My attitudes and relationships and assumptions about myself and others were tainted with this evil of unforgiveness.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Remember those itty-bitty, life-giving arterioles I talked of earlier?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Those life-giving vessels are akin to His words and promises. In the midst of an attacked heart, those little vessels carry oxygen-rich blood to body tissues. Friends, let God's words and promises do the same for you. Let Him flood those damaged places with Truth and love and forgiveness and redemption. Don't resist as He pumps His healing and renewing through the pathways of your heart. And soul.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You wonder how that big old Book crammed with His Words can heal your broken places. You wonder how God could forgive even you. I know from experience that these are common thoughts. But I am here to tell you that </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">God is an uncommon Healer</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">! All He wants is your heart. He will do the rest. He knows your tissues are starved and are dying. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He will hold your hand. He will heal you from the inside out. He will infiltrate your heart with life-giving Truth and never-ending Love. Ah, but there is one catch--He cannot do it alone. That is right. He cannot do it alone. You must willingly and earnestly seek Him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Run down the corridors desperately seeking Him and shouting His name. He will hear you.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But from there you will seek the LORD your God, </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and you will find Him </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">if you seek Him </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">with all your heart </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and with all your soul.</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Deuteronomy 4:29</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Run down the corridors until your strength is gone and your heart is thumping wildly against your chest and you fall on your face while your soul is gasping for Him. He will heal and restore you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You shall love the LORD your God </span></b></i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">with all your heart, with all your soul, </span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and with all your strength. </span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And these words which I command you today </span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">shall be in your heart.</span></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">~ Deuteronomy 6:5-6</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Father God, here we are today. Running to You, The Healer of our hearts and the Restorer of our minds. Fill us with You, Your Truth, Your Love, Your forgiveness. Fill us with all that we need so that our hearts joyously beat for You. Fill us with every single thing that causes our hearts to thump a rhythm reflective of Your unwavering love. Lord, hear the hollers of these precious ones who seek You with their whole hearts and all of their strength. Heal them as only You can. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-74897727302159774992010-04-07T06:20:00.000-07:002010-04-07T08:20:25.055-07:00A Part<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: "Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law."</span></i></span></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The obvious impossibility...should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. </span></i></span></b></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him.</span></i></span></b></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(Galatians 3:9-11 The Message)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQkpPFhruDjX1hPnMUjVTBIF5JPytAmHkFaT6GAJ-RMXbPX5wioBjzt6qhRWUVVb8kr6qkelxXOFr0Nl60YlvVsDvA_Eopw7-iPqPrMKMVrN-TO7dQsyJ3ub8iQqnywLKKLqWVl8wNxY/s1600/odd+one.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQkpPFhruDjX1hPnMUjVTBIF5JPytAmHkFaT6GAJ-RMXbPX5wioBjzt6qhRWUVVb8kr6qkelxXOFr0Nl60YlvVsDvA_Eopw7-iPqPrMKMVrN-TO7dQsyJ3ub8iQqnywLKKLqWVl8wNxY/s400/odd+one.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457385490898272130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Are you the <b>odd one out</b>?</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because you are set aside by God?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Or because you are running from Him?</span></span></div></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">those minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, </span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">who is the image of God, should shine on them.</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(2 Corinthians 4:4)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And no wonder! </span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For Satan himself transforms himself </span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">into an angel of light.</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(2 Corinthians 11:14)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When we set ourselves </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">apart</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(definition: </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"separated or at a distance"</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">from God, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we are more </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a part</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(definition: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"something determined in relation to something that includes it"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> of the world.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span><table class="ts std" style="text-align: left;border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" class="s" style="max-width: 42em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; ">And we become less a part of Him. When that happens, the rotten, nasty little enemy has an easier task of wringing hearts and twisting minds.</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Where are you?</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Apart</i> from God? I hope not. Because in such a situation where you have let go of God and/or you have not fully grasped hold of His righteous promises, you are vulnerable. Vulnerable for attack.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Wouldn't you rather be here?</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>A part</i> of His heart and mind? This is the only safe place to be. And the only way to get here and stay here is by spending time with Him. Sink yourself into His Word. Humble yourself at His feet. Kneel before Him in earnest prayer. Grab hands of others in His midst. You are not alone. Not alone, not ever.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, once you are free in Him, then you will shine apart from the world, but always as a part of Christ and His enduring love!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Let us pray:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Father God, I lift up all those reading this today. I lift them right into Your trusting, forgiving, and everlasting arms of righteousness and Truth. Lord, give each one of us strength today to wildly run to you. Give each courage to leave behind the world's nonsense about who we are. Instead, fill us with Your love and courage--give us all we need this day. As each of us struggles to free ourselves from our past, wrap each one gently in Your care. And only when we are ready, set us to shine as a part of You. For You. For Christ. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* tulip photo is from my <a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b>other place</b></span></a>...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">* all scripture quoted from New King James Version, unless otherwise cited</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-2927646138140395072010-03-31T10:44:00.000-07:002010-03-31T11:17:33.537-07:00Wind Storms<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"There is a certain </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">glory of the Master</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">that can only be seen </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">when the wind is contrary</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">my ship is being tossed about </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">by the waves.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw2M09O81KiYFDUv7RzPpk0jolUpgHMj60gJRmKxQ5IY_qLqyrgf_26oAHdoHhEUAaq6N0fOVH59KlvzVtNQHdGw9j7DIPRut2BOwBAjrjeJORwb6nJIfGExqX_lHXBNxz0tLshI80oo/s1600/IMG_8124.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw2M09O81KiYFDUv7RzPpk0jolUpgHMj60gJRmKxQ5IY_qLqyrgf_26oAHdoHhEUAaq6N0fOVH59KlvzVtNQHdGw9j7DIPRut2BOwBAjrjeJORwb6nJIfGExqX_lHXBNxz0tLshI80oo/s320/IMG_8124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454863065553723010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Jesus Christ is not my security against the storms of life, </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">but </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He is my perfect security</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in the storms. </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He has never promised me an easy passage, </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">only </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">a safe landing</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">."</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">~ </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Streams in the Desert</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> quote by L.B Cowman</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">~ photo by Darlene</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What about you? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When the wind gets a whipping, do you get caught up in the wishing and wanting and whining about your personal storms? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you easily lose track of Who this life is about?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oh, I do. And I reckon some of you do too. It is an easy feat to accomplish, even with half-hearted attempts.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is part of our iniquity. Our iniquity without Him. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>“But he was <b>pierced for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">our transgressions</span></b>, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>he was <b>crushed for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">our iniquities</span></b>; </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>the <b>punishment that brought <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">us peace</span></b> was upon him, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>and <b>by his wounds <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">we are healed</span>. </b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>We all, like sheep, have <b>gone astray</b>, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>each of us has <b>turned to his own way</b>; </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>and <b>the LORD has laid on him </b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><b>the iniquity</b> of us all.”</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Isaiah 53:5-6</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As we approach Resurrection Sunday and the gloriousness of Christ's life, death, and new life, sometimes we feel the wind in our faces. And sometimes it even stings, bringing tears to our eyes. But, if we shoulder-up and lean hard toward the Cross, that wind will soon be at our backs, pushing us closer to Him.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Use its strength for His glory.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you have unhealed wounds and a discombobulated mind, come to the Cross. Jesus is waiting for you. Let the wind push you straight into His arms.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Let us humbly pray:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, as we approach Resurrection Sunday, let us also approach You, even with our unrelenting storms. Help each of us to use the very wind as a propellant that pushes us into Your healing and renewing arms. Give us strength and peace and focus when our seas get rough. Just as Christ became alive again, let us become new in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-89611797016090872752010-03-23T08:12:00.000-07:002010-03-24T08:36:50.532-07:00Sin-shackles<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Pain tightened</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">blood trickled</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">and dripped</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Alas, the sin-</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">shackles fell</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Clank!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">And now within you</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">the Holy Spirit</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">does dwell</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Freedom!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Reach out,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">for God</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">you will find</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Fly!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">As He heals your broken heart</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">and renews your shattered mind</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">Love tightens</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">as His forgiveness</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">sets you free</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you have bondage to unforgiveness, guilt, and/or shame? Just a little bit? Or even a whole lot?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As we focus hearts and minds on Christ's death and Resurrection, are you thinking on what this means for you? For your sins? Oh, we easily recognize what this means for us--just as Christ defeated death, so will we. We will spend eternity with Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Not to lessen that miraculous and merciful and unmerited gift, I would like to take a little different route today with another question. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What does all of that mean for my sins. For your sins? </span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">They died.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">They died with Christ.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gone.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bye-bye.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Finished.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then, after bleeding and dying a horrific death, three days later, He was walking and talking again. His Resurrection is all about Life. My life. Your life. It is not about dragging around those super heavy, cumbersome sin-shackles that cut through skin and pierce flesh deep, right to the very soul. It is about living the life God wants for you. It is about pointing others to Him. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is about taking off the sin-shackles and flying free!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* Christ's death and His Resurrection free us from sin. Really, it is true! Each sin. Every sin. All of my sins. All of your sins.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you hear the sin-shackles clank heavy to the ground?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* The Holy Spirit gives us power and even infiltrates our thinking so we can think and live as a true Christ-follower. Yes, indeed. It is true!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Being freed from sin, do you purposefully draw close to God or do you resist, even ever so slightly? Do you pull back, thinking it is not all really for you?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Remember those sin-shackles? They fell. You are free! Free in Christ.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">* God purifies and empowers us for His purpose and His will. Praise God, this is true!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Do you stand a bit aloof and just try to muscle through it all on your own? If you are still dragging those sin-shackles, aren't they heavy? Too heavy for you alone to bear?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Reach out, dear friend, and grab His hand! He will lead you where He wants you to go. He will infuse your heart and mind with Truth. And the journey will be easier, for He already loosed those sin-shackles and heaved them entirely off of your road.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>For the grace of God that brings salvation</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>has appeared to all men, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>looking for the blessed hope</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>and glorious appearing </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>who gave Himself for us, </i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>that He might redeem us </i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>from every lawless deed </i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>and purify for Himself </i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>His own special people, </i></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>zealous for good works</i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>.</i></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">~ Titus 2:11-14</span></i></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*This post was written after reading Titus 2:11-14 and the notes from my NKJV Life Application Study Bible. Their notes and my words are woven together... The beginning poem flowed from Him through my pen.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, give us the grace that brings salvation. And teach us that while we deny ungodly and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this age. Help us to look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. Fill us with the knowledge and Truth of our redemption and purification through Christ's death and His glorious Resurrection. And Lord, make us zealous for Your good works, that we may be a beacon in the darkness, leading others to You. In Jesus' name, amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gently, oh so very gently, offered to Ann's community at <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/03/best-read-ever.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b>A Holy Experience</b></span></a>, in hopes of encouraging just one who yearns for healing or someone who knows just one who craves renewing...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 9px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><center><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img alt="holy experience" src="http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee349/GDest07/ann%20voskamp/wednesdaybutton2.png" title="holy experience" /></a></center></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-67205032866944072472010-03-17T07:52:00.000-07:002010-03-17T09:16:23.604-07:00Brokenness<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Last time I spoke of </span></span><a href="http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com/2010/03/talking-psalm-32.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">coming willingly</span></span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> to the Lord, not like the bridled horse that is coerced by a metal bit, but willingly and with a spirit ready to be delivered from bondage. And today I continue on a similar route as I share what God has placed upon my heart for healing and in my mind for renewing...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brokenness.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">What is it and what does it have to do with me? With you? Well-known for her godly and Truth-filled writings, Nancy Leigh DeMoss sums it up this way in her book <i>Brokenness: The Heart God Revives</i>.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"The broken person has no confidence </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">in his own righteousness or his own works, </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">but he is cast in total dependence </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">upon the grace of God </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">working in and through him."</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Think back to my last post, I placed a picture of one of our horses alongside the <i>Scripture-Talk</i>. That is Indy (he thinks he is a race horse, hence the name) and my husband is breaking him for our young son to someday ride. The horse trainer does not literally snap the legs of the horse, rather he shows the horse who is in control. The man uses a gentle strength and works with the spirit of the horse to accomplish this feat. The feeding, the grooming, the riding, and all other man-equine-related activities are much smoother and safer, once the horse respects the man. Once the horse trusts the man. The horse cannot survive without the trainer. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Just as we cannot survive without God and His guiding hand. But how do we get to the point where we willingly come to our Trainer, our Lord? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Si<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mply put, we also need to be broken. And as Nancy DeMoss stated, our brokenness needs to be to the point where we are </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">completely dependent</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> upon God's grace to lead us around the arena, to guide us in the pasture, and to shine His glory for others to see as we gallop around. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God's Word doesn't necessarily speak the term "brokenness," but it does speak of a contrite heart, which is further defined as a penitent heart. The 14th century definition of penitent means </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(as defined by the online </span></span></span><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penitent"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Merriam-Webster Dictionary</span></span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brokenness</span></span></b> has to do with humbling oneself to the point of accepting that God is the only One who can take our bad and use it for His good.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brokenness</span></span></b> has to do with our recognition that we simply cannot survive on our own. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My New King James Version Life Application Study Bible note's say that "the sacrifices of the arrogant were only an external compliance." External compliance means merely lookin' good on the outside. I am making sure that others see me lookin' good and doin' good. </span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Whoa! Wait a minute and just quit resisting Me. I don't want you to just look good. I want you to have My healing and forgiveness and restoration spilling out your humbled heart. But in order to allow me to train you in such a manner, you must be broken and contrite. Have you read these Words, dear child?</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Psalm 51:17</span></span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The sacrifices of God </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">are</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> a broken spirit,</span></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">A broken and a contrite heart</span>—</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;">These, O God, You will not despise.</span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Isaiah 66:2</span></span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For all those </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">things</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> My hand has made,</span></i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And all those </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">things</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> exist,”</span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;">Says the LORD.</span></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“But on this </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">one</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> will I look:</span></i></span></span></div></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">him who is</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> poor and of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">a contrite spirit</span>,</span></i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And who trembles at My word</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">God says He will not despise a broken and contrite heart. The world might, but He will not!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He will look upon those who are of a contrite spirit. The world might scoff, but He will not!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Brokenness </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">is a biblical thing, not a world thing. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is an action. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is an action demonstrating trust & love. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is a choice. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is a choice of recognizing God for who He is </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and recognizing ourselves for who we aren't. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Are you looking for a healed heart and a renewed mind? It doesn't matter if it is post-abortion pain and heart-ache from which you are suffering. It doesn't matter if it is the trauma from abuse from which you are bound. It doesn't matter if it is a lie you have let infiltrate your mind. We are all in dire need of not only coming willing into the Lord's presence, but we are in desperate need of being broken in His loving hands.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let us humbly pray:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, as we come willingly into your forgiving, healing and renewing presence, give us the strength to come in all of our brokenness. For without Your loving grasp upon the reigns of our lives, we are living in our own arrogance. We want You to work in and through us. Our righteousness is not in us, it is in You. Father give us all we need so that our innermost heart beats for You! In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Remember, to be broken is to be healed. And renewed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102571525156712931.post-50997645926082605892010-03-11T10:51:00.001-08:002010-03-11T11:37:49.789-08:00Talking Psalm 32<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tqzFiLuWayYjzKhyphenhyphenbvNMrNm_CLXOo3kxnuqgtrhxQvxLu04gkq8Us_jmdu1uPrQrOIThrpcm8NO9qP34AABkElsoKmu4hwnqJ3lXjTpAdT9zlQ85WQxCtm8nWobMEmrrCLx73BBs3jI/s1600-h/IMG_5340.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Friends, God placed this scripture in front of me today. I read it through fast and furious. Then I went back and re-read it while I talked it out with God. I do that a lot. Please join me and God here as we sort out some realizations, brewed strong in His Truth...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><h4><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Psalm 32</span></span></h4><h5><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A Psalm</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of David. A Contemplation.</span></span></h5><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14357" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div>1</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,<br /> Whose sin is covered.<br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14358" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,<br /> And in whose spirit there is no deceit. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yes, blessed am I! My sins are covered by the One with the biggest, whitest cloth ever known. Once I let Him lay that blanket of forgiveness upon my shattered heart and broken mind, His healing and renewing took hold. But, I had to come broken wanting only restoration.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14359" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> When I kept silent, my bones grew old<br /> Through my groaning all the day long.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh how my bones grew old from carrying my sin. And my silence just about smothered me. For in keeping my mouth gagged and my heart bound, all I could do was groan within my secret places.</span></span></span></span></i></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i></i></span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14360" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;<br /> My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lord, You kept trying to guide me along Your path. I refused to see with my soul, nor did I listen with my heart. I lived in a long drought of summer.</span></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14361" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I acknowledged my sin to You,<br /> And my iniquity I have not hidden.<br /> I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”<br /> And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Praise be to God! Hallelujah for Your magnanimous goodness and mercy and love! </span></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14362" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">6</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You<br /> In a time when You may be found;<br /> Surely in a flood of great waters<br /> They shall not come near him.<br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14363" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">7</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> You are my hiding place;<br /> You shall preserve me from trouble;<br /> You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. </span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You are my fortress. I hide in You. At least I hid my sin within You, but now I shout for joy about your preservation of my soul and I often shout songs throughout the day.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tqzFiLuWayYjzKhyphenhyphenbvNMrNm_CLXOo3kxnuqgtrhxQvxLu04gkq8Us_jmdu1uPrQrOIThrpcm8NO9qP34AABkElsoKmu4hwnqJ3lXjTpAdT9zlQ85WQxCtm8nWobMEmrrCLx73BBs3jI/s1600-h/IMG_5340.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tqzFiLuWayYjzKhyphenhyphenbvNMrNm_CLXOo3kxnuqgtrhxQvxLu04gkq8Us_jmdu1uPrQrOIThrpcm8NO9qP34AABkElsoKmu4hwnqJ3lXjTpAdT9zlQ85WQxCtm8nWobMEmrrCLx73BBs3jI/s200/IMG_5340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447462112389127330" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px; " /></a></span></i></b></span></span></div><div><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14364" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">8</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;<br /> I will guide you with My eye.<br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14365" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">9</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Do not be like the horse or like the mule,<br /> Which have no understanding,<br /> Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,<br /> Else they will not come near you.</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh, it is sweet, sweet Truth that we do not need to be like the bridled animals in order to stand next to You. We must come willingly into Your loving and forgiving presence. Yes! Willingly, I com</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">e</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14366" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">10</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;<br /> But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.<br /></span></span></i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NKJV-14367" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">11</span></span></i></sup><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous;<br /> And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!</span></span></i><p></p><p></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">deed, mercy surrounds me now! My sins are forgiven. And since He forgave me, I was able to forgive my very own selfish self. And all of that, my friend, is worthy of unending songs and praises and shouts!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;color:#CC33CC;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Let us humbly pray:</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Father God, just as David found Your mercy, forgiveness, and came to the realization that that true deep down joy comes only when we come to You, let each one reading this today also come willingly to You. These are precious people who desperately need to experience and really feel Your forgiveness, all the way down to their bones. Lord, help them to shed whatever hinders their search for You. Help them to come unbridled, unhindered, and uninhibited, right into Your tender arms. In Jesus' name, Amen.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* photo by me, Darlene, also know as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><a href="http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">A Simple Country Girl</span></a>, </b></span>living in the country with my boys and our critters...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>Darlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11069126846786245478noreply@blogger.com1