tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52966217694792397332024-03-13T06:10:09.302-07:00Together as One...Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-27818709478049797852016-02-03T16:42:00.000-08:002016-02-03T16:52:46.402-08:00Why do pastors.....?<div align="justify">
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<span style="color: lime;">WHY DO PASTORS AND LEADERS GO TO A MINISTERS ENRICHMENT WEEKEND? WHY WOULD THEY DRIVE MILES AND MILES OR FLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ATTEND ONE? WHY WOULD SOUTHERN PEOPLE GO NORTH IN JANUARY KNOWING IT'S GOING TO BE VERY COLD?! WHAT HAPPENS THERE ANYHOW?!</span></div>
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We just returned from a Ministers' Enrichment Weekend and I wish I could give you a glimpse into why pastors go to weekends like this. </div>
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Pastors and leaders gather from all over the United States and Canada. From as far west as Oregon, as far north as Alberta and Toronto, as far east as Maryland and Virginia, and as far south as Texas and Florida they come. Those who serve on boards or committees gather early to have their bi-annual meetings and make plans for the future. As the men gather in their meetings, the women shop the little stores in the area or just spend time relaxing and enjoying the warm peace and quiet of solitude in their hotel rooms or places of lodging.</div>
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This year the place of gathering was in Arthur, Illinois, a little Amish and Mennonite community in the heart of Illinois. Seeing the wide open fields for as far as you could see told you they were no small-time farmers here. They were familiar with real farming. Large implement businesses seemed to be in every little town, well-stocked for the coming spring. We, from the south, had a special appreciation for the sunshine and higher than normal temperatures that graced us this particular weekend.</div>
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North Vine Mennonite Church bustled around every day preparing delicious food for lunch and dinners. They served the meals in a very orderly fashion and looked like they were having fun doing it. A weekend like this does not take place without much planning ahead of time and lots of work. As you gather you glance over the crowd looking at who all came this year. It is a special time of renewing friendships, encouraging each other, praying together, solving problems together, and playing games when we can. </div>
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The theme this year was <span style="color: blue;">"Shepherding the Flock"</span> so all topics and workshops were tied into this theme. The first evening's message was <span style="color: yellow;">"Christ-like Shepherding"</span> by Leon Martin. He did an excellent job of teaching how Jesus shepherded as our role model. He gave us a lot to think about. Due to much visiting afterwards, it is often 9:30-10:00 before you leave for your hotel. You are greeted there by group of pastors and their wives unwinding. The men usually pull their chairs into a large circle and their topics soon turn to current church things and events. The women gather their chairs around a table or two and unwind with an interesting game of "Take One". Sometimes we have to double check to see if a word is an actual 'word' or if it has just been invented. Whoever is not in the actual game stands alongside and offers assistance to those playing. This scene usually goes until 11:30 or midnight. </div>
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Early the next morning we gather in the hotel lobby for breakfast before we leave for the convention. Friday morning we get together in circles of which ever region we are from. We represent the Southern Region with Sam Mast serving as our overseer. Sam also serves as overseer of the west and far north so we had a large group. Someone usually shares a few verses, we pray together, then churches take turns sharing what is happening or needs they may have in their churches. Due to the size of our group this year, sharing was rich but limited by time. Following the Regional Meetings we gathered as a large group and listened intently as a brother shared his spiritual journey. His openness, honesty, and humility was uplifting as he shared how God led his family through several 'unknown' times; you know, times that are tough and you wonder if God knows what He's doing, but then when you look back you can see that God clearly had your best in mind. His testimony was refreshing. Several times through the weekend we have prayer times, when we gather in groups of four to six. It can be a mixed group or you can separate into men and women groups, and just spend time praying for each other in specific ways. We were privileged to pray as couples, sometimes with new friends and sometimes with old friends from 'way back'. It's always a special time. </div>
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Often over meal breaks you plan ahead to eat with someone you specifically want to catch up with or spend time with. Other times you just eat with whoever you sit next to and get to know them. Sometimes personal sharing together gets extended into the next service time. It is not unusual at all, at any given time, to see people praying together. </div>
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Right after lunch Sam Gingerich shared on <span style="color: yellow;">"Honor in Leadership".</span> This was a challenging message on how important honor is in our relationships. It is amazing how much easier it is to share when we extend honor or are given honor and respect.</div>
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Friday afternoons consist of a variety of workshops. It is very hard to pick only two of them when they all sound like something you would like to hear. Our first workshop was <span style="color: yellow;">"Pastors Promoting Purity</span>". Keith Beiler shared ways to be pro-active against the beast of pornography. He did an excellent job of presenting the subject, covered it well, and offered numerous books, free of charge, for anyone who wanted them. A generous Amish man donated the books to be dispersed as desired. "Free" was so refreshing because usually everything comes at a price and most things aren't cheap. A short break later we went to workshop two which was given by Jason Reed on <span style="color: yellow;">"Preparing Couples for Marriage".</span> It's the best I've ever seen offered. I have been quite disturbed at some "pre-marital counseling".</div>
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After a two hour break which included dinner we gathered again for the evening session. Jason Reed was the speaker and did an outstanding job on the subject of <span style="color: yellow;">"Foundational Needs of the Sheep".</span> He offered an enormous supply of resources and invited pastors to edit his material and 'make it better'. Our minds and hearts felt filled, pushed down, refilled, and packed full at the end of the session. </div>
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We were both fighting colds and flu bugs so we 'wisely' went to bed early this night, although the next morning we heard about all we missed out on. </div>
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Saturday morning began with the sound of rich singing and prayer, as every service did, then Jason Reed filled us up again with <span style="color: yellow;">"Shepherding the Sheep"</span> followed by a time of Q&A with Reed and Gingerich. That, too, was very interesting. After lunch another brother shared his spiritual journey, which was very good, then it was time for the Men's business meeting. The men go over all the business part of BMA. The ladies gladly make themselves scarce during this time (smile) and head to the Ladies' Tea. We walked into a room beautifully decorated, in a way that women appreciate, and lovely tables of delicate food and beverages. At our tables are multi-colored papers that each of us are to write on; words of encouragement that will be sent to missionary and pastors wives around the world. After feasting and fellowshipping we moved into the auditorium where Mrs. Ulrich shared on <span style="color: yellow;">"Lessons for Ministry Wives from Psalm 23".</span> It was so very fitting especially since she has a husband who raises sheep. After her time we listened to a panel discussion on<span style="color: yellow;"> "Practical Ways of Caring for Women in Our Flock".</span> We jotted down tidbits as we listened to them share. They gave us many practical ways to minister to ladies.</div>
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Time to eat again?! As good as it looked, I skipped. There was too much food accumulating in one spot in too short of a time. After dinner we were treated to some special singing led by David R. Miller. It was obvious that pastors are some incredibly good singers. We enjoyed special singing each evening which we all enjoyed. The evening message was <span style="color: yellow;">"Authentic Shepherding"</span> by Henry Blank. What is 'legit' shepherding? He did an excellent job. People want and desire the real thing, the real Truth. Then it was more visiting, more special little prayer meetings, more talking, then back to the hotel for..... more!</div>
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Sunday morning there were more times of good singing, prayer time, scripture reading then DestiNATIONS presented their program and introduced new people heading to the 'fields' and also missionaries who are home. Sam Mast brought the final message of the weekend on<span style="color: yellow;"> "The Rewards of a Faithful Shepherd</span>". Due to coughs, colds, and many miles ahead of us, we opted to leave early this year. Normally we don't leave until Sunday afternoon but this year we felt it would be wise to head for home early. They were able to live-stream the morning service so we listened in as we traveled along. We were glad we left early because the sickness got worse by the time we got home.</div>
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<strong><span style="color: lime;">So now you know WHY pastors and leaders drive thousands of miles to gather together in one place. They leave feeling encouraged, refreshed, refueled, and ready to keep going.</span></strong></div>
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If you have a pastor that is interested in attending Ministers' Enrichment Weekend... encourage them to come! </div>
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(Soon all these messages will be available to listen to at biblicalmennonitealliance.com. CDs and an MP3 are available, too, if anyone is interested.)</div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-72377438980709879302015-11-16T11:29:00.002-08:002015-11-16T11:30:12.338-08:00Living Life on Purpose<span style="background-color: #444444; color: lime; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Living Life on Purpose</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do I believe that I, along with every person on earth, have a specific purpose? Do I believe that as a Believer I have a divine assignment and purpose? Does every day count? What is the meaning of life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Read Psalm 139 with me....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know EVERYTHING about me. You know when I SIT down or STAND up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You SEE me when I TRAVEL and when I REST at HOME. You know EVERYTHING I do. You know what I am going to SAY even before I say it, LORD. You go BEFORE me and FOLLOW me. You place your hand of BLESSING on my head. Such knowledge is too WONDERFUL for me, too great for me to understand! </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your Presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will GUIDE me, and your strength will SUPPORT me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night-- but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night SHINES as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made ALL the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my Mother's womb. THANK YOU for making me so WONDERFULLY COMPLEX! Your workmanship is marvelous-- how well I know it! You WATCHED me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You SAW me before I was born. EVERY DAY of my life was recorded in your book. EVERY MOMENT was laid out before a single day had passed. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>How PRECIOUS are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me."</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I see "PURPOSE" all the way through those verses!! I was born for a purpose; YOU were born for a purpose! </span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">What is Purpose?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Purpose is what God has purposed for me. It is what I do purposely for the Lord. It is not knowing every detail of my future but it is having hope, value, and intention in my every day life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">Why is it important to know that we have a purpose?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It makes me more intentional with my day, with the 'interruptions' that come my way. It gives me courage to move forward, to keep walking, when life is hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lately I have been reminded to <span style="color: lime;">stop and think</span>...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was by divine design that I was born in the 20th century, there was a divine design when I was placed in my parent's home, the fourth child of eight. I wasn't accidentally born in the United States of America, there is a reason I was drawn to live in the state of Florida, in Sarasota, and even in this very neighborhood. My job is to see that purpose, to intentionally look for that design. </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">What keeps me from having purpose?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When I am too busy I find myself 'rushing' from one assignment to the next. It's hard to find joy in the assignment when the only focus is to <em>'get it done'</em>. When I'm feeling tired and burned out it's easy to lose my real focus. When I compare myself with others I seriously lose my focus and purpose. If God would have wanted two of someone else He would have made two.... but He didn't. He only made one of each of us and that was intentional! When I become too distracted via media, news, internet, etc., life loses it's value and intent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you don't have a sense of purpose....<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">STOP!!!</span></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seek God in prayer until you receive that sense of purpose. Empty your mind of the earthly distractions and ask Him to let you see your life and purpose through His eyes. Life will take on a whole new meaning. Don't expect to know all the details of your purpose and calling. You are called to serve God and glorify Him by being His hands extended to others. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You will never find your purpose away from the God who created you for a purpose in the first place. Don't let your mind "be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." (II Cor. 11:3). If life becomes overwhelming to you, it's possibly because you are trying to live it in your own effort--to make things happen yourself. Look to the Lord in worship and prayer, and He will get you where you need to go. </span><br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">He will enable you to do </span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-4558770916315142162015-06-15T11:08:00.003-07:002015-06-15T11:08:26.138-07:00Change Me, Lord<span style="font-size: large;">It's so easy to pray "Change him, Lord." or "Change her, Lord.". But what God really wants me to pray is: "Change me, Lord.... make me more like Christ.". Who of us doesn't want to exhibit more of the character of Jesus? Who doesn't want to be more like Him? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In our ladies' Discipleship Class we have been studying and discussing seven different areas that we would desire to be more like Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. <span style="color: lime;"><strong>Jesus</strong></span> <span style="color: lime;"><strong>was</strong></span> <span style="color: lime;"><strong>loving</strong></span>. I can pray and ask Jesus to make me more loving. In order for me to be loving I must first experience His love for me. When I experience His love, I can't help but love others. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. <span style="color: cyan;"><strong>Jesus</strong></span> <span style="color: cyan;"><strong>was</strong></span> <span style="color: cyan;"><strong>humble</strong></span>. He is Lord of the universe, yet, "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross.". Phil. 2:8. Even a fraction of His humility will get us a long way in this world, because it is such a rare commodity. I was challenged by being reminded of the steep price to pay for pride (and pride can be so slickly disguised, can't it?). "Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, they will not go unpunished." Pro. 16:5. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.". Pro. 16:18. Nothing will speak louder to the world around me than my own humility, because it will be a refreshing departure from the norm. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3. <strong><span style="color: yellow;">Jesus</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: yellow;">was</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: yellow;">faithful</span></strong>. He never wavered from His conviction and knowledge of who He was and why He was here on earth. Even when He was tempted by Satan, He did not falter. I need to know with that same certainty who He really is, so I can know who I really am, then I won't waver. God, strengthen my inner being and make me faithful as You.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4. <strong><span style="color: magenta;">Jesus</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: magenta;">was</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: magenta;">giving</span></strong>. He gave of Himself to disciple a few men so that many lives would be touched. His ultimate gift was His life. When I feel I have nothing to give, God supplies it all. "God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.". II Cor. 9:8.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5. <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Jesus</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">was</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">separate</span></strong>. He was in the world, but He was not part of the world. He came to touch the world, but He never became like the world. He was separate from the world, yet He changed the world around Him. I need that balance, too. I can't stay so separate that I have no touch with the outside world, nor can I be looking, living, talking, and acting so much like the world that people don't see anything different about me. Jesus never lost sight of where He was going. He always kept eternity in His perspective. I must do the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6. <strong><span style="color: lime;">Jesus</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: lime;">was</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: lime;">obedient</span></strong>. He did not do anything on His own, even though He was Lord. He prayed and did not act until He had instructions from God. I must live that way, too. "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.". I John 2:6. Too often we can pray a "quick prayer" because it's the 'right thing to do' but we have our mind made up ahead of time and we aren't really asking God what His will is. We are self-sufficient.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lord, help me to recognize my dependency upon You.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7. <strong><span style="color: yellow;">Jesus</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: yellow;">was</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: yellow;">light</span></strong>. I love this one! People are drawn to light. We want them to be drawn to the light of the Lord in us. "I am the light of the world, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.". John 8:12. I want to be full of Light so that people will see that I have been with Jesus and I give them a reason for the light within me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>"Lord, transform me into Your likeness! </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong> Make me so much like Christ that when people see me </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><strong>they will want to know You better."</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">*notes taken from Stormie Omartian</span></strong></div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-42672085369789970282014-11-17T14:31:00.000-08:002014-11-17T14:40:21.638-08:00Before you leave your church...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Weird, I know, but I actually am afraid to write on this subject.</span> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>How do you know when you should leave a church </strong></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>and when you should stay?</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The whole subject of church can be so beautiful, so painful, so touchy, so controversial, so complex, and so simple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't have the answers to when you should leave or when you should stay and I don't believe there are always easy pat answers to it. There is a time to stay and a time to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(As a disclaimer right at the beginning this is not targeted at anyone in particular...just sharing my thoughts and heart.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In October Jerry Stoltzfus from S.C. was here for meetings and he spoke on this subject one evening. I had never heard a message spoken from this perspective but it has run around in my mind ever since. Recently in a conversation it came up .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jerry's words were <em>"Before you leave a church think of the hole you will leave behind."</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In life all of us crave to belong...to be connected. Ephesians 5:30 "We are all members of one body." We are not a body to ourselves, God made us to be a part of a body, to be connected, to be wanted and needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you are a part of a church for a long period of time or a short period of time, you make attachments and you connect. Maybe not in the way you wanted to connect, or maybe you have been disappointed in the lack of connections but I would dare to guess that someone reached out to you, someone invested themselves in you, someone cared about who you were. If you were a part of a church for a long period of time then likely there were many people who connected with you, cared about you, and invested in you. When you leave, even if it's the right thing to do, you dismember yourself from the body and the body will bleed. Here is where I believe Satan steps in with his pretty little lies, whispering that no one will care, they will be better off without you, some one else will fill your shoes, etc. etc. The truth is that a hole will be left that YOU filled and even though new people come along, no one else will take your place. There will always be your spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's because </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">CHURCH IS FAMILY!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When a family loses a member- they bleed, they mourn, they feel that loss intensely.....time does move on and they do develop a new normal but no one else ever takes that family member's place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>How can the local church be like family?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Family members have different opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Family members will not allow anyone to trash talk their siblings or parents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Family members know we don't always get it right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. Family members know we love deeply even at the risk of being misunderstood or rejected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Family members seek ways to minimize the damage caused by sins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Family members can have extreme levels of maturity of lack there of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7. Family members have extreme personality differences and we appreciate our differences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. Family members feel deep pain and loss when one walks away and rejects them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9. Family members are not all alike or else someone is not needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10. Family members even in serious dysfunction don't leave, they stick around and try their best to being sanity.</span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><em>When you have family you are connected...you have roots!</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><em>When you have church you are connected...you have roots!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe the church needs you more than you need the church. Or...sometimes we are our own worst problem. We are not a part of God's family because He needs us...He wants us and we need Him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Does the local church always get it right? No, no, and no. Does the congregation always get it right? No, no, and no. Leaders fail to get it right, congregations fail to get it right but can we not covenant together to be there for each other even with each others' weird and quirky ways? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simply because we care deeply for each other....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>because we're family,</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> not </span><span style="font-size: large;">because we're perfect!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to complain about the problems, to criticize, to make fun of someone's quirky ways.....and then to walk away with our disappointments, bitternesses, hurts, or maybe with our self-righteousness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Before you leave a church....</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...at least consider and ask what you have given? Were you ever fully committed to this local body of Believers and if you weren't then don't leave too quickly. Consider this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps God may have called you to this very church <em>"for such a time as this".</em> The very areas that you see lacking in the church are perhaps the very place God has called you to make a difference. Don't do it with selfish ambitions, pride, or with your agenda....it probably won't work if you do. But put both feet fully in and with your whole heart give it all you got - and in the Name of Jesus serve as He did - with a humble, servant spirit - and watch HIM work HIS work through you in ways far beyond your imaginations, in ways that will drive you to your knees before Him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...and then think of the terrible loss...... what if you had just walked away?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Satan's goal is to kill-steal-divide-destroy and he's been doing a fine job of it! Don't be a part of his plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">There is a time to leave.</span></strong> There are times God calls you somewhere else and that's okay. There are times when a church is teaching error and you should leave but don't leave ugly! It's like a family, sometimes God calls family members to live somewhere else and we bless them in following God's plan and His calling. Even though they, too, leave an empty spot and they are missed intensely, it's still a good part of God's plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">But when we're family, we stay connected.</span></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We call, we talk, we visit, we facetime and we come back home! And oh, the special times of reconnecting and hearing how God is working in their lives! <strong><span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">It can be so beautiful!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But if we leave for the wrong reason then it's painful, it hurts, it's discouraging, defeating, and dare I say, wrong? I don't want to undermine the pain, hurts, and ungodliness that has been done in the name of Christianity...that, too, is wrong, wrong, and wrong. Maybe you have left a church, maybe you've left our church, maybe you've left for right reasons or wrong reasons....maybe you're thinking about leaving a church. I want you to know that you are or will be missed, there is a place that only you can/could fill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Thank you to Jerry and Diane for coming and sharing these thoughts with us ...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em> we are still ruminating on them!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: yellow;"><span class="passage-display-bcv">Philippians 1:27 "</span><span class="text Phil-1-27">Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News."</span></span></em> </span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-78446067749570349902014-10-10T18:03:00.000-07:002014-10-10T18:05:21.695-07:00Satan weaves....God re-weaves<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">So many times I get frustrated at a person, people, or circumstances instead of seeing the real picture. Satan’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy relationships, peace, oneness, love, etc. I become short-sighted and me-sighted and I miss the mark, I accept the bait. I bite the hook. The hook that was baited especially for me. Satan watches and studies me closely. He knows what pushes my buttons. He knows what hurts me the most and he will use people and circumstances to attack me. Too many times I allow my emotions to rule, my pain to rise, frustration to brew, peace and joy to be robbed, and ugly thoughts to control.</span> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="color: magenta;"> <span style="font-size: large;">O God, forgive!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eph. 6:10-18 “….Put on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand against the strategies of the devil….”</span></div>
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Genesis 50:20 </div>
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“But as for you…you thought evil against me, </div>
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BUT GOD meant it for good.”<br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In God’s hands, intended evil becomes eventual good. -Max Lucado</span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Joseph's brothers blew it big time when they sold Joseph into slavery, yet God, in Genesis 45 says, "Be not angry or grieved, God sent me...And God sent me before you to preserve you...It was not you that sent me.... <span style="color: yellow;">BUT GOD!!</span><br />
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God redeems pain. Joseph’s torn robe became a royal one. The pit became a palace. The broken family grew old together. The very acts intended to destroy God’s servant turned out to strengthen him.</div>
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Take my wrong responses and reactions and turn them into good. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Let me glorify YOU!</span></div>
</span></span><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-13232290522320312812014-09-25T05:58:00.000-07:002014-09-25T05:58:37.130-07:00Keep on keeping on!<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><br /></strong></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Retirement from the Christian life is not in God’s plan. As you turn the pages of Scripture, you can’t find one saint who quit. Although many wanted to (remember Elijah, Jonah, and David?), not one did. Consider the following roll call of saints.</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Throughout his life, Abraham responded to God’s commands to move. He lived in tents, his nomad’s life representing his search for “the city…who architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). Abraham died without receiving the fulfillment of God’s promises of land, a vast number of descendants, and great blessing (see Genesis 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:39). Abraham could have quiet, but he desired “a better country, that is a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). So, until he died, Abraham pressed on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Aged and weary, Moses kept serving the Lord. At one point, he even needed the help of Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands so that God would continue to bless the Israelites’ efforts in battle (Exodus 17:8-13). He could have quit, but he didn’t. Instead, he got the help he needed to raise his hands heavenward. Later, because Moses hadn’t obeyed and trusted God for water at Meribah (Numbers 20:9-13), God forbade him to cross into the Promised Land he had waited 40 years to enter. Again, Moses could have quit serving God, but he didn’t. Instead, he spent the rest of his days teaching the law, preparing the priest, and encouraging Joshua to lead God’s people into the land his feet would never touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Samuel was called by God to be His prophet, but later the people of Israel rejected his leadership and asked him to appoint a king over them so that they would be like their neighboring nations (I Samuel 8:1-5). Most people quit after being rejected, but Samuel didn’t. Instead, he kept praying and preaching(12:23), and he spent the rest of his life helping Saul, the man who took his place as the leader of the nation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ King David greatly desired to build a temple to God, but the Lord Almighty said to David, “You have shed much blood, and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me.” (I Chronicles 22:8). But instead of quitting, David kept pressing on for the Lord. He spent his last days making plans and gathering materials so that his son Solomon could build the temple (I Chronicles 22:5-19).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Paul spent his final days writing letters from prison which would guide the church of Jesus Christ in the future. His impending death didn’t shift his sharp focus on Jesus Christ and His people. He kept pressing on to the end of his life by offering encouragement, exhortation, and comfort through his pen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Exiled to the island of Patmos in his old age, the apostle John never quit. After all, his service for Christ had seemingly earned him only disgrace and dishonor. But John kept pressing on. In his nineties, he was blessed with “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1;1). The twenty-two chapter of the Book of Revelation tell what will take place before and when the Lord returns. The apostle served as prophet with words that still speak to us today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~ Jesus Christ knew about the cross, but He pressed on toward it and, when it was time, He endured it to the end (Hebrews 12:2). As He hung dying on that cruel instrument of torture to save you and me from our sins, He uttered the three simple words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus, our Savior and our Lord, pressed on to the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The list of God’s people who pressed on and served the Lord until the end of their life goes on and on. At one time or another as they ran the race, each of the men of faith mentioned above HAD A VALID REASON TO QUIT...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <strong> Yet not one of them quit, resigned, or retired.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They knew they had not finished the race, that there was still work to be done, and that God could still use them. They knew that, by God’s grace, they could make a difference for His kingdom right up until the day they left this earth and went to be with Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They kept on keeping on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While God may not have called you and me to achieve anything near the magnitude of these men’s accomplishments, He does view our sphere of service and responsibility as equally important. These saints had a clear vision of God which inspired them in their calling-- and now inspires me in mine--</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">to press on toward the end </span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> in service of the Almighty!</span></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Stormie Omaritian)</span></span><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-5195876046308205522014-09-01T06:29:00.001-07:002014-09-01T06:43:46.228-07:00Challenges from Church<span lang="EN"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">What is spiritual complacency?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Complacency</strong> is a feeling of satisfaction with how things are; not wanting to make things better; being in a rut. How many of us find ourselves with that being the description of our spiritual lives? Or maybe we desire for things to be different but are too spiritually lazy to change?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was challenged at church yesterday…</span>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">First I received a ‘rhema’ from God…something I needed to hear. It may not have stood out to anyone else but it lit up my spirit immediately.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">II Chron. 7:12b “I have heard thy prayer, </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">There are some things I have been praying and it felt like this was a special word from the Lord just for me. He not only said </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: yellow;">“I have heard thy prayer”</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">but more… </span><span style="color: green; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: green; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: yellow;">“I have chosen this place.”</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">While I have no idea what all God’s plans are, I know He has great plans and He is stirring us in a new way once again.</span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was further challenged by the following verses, especially verse 14; a verse that we have heard repeated repeatedly. But we seldom think about the conditions of this verse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“If My people who are called by My Name…” </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">that would be me, and hopefully you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“Shall humble themselves…“ </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">that would be me; He’s not pointing to someone else that I feel “um-hmm, sure hope they see that.” Me...humble myself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“And pray….” </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">again, me. Seriously, how much time do I spend in actual prayer? Before I pat myself on the back, I challenge myself to keep a written record sometime of how much time I actually spend in prayer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“And seek My face…” </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">If I actually seek the face of God, I would quickly see myself as He sees me. And what does He see when He sees me? Nothing hidden… He sees the thoughts of my mind, the intents of my heart, the words I don’t say… </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“And turn from my/your wicked ways…” </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">Surely if I call myself by Christ’s name, etc, etc, etc, I am not walking in wicked ways! Humbly seeking the face of God and turning from my wicked ways. Are there areas where I outright defy the Word of God? Perhaps even boldly outwardly or perhaps boldly inwardly?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus;">“THEN….” </span></span><span style="font-family: Papyrus;">the great condition. It’s up to me, and you, to meet the prior conditions. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;"> & LIFE-CHANGING!!!!</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was challenged out of Revelation through the letters to the 7 churches; even though time ran out before all 7 churches could be looked at. Here are a few, fast challenges that were given to us as he skimmed the top of these churches:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rev. 2:2-7 The Church at Ephesus:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were a hard-working church, they did not tolerate false teaching, they labored and had not fainted. They were doing all the right things and yet Jesus said, “I have something against you….you have lost your first love.” Christ was no longer the center of their lives and hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The question was asked: “What if I followed you around for a whole week, looked at your phone, your ipad (computer), listened to your conversations, etc…Would it be very clear that Christ is the center of your life?” My mind immediately began to replay my past week….</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rev. 2:8-11 The Church at Smyrna:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were the suffering church. They weren’t just survivors, they were overcomers. Overcomers have a testimony. Where is my testimony? My witness of Christ working in my life? Is it possibly that many do not have a testimony/a witness because…. Jesus is not doing anything in their lives? Are many just professors of Christ but not really followers?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rev. 2:12-17 The Church at Pergamos</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is the doctrine of Balaam that this church was holding? In Numbers Balaam taught the Midianite women to seduce the Israelite men; and there were corrupt teachers who were deceiving believers to compromise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This church appears to confess Christ; had the right theology, but their actions didn’t follow as true Followers of Christ. Could that be me? Do I confess Christ, have my theology correct, but my actions, words, and priorities would prove otherwise?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rev. 2:18-29 The Church at Thyatira</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They had works, charity, service, faith, and patience but they tolerated a Jezebel woman, a prophetess, to teach and seduce them. They were a tolerating church. The question was asked “Has the Word of God, or Christ Himself, taken a back seat in our lives?” Why do so many (of us?) no longer believe what we used to believe? Is it because the Scripture no longer means what it says? I have listened and read some things recently on why different things are not wrong and was agonized by the twisting and manipulating of Scripture to prove the point, at the exclusion of other Scriptures. But wait, this is for me, not pointing to someone else…What Scriptures have I ignored, left out, excluded?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rev. 3:1-6 The Church at Sardis</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a church…it had a reputation for “Being Alive”, yet Jesus said they were dead. What does it mean when a church has a reputation for “being alive”? <b>It’s a good thing for a church to be alive….in Christ</b>! Today I think we associate ‘being alive’ with loud music, loud worship, dramatized preaching, and lately I’ve been hearing a lot about ‘prophetic words‘. Is there anything wrong with loud music, worship, preaching with passion, and prophetic words? Absolutely not…but those alone do not indicate an alive church. Anyone can create drama. Anyone can move a crowd. Anyone can manipulate emotions. Anyone can come up with ‘prophetic words’. It doesn’t necessarily take a move of the Spirit to do that. God calls it “dead” if it‘s created by man. Yikes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet….</span></div>
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</span></span><b><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Papyrus;"><div align="CENTER">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">when the Spirit is present, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">when God is truly ALIVE in my heart, </span></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">there will be evidence of LIFE.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><span style="font-size: large;">…and time ran out before he got to the other churches but I’ve been challenged and have enough to meditate on for all week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is my testimony? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you had free access to every area of my life…. </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Would it be clear that I am a true Follower of Christ</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and the HE is the CENTER of my life?</span></div>
</b></span><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-79208785139822020252014-08-06T07:26:00.003-07:002014-08-06T07:51:36.597-07:00Today is a Gift from God<span lang="EN"></span><div align="CENTER">
<span lang="EN"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">This bright new day is a gift from God!</span></strong></span></div>
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Psalm 118:24 <i>“This is the day the Lord hath made;</i></div>
<i> Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
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<span style="color: magenta;">The too-common feeling of being overwhelmed: Another day, another thousand things to do! Panic begins. I want to rejoice but I can’t because I am too overwhelmed by the mountain range of responsibilities that comprise my life. Doing all I need to do this day seems impossible. My list is long, my schedule full, my calendar booked. People, commitments, deadlines, housework, errands, needs - my list seems endless. Life is crowded, complex, and challenging. There is always so much to do. Anyone with me?</span></div>
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Mt. 6:34 <i>“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”</i><em><br /></em></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"> I am only as busy as I allow myself to be. </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"> I have 24 hours to do my things just like everyone else does. </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"> God will never give me more than I can do! </span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"><strong>THE PROBLEM IS ME.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;"><span style="color: yellow;"> I’m studying a book <b>“Loving God with All Your Mind” </b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">by Elizabeth George </span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">and here are some things I have found to be very helpful.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Guideline #1: Prepare</span>
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Prepare in the evening for the next day.</div>
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Prepare in the morning; set the tone for the day.</div>
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Mark 1:35 <i>“..in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out to a lonely place, and was praying there.”</i></div>
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</i>Mark 1:37 <i>“…everyone is looking for you.” </i>Jesus’ time was demanded by many. Do I ever feel like everyone is looking for me? Depending on me? Clamoring for my time?
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Mark 1:38 Jesus told the disciples <i>“…let us go somewhere else and preach.”</i></div>
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He was not controlled by the crowds and demands. He had obtained His orders for the day and obeying them took priority of the seemingly urgent needs of the crowds. It is easy for us to fall into the trap of other people’s plans for us and the tyranny of the urgent. In his quiet time along with God before the sun rose, Jesus acquired His focus for the day and let it shape His plans.</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Guideline #2: Plan Ahead</span>
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With long-range planning, we can break large projects into day-sized pieces, an approach which can keep us from feeling overwhelmed by the ultimate goal. “Eat your elephant one bite at a time.”</div>
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Make lists!</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Guideline #3: Pray</span>
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As I prepare and plan, I need to also be praying!</div>
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Audibly pray: <i>“Lord, today I give myself anew to you.”</i></div>
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</i>Give God the things in my life- my home, my possessions, my time, my body, my mind.
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Give God the people in my life - my spouse, my children, my family members, my friends. </div>
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God is all wise, all powerful, loving, and able to take care of the people as well as the things in my life. I need to acknowledge His ability, and when I do, I experience His peace. All of these are His to do with as He likes.</div>
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Give God my schedule. Committing my plans to God helps me fight the battle against impulsiveness and laziness. It helps me be more sensitive to His leading and to do something other than what I planned. Although I have a plan, I want God’s will for my life. I therefore hold loosely and stand ready to defer to what He would have me during the course of the day.</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Guideline #4: Proceed</span>
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Ancient wisdom reminds me that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.</div>
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<b><span style="color: lime;">Guideline #5: Trust God to Provide</span>
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As I proceed in faith and obedience, keeping my focus on today and expecting to see God at work in my life along the way, and amazing thing happens. I find that, whatever the challenge, task, trial, crisis, or interruption, God provides for me!</div>
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</span><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: magenta;">Whatever happens, God provides wisdom.</span> </div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">James 1:5 <i>“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”</i>
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</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><div align="JUSTIFY">
<span style="color: magenta;">Whatever happens, God provides His strength.</span></div>
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Phil. 4:13 <i>“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”</i>
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Deut. 33:25b <i>“…your strength will equal your days.”</i></div>
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</i>II Peter 1:3a <i>“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…”</i>
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</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;">
</span><span style="color: magenta;">Whatever happens, God will provide all I need.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Phil. 4:19 <i>“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."</i><br />
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Step out today in trust as I walk through this day with the Lord. </div>
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Not a day will go by without me experiencing His care.</div>
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Preparing, planning, praying, and proceeding </div>
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enable us to experience God’s provision for s </div>
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amid the practical details of daily living.</div>
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</b></span><b><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: cyan;">Today really is a bright, new gift from God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">I can and will rejoice and be glad in it!</span></div>
</span></span></b><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-3493864161061469302014-08-04T06:38:00.000-07:002014-08-04T06:43:46.711-07:00The Most Glorious Hope!<span lang="EN"></span><div align="CENTER">
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What happens to departed believers? </b>Can we know in part but perhaps not all the details? Something about death is so mysterious and yet, God has given us verses that give us a glimpse into the future. Perhaps in light of several recent deaths of people that I know and then our Sunday School lesson yesterday, I have been thinking a lot about the </span></div>
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Believer’s Most Glorious Hope!</div>
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I Thess. 4:13 - <i>“I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep…”</i></div>
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Are departed believers literally just ‘sleeping’ somewhere? Is death just a state of semi-consciousness, an existence somewhat like a deep sleep? I heard this insinuated at a funeral one time and it troubled me greatly. Is that a Scriptural teaching? I think Scripture would indicate differently…</div>
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Luke 23:43 - Jesus told the thief on the cross <i>“TODAY you will be with me in paradise.”</i></div>
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II Cor. 5:6-8 Paul says, <i>“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”</i></div>
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Phil. 1:23 Paul again says <i>he desires to depart and to be with Christ.</i></div>
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These Scriptures would say that departed believers are with the Lord, living face to face with Him. Even though we may not fully understand exactly where Paradise is we can be assured that they are in the presence of God.</div>
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<i>“Asleep” </i>is simply a word to describe their departure from this world. It is a picture of resting from the trials and sufferings of this world.</div>
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Further in I Thess. 4:13 Jesus says <i>He does not want us to sorrow as those who have no hope</i>. What an <b>INDESCRIBABLE GIFT </b>to know that as believers, we will see each other again. I cannot imagine the hopelessness of not having that assurance. Jesus was well acquainted with grief. When Lazarus died, He wept. It’s okay to grieve and to weep, but we should not sorrow excessively as though we have no hope of a coming reunion day.</div>
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I Thess. 4:15 - <i>“Them that are asleep (at rest) in Jesus will God bring with Him when He returns.”</i></div>
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v. 16 - <b>What an event this will be!! </b>Picture it with me…</div>
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<i>“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout </i>(I cannot help but believe that this is a shout that will be heard in every corner of the world!), <i>with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God…”</i></div>
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Just imagine that! <b>Some day this is really, actually going to happen! </b>A shout, a voice of the archangel, and a trumpet….I don’t doubt it will have our full attention! The whole universe…both earth and heaven, believers, unbelievers, and angels.</div>
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“…then the dead in Christ will rise first; then we which are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”</div>
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Picture that with me…the departed believers being joined to their buried bodies, rising with transformed, incorruptible bodies, and right behind them are those of us who are alive in Christ, millions joined together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air! Again, I don’t think there will be anything secretive about this event…I believe <i>“every eye shall see Him.” </i>Rev. 1:7</div>
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Our present bodies are corruptible- they age, deteriorate, die, decay, and decompose. Until Jesus returns, every earthly body will someday return to the earth. <b>But on that day we will receive incorruptible bodies! </b>A heavenly transformation, a perfect body that will never age, deteriorate, die, decay, or decompose - completely free from defilement and depravity - perfected forever to live with God in the new heaven.</div>
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I Thess. 4:17b <i>“…and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”</i></div>
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<strong>The experience of living face to face with the Lord begins.</strong> The most wonderful event will be seeing our Lord face-to-face for the very first time! Is there any question what our first thoughts will be?!</div>
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I Thess. 4:18 <i>“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”</i></div>
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God does not reveal the events of the end time to satisfy our curiosity</div>
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but so that we can prepare and comfort one another with this </div>
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Most Glorious Hope!</div>
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Are you ready for that day?</div>
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Have you made your preparations?</div>
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Are you living in light of the Lord's return?</div>
</span><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-43215332867985220062014-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:002014-05-28T13:31:13.842-07:00"The Cruise" Part III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Land Ahoy!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The United States of America!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How sweet to see the beautiful view as we approached</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Key West, Florida!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know we weren't explorers by any stretch of the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">imagination, and we hadn't voyaged from far across the sea,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and we hadn't suffered at all during our voyage...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but for just a moment I felt just a vapor of what </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the early settlers must have felt!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBP9e3Hgvzk/U4YvArJJ5pI/AAAAAAAABOg/tDKl3iv-YyU/s1600/DSCN6254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBP9e3Hgvzk/U4YvArJJ5pI/AAAAAAAABOg/tDKl3iv-YyU/s1600/DSCN6254.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We watched with wonder and amazement as we approached!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HzosuHzfLzs/U4YvA47zgoI/AAAAAAAABOo/5bMnIPwhCp0/s1600/DSCN6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HzosuHzfLzs/U4YvA47zgoI/AAAAAAAABOo/5bMnIPwhCp0/s1600/DSCN6257.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The immigration officers waited patiently far below as our captain maneuvered this huge ship sideways to our dock.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTeiRpkDLMU/U4YvAmQ995I/AAAAAAAABOk/QgI95kAWlaM/s1600/DSCN6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTeiRpkDLMU/U4YvAmQ995I/AAAAAAAABOk/QgI95kAWlaM/s1600/DSCN6259.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHMxJkg1FtE/U4YvCHt7izI/AAAAAAAABOs/xi3Va5OrG9Y/s1600/DSCN6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHMxJkg1FtE/U4YvCHt7izI/AAAAAAAABOs/xi3Va5OrG9Y/s1600/DSCN6261.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The immigration officers came on board and we were assigned numbers and times to go through customs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had to have our papers in hand, Sea Pass cards punched, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and then we were free to go out and tour Key West.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was rainy so we chose to rent these limousines</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for our tour of Key West.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We rented two of them and they served us perfectly!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYWkVb4XsaY/U4Yw6fkgwqI/AAAAAAAABO4/1xkGL8U3Soc/s1600/DSCN6266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYWkVb4XsaY/U4Yw6fkgwqI/AAAAAAAABO4/1xkGL8U3Soc/s1600/DSCN6266.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Much of what happened here will have to stay on the island!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked through a lot of shops with crazy things for sale,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we ate lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we saw the southern most point of Key West,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and tasted the tropical drinks.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ESN3h7yys/U4Yw6U6RMeI/AAAAAAAABO8/Q4oo246wPKI/s1600/DSCN6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ESN3h7yys/U4Yw6U6RMeI/AAAAAAAABO8/Q4oo246wPKI/s1600/DSCN6268.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We raced to return our limousines</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> in order not to miss our last </span><span style="font-size: large;">call back on the ship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was good to be back in our homeland again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back on the ship, we quickly clean up,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> and were off to the dining room for dinner</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">where we received a special number from the chefs, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">waiters, and waitresses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They sang and marched around the room for us while</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we all applauded them for a job WELL DONE!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrr7uY9Tjwo/U4YzJABR-qI/AAAAAAAABPU/HOekWrXtYzo/s1600/DSCN6278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrr7uY9Tjwo/U4YzJABR-qI/AAAAAAAABPU/HOekWrXtYzo/s1600/DSCN6278.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved how this Amish man swung his white napkin in honor and applause for the serving staff! I was so blessed and impressed through this whole trip with the Amish and Mennonites. They offered their friendship to any and all...regardless of race, color, and dress. They took pictures and greeted by name their staff each evening. They made friends with them and invited them to their homes if they should ever visit their state and country. They sat with people from all over the world and many shared their faith. What an opportunity and blessing! We, too, had numerous people from all over the world ask...and we were able to share about our God!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R-mYZEPRMoA/U4YzJA6-QYI/AAAAAAAABPQ/WX61Utq5x6M/s1600/DSCN6281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R-mYZEPRMoA/U4YzJA6-QYI/AAAAAAAABPQ/WX61Utq5x6M/s1600/DSCN6281.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We cherished our dinner chats with</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Marv & Sharon and Lloyd & Sandra .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our evening table servers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last night was the latest of them all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed up til the wee hours of the night</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">chatting over coffee and tea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots and lots of luggage as we wait to depart the ship in Miami. It was such a good experience and we would do it again! We would highly recommend the Sail and Sing Christian Cruise to whoever may be considering it...to have Christian entertainment was worth so much on a ship that is definitely geared for the world. The last evening we noticed different times the ship's entertainment staff coming in and out of our Christian gathering...they were trying to figure out what was drawing hundreds of people to these gatherings every night. If only they would come to know our Jesus, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finding all our luggage, the van, etc. we headed to Marathon, Florida for a fish fry and visit with some friends of the LaRaviere family. It was some of the best fish we have had and we all ate until we were stuffed full! Back to Miami where we delivered Isaiah to his Pollard family and then set out to find a hotel for the night, with plans to explore the Everglades the next day. Interestingly enough we made several trips through toll booths without knowing we needed to stop until it was too late, and feared there would be an alert on the evening news for a white, 15-passenger van passing through numerous toll booths without paying (and the tickets did catch up with the driver at a later date!). We called and called and called and called hotels... desperately searching for a hotel with rooms available. The cheapest one we found that had rooms available was priced at $700.00 per night per room!! "Uh, thank you but we'll keep looking." What's with Miami on a Thursday night?!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The later it got the sillier the people in the white, 15-passenger van got! With all due respect, we'll have to close the story now before it's actually finished....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>because what happened in Miami that night</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>will have to stay in Miami! </i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">We had an amazing time!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> ...but we still don't know who the person or persons is/are </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that blessed us with this incredible gift!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We feel incredibly unworthy of such a gift, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it far exceeded any expectations we had,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and we pray God's blessing upon </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">whoever </span><span style="font-size: large;">the donor was! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May God return 100-fold </span><span style="font-size: large;">what was </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so graciously given to us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We will always treasure the memories of this trip!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">THANK - YOU!!</span></b></div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-74217376363817756682014-05-28T11:36:00.000-07:002014-05-28T13:49:37.091-07:00"The Cruise" Part II<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nassau, Bahamas</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After enjoying a delicious dinner served in a style I could easily get used to, we visited with lots of people, and got to know new people. We had no problem with sea sickness, in fact, you hardly knew we were moving! Yay from me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each evening we were treated with different singing groups and a comedian ventriloquist. We enjoyed each of their programs a lot although we usually visited so long at dinner that we had problems finding seating at these events. (That's us!) The programs always had its serious moments and its hilarious moments! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This special cruise was called "Sail and Sing Christian Cruise" and was hosted by different groups of singers, actors, and musicians, most who also happened to be personal friends of ours. There were approximately 450-500 Anabaptists on this cruise of about 3000 people. Yes, we got a lot of attention! It was really neat though, because it gave us many opportunities to witness about Jesus. Many of the staff and fellow travelers wanted to know who we were and what we believe. We were able to share with people from all over the world and also learn about their culture. Different testimonies were shared of how they could tell we were Christians by the countenance on our faces. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first morning we awoke arriving in the port of Nassau, Bahamas. A small tv screen in our room let us know our speed, depth, and location. After enjoying the breakfast buffet we packed our day bags and prepared to see Nassau.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Tours were a little pricey so we decided to do our own guided tours through the city. Following signs we found the Straw Market where we purchased some souvenirs and soon learned to turn our ears away from everyone who wanted to sell us something. Each vendor seemed to talk to us 'quietly and confidentially' to let us know how much cheaper they would sell things to us then their competitors. It took discernment to know who to buy from and who not to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This police lady seemed pleased that we were taking her photo and waved and posed for us. Notice the little wheels under her podium so she can move it wherever she needs it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking</span> <span style="font-size: large;">at this traffic jam and the dents in vehicles makes me think the police lady's job may have been a risky job!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tired, hungry, and hot we went back to the ship for lunch and then the youngers of the group went to tour beautiful Paradise Island. The 2 "older men" of our group thought they should have naps. We ladies decided it was a good time for some quiet, sun time up on the top deck. Later the revived men and their ladies toured the mighty ship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The kids returned in time for dinner (well, okay, several guys had to clean their room before the porters would allow them to have dinner!!) After another gourmet meal, an evening of worship and some entertainment, the night was still young (not!) but there is never enough time to visit, catch up on friendships, drink more coffee and tea, eat, and eat a little more, and then head for bed quite early in the morning...... to meet your son knocking on your bedroom door as you round the corner of the hallway. His eyes get big and he's wondering what we are still doing up when he thought we were in bed already!! ( ....and we're wondering why he is still up!!! lol)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a short night of sleep, (while the ship traveled on to CocoCay, Bahamas), we packed our day bags, ate breakfast, and got on our ferry to the island. Royal Caribbean had several ferries, each held 250 people, so it didn't take too long to get us ferried over. We were assigned different times to leave, according to our Sea Pass numbers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> It seemed like a dream! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Suddenly it seemed like we were standing in the middle of pictures we've seen for years!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> It was amazing!!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Somebody was supposed to watch our backpack so they "hid" it under an Angry Bird beach towel!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"> While the guys went scuba diving, the girls soaked up the sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They loved it and eventually talked the girls into going, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A huge buffet lunch was served on the island, compliments of Royal Caribbean. Then while the kids went for the second round of scuba diving, Matthew, Becky, JR and I went on a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. It was fairly windy and tossed the boat around enough that the driver wouldn't take us too near the rocks and reefs. He was afraid everyone would lose their lunch. He did a great job of keeping us entertained and we enjoyed the tour a lot. He let us touch a lot of under water sea creatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner that evening was formal. It was fantastic and once again we enjoyed chatting with our friends from here and new friends from Mexico. There were so many people on this ship that the only time we could catch up with our dear friends from Sarasota was over dinner. Other than at dinner, we only saw each other in passing. Crazy, I know!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was privileged and honored to be escorted to dinner </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">by this handsome man a.k.a. the Love of my Life!!</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_PgDSHekWc/U4Ynj2OxwuI/AAAAAAAABN0/jAaFSOxLODw/s1600/DSCN6207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_PgDSHekWc/U4Ynj2OxwuI/AAAAAAAABN0/jAaFSOxLODw/s1600/DSCN6207.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...the romantic view of the sea at night!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At midnight, as if anyone could possibly be hungry, the staff served a buffet of delectable foods. Of course, we had to see what there was to taste and enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">...followed by an even later night/morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By now we understood even better how little time you spend </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in your room! Too much to do, too many people to enjoy!</span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-36526829892158071872014-05-27T13:53:00.002-07:002014-05-27T13:53:30.576-07:00"The Cruise" Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Majesty of the Seas by Royal Caribbean </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some undisclosed person or persons chose our associate pastor and his wife to be the messengers of some incredible news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our pastor's wife visited with us one Sunday morning after church and asked us what our plans were for Feb. 24-27. JR was telling her how he was planning to run someone's lawn business that week while the owner and his wife</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> (who also happen to be very good friends of ours)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">were going on a Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with Sail & Sing Christian Cruise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our pastor's wife visited for awhile and said she had been sent by someone to see what our schedule was over those dates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">OK....?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While we knew there was a cruise leaving from Miami in February, and our son, his girlfriend and her family, along with many other people we knew were going on a cruise. We had talked earlier of how we would enjoy going, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">had prayed about it, but it appeared that financially,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> it was not an option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the way home from church we discussed the possibility that those dates she quoted might possibly be the same dates of the cruise and briefly mentioned the possibility of someone sending us on a cruise but quickly dismissed it as not too apt to happen and also knowing JR had committed to running a lawn business! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we got home we asked Derek about the dates of the cruise and interestingly enough, the dates matched!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A week passed in which time we left for Ministers' Enrichment Weekend in Lancaster, PA. where we had a very enjoyable time. We were barely home when again, the phone rang...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the same message bearer with more news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got goose bumps up and down my arms as I was informed that "someone" had purchased 2 tickets for JR and I and we were to be ready to leave on in three weeks!! I had to sit down and pinch myself to see if this was actually happening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sure enough, arrangements had been made, another worker had been lined up to run our friend's lawn business </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and confirmations were sent of our reservations!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WE WERE EXCITED!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">JR had mentioned through the years how he would love to go on a cruise sometime! It never appealed to me that much because I don't like being on things I can't get off of and, while I love water, I wasn't too sure about not being able to see land. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Extra money was never in abundance, so a cruise seemed like a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"maybe someday we'll go" thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But this time... I WAS AS EXCITED AS JR!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Travel documents were gathered, bags were packed, arrangements were made, and one early Monday morning the LaRaviere family stopped in to pick us up so we could all travel together to Miami </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in a 15-passenger van.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(more to follow on that!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we neared the Port of Miami we were all eyes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">looking for the first glimpse of our ship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It didn't take long until we spotted it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was gargantuwa!!! HUGE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was like a city on the water!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew unloaded us all at the dock while he went to park the van. Before we even left the dock and entered the ship, the porter recognized us as Christians and had asked for prayer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With opportunities like that, we knew this was going to be a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> God-trip and it was...over and over again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Approaching the ship...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We entered Customs having no idea what we were doing but tried to look like well-seasoned travelers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Derek (our son) ran into problems at Customs because he was under 21. He pointed the attendant to us, his parents, so she sent him down to our line where they approved his travel abroad, and we all breathed a sigh of relief as we moved on through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked through all the pass-ways and bridges with wide eyes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we felt just a smidging like "Amish in the City"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the middle of the ship showing all the different levels, stairways, elevators, and shops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then we were off to find our room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were on the fifth floor in an inside room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was small but had plenty of room for two people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought not having a window might bother my problem</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of being claustrophobic but it didn't at all </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and it didn't take us long to realize how little time</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">is spent in your room on a trip like this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Derek and his friends roomed right next to ours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> right across from us was the Pollard family </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and scattered across the ship were many people we knew. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Smiling, friendly porters from all over the world were available at all times to see if we needed </span><span style="font-size: large;">anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Our rooms were cleaned twice a day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I could get used to this quite quickly!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_cU6ZB4OHM/U4Tzy9h4ozI/AAAAAAAABMA/M_LeF-4JoMM/s1600/DSCN6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P_cU6ZB4OHM/U4Tzy9h4ozI/AAAAAAAABMA/M_LeF-4JoMM/s1600/DSCN6296.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little character was waiting in our room one night when we got back to it. He was wearing JR's glasses and holding the remote control for us. Different of his friends greeted us when we came in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Departure from Miami was announced so up on top deck we all went to bid farewell to the United States of America.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Last minute phone calls, texts, and facebook status' were done before we lost our cellphone service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Ahead lay open seas and lots of water! Breath-takinglyBeautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It felt surreal! We were on a cruise! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My first voyage out of the U.S!!</span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-18870889472301017602014-05-27T12:02:00.000-07:002014-05-27T12:02:01.220-07:00Sometimes a beautiful Hallelujah, sometimes a broken Hallelujah<span lang="EN"><div align="JUSTIFY">
Sometimes life is so good, it’s beyond your earthly comprehension. You stand and marvel at the incredible goodness of God. You rejoice with people as they open their hearts to the truth of God’s Word. You watch people pour their lives and love into each other. You watch people hunger and thirst for God. You watch them grow in their relationship with a loving God. You watch people forgive each other, overlook each other’s wrongs, and stand in unity and peace. You watch those incredibly hurt rise up with unexplainable grace. You watch a brotherhood of believers surround the weak, the poor, the needy, the sick, the lame, the helpless and you praise your Father for being privileged to be a part of this Family of God. Sometimes you sit alone and look around, your mind can hardly comprehend the blessings you have received, so far beyond your expectations and dreams, and you wonder, Why me, Lord? Why have I been so incredibly blessed? Your blessings are innumerable. Sometimes there are no words to describe the emotions of your spirit but a “beautiful Hallelujah“.</div>
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Sometimes life just hurts. You watch people suffer terrible loss. You suffer terrible loss. You watch people face rejection. You reject. You face rejection. You watch people judge others’ wrongly. You judge wrongly. You are judged wrongly. You watch friends lose loved ones in death, bent low with unspeakable grief. You watch relationships separate. You watch people hurt each other. You watch people leave, close friends, people you love and care about, and it leaves a hole in your heart. You suffer for following Christ and His Word. You watch people reject Christ and His Word. Sometimes the waves of pain go over your head. Sometimes your body shakes with overwhelming pain as you sob, crying out to your Heavenly Father to release you from His calling on your life. Sometimes it would be so much easier to forsake the cross of Christ and walk away from the pain and rejection of being a follower of Christ. Sometimes the only song you have is a “broken Hallelujah“.</div>
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Life holds both extremes. Both broken and overwhelmingly blessed. We all have experienced both. I’ve fallen on my face before God, begging Him to release me from His calling. I’ve waved my white flag of surrender before Him telling Him I was finished! He wouldn’t accept it. He merely smiled. He held me tight, reminded me of how much He loves me, and all He had suffered for Me. He reminded me of all the things He had suffered <u>because </u>of me. He didn’t give up. He didn’t wave a white flag of surrender. He kept His eyes on His Father, the goal, the purpose of His life here on earth. And He turned my eyes toward Himself, his goal, his purpose for my life here on earth. Following Christ does include carrying His cross. He says I need to take up my cross and follow Him. His cross means suffering for being His follower. His cross will become heavy, so heavy that I might almost stumble and fall beneath the weight. But His cross leads to eternal life. His cross represents His death, His suffering, His love. He carried His cross. He asked me to carry my cross. </div>
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When I pass through the valleys of life and wearily climb the mountain ahead, suddenly I look around and my strength is renewed. I see the sun shining so beautifully again and my breath is almost taken away at the incredible goodness of our God. I marvel at His blessings. The valleys before somehow don’t seem so deep and so dark. I marvel at how He uses people, sometimes people we don’t even know, to bless us with things far beyond what we expect or dream of. Notes, cards, words, spoken and given at just the right time, not knowing how they were needed. </div>
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Prayers. There is nothing so simple and yet so profound and powerful as prayer. Even a child can pray. Aged people can pray. The handicap, weak, poor, rich, and weary can pray. We have yet to tap into the power of prayer, mainly because here in America we don’t really know our need for prayer. How sad. We are so busy, so independent, so proud, so self-sufficient that we don’t really know how much we need prayer. We don’t know how many miracles are done through prayer. How many needs are met, how many burdens are lifted, how many feet are kept from stumbling and falling, because we are too busy to pray. I am humbled by the prayers of people for me. I recognize that if it weren’t for the prayers of fellow believers I may have stumbled and fallen, the cross of Christ may have become too heavy, the suffering too great, the rejection and pain too deep, and I may have laid it aside and walked away. I am indebted to my brothers and sisters in Christ who have interceded for me, who have lifted me before the throne of Grace, before our gracious, merciful and loving Father, where I did find grace and strength in my times of great need. I recognize the debt I have to others to lift them before that same Father and that same throne of grace, and I am ashamed of my excuses for my lack of prayer. And once again I challenge myself to pray, pray, pray. Pray like never before, knowing the enemy of our soul is killing, destroying, and stealing souls. There is a falling away from Truth like I have never seen before but there also seems to be a turning to Truth, a turning to His Word in miraculous ways, too. There is a real battle going on because the devil’s days are being numbered. His time is short. </div>
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So if you, too, have pulled out a white flag of surrender, if you have stumbled beneath a heavy cross…put your flag away, stand up again and march strongly as a soldier of Christ. </span><br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-40011546154545404212013-09-19T06:22:00.006-07:002013-09-19T06:22:52.213-07:00When I am disappointed by others...Pray!<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">In my quiet time with God I have been going through a book</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>"A Woman's Call to Prayer"</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Elizabeth George</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and have been challenged in quite a few areas of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I studied on 'being disappointed by others'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as I know that it will happen...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it always hurts when it does happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My heart wants to close the door on that hurt,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and sometimes I do for a short period of time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but I know the day will come when Jesus will ask</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to journey with Him into that room of my heart,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and talk about the hurt and disappointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the most part, I love people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but sometimes it hurts to love people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it hurts to care, and it hurts to be rejected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know that I could shut off my emotions,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> and sometimes </span><span style="font-size: large;">I do that, too, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for a short amount of time, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">because it hurts too much to feel, to care,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to be rejected and disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also know that if I shut off my emotions</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for too long the devil will sow his seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of bitterness and it will result in me </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">becoming hardened emotionally towards others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes when Jesus and I walk into that room</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and we talk through the pain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He points out a root of bitterness that is trying </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to spring up and grow in my heart.<br />He knows that I don't want it there so He uproots it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and throws it out. Uprooting can hurt, too, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but in that hurt He pours love and forgiveness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Moses</strong></span> was disappointed with his brother, Aaron. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Moses was up in the mountain</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> meeting with God and fasting,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aaron led the children of Israel in making a golden calf to worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God was so angry with His people that He wanted to destroy them,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and Moses must have felt deep disappointment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had invested so many years and so much time </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">teaching them the ways of God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and so quickly they turned to idol worship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what was Moses' response?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He <em>"fell down before the Lord",</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">explaining <em>"for I was afraid...so I prayed." </em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Deut. 9:18-20)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What did Moses pray?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>'Oh, these people have committed a great sin...</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>yet now, if You will forgive their sin--</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>You have written."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(Ex. 32:31-32)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moses was willing to offer up not only</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">fasting and prayers on behalf of the people,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but also his life rather than see them </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">rejected, disowned, and destroyed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Job</strong></span> prayed for his friends </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">after they wrongfully charged him with sin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After receiving much criticism from his close companions,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> he prayed for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had just endured the loss of basically everything that he had-</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">family, health, and wealth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and was suffering from terrible pai</span><span style="font-size: large;">n.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet he was patient and humble!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Samuel</strong></span>, the prophet, priest, and judge whom God had designated and established to lead His people was soundly rejected by the people of Israel. Yet in spite of their many unkindnesses and their ingratitude, Samuel could still pray for them because of his unselfishness and forgiving spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was his response?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"God forbid that I should sin against the Lord</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> in ceasing to pray for you."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Could...would... I have done what Moses did for his brother Aaron, who knew better than to sin in the way that he did?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And would I have been able to do for my "friends" what Job did for his, to pray for them... after they had disappointed him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> turned on him, let him down, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and raked him over the coals in wrongful judgment?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is important that I grasp the meaning, the honor, the privilege, the seriousness, the duty--and the difficulty-- of this marvelous call to pray for others when they fail.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I must forgive.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"If I regard iniquity in my heart,</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>the Lord will not hear."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot carry a grudge toward a person, or allow bitterness or resentment to take root in my heart. If I do, I forfeit the opportunity to minister to that person through prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My natural response is to write off those I am disenchanted with-- to no longer have anything to do with them, to distant myself from them. But God's Word has a word for me here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am to <em>"forgive as I have been forgiven."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I am also to help them.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must set aside my disappointment, forsake the lectures, forsake the judgment, forsake the shock, and go to work helping and praying for them, <em>"taking heed lest I fall."</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Correction, instruction, restoration, and rebuking are also biblical and necessary, but first I am to pray and help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."</em> Gal. 6:1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I must check my prayer list:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Am I praying regularly? daily?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prayer is the sacred act that keeps my heart pure and right, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">guileless and humble, no matter what a person has done</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> to harm or disappoint me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I must check my heart:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If there anyone I am failing to forgive?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A forgiving heart is one that can pray for others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if I can't/won't forgive, consider this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">"Forgive us as we forgive others."</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I must check my relationships:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God calls me to love others-- even my enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> LOVE</span></strong> your enemies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> DO GOOD</span></strong> to those who hate you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> BLESS</span></strong> those who curse you, and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> PRAY FOR</span></strong> those who spitefully use you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I must also remember:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that just as I have been disappointed in others,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am sure I have disappointed others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must pray <em>"Search me, O God, and know my heart....</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>see if there be any wicked way in me."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are reading this blog and have been</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">disappointed or wronged by me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I beg you to forgive me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Samuel, Moses, Job</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Could I be added to such a list of pray-ers?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>or forgive-ers? of pure-hearted intercessors?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>of helpers?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's God's call to me and to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are to pray for others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We are to pray for those we love...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and for those who don't love us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are to pray for those we appreciate...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and for those who have </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">disappointed us and failed in their love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are to pray for those who faithfully serve God...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and for those who have stumbled in their walk with Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are to<em> "bear one another's burdens, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>and so fulfill the law of Christ."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gal. 6:2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>What a high calling!</strong></span></div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-39138883915809408242013-09-06T18:31:00.001-07:002013-09-06T18:31:49.626-07:00A Sudden Change of Plans<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What a summer this has been...</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">one we will not quickly forget!</span></strong></div>
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Our journey north began in July...</div>
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we traveled together with JR's parents, who like to spend several weeks</div>
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in Pennsylvania each summer. We always enjoy traveling with them.</div>
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Derek and Erica drove the other vehicle as far as Virginia, </div>
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where Derek took another route.</div>
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We were informed that we were traveling within a mile</div>
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of his girlfriend Rebecca's family's campground</div>
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so we stopped and met her and her family.</div>
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They live in a beautiful area of Virginia</div>
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and we were so happy that it worked out to stop and meet her and her family.<br />
Rebecca and her sisters came up to Ohio for the weekend<br />
and we enjoyed getting to know her and look forward <br />
to seeing her more in Florida<br />
and in the future!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD8xp18qJp4/UipJejoyWxI/AAAAAAAABEs/xI443BB8vrw/s1600/Summer,+2013+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BD8xp18qJp4/UipJejoyWxI/AAAAAAAABEs/xI443BB8vrw/s320/Summer,+2013+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After visiting for about an hour and a half, we headed on to Ohio.</div>
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It took us three hours to find a hotel to stay at that night so by early morning</div>
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we were ready to stay anywhere! We came to the conclusion that someone </div>
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in that area needs to go into the hotel business!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The BMA Convention</span></strong></div>
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We thoroughly enjoyed out time at Convention.</div>
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It is always so much fun to reconnect with friends, to be encouraged, </div>
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to pray together, to share together... and to laugh together</div>
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and sometimes to cry together.</div>
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So many good messages to take in.</div>
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So timely for today.</div>
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Experiencing the power of God and the comfort of His Spirit</div>
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when you are to speak and have a mix of emotions:</div>
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considering it such an honor and privilege to share God's Word</div>
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and what's He's done for me personally,</div>
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knowing the capability of speaking my own words and not God's,</div>
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feeling so unworthy to speak </div>
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before such an honorable group of women.</div>
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The night before I was to speak there was a battle took place.</div>
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Several dear ladies, not knowing the inward battle I was facing, </div>
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asked if they could gather around me and pray for me.</div>
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We are in a spiritual battle!</div>
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I pray that I can be that kind of sister to my sisters...</div>
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standing with them in their battle.</div>
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What would we do without each other?!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Family</span></strong></div>
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We had our own personal apartment in Ohio...</div>
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it's my parents' apartment at my sisters' house.</div>
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It is empty while Dad and Mom are in Michigan</div>
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so it becomes 'ours' when we are in the area.</div>
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After Convention we enjoyed spending two days with family...</div>
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Erica and her cousins went kayaking one day while my sister and I </div>
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went shopping at the little Amish stores and thrift stores.</div>
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We also stocked up on homeschooling curriculum, etc.</div>
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While there, we spent a delightful evening getting to know</div>
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another young ladies' parents...</div>
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Dustin's friend, Sari</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDyBJfgVp_Y/UipOVvM8zkI/AAAAAAAABE4/wZhsGlDka00/s1600/Summer,+2013+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDyBJfgVp_Y/UipOVvM8zkI/AAAAAAAABE4/wZhsGlDka00/s320/Summer,+2013+289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed having her spend last weekend with us here in Florida</div>
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and look forward to seeing much more out of her, too!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">On to Michigan</span></strong></div>
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When we get a chance to go to northern Michigan, we go!</div>
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Several of my brothers are farmers and I have a husband</div>
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who loves driving big farm equipment...</div>
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so what is work to some is therapy and relaxation to him.</div>
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While he spent his days in the fields,</div>
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we, ladies, painted and decorated at my brother Don's house.</div>
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One aunt and three cousins....how can it not be fun?!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Lest you fear that we just worked while in Michigan,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">let me assure you otherwise!</span></strong></div>
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We had some meals together, and meals are not complete without</div>
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games, jokes, stories, laughter, and good times!</div>
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Precious Little Ruby, Joel's granddaughter</div>
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The Cup Song </div>
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While there, Erica celebrated her birthday.</div>
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One of her dreams was to ride horse!</div>
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Kyle and fiance' Anna's house</div>
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Jeepin' with Uncle Dave!</div>
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Need I say more?!</div>
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She's a city-girl but she loves those country toys!</div>
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She was doted on and spoiled rotten by her uncles</div>
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and loved every minute of it!</div>
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Vacation was rapidly coming to an end...</div>
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a second coat of paint yet and some trim around the outside door</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">when suddenly, our plans were changed drastically!</span></strong></div>
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I was standing on a 2-ft step ladder, only on the first step, reached way over </div>
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my head to finish a couple inches of trim that I could not reach </div>
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from the cement steps I was standing on.</div>
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Not realizing the ladder was not latched open...</div>
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it collapsed and down I went...hard...on cement... as Erica watched it all unfold!</div>
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I sat back up, held my arm close to my body and tried to collect my bearings!</div>
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JR came in from the field immediately when Erica called him, </div>
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my SIL Michelle, who works in the medical field, and my mom came over</div>
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and all symptoms were pointing to a possible break.</div>
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The emergency room was 45 minutes away so JR and I headed that way.</div>
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Any bump or curve in the road brought pain!</div>
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Arriving at the ER in Grayling, we waited about 2 hrs before </div>
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having some xrays done. Within a short time the medical assistant came into our room </div>
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and informed us that my shoulder was broken and they were suspicious of a second break!</div>
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Arg! Not exactly what we were hoping to hear!</div>
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They ordered a CT scan and it confirmed a second break.</div>
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I had a compressed fracture and a ruptured ligament.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">SURGERY.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">TOMORROW.</span></strong></div>
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No, please!</div>
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We are away from home.</div>
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We don't know these doctors.</div>
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Is this surgeon reliable?</div>
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Should we get a second opinion?</div>
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Can we wait for surgery until we get home?</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">PRAY!!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">...and family and friends all over were praying.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">There is power in prayer!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I felt those prayers.</span></strong></div>
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The surgeon came in, sat on the bed, and answered as many of our questions</div>
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as he could. No, it was not advisable to travel home because of the multiple breaks. </div>
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If one of the pieces were to slip, it could pinch a nerve or an artery </div>
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and we would have to stop and have surgery in whatever city we were at.</div>
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The nurses all gave high recommendations for the surgeon but what </div>
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really helped make our decision was when JR talked to my SIL and she asked if we </div>
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happen to have Dr. Habib. Yes, we have Dr. Habib. Does she know him?</div>
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Not only did she know him, she recommended him, </div>
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and he had been the surgeon</div>
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for their family when a surgeon was needed.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><SO SURGERY WAS SCHEDULED></span></strong></div>
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They released us to go home for the night and return the next day for surgery.</div>
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Knowing that northern Michigan has a lot of deer out at night</div>
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who have a bad habit of running out in front of vehicles,</div>
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JR drove extra careful so as not to hit a deer and jar my arm at all.</div>
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As we were slowing down to enter a small, hick town;</div>
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a deer suddenly leaped in front of our car and in a split second,</div>
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the deer and car met each other!</div>
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We were at a loss for words as we stopped and JR got out to </div>
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evaluate the damage.</div>
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We were okay but the car and the deer suffered injuries!</div>
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It did jar my shoulder and it hurt for a bit</div>
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but within a short period of time it stopped hurting. </div>
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Why would something like this happen </div>
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on top of the trauma of a broken shoulder?</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How comforting to know that our Father in Heaven </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">saw us traveling home that night,</span></strong></div>
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He saw us enter that small, hick town,</div>
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He saw that deer,</div>
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He saw our crash,</div>
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He knew about my broken shoulder,</div>
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and it all passed through Him before it happened to us!</div>
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Knowing that and knowing how much my Father loves me,</div>
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I can be okay with it!</div>
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We spent the night in my parent's apartment at my brother's house.</div>
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I slept on the couch, sitting up and pillows propped all around,</div>
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and my dear faithful husband</div>
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slept on a mattress right close by.</div>
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The next morning we stopped at the police station to report the deer accident</div>
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and then went back to the hospital for surgery.</div>
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<strong>Believe me, I was not without my moments of melt-downs!</strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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Did the surgeon really have to tell us all the possible risks?</div>
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All the arteries that were running along side the incision?</div>
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A breathing tube?</div>
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Really? I'd just as soon not know!</div>
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Fear sat on my bed, it whispered in my ear. </div>
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I really tried not to listen but occasionally </div>
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it caught my attention.</div>
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But<strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><em>FAITH</em></span></strong> shooed it away.</div>
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My Father was present, too, </div>
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He saw, He knew, He cared</div>
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and guess what?!</div>
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As I was wheeled into surgery,</div>
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just before I went out into la-la land...</div>
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God gave me a visual picture of Jesus.</div>
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He was sitting on the end of my bed...</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">He went right into surgery with me!</span></strong></div>
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Ha-ha! Those doctors had no idea He was sneaking right into the operating room with me!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Actually, I think they did know.</span></strong> </div>
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I think they, too, sensed the presence of Jesus!</div>
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The surgery lasted three hours.</div>
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The surgeon told JR he took extra time to make sure everything was done </div>
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as good as he could possibly do it.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Waking up. PAIN.</span></strong></div>
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Oh, how my arm hurt!</div>
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And my throat was so dry! </div>
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They gave me meds which immediately eased the pain, </div>
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ice chips felt so-o wonderful on my dry, dry throat. </div>
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1 plate and 8 screws later,</div>
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and sporting a 6-inch incision....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quPAfezKTPg/UipbTwaWbiI/AAAAAAAABJA/Jcid1u6AQwc/s1600/Summer,+2013+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quPAfezKTPg/UipbTwaWbiI/AAAAAAAABJA/Jcid1u6AQwc/s320/Summer,+2013+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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That's my arm?</div>
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I still don't like to look at that, </div>
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while the boys think the metal is pretty cool!!</div>
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Our "vacation" was extended several days as the surgeon did not want me to travel </div>
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for five days. I settled in on Mom's couch, began to figure out what all my left hand</div>
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can do, worked on accepting the things I couldn't do for myself,</div>
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had a couple "melt-downs" and nights when things seemed so overwhelming,</div>
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realized again that God's mercy and grace is new every morning,</div>
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felt so loved and cared for by my family.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oRlgGvnEkY/Uip6MhzEgvI/AAAAAAAABJQ/Ot2zhT5lgAA/s1600/Summer,+2013+228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oRlgGvnEkY/Uip6MhzEgvI/AAAAAAAABJQ/Ot2zhT5lgAA/s320/Summer,+2013+228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrE6Ha1DPdI/Uip6MwNAe1I/AAAAAAAABJc/MFU1BBhpLMY/s1600/Summer,+2013+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrE6Ha1DPdI/Uip6MwNAe1I/AAAAAAAABJc/MFU1BBhpLMY/s320/Summer,+2013+247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOwwyWtqbWk/Uip6M-t_nyI/AAAAAAAABJU/HhAXowZW4-Q/s1600/Summer,+2013+251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOwwyWtqbWk/Uip6M-t_nyI/AAAAAAAABJU/HhAXowZW4-Q/s320/Summer,+2013+251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Five days after surgery we packed up our luggage and prepared to head south.</div>
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First we had to stop in Grayling for a doctor's appointment </div>
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and receive permission to travel.</div>
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The medical assistant removed the large, thick bandage from my shoulder and arm, </div>
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looked at my incision, and declared that it was healing "insanely" well!!</div>
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Insanely? No, it was a "God's touch" healing!</div>
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They left all bandages off and said I was free to travel directly home.</div>
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Traveling went very well with the assistance of plenty of pillows, some meds, stopping every </div>
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couple hours to get out and stretch, etc.</div>
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The first night we stopped at my sister's house in Ohio and I slept in Mom's recliner.</div>
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Second night was at a hotel...no deal. It didn't take long to discover that my </div>
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shoulder would not agree to me lying down in a bed. </div>
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Lots of pillows, props, meds, and TV and the night passed pretty good.</div>
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Third night....<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Home, Sweet, Home!</span></strong></div>
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The whole family all together again!</div>
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The first night was a "melt down" time after everyone went to bed.</div>
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So many things you want to do as a wife and a mother,</div>
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and you can't! </div>
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So many questions of trying to make sense of the "Why's".</div>
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But knowing confidently that tomorrow morning</div>
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when the sun came up God's mercy and grace would be there,</div>
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and I can testify that it was there every time!!</div>
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Soon it was on to finding an orthopedic doctor here, </div>
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more x-rays, more appointments,</div>
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and now on to physical therapy.</div>
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It's amazing how each doctor exclaims over the "insane" healing </div>
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and range of movement I have in my arm already.</div>
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They look at the records again to see how long since</div>
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I had surgery.</div>
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They are amazed at how well it is doing.</div>
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The physical therapist and the doctor both agree that it may not </div>
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require too much physical therapy and most of it</div>
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I should be able to do at home.</div>
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There's nothing "insane" about my arm...</div>
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but there is a lot "amazing" about it!</div>
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IT'S GOD!</div>
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and while His ways don't always make sense</div>
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to my ways....</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I can confidently say that in ALL things</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">He is working for my good</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">and for His Glory!</span></strong></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-21717826470425389012013-07-16T11:21:00.003-07:002013-07-16T11:21:36.384-07:00How wholeheartedly am I following Christ?I enjoyed and soaked in the Word of God yesterday (Sunday). How blessed I feel to be a part of a church and to live in a country where the Word of God can be preached in complete freedom. I was challenged once again in my own life. <br />
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The message title was </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"Raise the Standard".</span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I admit to being quite partial and biased with the pastor who delivered the message </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(who also happens to be my beloved husband).</span></div>
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<strong>Standard: represents something or a direction, it can also mean proclaiming truth.</strong><br />
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Numerous Scripture passages were shared about God saying to "Lift up a standard"<br />
Isaiah 49:22 "God will set up His standard"<br />
Is. 62:10 "Lift up a standard for the people"<br />
Jeremiah 4:6 "Set up a standard"<br />
Jeremiah 50:2 "Set up a standard, publish it, proclaim it"<br />
Jeremiah 51:12 "Set up the standard"<br />
Jeremiah 51:27 "Set ye up a standard"<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The "Standard" is the Word of God.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus Christ is the Standard.</span></strong></div>
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If there was ever a time that we need to raise up the standard....it is today! Instead, the world and many, many churches are lowering the standard. Recently I was listening to a Mennonite Conference being asked to completely embrace and accept homosexuality as Godly/Christian. Does it not matter what Scripture says and what it calls sin? If homosexuality and adultery aren't sin, then why is murder, sexual abuse, stealing, etc? If we don't call sin what God calls sin, then who decides which one we call sin and which one we don't call sin?<br />
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Today so many people separate Jesus from His Word. We have the idea that someone can commit their life to Christ, yet have very little to do with His Word.<br />
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<strong>Jesus and His Word are inseparable....they are one and the same.</strong> John 1:1-4<br />
The Bible is the Word of God. It was God-breathed. II Tim. 3:16<br />
The prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit as they wrote. II Peter 1:21<br />
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Recently our country decided to legalize homosexual marriages; it lowered the standard. Today churches and conferences are looking for ways to make homosexual and adulterous marriages (and many other things the Bible calls sin) acceptable. Again, lowering God's standard. We shouldn't be shocked when unbelievers lower the standard but our hearts should be deeply grieved when those who profess Christ follow suit. <br />
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I drank as these words were read across the pulpit: <br />
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<em>"If you follow Christ and His teachings; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; you are raising up the standard for the world to see."</em><br />
<em>"When you love your neighbor better than yourself; you are lifting up Jesus Christ."</em><br />
<em>"Men, when you love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for it; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"Ladies, when you respect your husband; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"Children, when you obey your parents; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you respect those in authority; you are raising up Jesus Christ."</em><br />
<em>"When you love your enemies; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you deny yourself and take up your cross; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you assemble yourselves together with other believers; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you love the brotherhood; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you are a living sacrifice; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"When you are not loving the world; you are raising up Jesus Christ."</em><br />
<em>"When you live a modest lifestyle; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"Women, when you veil your heads; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
<em>"Men, when you embrace leadership; you are raising up the standard."</em><br />
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In other words,<br />
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<strong>I am lifting up the standard, Jesus Christ, when I follow His teachings. </strong> </div>
I am only following Jesus Christ as wholeheartedly as I am following His Word. I cannot pick and choose which part of His Word I follow. If I am not following His Word wholeheartedly, then I can quit professing to be His follower because I am not following Him!<br />
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We are also enjoying Vacation Bible School this week and in the adult class I was inspired as Rod shared on what the early church believed and practiced and challenged by how the West's view of God and Scripture has been influenced and watered down compared to the early church age. Here are some of his quotes:<br />
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<em>"We are saved by faith but if I don't have obedience, then I'm not saved."</em><br />
<em>"Grace is God helping me to do what is right and good."</em><br />
<em>"Temptation can be a joy and strength if I use it to overcome."</em><br />
<em>"Freewill is a factor in eternal security."</em><br />
<em>"God does not retaliate against evil men."</em><br />
<em>"The New Birth gives us a new desire to pursue the goodness of God."</em><br />
<em>"Evil is in the world because of freewill."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>"So many today, too, believe they have their ticket into heaven and at judgment will somehow flash their "pass/ticket" and slide on by, that only the wicked will be judged. According to Scripture, everyone will be judged. We will be judged for our deeds/actions and words."</em> Something to think seriously about!<br />
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Listen to the Psalmist David's words in Psalm 119 <br />
that speak of his LOVE for God's Word, </div>
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Law, testimonies, statutes, precepts/judgments/commands, etc. </div>
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Some of these words are so taboo in today's church,</div>
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yet here is David publicly proclaiming how he loved them! </div>
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<strong>Where and how have we lost our love for God's laws?</strong></div>
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<em>Ps. 119:</em></div>
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<em>14: rejoice in God's ways as much as in riches.</em></div>
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<em>16: delight myself in thy statutes</em></div>
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<em>24: delight in God's testimonies</em></div>
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<em>34: observing God's law with my whole heart.</em></div>
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<em>40: longing after God's precepts</em></div>
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<em>47: delight in God's commands, which I love</em></div>
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<em>54: God's statutes are his song</em></div>
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<em>72: God's law is better than thousands of gold and silver</em></div>
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<em>93: never will forget God's precepts for they bring life</em></div>
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<em>97: o how I love God's law, it is my meditation all the day</em></div>
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<em>103: God's Word is sweeter than honey</em></div>
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<em>111: God's testimonies are my heritage and rejoicing of my heart</em></div>
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<em>112: will perform God's statutes always, even unto the end</em></div>
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<em>127: love God's commands above gold.</em></div>
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The question ringing in my mind is:</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">How wholeheartedly am I following Christ?</span></strong> </div>
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I'm only following Him as wholeheartedly as I'm following His commands and teachings. </div>
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Nothing more and nothing less; because I cannot separate Christ from His Word.</div>
<br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-30805400794020429782013-06-10T16:58:00.004-07:002013-06-10T16:58:51.999-07:00Dreams do come true!<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Dreams truly do come true!</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even as I write, my daughter, and friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">are leaving the USA and headed for Europe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This has been a long time dream of hers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and today it becomes a reality!</span></div>
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</div>
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You can follow their travels at</div>
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postcardsfromparis7.blogspot.com.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaCDGrYKT88/UbZllEyoqXI/AAAAAAAABEc/hpDzkM7A7C0/s1600/London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaCDGrYKT88/UbZllEyoqXI/AAAAAAAABEc/hpDzkM7A7C0/s320/London.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as we shall all miss her here, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we are so excited for her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a reminder to me that God really does</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">care about the desires of our hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He <strong>gives</strong> us dreams and desires,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He <strong>wants to hear</strong> about our dreams and desires...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and He <strong>delights in giving</strong> us the desires of our heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(True, as long as our desires line up with His desires.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 37:4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"Delight thyself in the LORD;</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">KaShondra has found her delight in the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through very difficult times in her life, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">she has chosen to keep her eyes focused on Him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to delight herself in Him;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and today... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">one of the desires of her heart </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">is becoming a reality!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are your dreams and desires?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Delight yourself in the Lord</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and let Him be the fulfiller of your dreams!</span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-42747203300804058112013-06-03T07:23:00.001-07:002013-06-03T07:23:09.527-07:00Pure Religion<div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: large;">We had such an incredible Discipleship Class lesson this past Sunday. James 1: what a packed out chapter of Scripture! The last two verses have been rolling around in my mind all week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If a person thinks of himself as acceptable to God, yet does not bridle or control his tongue...he deceives himself and his religion is vain or empty...unacceptable to God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some ways that we can be loose with our tongues are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....interrupting and dominating conversations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....being easily provoked and lashing out at others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....gossiping and telling tales.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....criticizing and murmuring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....judging and condemning others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....using slang and cursing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....engaging in suggestive and off-colored talk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">....talking about and running down others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is by no means an exhaustive list but certainly enough to get me to listen to my own chatter. What kind of talk comes out of my mouth. So often we immediately think of so-and-so who should read this...but God is bringing this home to each one of us personally. If this kind of talk is a part of our lives, then our religion is in vain/empty/unacceptable to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whoa! pretty serious! Gotta admit that it bothers me a bit that we excuse each other to have uncontrolled and angry tongues because "things are going on in their lives, they have issues with their past, are having a bad day..." etc. Don't get me wrong I believe strongly that we should see each other with eyes of compassion but I think we've erred on excusing uncontrolled and angry tongues. James 1:20 says that <em>"The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pure religion is to visit the fatherless and widows and keep ourselves unspotted from the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure along with the fatherless and widows, the orphaned, shut-in's, newcomers, lost, unsaved, motherless, bedridden, lonely, and grieving would also be included.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other words, the needy. And God expects us to visit them. He doesn't assign this to just one person, or just the pastors, or just the deacons...but to each one of us. If we each reach one, how simply we could accomplish the goal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How do I keep myself unspotted from the world when I live in the world? Pure religion does not get corrupted with false beliefs and false religion. It holds to the purity of the gospel, to the Word of God. True believers of true religion keep themselves unspotted from the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Mt. 5:8</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It starts with me. I am to have my tongue under the control of the Holy Spirit, I am to visit the needy, I am to keep myself unspotted from the world....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And God has already given me the opportunities to put my faith into action. I've been reaching out to one of our widow ladies and seeing with new eyes how it must be to be elderly, alone, to have worries, fears, financial pressures, etc. How much I take for granted when I am surrounded by a husband and children who look out for me on every hand. And being involved in our neighbor lady's life and seeing her take courageous steps of faith to follow Christ fully. To see into her heart and the loneliness, fears, worries, cares she has. My day began early this morning by driving her to a doctor's appointment at 5:45. Picking her back up at 8:00, taking her to physical therapy at 11:00, picking her back up at 12:00. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Faith in Action....How pure is my religion?</span> </div>
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</div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-29919669846770044812013-05-30T12:57:00.002-07:002013-05-30T12:57:47.897-07:00Quietness of Soul<br />
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Last evening some of us were able to spend some time</div>
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enjoying the beauty of a quiet evening with nature.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRSCkUMDrMg/UaemYDdo9TI/AAAAAAAABB0/yytMbRFuNuM/s1600/May,+2013+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mRSCkUMDrMg/UaemYDdo9TI/AAAAAAAABB0/yytMbRFuNuM/s400/May,+2013+105.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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These stork looking birds aren't the prettiest birds in God's creation</div>
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but they were interesting to watch.</div>
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"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow..."</div>
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"they toil not, neither do they spin."</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYww0R_oikA/UaemY5MIf0I/AAAAAAAABCI/FYjBe3lssWo/s1600/May,+2013+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYww0R_oikA/UaemY5MIf0I/AAAAAAAABCI/FYjBe3lssWo/s400/May,+2013+116.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory</div>
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was not arrayed like one of these."</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEZXdXuJGe0/Uaem2UFfpqI/AAAAAAAABC0/RVRn3EG2V6A/s1600/May,+2013+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEZXdXuJGe0/Uaem2UFfpqI/AAAAAAAABC0/RVRn3EG2V6A/s400/May,+2013+169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"The Lord preserveth all them that love him:"</div>
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"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof;</div>
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the world, and they that dwell therein."</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U3Q3NsYVyU/UaenQtki9ZI/AAAAAAAABDc/yTbfkb2bVjA/s1600/May,+2013+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U3Q3NsYVyU/UaenQtki9ZI/AAAAAAAABDc/yTbfkb2bVjA/s400/May,+2013+139.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers....</div>
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what is man, that thou art mindful of him? </div>
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and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6CqorJ3jMB4/UaenQ-m5QyI/AAAAAAAABDg/ppWeDOwXenE/s1600/May,+2013+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6CqorJ3jMB4/UaenQ-m5QyI/AAAAAAAABDg/ppWeDOwXenE/s400/May,+2013+144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"O Lord our Lord; </div>
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how excellent is thy name in all the earth."</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nF4lNg75j-8/UaenRPoF3yI/AAAAAAAABD0/oM7o7uQhKkU/s1600/May,+2013+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nF4lNg75j-8/UaenRPoF3yI/AAAAAAAABD0/oM7o7uQhKkU/s400/May,+2013+171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqEVjsX4lA4/UaenRp8eYVI/AAAAAAAABD8/LuSZvvtoaAc/s1600/May,+2013+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqEVjsX4lA4/UaenRp8eYVI/AAAAAAAABD8/LuSZvvtoaAc/s400/May,+2013+195.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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"Oh magnify the Lord with me,</div>
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and let us exalt His Name together."</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls4Y3xMPgKU/UaenSIk6z7I/AAAAAAAABEM/2y_YwfFL2GE/s1600/May,+2013+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls4Y3xMPgKU/UaenSIk6z7I/AAAAAAAABEM/2y_YwfFL2GE/s400/May,+2013+196.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good;</div>
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blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."</div>
Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-71698831393036758942013-02-05T07:01:00.000-08:002013-02-05T07:01:07.680-08:00The Beauty of God's Order of Headship<span lang="EN"><div align="CENTER">
The Beauty of God’s Order of Headship</div>
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Headship is such a beautiful part of God’s order.</div>
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It is an order of authority.</div>
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I Corinthians 11:3</div>
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“But I would have you know, that the head (authority) of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is man </div>
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and the head of Christ is God.”</div>
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God--Christ--Man--Woman</div>
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An order of headship does not mean that one has more value, intelligence, beauty, ability, worth than the other.</div>
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It simply means that God designed us with different roles, functions, authority, and order.</div>
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From the beginning of creation, God created </div>
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man and woman with different functions,</div>
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roles, and responsibilities.</div>
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Even creation itself has order.</div>
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I Cor. 11:2 Paul praises the Corinthian believers for remembering him and for keeping the ordinances that had been given to them.</div>
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I Cor. 11:4, 7 <i>“But every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, dishonored his head.</i></div>
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For a man indeed ought not to cover his head,</div>
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forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God.”</div>
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When do men pray and prophesy , is this only for in public worship, and what does covered mean?</div>
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I Thess. 5:17 <i>“Pray without ceasing.”</i></div>
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I Tim. 2:8 “<i>But I would therefore that men pray everywhere…”</i></div>
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Eph. 6:18 <i>“Praying always…”</i></div>
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What is prophesying and does it only include </div>
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foretelling the future?</div>
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It includes foretelling the future but it also declaring God’s Truth and speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.</div>
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Rom. 12:6 “<i>Prophesy according to the portion of faith.”</i></div>
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I Cor. 14:39 <i>“Covet to prophesy…”</i></div>
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I Peter 3:15 <i>“Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…”</i></div>
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If a man prays or prophesies with his head covered, he dishonors his head, who is Christ.</div>
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The Jews worshipped with their heads covered, copying Moses. </div>
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Now God is instructing them through Paul to pray and prophesy with their heads uncovered. The uncovered head was a distinguishing mark of a follower of Christ. For them to continue to cover their heads would have been an act of rebellion.</div>
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Covered is veiled, something hanging down over.</div>
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Man was created in the image of God. </div>
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He was created to be a leader, a provider, and protector</div>
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for those under his authority.</div>
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Whenever a man fails to do these,</div>
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he violates God’s order of headship.</div>
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Man should think of nature and creation. God created him to hold authority. He is not to be in rebellion or a non-conformist to Scipture, not even over a simple matter as the length of his hair.</div>
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I Cor. 11:14 <i>“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?”</i></div>
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Woman is the glory of man. </div>
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She has a place of her own in God’s creation, but her place is not man’s. Her place is by the side of man, highly exalted as his queen. She reigns in majesty by the side of man as his glory. </div>
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She is not to rebel against authority </div>
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or bring embarrassment and dishonor to him.</div>
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She is to cover her head by wearing the veil that symbolizes her honor of God’s order of authority.</div>
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I Cor. 11:5,6, 15 <i>“But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonored her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. Judge in yourselves: is it comely (proper) that a woman pray unto God uncovered?”</i></div>
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It is just as shameful for a woman to shave her head as it is for her to refuse to cover her head. It’s also interesting that </div>
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Scripture uses both shorn and shaven.</div>
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Shorn is as with a shearing instrument</div>
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and shaven is as with a razor.</div>
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Is her hair her covering?</div>
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The Greek words are distinctly different.</div>
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I Cor. 11:15 <i>“But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”</i></div>
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In I Cor. 11:4-7, 13 it is katakalupto,</div>
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which is covered down over; veiled.</div>
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In I Cor. 11:15 it is peribolaion, which is covered (thrown, wrapped) around; meaning the hair.</div>
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William Ramsey: “In Oriental lands the veil is the power and dignity of the woman. With the veil on her head she can go anywhere in security and profound respect. Without the veil the woman is a thing of nought, whom anyone may insult.”</div>
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I Cor. 11:10 <i>“For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”</i></div>
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Power is authority, right, strength.</div>
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It makes a difference to the angels if a woman’s head is covered.</div>
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The angels recognize authority </div>
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because there is an order of authority in heaven.</div>
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A man who keeps his head uncovered yet fails to step up and take the lead in his home is acting inconsistently</div>
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If a woman covers her head but does not respect and submit to the authority of man, she is living inconsistently.</div>
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Submission is to willingly place oneself under</div>
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the direction of another.</div>
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When is submission not submission?</div>
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When it is forced. When it is unwilling.</div>
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What does the Bible call a lack of submission?</div>
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Rebellion--something that is as bad as witchcraft (I Samuel 15:23), because by its very nature it is taking</div>
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the enemy’s side against God.</div>
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How does a lack of submission manifest itself in one’s life?</div>
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The more obvious ways are open disobedience to authority, defiance, and “having an attitude”. But it doesn’t stop there; any disobedience is rebellion. And often disobedience is camouflaged. Some say “Yes, Lord” but still go their own way; others say “I am obeying” even when they aren’t; and some say “It’s not for me”.</div>
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There are some things about the uncovered head of man and the covered head of woman that we don’t clearly understand. We can only conclude that God knew it would be that way-- indeed, planned it that way. And, we also conclude that God expects us to lovingly and joyfully obey anyway--</div>
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for that is what submission really is.</div>
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Man and woman depend on each other for existence, by God’s design. Whether man comes from woman or woman comes from man; both are of God and both have their place and function, calling and purpose. They need each other in many ways, complimenting each other. They coexist in harmony and peace when they joyfully submit to God’s established order in love.</div>
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I Cor. 11:16 “<i>But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no other practice, neither the churches of God.” NIV</i></div>
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God’s instructions do not need to make sense to us in order for us to be obligated to obey them.</div>
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I am challenged once again to live my life consistently</div>
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in God’ s order of headship/ authority. </div>
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When Christian men in the home and the church take their place as leaders in submission to God, and when women take their place in submission to men, God’s kingdom will prosper.</div>
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If either one rebels, God’s kingdom will suffer.</span>Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-75847096615575596672013-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:002013-01-09T12:39:43.294-08:00Someday we're going to vacation in Florida!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Life in the fast lane...</div>
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Two and a half months have flown past since I last posted and in my mind I've written at least six updates. Funny how writing and posting in your mind doesn't get it done online! :)</div>
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So very much water has gone 'under the bridge' in the past several months:</div>
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This time of the year in Florida has been compared to a freight train;</div>
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<em>"You either get on or get off."</em></div>
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I say <em>"You either get on or get mowed over!"</em></div>
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It begs the questions: </div>
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<strong>How do you maintain a sense of privacy </strong></div>
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<strong>in a public world? </strong></div>
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<strong>How do you withdraw into a quiet place</strong></div>
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<strong> when you have to search hard</strong></div>
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<strong>to even find a quiet place?</strong></div>
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I'm still searching for the answers...</div>
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Last Sunday we celebrated Dustin's 23rd birthday in an unusual way.</div>
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We have all been feeling the need of finding some way </div>
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to find some place of privacy. A place of just 'us' in a city of people.</div>
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We discussed it, prayed about it, and tried to work with the children who were putting in </div>
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six-day work weeks, leaving only Sunday as a day when we would all be home.</div>
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I would not recommend using Sundays habitually as a day for family privacy because</div>
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the Scripture definitely directs us to meet together as a church body </div>
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on the first day of the week.</div>
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But as an exception, we chose Sunday. </div>
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Actually our day of R and R began Saturday </div>
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evening after the boys got home from work.</div>
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We went to the mall and enjoyed some delicious Thai food (one of our favorites).</div>
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Then, being at the mall, we "had" to shop for just a bit! </div>
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No earth-shaking purchases but still being together.</div>
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Sunday morning we all slept until around 10:00,</div>
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had a time of sharing God's Word together,</div>
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went to Firehouse (another family favorite) and got sub sandwiches</div>
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and then headed for Siesta Key where we rented two scooters and </div>
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a scooter car "for the more aged in our family"!</div>
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What fun!</div>
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For four hours we rode around Siesta Key,</div>
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finding streets we didn't know were there,</div>
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putting the "older folks" on the scooters, too,</div>
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while the younger drove the scooter car,</div>
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and laughed together alot!</div>
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<strong>Laughter does a body good!</strong></div>
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Dustin wanted to finish his birthday off with some </div>
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special "Meany's Mini-Donuts" on Siesta Key,</div>
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so we topped it off with donuts.</div>
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Delicious delicacies but Oh, so sweet!</div>
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We came home wind-blown but happy!</div>
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Nothing like a day outside to clear your brain!</div>
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For dinner we made soup and salad</div>
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and spent the rest of the evening relaxing.</div>
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We were all tired but felt refreshed!</div>
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It was interesting....</div>
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Dustin is an 'out-door' type of guy and loves</div>
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doing things outside.</div>
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When we were planning our day, the weather forecast </div>
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was for an 80 percent chance of rain</div>
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which was dashing all of our ideas for a day outside.</div>
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We talked of taking our camper and going away for the weekend </div>
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and trying to find a woods without people to park it in;</div>
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but soon discovered woods without people also means no </div>
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electricity or water! Wouldn't work!</div>
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And if it was going to rain all weekend it would not be relaxing</div>
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to have six adult people in a small camper.</div>
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So we decided to do a stay-at-home-vacation </div>
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and use the money that we would have spent on a motel or campsite</div>
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to do some things locally that we have never done.</div>
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<strong>We were so thrilled that God blessed us with a day of </strong></div>
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<strong>blue skies and sunshine!</strong></div>
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Couldn't have been more perfect!</div>
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We are unanimously agreed that some winter</div>
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we would love to vacation in Florida,</div>
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live like tourists, and do things we never have time to do</div>
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because we live here!</div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-73442266875579247892012-10-30T19:48:00.001-07:002012-10-30T21:15:49.851-07:00Fall Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Palm Grove Youth and Sponsors hosted the </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Palm Grove Fall Festival</strong></span>...</div>
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Everyone was welcome to bring their own lawn chair and enjoy some food and festivities.</div>
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Normally this is done as a fund raiser for the youth but this area can become </div>
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"Fund Raiser Heaven" during the winter months so the youth and sponsors </div>
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decided to do it as an act of service to the church,</div>
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especially keeping in mind those with families</div>
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or those feeling a financial crunch right now.</div>
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The youth worked in teams and came up with their own 'booth'.</div>
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They were quite creative and came up with some very interesting things!</div>
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At the front gate we had paper bags for the little kids to put all their prizes in.</div>
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Most of the youth kids had prizes at their booths.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>"Let the evening begin..."</strong></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg3k56YRqXA/UJCCrmGq3RI/AAAAAAAAA3s/LtVkcs1GOcI/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg3k56YRqXA/UJCCrmGq3RI/AAAAAAAAA3s/LtVkcs1GOcI/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was a balance beam and the goal was to knock your opponent off.</div>
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These were sticks wrapped in foam cushion so it didn't get too violent.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v2ZjIFK8eE/UJCCz_9Y0pI/AAAAAAAAA30/DeMwyLdUUtw/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0v2ZjIFK8eE/UJCCz_9Y0pI/AAAAAAAAA30/DeMwyLdUUtw/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here was a cornhole tournament... but it got dark before the tournament was over.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdKX6ft9Hzs/UJCC431G0eI/AAAAAAAAA38/vnjwRbw_nb4/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gdKX6ft9Hzs/UJCC431G0eI/AAAAAAAAA38/vnjwRbw_nb4/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here you could get a homemade smoothie..."Detwiler Style"!</div>
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Peach-Strawberry-Banana</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGzOqRSW0MY/UJCC8zTrgVI/AAAAAAAAA4E/uGQHCPcOVqQ/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGzOqRSW0MY/UJCC8zTrgVI/AAAAAAAAA4E/uGQHCPcOVqQ/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiUjLusfOe8/UJCTqpaR7hI/AAAAAAAAA8M/SwVC6U-MNB8/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiUjLusfOe8/UJCTqpaR7hI/AAAAAAAAA8M/SwVC6U-MNB8/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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An old-fashioned apple bobbing...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35VQkr6IHAA/UJCDB3Nox9I/AAAAAAAAA4M/uKBwdAwnJ1s/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35VQkr6IHAA/UJCDB3Nox9I/AAAAAAAAA4M/uKBwdAwnJ1s/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What?! An "ANGRY BIRDS" game at a festival?! </div>
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Sure, I'll try that!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8bEj9KhqNY/UJCDGyRegFI/AAAAAAAAA4U/BuNb3ErleIM/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8bEj9KhqNY/UJCDGyRegFI/AAAAAAAAA4U/BuNb3ErleIM/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a "Toilet Paper Toss"...</div>
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Yep, real toilet paper, real toilet seat!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0R0dOxlMhf4/UJCDLheYebI/AAAAAAAAA4c/JYmFOD86moQ/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0R0dOxlMhf4/UJCDLheYebI/AAAAAAAAA4c/JYmFOD86moQ/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkhV0uM6Jfk/UJCT4QeNyGI/AAAAAAAAA8U/HY2G7eUUNkI/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NkhV0uM6Jfk/UJCT4QeNyGI/AAAAAAAAA8U/HY2G7eUUNkI/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hamburgers, Hotdogs, French Fries, and lots of beverages...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCdizGcynsI/UJCUBPmzWEI/AAAAAAAAA8c/zqFWu2Z9ggo/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCdizGcynsI/UJCUBPmzWEI/AAAAAAAAA8c/zqFWu2Z9ggo/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfKw_jov7TQ/UJCDP3sf1NI/AAAAAAAAA4k/mY-61BJA-SQ/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfKw_jov7TQ/UJCDP3sf1NI/AAAAAAAAA4k/mY-61BJA-SQ/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Good fellowship!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGahR0xGUVU/UJCDWAIuv-I/AAAAAAAAA4s/-SAtKucVe7E/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGahR0xGUVU/UJCDWAIuv-I/AAAAAAAAA4s/-SAtKucVe7E/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here you could win a prize if you could throw </div>
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a ping pong ball into a fish bowl!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWyMnb1b1iw/UJCUv9biZ_I/AAAAAAAAA80/D9kVbru7sl8/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWyMnb1b1iw/UJCUv9biZ_I/AAAAAAAAA80/D9kVbru7sl8/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Archery skills tested here...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8KAh_z2XLs/UJCDaY2tWlI/AAAAAAAAA40/9fBhXwXXfYo/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8KAh_z2XLs/UJCDaY2tWlI/AAAAAAAAA40/9fBhXwXXfYo/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Fancy face painting done here...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymgtIJMh7NY/UJCURJ_d-MI/AAAAAAAAA8k/iMM3Bezmsr0/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymgtIJMh7NY/UJCURJ_d-MI/AAAAAAAAA8k/iMM3Bezmsr0/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAnsEf6Fi4/UJCDgEbvPKI/AAAAAAAAA48/U2_2UMIhdPc/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAnsEf6Fi4/UJCDgEbvPKI/AAAAAAAAA48/U2_2UMIhdPc/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here you could buy a raffle ticket for $1.00 and have a chance to </div>
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win a prize every 30 minutes...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hzJq-V80Y/UJCDroAcUdI/AAAAAAAAA5E/t-tMRzSDAIs/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hzJq-V80Y/UJCDroAcUdI/AAAAAAAAA5E/t-tMRzSDAIs/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+086.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A good festival MUST have FOOD!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPJgRcKqnFQ/UJCD0h5wlzI/AAAAAAAAA5M/1U3XnRsQYJY/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPJgRcKqnFQ/UJCD0h5wlzI/AAAAAAAAA5M/1U3XnRsQYJY/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcAcmgp1NLo/UJCUaEjhTHI/AAAAAAAAA8s/9aTCxsJBef0/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcAcmgp1NLo/UJCUaEjhTHI/AAAAAAAAA8s/9aTCxsJBef0/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the Photo Booth some crazy things happened...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OVPYMtGPHk/UJCEAOSyy4I/AAAAAAAAA5U/7oTsfs3095c/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OVPYMtGPHk/UJCEAOSyy4I/AAAAAAAAA5U/7oTsfs3095c/s320/Fall+Festival+2+1988.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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(our deacon and wife?!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDUJjJQmJeI/UJCEFYKKmdI/AAAAAAAAA5c/BaiVaa3O1Ks/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDUJjJQmJeI/UJCEFYKKmdI/AAAAAAAAA5c/BaiVaa3O1Ks/s320/Fall+Festival+2+1998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...a couple probably off the street that we probably don't know!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRmubQA_5YA/UJCNtvpoC4I/AAAAAAAAA7k/baDR2DDSOJ4/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IRmubQA_5YA/UJCNtvpoC4I/AAAAAAAAA7k/baDR2DDSOJ4/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Aww...love! </div>
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Mobster Mother and Daughter!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XlJNuFbEMg/UJCEI5wldpI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gI9K7XKnHQ0/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XlJNuFbEMg/UJCEI5wldpI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gI9K7XKnHQ0/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photographers <em>tried</em> to find time for a break...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn72e45fE58/UJCER45RNzI/AAAAAAAAA5s/bUZU5QREReQ/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn72e45fE58/UJCER45RNzI/AAAAAAAAA5s/bUZU5QREReQ/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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but we always hunted them down and made them </div>
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come back because of the lines of people</div>
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waiting to have their pictures done!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkFc0TGKhY0/UJCEVW3PYiI/AAAAAAAAA50/aWq9LK2gXpM/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkFc0TGKhY0/UJCEVW3PYiI/AAAAAAAAA50/aWq9LK2gXpM/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Do tell!! The pastors and their wives?!)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsgVst3b92U/UJCEZ3iJPCI/AAAAAAAAA58/GYrDRlDCHFg/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsgVst3b92U/UJCEZ3iJPCI/AAAAAAAAA58/GYrDRlDCHFg/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't this just too adorable?!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-LqTUMD4Go/UJCMTZTGprI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ciOD9cvt1Zo/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-LqTUMD4Go/UJCMTZTGprI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ciOD9cvt1Zo/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q77_fdH2Uz0/UJCEgrmBDPI/AAAAAAAAA6E/xXbJCwV1cR0/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q77_fdH2Uz0/UJCEgrmBDPI/AAAAAAAAA6E/xXbJCwV1cR0/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Deacon? Sponsors? Surely not!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKvH7Xg7LOA/UJCEmkiiP9I/AAAAAAAAA6M/HvEOIRxGRus/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKvH7Xg7LOA/UJCEmkiiP9I/AAAAAAAAA6M/HvEOIRxGRus/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewclxx9UtN4/UJCNT8jdg3I/AAAAAAAAA7c/beu4gsLLxIA/s1600/Fall+Festival+2+2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewclxx9UtN4/UJCNT8jdg3I/AAAAAAAAA7c/beu4gsLLxIA/s320/Fall+Festival+2+2084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A combination family of mobsters and street gear! </div>
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Here you could ring a pumpkin and win a prize...</div>
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Wait! You could even win a prize for trying!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDtpE5HRqnE/UJCWWPwiB7I/AAAAAAAAA88/Hk92uB4Fa5A/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDtpE5HRqnE/UJCWWPwiB7I/AAAAAAAAA88/Hk92uB4Fa5A/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The "Office"...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-aEx-4Ymm0/UJCEtteg8vI/AAAAAAAAA6c/o36b6tPvY0M/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-aEx-4Ymm0/UJCEtteg8vI/AAAAAAAAA6c/o36b6tPvY0M/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A softball toss....although this looks like a frisbee to me!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahydxY8CKrI/UJCOWb56s9I/AAAAAAAAA7s/691mkWL_huU/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahydxY8CKrI/UJCOWb56s9I/AAAAAAAAA7s/691mkWL_huU/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LhRbdXDntM/UJCM3H3xvFI/AAAAAAAAA7U/m7LgZXoB0_g/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LhRbdXDntM/UJCM3H3xvFI/AAAAAAAAA7U/m7LgZXoB0_g/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guess who won a cupcake at the "Cupcake Walk"?!</div>
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...and the "Guard Dog on Patrol" a.k.a. "Riley"...</div>
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making sure order was kept! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8uNdaBhNh0/UJCWfjUedeI/AAAAAAAAA9E/pE0zGj_y4ME/s1600/Fall+Festival+2012+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8uNdaBhNh0/UJCWfjUedeI/AAAAAAAAA9E/pE0zGj_y4ME/s320/Fall+Festival+2012+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One thing we regretted was that we wanted to go around</div>
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and try all the different things ourselves but by the time we were all set up...</div>
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it was time to open!!</div>
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We'll know better for next time! :) </div>
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Donations were accepted but not necessarily expected.</div>
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We wanted to make it a fun night where people could come</div>
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and enjoy a relaxing evening with family and friends</div>
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but not have to spend a lot of money.</div>
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<strong>We were blessed beyond measure and</strong></div>
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<strong>were amazed at how the blessing came back to us!</strong></div>
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Detwiler's Market astounded us by their generosity!</div>
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They allowed us to use anything we wanted from their market for decor</div>
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and they also donated all the fruit for our smoothies!</div>
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John Yoder, once again, did all our grilling!</div>
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Another couple surprized us by donating all the meat for the sandwiches</div>
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so the youth ended up having some money left over for the Youth Fund!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Thank You!!</strong></span></div>
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<em>We were definitely challenged to have a more giving spirit about us!</em></div>
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We opened the gates at 4:00 p.m. and the sun went down soon after 7:00.</div>
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The youth kids started cleaning up around 7:30 and most of us </div>
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were on our way home by 8:30.</div>
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<strong>We saw again how many willing hearts working together</strong></div>
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<strong>make a big job seem small!</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Plan on joining us next fall...</em></strong></span></div>
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<br />Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-89370939096618221192012-10-10T08:24:00.000-07:002012-10-10T19:03:48.004-07:00"What did our Founding Fathers believe?"<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the risk of sounding controversial</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I shall attempt to share a small part of what we have been studying in History. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have always believed that America was founded by Christian leaders. Growing up, most of my learning has been through Christian schooling; a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">nd in our homeschooling we have used Christian resources.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are currently studying the presidents of America and just going on-line and using 'wikipedia'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To my shock:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Chrisitianity is not what I'm finding.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was first made aware of this several years ago when we were at a conference in Nashville, Tn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were near the residence of President Jackson so were able to enjoy a tour of his place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had heard of his outstanding love letters written to his wife and how they were being used as a model for husbands to write love letters to their wives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He also was portrayed as being a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">good Christian husband and leader and I was looking forward to seeing his museum, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was shocked by how differently he was </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">portrayed by the secular world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">"Christian" was not the word they used.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">"Adultery and Hot-tempered" were their words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">His "wife" was a wife of another man with whom he was living in an adulterous relationship with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The world considered it a very scandalous affair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> He also was known for his hot temper and several men were killed when his temper was enraged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">and in duels with him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He did not treat his slaves with kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Where does "Chrisitan" fit into all of this? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> I was quite puzzled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Now as we are studying the early presidents a.k.a. "Our Founding Fathers", I am again quite puzzled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Presidents Washington (1st), Jefferson (3rd), Madison (4th), and Monroe (5th) were Deists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What are Deists?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Deists believe in one God, but do not believe in supernatural events such as miracles; they do not believe in the inerrancy of Scripture or in the Trinity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Presidents John Adams (2nd) and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">John Quincy Adams (6th) were Unitarians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What are Unitarians?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Unitarians do not accept the Godhood of Jesus. They do not believe in the Trinity. They maintain that Jesus was a great man and a prophet of God, even a supernatural being, but not God Himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I am baffled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> I do believe that Christian principles were used </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">when our nation was established </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">but it appears here that our "Founding Fathers" didn't even profess to be Christians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Several of them are believed to have fathered a number of children through slave women and one is believed to have sold his own children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">John Quincy Adams took his oath of office on a book of laws instead of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was also disappointed in what I read about their families. What kind of fathers were they?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I would encourage you to go look.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong>Am I studying in the wrong places or</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><strong> why do I feel so misguided?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lesson for me is to check more carefully what my kids are being taught and what we are using for resources. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Just because it says "Christian" doesn't make it "Christian".</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy studying in the days ahead!</span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-72075497616725789192012-09-26T19:12:00.001-07:002012-09-26T19:12:19.739-07:00"To Vote or not to Vote"<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">Look around </span><span style="font-size: large;">you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Disrespect for authority had probably never been greater than it is now. It seems to grow daily. More than ever, our society seems to be driven by the spirit of rebellion and the pursuit of</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "personal freedoms" and "individual rights".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it true that Christians have a spiritual duty to make this world's governments better? Does Christ want you to write your congressman about issues you want addressed?</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What should a Christian's relationship be to our country's government? Do we have a responsibility to reform it? Are we free to speak evil of individuals in authority </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">if we do not like what they do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about Romans 13:1-7?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.</span></strong> So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished" (KJV says they receive damnation to themselves.). For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good.</em> <em>But if you are doing wrong, of course, you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For governments need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> <strong>and honor to those who are in authority.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These Scriptures contain much to consider. They leave no question that all people--including Christians--</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> are subject to the governing authorities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To resist them, God says, is to "resist.....God." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is serious! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever wondered who selects the leaders of the countries on earth? Do men ultimately select kings, presidents, prime ministers, and other rulers? Benjamin Franklin once said, "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs the affairs of man; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that the empire can rise without His aid?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Daniel 4:17 states, <em>"He (God) removes kings and sets up kings".</em> There is no misunderstanding this verse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>GOD establishes and removes kings and kingdoms.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If God chooses to place the weakest humans in office, because He may feel this is who the people deserve, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">then it is His prerogative to do so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Men may come to power in different ways, deceit, dishonesty, etc., but these things are allowed by God for His great, overall purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By respecting those who hold offices through the authority and permission of God, we actually show respect to God Himself. While their personal conduct may be far from praiseworthy, even to the point of corrupting the government they represent, they are still appointed by God to preserve order and punish law-breakers and wrong doers. When leaders are self-serving- or even down right devilish- it is God's responsibility to remove them---not ours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peter spoke of those who "<em>despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries".</em> (II Peter 2:10) Some people utter outrageous slander against those in authority-- for real or imagined wrongs. They "presume" that it is alright to do this, lacking the fear necessary to hold them back in their attacks against dignitaries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Paul wrote, <em>"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, TO SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing meekness unto all men".</em> (Titus 3:1-2) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you reflect cynicism, bitterness, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">anger and accusation toward others? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about "SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN"?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peter also gave important instructions about what God expects of Christians in their responsibilty toward civil authorities. He wrote, <em>"SUBMIT yourselves unto every ordinance of man, FOR THE LORD'S SAKE: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> For so is the will of God, that with welldoing </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>you may put to silence the igorance of foolish men....</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> Fear God. Honor the king.</em> (I Peter 2:13-15, 17)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Christian's responsibility does not end with mere obedience to government authority. Paul actually tells us to PRAY for those in authority-- and includes a secific reason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> He states, <em>"I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all those that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and preaceable life in all godliness and honesty."</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I Tim. 2:1-2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is so important that we do not forget this responsibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do we really believe in the power of prayer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you imagine what it would be like to be a leader of a country?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You would always have people mad at you, always criticizing you, always telling you how things should be done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You and your family's lives could be threatened at any time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can only imagine that it would feel so good to a leader to know that Christians are praying for him and his family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly though, some Christians are his worst criticizers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about voting?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please don't throw me under the bus because I don't vote. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe the most powerful thing a Christian can do is PRAY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, I didn't say pray and vote. God doesn't need my vote. He has no problem putting into office who He chooses to put in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"He (not we) sets up kings and takes down kings."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I completely believe that God has already chosen</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> the next president of the United States of America </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>and He will put him into office.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago a friend of ours challenged us to read the small print on Florida's Voter's Registration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know when you register to vote you take an oath?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out what Scripture says about oaths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you also know that you swear/affirm to support and <strong>defend</strong> the Constitution of the United States?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you ready to defend our Constitution?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How would you defend it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This leads into a whole new subject for another time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Chrisitans </span><span style="font-size: large;">and Force....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">are we non-resistant anymore?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It troubles me that many 'Christians' decide they are going to vote and defend without studying the Scriptures to see what God says about these subjects. I'm afraid we may someday pay a high price for the decisions we are lightly making today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe that, as Christians, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. We are strangers and pilgrims only passing through this world's kingdom. We are not to become entangled with the affairs of this world. I think of it when we travel through Atlanta, Georgia or other cities. We just travel through. We try to be Christ's ambassadors and witnesses there; </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but we do not stop to see how their goverments are running. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We are not citizens of Atlanta....only travelers passing through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Consider your attitude toward government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have your prayed for our leaders as Christ has commanded us to?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or have you criticized and slandered them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you think by criticizing them </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">somehow you can make them better? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we approach November and election,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> I challenge you to pray and ask God to put into office </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>the man HE has chosen to rule our country.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then I challenge you further, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to PRAY for our new president like never before. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">November...Election...President </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>God's already got it covered!</strong></span></div>
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Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5296621769479239733.post-10854947136976013662012-09-11T12:35:00.003-07:002012-09-11T12:35:32.555-07:00Grandparents Day<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday was "Grandparents Day" and Sunday night's program was focused on Grandparents. It got me to thinking...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the prayers of my life is that our faith in God would be passed on to our third and fourth generations and that our children and their children would 'stand on our shoulders' and go even deeper into God's Word and in Faith. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I like how one evangelist put it: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <em>"Don't focus so much on what your parents didn't do right...stand on their shoulders (what they did right) and go higher and beyond where they did."</em> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I find that so exciting and encouraging!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also think alot of the decisions we make today will have an effect on the future generations, whether for good or bad. Many times it is the 'small' decisions that we are careless with or think will only affect us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As different ones were sharing Sunday night, my thoughts went to my grandparents. I never knew any of my great-grandparents. My Grandpa Yoder died when my dad was only six years old, so I knew nothing of him and Grandma Yoder died when I was very young. I have one picture of her in my mind; standing on our front porch ( a little, Amish woman) waiting for my dad to pull the car up front and pick her up for church. Grandpa Wagler passed away when I was quite young, too, although I have some memories of him. He always seemed a little strict to me and I was a wee bit afraid of him. He always cleared his throat a certain way... which I still hear in the uncles, aunts, and yes, grandchildren! ha! Grandma Wagler let us grandchildren have the run of the house and be as loud as we wished but Grandpa didn't care for that as much. I remember when we would visit them,we would always all kneel in prayer in the living room and Grandpa would pray before we went to bed. I remember Grandpa coming to visit us and then he would do funny things; like trying to ride my brothers' bikes! I watched in awe because I thought Grandpas were too old to do things like that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mom told me that Grandpa Wagler made a decision when his children were young that his children would not practice bed courtship (which was an Amish tradition at that time). He took a stand for that and was questioned and ridiculed for it. Grandpa had no idea then that so many years later, I, his grand daughter, and my children, his great-grandchildren, would know about his willingness to stand alone. Bed courtship is now something completely foreign to us. The iniquities of the fathers can be passed on to the third and fourth generations but they don't have to be! They can be broken and stopped! We have to recognize them, acknowledge them, repent and ask God to break their strongholds on us. One generational iniquity that our family has faced and acknowledged is....worry! I could be the queen of worry! I know how to do it well!! But I am commanded in God's Word not to worry or fret about tomorrow (or today!) and with God's power, I don't have to! It's been a journey and each of our children have had to address this iniquity. It's been so encouraging and humbling to see them rise above it. At present, Erica is addressing it in her life but such a joy to see God replace worry with faith and trust. I pray that the stronghold of worry will become weaker and weaker in the coming generations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What will my great-grandchildren know about me?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder how the decisions I am making today will affect them. If I am compromising God's Word, thinking that it really doesn't matter, can I expect to have great-grandchildren who have respect and honor for God's Word? Is it possible they could be completely heathen or even atheists?! Sounds extreme but possible? Or will they hear of their great-grandparents who followed God faithfully in the little areas and decisions of every day life? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>I wonder.......... </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>and it keeps me on my knees crying out to God</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> to help me realize how much I need Him </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>to guide my decisions every day!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Exodus 34:6-7 "...The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keepin mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty;</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em> visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>and upon the children's children, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>unto the third and fourth generation."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Together as One....http://www.blogger.com/profile/00494282273084837348noreply@blogger.com0