tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11299048748759879292024-03-13T15:31:17.763-04:00Rejected Restored Revitalizedbutterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-34968622031371667972017-05-15T12:36:00.001-04:002017-05-15T12:36:25.749-04:00Remember:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<u><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Journal Entries</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tuesday, May 11, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Dana Berry called from Porter Memorial
Baptist Church to see if I was interested in a job. Set up an interview for Thursday at 5.”</span></blockquote>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thursday, May 13, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"I left for Lexington at 1:15-good
trip. I think the interview went
well. Two positions-I would like to work
with Trent. Dana’s to let me know
Tuesday-will be a long weekend. Good
trip home. PTL!!”</span></blockquote>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tuesday, May 18, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Called Dana; still deciding. Will call by next week; then 10 minutes later
he called-I got the job with Trent!
PTL!!!!!!!”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I see these entries
as signifying the end of a yearlong journey and the beginning of a new
one. I had spent 2003-2004 in Louisville
beginning the healing process. It’s
amazing how God brought so many wonderful people and experiences into my life
to help me keep moving forward on the path He had for me. I know He led me to seek a job in Lexington
and the fact that He provided one at a church was truly a life-changing miracle. I’m forever grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scripture gives
guidance to us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the first steps of this path I sought
God’s will for my life. It hasn’t been
easy but He never promised that; He promised to be with me and guide me through
the work of His Spirit. That He has
certainly done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve been at this
job for 13 years as of June 7 this year.
Just like any other part of life there have been ups and downs, difficulties
and easy times, joys and sorrows. I’ve
been blessed with friendships, a church family, and wonderful experiences because
of this job. I’m so thankful for God’s
wonderful provision in my life. All of
it, the good and bad, has made me who I am today. He is so good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t know what
tomorrow holds but God does. I don’t
even know what the next minute holds but God does. I do know that I feel a sense of expectancy
that He is doing a work in my life at this time. My part is to be willing to go and/or do wherever
and whatever He asks me to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was thinking this
weekend about this scripture:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God provides food for the birds. However, just as this picture shows, they
must do their part to gather what they need for that moment. It’s the same with me. God has ALWAYS provided exactly what I need
when I need it. He often gives more than
I could imagine. However, like the
birds, I must be willing to do as He asks to reap the benefits of His
provision. I must simply take that first
step and not worry about what’s next. He
has it in His hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m excited about
His plans for my life. His word assures
me over and over that He only wants what’s best for me. His ways are always far better than anything I
can dream for myself. I know I’ll walk
through blessings and trials but in the end it will all lead me to His
wonderful presence. That’s what it’s all
about when everything is said and done.
The song “The Potter’s Hand” expresses this beautifully:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The
Potter's Hand"</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Beautiful
Lord, Wonderful Savior, <br />
I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands, <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Crafted into
your perfect plan.<br />
<u>You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit, </u><br />
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes.<br />
I'm captured by Your holy calling,<br />
Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself.<br />
Lead me Lord I pray.<br />
<br />
Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me.<br />
I give my life to the Potter's hand.<br />
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me.<br />
I give my life to the Potter's hand.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Songwriter<br />
DARLENE JOYCE ZSCHECH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love being in Your
presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I feel alone
remind me that I never am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You are always with
me and always providing exactly what I need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank You!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-17731163969122182372017-04-27T16:15:00.001-04:002017-04-27T16:15:21.154-04:00Life is about:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<u>Thoughts on Listen to Your Life by Valorie Burton<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>April 27, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I feel <b><span style="color: #00b050;">connected</span></b> when: (clear, focused, moved to
action, full of energy).”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am praising God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am alone with God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am writing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am talking to people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am solving problems.</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
“I feel <b><span style="color: red;">disconnected</span></b>
when: (frustrated, scattered, overwhelmed, weighed down, confused, unsure,
mentally overloaded).”<br /><ul>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am doing my work at my job. It’s not hard but I don’t enjoy it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I have to make too many decisions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I am shopping by myself and can’t find anything.</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“My biggest area of discontent and disconnection right
now is my job. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">If I had written this a year ago I would
have said I felt disconnected from life.
The last year has been one of discovery and of being connected to God and
the life He has for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m glad I wrote this down while reading
this book all those years ago. I don’t remember
much about the book itself but apparently this part made an impression on
me. I find it interesting that I would
write the same answers today except for feeling disconnected at my job. I enjoy my job as church receptionist and ministry
assistant. I am excited that tomorrow is
my last full time day. Monday I become
semi-retired and begin working part time so I get to continue doing a job I
like while having the opportunity to explore new possibilities God brings into
my life. Best of two worlds!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
This might be a good exercise to do
every so often to evaluate my life. I
see in my connected statements that it’s in my relationship with God that I find
contentment and meaning. That’s still so
true today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
When I read these sentences it made me
smile inside and out:<b><span style="color: #7030a0;"> “If I had written
this a year ago I would have said I felt disconnected from life. The last year has been one of discovery and
of being connected to God and the life He has for me.” </span></b>God had done a great work of
restoration in my life in just one year.
This brought to mind the verse that says:<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a good picture of what He has
done in my life because that first year represents just a tiny patch in the
garden He’s given to me. Today when I contemplate
the life He has restored in me I think of this verse:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3yq2gXgkAw/WQJPHyEy49I/AAAAAAAADpk/NF6A5wDBHy47MR7qpjuwKl1vbOJnhuUXgCLcB/s1600/blog9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z3yq2gXgkAw/WQJPHyEy49I/AAAAAAAADpk/NF6A5wDBHy47MR7qpjuwKl1vbOJnhuUXgCLcB/s400/blog9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Because so many are <b><span style="color: red;">disconnected</span></b> they are searching for
the “meaning of life”. I can testify
that when one is <b><span style="color: #00b050;">connected</span></b> to God through faith in Jesus Christ life has
meaning. Without Him there’s nothing. With Him there is life abundant “like a
well-watered garden”. Not perfect
because we live in a fallen world, but when we’re connected to Him there is
love, joy, and peace in the midst of the chaos.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
If you haven’t experienced this precious
gift of connection to God I can’t really explain it to you. The only way to know it is to know Jesus
Christ, Son of God, King of kings, and Lord of lords.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Alpha and Omega<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">By Robbie Trice<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,</span></i><i><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Behold the tabernacle of God is with man.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He shall dwell within them, they shall be His people,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and Almighty God will be with them.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">There shall be no more death.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Neither sorrow nor crying, and no more pain,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">the former things have all past away.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He that sat upon the throne said,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Behold, I make all things new.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He said unto me, Write these words,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">for they<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are faithful and
true.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">And it is done, it is done, it is done, it is done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">He is the Alpha and Omega,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">the Beginning<span class="apple-converted-space"> and
the End.</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Son of God, King of Kings,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Lord of Lords, He’s everything.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Messiah, Jehovah, The Prince of Peace, is He.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Son of Man, Seed of Abraham,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Second Person in the Trinity. (Repeat 4 times)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">He is the Alpha and Omega,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Son of God, the King of Kings,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Messiah, Jehovah, The Great I Am,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Seed of Abraham.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">He is the Alpha and Omega,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">the Beginning and the End.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Son of God, King of Kings.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Lord of Everything.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He is Lord!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">AMEN!</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-66705077389380259472017-04-26T15:57:00.000-04:002017-04-26T15:57:25.117-04:00Remember:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ94kOucoXY/WQD60dv3cwI/AAAAAAAADpE/n6ln8TqlBTojjzR_Zx6qFBvv0IEl-3m1ACLcB/s1600/blog7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZ94kOucoXY/WQD60dv3cwI/AAAAAAAADpE/n6ln8TqlBTojjzR_Zx6qFBvv0IEl-3m1ACLcB/s200/blog7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">April 24, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“At this particular moment I feel at peace, but tired
or drained might be a better word. Does
that make sense? <b><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">I
don’t even want to try to make friends.
I feel like no one wants to get to know me but instead of feeling
worthless and unlovable like before I feel like it’s their loss. Is that an improvement? Maybe the next step will be to be comfortable
with who I am so I can be comfortable around others and not try so hard. <u>Hey, I think this is one of my epiphanies!</u></span></b> <b><span style="color: #00b050;">What do you think, Cheri?”</span></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m
holding fast to my faith. I know God has
a plan for me and He is working. I think
I just need to relax right now and keep checking job opportunities and
apartment possibilities and see what doors He opens. Sounds like a plan to me!”</span></span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #2e74b5;">“I don’t even want to
try to make friends. I feel like no one
wants to get to know me but instead of feeling worthless and unlovable like
before I feel like it’s their loss. Is
that an improvement? Maybe the next step
will be to be comfortable with who I am so I can be comfortable around others
and not try so hard. </span></b> Reading this took me back to the time when I
felt invisible to everyone. For years I
believed that no one really knew me or wanted to know me. I was made to feel like I wasn’t worth the
effort it would take to know me. I felt
very unforgettable. This made me try too
hard to make friends and to be hurt when “<b>I
felt” </b>unwanted. I emphasized I felt
because I know now that’s where the problem was. I wasn’t comfortable with myself so how could
I believe anyone else would be!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I speak about being comfortable I’m
not talking about being satisfied and not wanting to grow and change. I’m talking about being content with who God
created me to be and with the circumstances of my life at a given moment. I know now that I can only change and grow
when I accept who I am and allow God to work in me. I cannot do it myself. I can say with the Psalmist:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrRHXu0rftU/WQD4z9mQ3RI/AAAAAAAADow/NCjI9iCqFU8oZD1MBbQLBM4UQrveN9GZgCEw/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrRHXu0rftU/WQD4z9mQ3RI/AAAAAAAADow/NCjI9iCqFU8oZD1MBbQLBM4UQrveN9GZgCEw/s1600/blog5.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If God’s word tells me this I certainly must believe
it! When I accept and believe this I
don’t worry about what others think or if they want to be my friend. I live my life to please God and leave all
that stuff to Him. It’s very freeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“I’m holding fast to my faith.
I know God has a plan for me and He is working. I think I just need to relax right now and
keep checking job opportunities and apartment possibilities and see what doors
He opens. Sounds like a plan to me!”</span></b> My faith in
God is what brought me through this time of testing. And I do believe it was a test. God does allow things into our lives to help
us grow. This song says it perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #040000; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THROUGH<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F1EDE9; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #3e414b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I saw what laid before me,<br />
Lord I cried what will You do<br />
I thought He would just remove it<br />
But He gently led me through<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F1EDE9; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #3e414b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without fire there’s no refining<br />
Without pain no relief<br />
Without flood there’s no rescue<br />
Without testing no belief<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F1EDE9; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #3e414b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Through the fire,<br />
Through the flood,<br />
Through the water,<br />
Through the blood.<br />
Through the dry and barren places<br />
Through life’s dense and maddening mazes<br />
Through the pain and through the glory<br />
Through will always tell the story<br />
Of a God whose power and mercy<br />
Will not fail to take us through<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #F1EDE9; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #3e414b;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Written by Gloria Gaither,
William J. Gaither and Michael Sykes<br />
Hanna Street Music (BMI)///Mal ‘N Al Music (ASCAP)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve learned to love the word “through”. It’s in those moments that God has worked
miracles in my life. He still is today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #00b050;">“What do you think, Cheri?”
</span></b>This is probably my favorite
phrase in this whole post. This reminds
me of how wonderful it was to have this young lady in my life. She would read these thoughts and respond as
God led. Her willingness to obey Him started
me on the right path in this sometimes difficult, often wonderful, but always
exciting journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I never know where God is going to take
me when I start writing this blog each day.
The main lesson I glean from today is that my life is all about my
relationship with God, how He created me, how He only allows tests and trials
that will help me to come into my life, and how He walks with me through those
times. My part is to call out to Him and
listen to His voice. I can trust His love for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are His child because you’ve
trusted in the blood of Jesus Christ to cover your sins and restore your
relationship with Him, you have the same access to His blessings and
guidance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you’re not His child, if you’ve never
met this One called Jesus, please seek Him out.
He’s waiting for you. You are loved!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmwBZ3-GDo/WQD4z1dFEKI/AAAAAAAADo0/AQXbwRRI1q43m57q2uH9eU-i-JNPy804ACEw/s1600/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmwBZ3-GDo/WQD4z1dFEKI/AAAAAAAADo0/AQXbwRRI1q43m57q2uH9eU-i-JNPy804ACEw/s640/blog6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your love is
so amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank You
for the people and events You’ve allowed into my life that have deepened our
relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank You
most of all for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In His
Name I pray,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amen</span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-15440078706212472502017-04-25T15:50:00.001-04:002017-04-25T15:50:14.965-04:00Making<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lBrxCO-gXA/WP-nDQenhbI/AAAAAAAADoY/B5WIyYR3wHoRNquMwuoWYt7QJy2cTu67gCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lBrxCO-gXA/WP-nDQenhbI/AAAAAAAADoY/B5WIyYR3wHoRNquMwuoWYt7QJy2cTu67gCLcB/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thoughts for
Cheri<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">April 24, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I’m trying to
make decisions about my future but since I’m tired of making decisions that’s
hard. I’ve thought about moving to
Lexington but am not sure. If I do stay
in Louisville I’m thinking of looking for a two-bedroom apartment. Don’t you wish God would just say, ‘do this’
sometimes?”</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I don’t like my
job and things are tense around here.
I’m trying to get my car ac fixed, my wheels need to be aligned, and my
tires rotated. I need someone I trust to
look at my tires and see if I need new ones.
There’s also a small oil leak in the engine. It’s just too many things
to decide for someone who wasn’t allowed to make many decisions for so many
years.”</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Sometimes I
wish I could just go to sleep and wake up the next morning with all these
decisions made and done. Actually the
little daily things are harder than the big ones.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Decisions. We make them every day. Of course I made decisions when I was married
but almost every one of them was based on keeping him happy or maybe I should
say not making him angry. I never made
major decisions, we always did what he wanted.
He didn’t value my opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
went from those circumstances to being totally responsible for just about every
decision in my life. It was a gigantic
change. As I look back over the past 14
years I’m astounded at the number of major decisions I made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All
of these decisions were made easier by the best decision I ever made in my life
and it was made when I was 9 years old.
I asked Jesus to be Savior and Lord of my life. Since then my walk with Him has grown by
leaps and bounds. I’ve shared earlier in
this blog how my relationship with God deepened as I sought to improve my
marriage. That didn’t happen but my
relationship with Him has become the most important thing in my life. It’s only through His love, mercy, grace,
provision, and guidance that I’m where I am and the person I am today. This is why this is one of my favorite
scripture passages:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0qOivcIPGI/WP-nDaAqRAI/AAAAAAAADog/N4wLjX8BVSgqCwsOYF1SmbjO04-NjV6fQCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0qOivcIPGI/WP-nDaAqRAI/AAAAAAAADog/N4wLjX8BVSgqCwsOYF1SmbjO04-NjV6fQCEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Notice it says “with
all your heart” and “in all your ways”.
This is no part time when I feel like it relationship. It’s all or nothing. Thankfully God knows me and He knows there
are days, moments even, when this is easier said than done. This is when He’s sent people and/or events
into my life to encourage me in my walk.
I’m so very grateful that He loves me so much that He wants what’s best
for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If
you know God, I mean really know Him in an intimate way because of His Son
Jesus Christ, please trust and acknowledge Him and He will guide your
decisions. He never fails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If
you don’t know Him He’s waiting on you.
His word tells us that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2X4GGVp04UE/WP-nDXRUT6I/AAAAAAAADoc/yBRImjgjEn0w9B5Anqk1BTX3UcjCzUYOACEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2X4GGVp04UE/WP-nDXRUT6I/AAAAAAAADoc/yBRImjgjEn0w9B5Anqk1BTX3UcjCzUYOACEw/s400/blog3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This will be the
best and most important decision you have ever made in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Words cannot express my gratitude for Your love that
has saved me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope that the life I live will be proof of how
thankful I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I pray for Your child who may not remember the
richness of Your love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I pray especially for those who have never
experienced that love for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Open eyes, ears, minds, hearts, and souls to receive
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In His Precious Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Amen</span><span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-24072579657855767172017-04-06T13:32:00.000-04:002017-04-06T13:32:47.496-04:00Taken<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AalfCaLIcN8/WOZ59vPOH1I/AAAAAAAADn8/ld7bqgvXBVIHMdOj43s45X97Wj3loe4SwCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AalfCaLIcN8/WOZ59vPOH1I/AAAAAAAADn8/ld7bqgvXBVIHMdOj43s45X97Wj3loe4SwCEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal Entry<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>April 6, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Better today. I’m reading a book that Catherine recommended
about being freed from <b><span style="color: red;">bondage.</span></b> It’s
already impacting me. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">I felt
something today when I was reading-a loosening.”</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: red;">“Bondage.” </span></b>When I read this it makes me sad
and glad at the same time. I was a
Christian all those years of my marriage which means I had freedom in
Christ. However, I allowed myself to be
in bondage to someone who didn’t love me and who certainly did not have my best
interests at heart. That makes me
sad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
As I reflect on
those years I see how God kept me safe from so many harms that could have
affected me in so many ways. One of the
first things my sister and friends had me do after learning what my ex had been
doing was to see a doctor. There were
many health issues that could have come from his activity. I remember feeling at peace even before the
results showed I was okay. Somehow I’ve
just always known that God would take care of me no matter the
circumstance. I love that He blessed me
with that deep a faith. That makes me
glad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I see
opportunities such as graduating from college, going to seminary, serving in so
many different areas of ministry, and so much more given to me over those
years. I was willing but God was and is
able. He does love me and has my best
interests at heart. That makes me glad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“I felt
something today when I was reading-a loosening.” </span></b>This is an interesting
comment. To be honest I don’t remember
this so I’m glad I noted it. I’m
grateful for the many ways God touched my life to break those chains that kept
me from truly living. In this case
Catherine took her time to recommend a book she knew would make a difference in
my life. The thing is, she could recommend
it to me but I had to listen to her advice and read it for myself for it to truly
impact my life. The same is true of God’s
word. Other people can tell me what they
think it says but until I take the time and effort to read it for myself I’ll
never really get it. God speaks to me
personally when I read it. His word
touches the immediate and precise areas that need His intervention at different
times. Because:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNAKq3uJaV8/WOZ59lsFSdI/AAAAAAAADn4/wv2NP69qJD4zaYOZdHBmwTnczOKOpTMwgCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNAKq3uJaV8/WOZ59lsFSdI/AAAAAAAADn4/wv2NP69qJD4zaYOZdHBmwTnczOKOpTMwgCEw/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
During these
years God was breaking the chains that held me captive. As I healed I was drawn to the life cycle of
the caterpillar and the butterfly. The
caterpillar is in a kind of bondage when compared to the butterfly but its true
bondage comes in the form of a cocoon.
Isn’t it something that being confined in that small chrysalis is what
leads the caterpillar to true freedom as a butterfly? It just takes time, patience, and a
willingness to struggle to free itself.
It’s the struggle that enables the butterfly to soar on beautiful
wings. That’s how I see my life. The years of my marriage were caterpillar
years. The years since have been cocoon
years as I’ve allowed God to change me followed by the struggle to emerge into
the beautiful life He’s prepared for me.
I think this picture beautifully represents what God is doing in my
life. This makes me joyful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEcm33rXaRM/WOZ59k0dRRI/AAAAAAAADoA/IASqPcprm1wKsddy5JcZvZTEWaGYS4TOwCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEcm33rXaRM/WOZ59k0dRRI/AAAAAAAADoA/IASqPcprm1wKsddy5JcZvZTEWaGYS4TOwCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You have set me free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Teach me to live like
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-49630419049449976072017-04-05T15:29:00.000-04:002017-04-05T15:29:12.371-04:00Key to<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya1l-au45IY/WOVEMnraFNI/AAAAAAAADns/JKt_CUkLd_8qm-raiZcdJ9yavZKPMgUIACEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ya1l-au45IY/WOVEMnraFNI/AAAAAAAADns/JKt_CUkLd_8qm-raiZcdJ9yavZKPMgUIACEw/s400/blog3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Journal Entry<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April 5, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">“I hurt so badly-I feel so sad. I don’t have any reason to get up in the
morning-just work and I don’t like my job.
I’m so tired-please God-give me a purpose to my life. I just need a reason to go on-something
meaningful. I know I have God and that
is all that is keeping me going right now.
It’s just so hard and it hurts so much.</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>I’m going to hold
onto Him and keep crying out. He promises
to hear and to reveal His truth to me. I
choose to wait on Him.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was such a
difficult time for me. I didn’t want to
go back but I didn’t know what was next.
I was grieving the loss of my dream.
I don’t think people who haven’t experienced a divorce understand that
it’s a death and grieving is a natural result.
This was not something I wanted and I would have worked to save my
marriage even after being told what my ex had been doing. I believed in my vows and in till death do us
part. Well, for me this was a death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">“I hurt so
badly-I feel so sad. I don’t have any
reason to get up in the morning-just work and I don’t like my job. I’m so tired-please God-give me a purpose to
my life. I just need a reason to go
on-something meaningful. I know I have God
and that is all that is keeping me going right now. It’s just so hard and it hurts so much.”</span></b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>I felt
like I had no purpose. My kids, who had
been my reason for living, were grown and on their own. There was no one in my life who needed me and
while I liked the people I worked with the job was boring. I wanted
a job where I felt like I was making a difference. I wanted a new start in a new place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Day after day I
cried out to God for relief from the pain and lack of purpose. I know that if I had not had a relationship
with Him through His Son Jesus Christ I would not be where I am today. I don’t know that I’d be alive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realized in
reading over my journal that I didn’t write about one of the most important experiences
of my life that occurred about this time.
I remember like it was yesterday the day my pain became so overwhelming
that I just wanted it to stop. I had
always said that I didn’t understand why someone would commit suicide. No judging, just no understanding of feeling
that degree of hopelessness. This particular
day the pain washed over me in waves and I found myself lying in the middle of
my living room floor just desperate for the pain to cease. For one split second I wanted to cease living. I say it that way because I didn’t
necessarily want to be dead, I just wanted the pain to stop. Thankfully my faith in God caused me to cry
out to Him for help. I still get
emotional when I think of this because His very presence filled that room. I felt His touch as He reached down and
wrapped me in His loving arms. I lay
there sobbing as He held me and reassured me of His loving presence. What a beautiful gift of His comfort He gave
to me that day!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKdvWfuLzBs/WOVEM6cocgI/AAAAAAAADns/UJoimYjqOYg-OnCBVlXRLzpNzpAYblDbgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKdvWfuLzBs/WOVEM6cocgI/AAAAAAAADns/UJoimYjqOYg-OnCBVlXRLzpNzpAYblDbgCEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="313" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still had more grieving to do, in fact
sometimes I still have sad moments today but this moment was a defining one for me. First
of all I understand what it is to feel hopeless. It’s a scary overwhelming experience. That’s why it’s so important to me to share
the hope I have in Jesus Christ with others.
I don’t want anyone else to feel hopeless when there is hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Secondly I know
now that God is with me and will not let me down. This was the lowest point of my life and He
comforted me with the tangible gift of Himself.
I need nothing more to live in the hope He gives. He’s real, He cares, and no one can take that
away from me. I’ve lived it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is one of
my favorite verses because it guarantees this hope:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3TaCQFK2aM/WOVEM_Q3GNI/AAAAAAAADnk/y32VD8Q3KnA6r48fJk5FGqluw-q1mtbWgCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3TaCQFK2aM/WOVEM_Q3GNI/AAAAAAAADnk/y32VD8Q3KnA6r48fJk5FGqluw-q1mtbWgCLcB/s640/blog1.jpg" width="296" /></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of the
sacrifice of Your Son You alone are my hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You for being
there in the most desperate moment of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love You so!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Jesus’ Precious
Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen</span><o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-91848088492429702782017-04-04T15:20:00.001-04:002017-04-04T15:20:27.879-04:00The Truth is:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyZ6K_USwGE/WOPwnEOAc4I/AAAAAAAADnA/Vzhbu56HT7QXlCUTQ_TYsiziISe60X1-wCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyZ6K_USwGE/WOPwnEOAc4I/AAAAAAAADnA/Vzhbu56HT7QXlCUTQ_TYsiziISe60X1-wCEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April 4, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deuteronomy
1:29-33<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></b><i><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I tried to relieve your fears: <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #00b050;">“Don’t be terrified of them.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps;">God, </span></span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white; color: #00b050;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps;">your God is leading the way;he's fighting for you.</span></span></span><span style="text-align: start;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">You saw with your own eyes
what he did for you in </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">Egypt</span></b><span style="background: white;">; <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">you saw what he did in the </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">wilderness</span></b><span style="background: white;">, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">how<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">God</span></span></span><span style="text-align: start;">, your God, carried you as a father carries his
child, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">carried you the whole way
until you arrived here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">But now that you’re here,
you won’t trust<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">God</span></span></span><span style="text-align: start;">, your God—<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">this same<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">God</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span>who goes ahead of you in your travels </span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-converted-space">to </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">scout
out a place to pitch camp</span></b><span style="background: white;">,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">a
</span><b><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">fire</span></b><span style="background: white;"> by
night and a </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">cloud</span></b><span style="background: white;"> by day to show you the way to go.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background: white;">“Israel was afraid to follow God’s leading. I don’t want to be afraid to follow Him as He
guides me. I know He has a plan for my
life and that He goes before me to prepare the way, gives me direction to show
me the way, and carries me as I travel the way.
</span><b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">Why should I fear anything?”</span></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">“As I look back over my
life I see the way He has provided for and carried me through the trials and
dark times. I see the ways He has
prepared me for all I have encountered, good or bad. How could I even imagine for one minute that
He would fail me now?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;"> </span><span style="background: white;">I choose now to trust Him with my present and my future and to step out
in faith in my heart and mind on the path He has chosen and prepared for
me. I don’t know where it leads but I surrender
all to Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was
written on the one year anniversary of the end of my marriage, the day my world
changed forever. I love the imagery in
these verses. I see exactly what God has
done and is still doing for me in my life.
Just like He carried the Israelites in Egypt, He carried me in my marriage. I could write a book on the opportunities,
gifts, answered prayers, and so much more that He provided for me and my kids
during those years in our <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">“Egypt”</span></b>.
I look back in amazement at all of the times He allowed me to learn and
serve even in the midst of that life. I’m
very grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This day in
2003 marked for me the beginning of my time in the <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">“wilderness”</span></b>. I didn’t know where I was going or what I would
do when I got there. I will say for
myself that, unlike the Israelites, I wasn’t afraid to trust God. Satan did try to use fear to discourage me
but my faith enabled me to move forward towards my promised land. I know for a fact that God has gone before me
to <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">“scout
out a place (for me) to pitch camp”</span></b>.
I haven’t had a <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">“fire”</span></b> or <b><span style="color: #0070c0;">“cloud”</span></b> to lead the way but I have had prayer,
scripture, family, friends, and events to guide me as I’ve traveled. I’m very grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">Why
should I fear anything?” </span></b><span style="background: white;">God’s word tells me over and over again to not fear,
be afraid, or anxious, or worry, whatever term you choose to use. For me this simply tells me to put my faith
in Him and trust His hand in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mTEuRMNnL4/WOPwnJ-Cp2I/AAAAAAAADnE/vntYVrm493sLrsaj83fn_iioFONkBhnDwCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mTEuRMNnL4/WOPwnJ-Cp2I/AAAAAAAADnE/vntYVrm493sLrsaj83fn_iioFONkBhnDwCLcB/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">“As
I look back over my life I see the way He has provided for and carried me
through the trials and dark times. I see
the ways He has prepared me for all I have encountered, good or bad. How could I even imagine for one minute that
He would fail me now?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">”</span><span style="background: white;"> Good
question. When something is proven true
over and over again why would I doubt it?
There have been people in my life who have been there for me most of the
time but because they’re human or because of circumstances sometimes they let
me down. I let people down more than I like
to recall. The only One who has NEVER
disappointed me is God. When human
frailties, worldly situations, and my own shortcomings cause me pain or sorrow
or disappointment He’s there loving, comforting, and guiding me. He knows just exactly what I need when I need
it. I’m very grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I keep saying I’m very grateful and I am. How do I show this to my Father? I live a life that pleases Him. I allow people to see the difference He makes
in my life. I’m not ashamed of the
gospel and of the Savior who died for me.
I don’t live a “personal” Christian life but I share Him wherever I go
in every way I can. I don’t allow
hardships, disparaging comments, or even persecution deter me from allowing the
light that is Jesus Christ to shine in and through me. I give Him all the praise and glory for what
He’s done in my life. That’s what being
a Jesus follower means. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #00b050;">“Don’t be terrified of them.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">God</span></span></span>, your God, is leading the way; he’s fighting for
you.” </i></b><span style="background: white;">This is how I’ve chosen to live the last 14 years and
how I want to live the rest of my life; unafraid and trusting my God who is
fighting for me. I pray you choose the
same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You took care of me in my Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You provided for me in my wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You go before me into my promised land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will not fear!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank You!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amen</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-13401151890568848152017-04-03T16:02:00.000-04:002017-04-03T16:04:34.684-04:00What are some<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4AAB8H18Kc/WOKpOV6P9-I/AAAAAAAADmc/TIO9w8errG4AKRQ6PWx1Vzhm9q-Osn-xgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4AAB8H18Kc/WOKpOV6P9-I/AAAAAAAADmc/TIO9w8errG4AKRQ6PWx1Vzhm9q-Osn-xgCEw/s640/blog2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>April 3, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“’Loneliness: the surprising opportunity to know God.’”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I cannot
remember where I read this quote. It was
too many years ago and I didn’t note the source. I know it spoke to me because I wrote it
down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I was lonely in
my marriage. I longed for the intimacy God
created man and woman to share in marriage.
I always knew something was missing but couldn’t seem to change
anything. That’s what I was seeking to
do in the months before this as I sought God’s leading and help with my
marriage. I knew He was changing me and I
prayed that my husband was also changing.
Unfortunately that was not to be.
As sad as this is there is something wonderful that came out of this
yearning to fill the lonely times. My relationship
with God deepened and became sweeter as the days went by. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
What have I learned
over these years of being lonely? For
one thing the loneliest place I can be is in a crowd. I’m seldom lonely when I’m at home
alone. I’m an introvert so I welcome
these times to recharge. However, some
of my loneliest moments have been at church when I’m sitting alone or when I watch
families leave together after worship. When
I’m sitting alone I’ve learned to focus on the presence of God who is with me
as I praise Him through voice, ears, eyes, and mind. After church is a little more difficult. I allow myself to feel the sadness and I give
it to Him. By the time I reach home He’s
reminded me that I’m not alone ever.
Then I walk into my apartment and there’s this precious little puppy who’s
overjoyed to see me. What a blessing she
is in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--d6Ufb2EZ2w/WOKpTjLOpzI/AAAAAAAADmw/LNnIX2ZI49k2j7V3mLr-C1F_XY5PEiQ8gCEw/s1600/cinnamonblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--d6Ufb2EZ2w/WOKpTjLOpzI/AAAAAAAADmw/LNnIX2ZI49k2j7V3mLr-C1F_XY5PEiQ8gCEw/s200/cinnamonblog.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
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I’ve also
learned that when I feel lonely all I have to do is lift my prayer to my Father
and He hears. There have been times when
His presence is so real I can feel His loving arms around me. Other times He’s brought someone into my life
with whom I can fellowship. It may be
through a shared meal, a phone call, or a simple hug but He never lets me
down. This is the reason I try to always
be aware of those around me and to give a smile or a sweet greeting. Sometimes I get a smile or a hello in
return. Always I believe it’s made some
kind of difference in a life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The greatest
gift I’ve received through the gift of loneliness is “the surprising
opportunity to know God”. My
relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has deepened and become my
lifeline. The Father is there to provide
for and protect me. Jesus is my Best
Friend who intercedes for me and reminds me that I am loved by the One who died
for me. The Spirit comforts, guides, and
corrects me as I face each day in the world.
I have known God all my life but the trials and loneliness of the past
14 years have affected that relationship in ways I cannot explain. He’s with me.
Always! Often when I’m spending
my quiet time in the morning I sense the presence of Jesus sitting in the chair
across from me. I believe this based on
His own words:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WO4od7rjdJg/WOKpOyQ8idI/AAAAAAAADmo/LOmJN7yqn0w5NYLbMvvDkS4_T8kZZV3sACEw/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WO4od7rjdJg/WOKpOyQ8idI/AAAAAAAADmo/LOmJN7yqn0w5NYLbMvvDkS4_T8kZZV3sACEw/s400/blog4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The truth is we
all have times when we are lonely.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">God placed
a longing in each of us for a relationship with Him and nothing this earth has
to offer can satisfy it.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Not even the
most wonderful human relationship can come close to a deeply intimate
relationship with our Creator.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Thankfully when He placed this desire in each of us He also gave us promises
in His word to fulfill that desire:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7tWhBsXT8M/WOKpRVw7SuI/AAAAAAAADms/Lbl0iHN8jZAYoFp7bf4QIXtBNbMB_R9hACLcB/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7tWhBsXT8M/WOKpRVw7SuI/AAAAAAAADms/Lbl0iHN8jZAYoFp7bf4QIXtBNbMB_R9hACLcB/s400/blog5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
My plea with you
today is that if you don’t have this intimate relationship with God, if you’re
seeking to fill that void in all the wrong places with all the wrong things
stop. Seek God and He will be
found. Allow Jesus to enter your life
and you will never be the same again.
His word guarantees this and my life is a living testimony to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for the
gift of loneliness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You have blessed me
richly in my loneliest times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Open hearts that are
seeking to Your truths.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen</div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-41952626890310722702017-03-31T14:37:00.000-04:002017-03-31T14:37:35.282-04:00My Ultimate<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hp6BUrzlLwc/WN6g8KNGowI/AAAAAAAADmI/SnUNZyfJp_koXqCyPr2jLD2uL8xGAWD1ACEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hp6BUrzlLwc/WN6g8KNGowI/AAAAAAAADmI/SnUNZyfJp_koXqCyPr2jLD2uL8xGAWD1ACEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">March 29, 2004<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Right now what I really want to do is to find a place or a way to
develop my writing. This may mean
classes or maybe just taking what I have written over the past months since I have
been in counseling and see just what God makes of my efforts. That is an interesting thought!</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><b><span style="color: #7030a0;">I think it was Evelyn Christenson who wrote about being
led by go to write about a particular subject.
She didn’t know where to start but as she looked at random notes she had
written over time she discovered an outline and her book came together. Maybe God has given me a book in all of the
things I have written.”</span></b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #00b050;">“At this time in my life I need a purpose
and I want it to be God’s purpose.</span></b><span style="color: #00b050;"> </span>Maybe my purpose right now is to do as
Catherine said. I need to empty myself
of 30 years of pain, bitterness, and tears.
I need to allow God to cleanse me and to begin to fill me to overflowing
with the blessings He has for me.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“I just know I want to
experience everything God has for me including the pain because if it is from
Him it is for my good. And if it’s not
from Him He will shield me if I trust Him to do so.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">“I have said that I feel like I have
been in the wilderness or desert for 30+ years.
<b><span style="color: #990033;">Isaiah
43:19 says that God is making a road through the desert and a river in the
badlands. This is His message to me that
He <u>is</u> working in my life.</span></b>
I am ready.”</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Right now what I really want to do is to find a place or a way to
develop my writing. This may mean
classes…” </span></b>I could have
written this today. I actually did take
an online writer’s course several years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I learned a great deal from it. I think it’s made a difference in how I write
for this blog and in other instances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">‘…or maybe just taking what I have written over the past months
since I have been in counseling and see just what God makes of my efforts. That is an interesting thought!”</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>Okay.
This is what I’m doing 13 years later.
I’m taking what I was writing and expounding on it. I have considered doing this in past years
but when I would try I found I just wasn’t ready. I find it interesting that I’m ready now that
God is giving me time to do more writing.
We’ll see what happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“I think it was
Evelyn Christenson who wrote about being led by God to write about a particular
subject. She didn’t know where to start
but as she looked at random notes she had written over time she discovered an
outline and her book came together. Maybe
God has given me a book in all of the things I have written.”</span></b> That’s the way I feel right now. I do feel led to write about lessons learned from
my marriage, divorce, and journey to healing.
I’m excited to see how God leads me in the coming weeks and months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #00b050;">“At this time
in my life I need a purpose and I want it to be God’s purpose.” </span></b>I need God’s purpose in my life at
every stage. Another lesson learned over
the years is that purpose changes; the reason for that purpose doesn’t. The ultimate purpose should be a desire to
please God and to serve His kingdom. God gives His child unique talents and gifts
to fulfill that ultimate purpose in various ways at different times. That’s what matters in this life. His word tells me that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_VvzoFDCBw/WN6g8DO-5FI/AAAAAAAADl8/Xm6YtfomNJ41kGUGeETT9j9_RViIjM1qgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_VvzoFDCBw/WN6g8DO-5FI/AAAAAAAADl8/Xm6YtfomNJ41kGUGeETT9j9_RViIjM1qgCEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><span style="color: #990033;">“Isaiah 43:19
says that God is making a road through the desert and a river in the
badlands. This is His message to me that
He <u>is</u> working in my life.” </span></b>God
has been and is working in my life. He
cares about every aspect of my day, every happening that affects me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I went to lunch
after writing the above and spent time thinking about this. The ultimate purpose of every follower of Jesus
Christ must be to make His name known. Everything
I do or say should reflect this purpose.
That sounds difficult maybe but I don’t think it is. Whether it’s a smile, a friendly word, a hug,
or a gentle response in a harsh world I can let people see Him in me. I really want the words I write to reflect my
faith in Jesus and to lead others to want to know this One who died so that we
might have life. Otherwise they are just
empty meaningless drivel. I want people
to know by my words and deeds that I’ve been with Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gu4i6B-uT0/WN6g8KYY4uI/AAAAAAAADmA/ihXcva0eWQQqNGfR3H25dg5JDPHbkBgPACEw/s1600/blog%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gu4i6B-uT0/WN6g8KYY4uI/AAAAAAAADmA/ihXcva0eWQQqNGfR3H25dg5JDPHbkBgPACEw/s400/blog%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I hope that my words
and deeds reflect my relationship with Your Son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Instill in me the
desire to be more like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In His Precious Name
I Pray,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Amen.</span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-67129344064726572922017-03-30T15:43:00.002-04:002017-03-30T15:43:29.995-04:00Do you have:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AF_lBqGxpas/WN1fXW5Pu7I/AAAAAAAADlE/dhXLqcRbU7Qc3NVef6dVkPpx4bN_0ZaXACEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AF_lBqGxpas/WN1fXW5Pu7I/AAAAAAAADlE/dhXLqcRbU7Qc3NVef6dVkPpx4bN_0ZaXACEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 29, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’ve been asking God to remove
anything in my life that may be hindering His work and plan for me. Yesterday Adrian Rogers preached on Abraham’s
command to sacrifice Isaac and it was discussed in another of my devotionals
this morning. We are to give everything,
especially the things we love, to God. I’ve
asked Him to reveal to me any person, possession, desire, anything I am holding
onto.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“The devotional book <u>Alone
with God</u> said that I’m to create a circle around myself that is God’s and
His alone. I want to do that.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">“When I think of what I really want to do
my thoughts always go to writing. At the
same time I feel afraid and I know fear is not from God. I don’t know where or how to start. I can write my thoughts but writing to be
published is frightening. And I don’t
know how to get anything published. What
is the first step of faith I’m to take?”</span></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> “I’m realizing more and more
that I am basically a solitary person. I
really don’t mind being alone; in fact, I enjoy it most of the time.</span></b><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>I do desire to have a small circle of
good friends to talk to and do things with.
I’m just not interested in being the life of the party or in the middle
of all kinds of action.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“The dream that is taking shape in my heart
and mind even as I write this is to be able to stay home and write.</span></b><span style="color: #7030a0;"> <b>To have a home of my own, with or without a
husband, where I can create an atmosphere of Christian hospitality for anyone God
may bring my way. To create an atmosphere
of warmth, love, safety and gentleness for women who need a place of refuge.</b> </span>That dream is still in my heart.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I love how God works
in my life. When I read these words it
soothes me and gives great joy to my heart knowing that my Father cares about
the tiniest aspects of my day. He doesn’t
force anything on me but when I seek His guidance through His word, prayer,
books, people, etc. He always responds in ways I cannot miss. Keeping my eyes and ears open for His voice
leads to some wonderful discoveries.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: #00b050;">“When I think
of what I really want to do my thoughts always go to writing. At the same time I feel afraid and I know
fear is not from God. I don’t know where
or how to start. I can write my thoughts
but writing to be published is frightening.
And I don’t know how to get anything published. What is the first step of faith I’m to take?” </span></b>This is still true today. Every last word of it! I’ve tried giving up the thought of writing a
book but it won’t go away. I really don’t
know what form it would take. That’s one
of the things I’ll be exploring in the hours of freedom God is giving to
me. I firmly believe that when a
thought is from God it will not let go of you as long as you are seeking His
will. And if it is His will He’ll make
the way as I take steps of faith. The
first step I believe I need to here is to sit down at my computer and start
writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I find the last
two paragraphs to seem to be contradictory.
<b><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">“I’m realizing more and
more that I am basically a solitary person.
I really don’t mind being alone; in fact, I enjoy it most of the time.”</span></b><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“The dream that is taking shape in my heart and mind even
as I write this is to be able to stay home and write.</span></b><span style="color: #7030a0;"> <b>To have a home of my own, with or without a
husband, where I can create an atmosphere of Christian hospitality for anyone God
may bring my way. To create an atmosphere
of warmth, love, safety and gentleness for women who need a place of refuge.”</b> </span>These
two thoughts seem to be opposites to me.
I like being alone but I want a place where others feel welcome. I need to reflect on this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The truth is
this is still a dream I have today. I
still like being alone. I still would
love to have a place that could be a refuge for hurting women. I don’t believe the two desires cancel each
other out. I know that if this is of God He will make it
happen just like He will my writing if He desires. I don’t know what form this make take but I believe. I’m really excited about the journey I’m set
to embark on in just a few weeks. I can’t
wait to see where God takes me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Do you have
dream you believe is from God? Hold on
to it. Take steps to make it
happen. Keep moving forward unless God closes
the door. It may take days, months, or
years. However, if God is in it He’ll
bring you to it and through it. It will
be more than any dream you’ve ever had.
It will be God-sized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlqshjMvFOE/WN1fVDn1yYI/AAAAAAAADlA/HND4FB06ntEEfiaxy18b5mITgid5mc_NQCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlqshjMvFOE/WN1fVDn1yYI/AAAAAAAADlA/HND4FB06ntEEfiaxy18b5mITgid5mc_NQCLcB/s400/blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I don’t know what my
future holds but You do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I make myself
available to Your plans.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Place in me the
dreams You have for my life and enable me to live them out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-51785994256130583682017-03-29T14:06:00.002-04:002017-03-29T14:06:33.797-04:00Question for today:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfNZYYd6XbU/WNv3KrAH5zI/AAAAAAAADks/PmrpdpI2gf8F923FcP1WyrICSCXfAUU2wCEw/s1600/blog2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfNZYYd6XbU/WNv3KrAH5zI/AAAAAAAADks/PmrpdpI2gf8F923FcP1WyrICSCXfAUU2wCEw/s320/blog2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 29, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dH2Z7_TZ_hA/WNv3K7RtbII/AAAAAAAADkw/7Os0TsCY-_YwSgv16uu4-wBvv_OhfSszQCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dH2Z7_TZ_hA/WNv3K7RtbII/AAAAAAAADkw/7Os0TsCY-_YwSgv16uu4-wBvv_OhfSszQCEw/s400/blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I believe God is trying to tell
me something. I read these verses in one
of my email devotionals this morning and I decided to memorize them. At lunch today I was reading from <u>Getting
Past Your Past</u> by Susan Wilkerson when she quoted the same two verses. She was talking about giving up the dream
that had failed and dreaming a new one."</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“’Dreaming is simply envisioning
what your purpose might be. But what if
you don’t perceive a new dream?’ (p.
168). Then she quoted Isaiah
43:18-19. Then: ‘The implication of this…is that some people
have trouble seeing the new thing God is doing.
If you cannot perceive the new dream God has designed for you, try
spending time with people who might see what you don’t.’ (p. 169)”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“This spoke to me because I have
been under extreme conviction for 2 or 3 weeks now. The failure of my marriage has been weighing
on my mind because things were happening a year ago. As I approach April 4<sup>th</sup>, it seems
to be getting worse. This morning I
awoke to that old feeling of fear and dread.
I was shaking and felt like I was being physically attacked. I believe God is getting ready to do
something ‘brand-new’ in my life and Satan is trying to hinder it.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I love it when
God hits me over the head with something and that’s what happened in this
case. Any time I read a portion of
scripture more than once in my quiet time or before the day is over I perk up
and pay attention. I don’t believe in
coincidence and I know that God uses various ways to get His point across. The most effective way and the best way is
through His word. The thing is, I have to
read it to hear His voice. That’s one
of the reasons I treasure my quiet time each morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
My dream when I
was younger was to have a great marriage and to live a long and happy life with
my husband. Well, that didn’t happen,
did it? Now I had to give up the dream
that had failed and dream a new one.
This is what I was seeking and Satan was not happy about that. I remember this particular morning like it
was yesterday. The fear was so thick in
my apartment you could cut it with a knife.
I have learned over the years that when Satan attacks I’m on the right
track and I just need to rebuke him and rest in my Savior. It sounds easy but it’s difficult when you’re
in the middle of a spiritual attack.
What I really wanted to do that morning was pull the covers over my head
and curl up in a fetal position.
Thankfully, my faith won out and I took the next step. That’s all it takes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Thirteen years
ago I dreamed a new dream of working at a church in Lexington, KY. God gave me that dream and I’m still loving
it. However, all these years later He
seems to be adding to that dream. I’m
not certain what this new dream is yet but I’m excited about it. The first of May I will continue working part
time at a job I enjoy while seeking His leading for the free hours I’ll now
have. Tomorrow’s post will share some
unanswered dreams I had that may yet be fulfilled. Only God knows at this point and that’s
really all that matters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
What are you God
given dreams? Don’t give up on them
unless God closes the door. God gives
the dream and then gives the ability to pursue that dream to those who know
Him. Keep dreaming and keep
seeking. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You place a dream in
my heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You give me what I need
to follow that dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-8040645294458604302017-03-28T15:17:00.002-04:002017-03-28T15:17:41.254-04:00Remember:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9gdlWS0O4I/WNq2psqNq9I/AAAAAAAADkU/8oPatpaS0U8h_a-WrySeafPU-Py9EInNwCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9gdlWS0O4I/WNq2psqNq9I/AAAAAAAADkU/8oPatpaS0U8h_a-WrySeafPU-Py9EInNwCLcB/s200/blog1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 27, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“From <u>Getting Past Your Past</u>
by Susan Wilkinson (p. 158). ‘God is
completely sovereign and thoroughly good, no matter what the circumstances…Our
pain is never for nothing—even the pain caused by our own poor choices.’”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“In this book the author says God
does not have a plan A and B and C etc. for our lives. He is not caught by surprise by the choices
we make or by things that are done to us.
Because He is God and He knows what is going to come into our lives, He
uses all these things to prepare us for the purpose for which we were
created. This makes sense to me and is
so freeing. Not that I want to mess up
anymore. But I can move past my past and
into the present and future with the assurance that He is and has been in
control. Now, when I began regretting, I
will remember this, rebuke Satan, and ask Jesus to reveal His thoughts to
me. Praise God!”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Wow! I’d forgotten about this. I’m so glad God led me to write my thoughts
and that I included this. I’m so glad God
led me to revisit what I wrote during this time. This journey into my past is blessing me in
ways I cannot fathom. He is such a
wonderful Heavenly Father!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
There are
moments when I wonder what my life would look like if I had made different
choices. I cannot regret my marriage because
from it God blessed me with 3 wonderful children and my beautiful and handsome
grandchildren. If I regret anything it
would be instances from my marriage, times I should have stood up for myself or
my kids, times I should have spoken up when I disagreed with opinions he
expressed, times I allowed fear to keep me from doing what I knew was right and
best. I will say that when it came to my
kids I did protect them as best I could.
I do regret the times I failed but I no longer blame myself. I know I did the best I could at that
time. It’s what was and I believe God has
used it to make each of us stronger. I’m
extremely thankful for the adults my kids have become and I give God all the
glory!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
As a child of God,
saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and called to serve Him while I walk
on this earth, I’m grateful that He is sovereign. Nothing surprises Him or catches Him off
guard. He uses the hard times to teach
me lessons that will enable me to be a better servant and witness to a lost
world. I believe my purpose is to live
each moment of each day the best I can serving Him as He leads and opens
doors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I use to
believe that we were all called to some “big important purpose” before we leave
this earth. Over time I’ve come to
realize that the best purpose a child of The King has is to daily love and
encourage others while speaking the truth even when it’s not popular. He may have something major planned for my
life. I don’t know. I don’t care at this point. I just want to live in a way that pleases
Him, shares His light and love in a dark world, and makes a difference in one
life. If He has more than that for me to
do He’ll reveal it in His time. Until
then I’ll just keep living each day for Him open to possibilities and ready to
say yes. I think this song says it well:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-pCRdNc11NM" width="459"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for taking
away any regrets I may have and replacing them with a purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Please open my eyes
to opportunities to serve You by helping others daily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for
allowing me to have a small part in Your Kingdom work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-47338980995133587302017-03-27T14:55:00.000-04:002017-03-27T14:55:44.922-04:00You get to<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH8HllCqdWg/WNlfSpeClbI/AAAAAAAADj8/NjvMftsPEUMh5nY28gpamzolIahqVpkrgCEw/s1600/blog1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RH8HllCqdWg/WNlfSpeClbI/AAAAAAAADj8/NjvMftsPEUMh5nY28gpamzolIahqVpkrgCEw/s200/blog1.png" width="200" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 27, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“Last night I was crying again
and I thought about what Catherine said about me being empty and needing to be
filled by God. I think that I’m full of
over 30 years of unshed tears of frustration, hurt, failure, despair, and so
many other negative feelings. I wasn’t
allowed to show emotion or to cry much for all those years. When I did hurt or cry I was rarely
comforted. I was made to feel like my
feelings didn’t matter or were wrong.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I believe God is emptying me of
all these hurtful burdens so He can fill me with the goodness He has for
me. I believe this is a process I have
to experience to truly be free and to receive and be filled with all that God has
in store for me.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m so weary of crying and of
feeling like I do right now but I choose to believe that on the other side of
this pain and despair I will find God’s peace, joy and purpose for my
life. In other words, <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I choose to walk by faith, not by sight or feelings.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
One of the
lessons I’ve learned over the last 14 years is that this is not a onetime
process. The hurts and trials of life
take their toll on me over time. My tank
will be emptied as the ups and downs of each day take a little out of me as I try
to serve as a child of God. There is
nothing this world offers that can nourish my soul, heart, mind, and body to
replenish what is depleted. Only God has
what I need. Only He can fill me to
overflowing with peace, joy, and love. It’s
in the quiet moments of each morning that His voice speaks life to me so that I
can in turn share life with others. It’s
actually a pretty amazing process. When I fill up each morning my tank never
empties. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
All those years
ago I had to empty myself of so much junk.
It wasn’t an easy or a quick task.
Was it worth it? Definitely. It was like having surgery to remove an
infection. The process is painful but life
changing. The scars remain as reminders
of what I went through and how far God has brought me. The lessons learned instilled in me a desire
to know more about and receive more of God.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
One of the best
lessons learned is <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">“I choose to walk by
faith, not by sight or feelings.” </span></b>I’ve
stepped out in faith many times in the last few years. I’m doing it right now with my beginning to
work part time on May 1. I firmly
believe this is of God and He has plans for my life that I do not see right
now. I’m excited to see what He has
planned for me in this stage of my life.
Because of His faithfulness over the years I have no fear as I face the
unknown. He’s never let me down before
and He will not let me down now. I also
know from experience this doesn’t mean the path will be easy. If fact, I’m certain it won’t be. God doesn’t call me into my comfort zone; He
calls me out of it into His amazing magnificent work. What an awesome journey this will be!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3olBbp41HQ/WNlfSvJazuI/AAAAAAAADj4/UQHp4RMFbx8gHdvrYCwEpj2-voyUcU63ACLcB/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3olBbp41HQ/WNlfSvJazuI/AAAAAAAADj4/UQHp4RMFbx8gHdvrYCwEpj2-voyUcU63ACLcB/s320/blog2.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You have done such a
marvelous work in my life!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I pray that my
actions will reflect my gratitude and commitment to Your work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I choose to walk by
faith as You lead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-54675520829974942292017-03-17T11:52:00.001-04:002017-03-17T11:52:19.784-04:00Do they matter?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-RSjRRrBO8/WMwEPraO3TI/AAAAAAAADjc/nw_XZiz-51oDY249BvsO8khKMcbOmSengCLcB/s1600/blog6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-RSjRRrBO8/WMwEPraO3TI/AAAAAAAADjc/nw_XZiz-51oDY249BvsO8khKMcbOmSengCLcB/s320/blog6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<u>Journal Entry:</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 16, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“One of the lessons I’ve learned
through all of this is the power we can have for good or evil over people in
our lives. My ex took my voice and made
me invisible. He separated me from the
people who should have been so important in my life. I want to draw people closer to God and to
each other with my actions.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Words
matter.</b></span> The old saying <v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" style="height: 30.75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 57.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape> is not true. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWaCZKdQEIw/WMwEPjxQpVI/AAAAAAAADjU/XBN1-c0iDLkc57rY1h_18DN2YX6UlEuXQCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWaCZKdQEIw/WMwEPjxQpVI/AAAAAAAADjU/XBN1-c0iDLkc57rY1h_18DN2YX6UlEuXQCEw/s200/blog1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Words can cut deep into a person’s soul
creating invisible wounds that never heal.
Physical wounds are terrible but they do heal over time. It’s the psychological impact those wounds
have on a person that cause the deepest pain.
When someone who has professed love for you is the one inflicting the
pain it magnifies the trauma many times over.
It reaches deep into your psyche telling you that you are worthless and
unlovable. You begin to believe you
deserve to be abused. When I found this
it was as if I had written it:<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C29thBn7k7s/WMwEO2xe8sI/AAAAAAAADjI/ADBL3mexgQQ5OpPFKI9LVDPW0nGWXGIPwCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C29thBn7k7s/WMwEO2xe8sI/AAAAAAAADjI/ADBL3mexgQQ5OpPFKI9LVDPW0nGWXGIPwCEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Actions
matter.</b></span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It doesn’t have to be actual
physical abuse to cause pain.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Isolating someone,
treating them with contempt, uncalled for anger, or just a condescending
attitude causes a person to withdraw into a shell like a turtle for
protection.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">That’s what I did.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It’s not a healthy way to live life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Eh6FBVwsBU/WMwEO7eU3zI/AAAAAAAADjM/i0XaP5t-3VIeJiBTHQ7jLCQrCslFdWbJwCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Eh6FBVwsBU/WMwEO7eU3zI/AAAAAAAADjM/i0XaP5t-3VIeJiBTHQ7jLCQrCslFdWbJwCEw/s200/blog3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m so thankful
that God delivered me from that life.
Since then He’s brought people into my life who have spoken kindness and
love to me. Their actions have shown
mercy, grace, and love many times over. Today
thanks to God’s goodness and those who answered when He called, instead of a
scared turtle I’m a soaring butterfly. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mf118d7JF-4/WMwEPhOLb9I/AAAAAAAADjY/ZIvXMoH43dAqs-9z4q1qlWo9p0M5LwZygCEw/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mf118d7JF-4/WMwEPhOLb9I/AAAAAAAADjY/ZIvXMoH43dAqs-9z4q1qlWo9p0M5LwZygCEw/s200/blog4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">God is not
finished with me yet.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I know because I know
me and I know how far I’ve come and how far I’ve yet to go.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">One of my greatest desires is to repay the
favor shown to me by Him and others by treating people with the love and
respect a child of God deserves.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This is
done by being nice in traffic, treating customer service people with kindness,
smiling at a stranger, hugging a friend, listening to a hurting soul, and in so
many other ways.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">As Jesus Himself said:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziWq3aWg1ig/WMwEPE7dDUI/AAAAAAAADjg/J3KRyDKLVsAxhfwr_MhJrgA0QbIpYEUAwCEw/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziWq3aWg1ig/WMwEPE7dDUI/AAAAAAAADjg/J3KRyDKLVsAxhfwr_MhJrgA0QbIpYEUAwCEw/s320/blog5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Words and
actions matter. Neither can be taken
back once they’re out there. Harsh
words and actions bring pain. Kind words
and actions bring healing. What a
wonderful world this would be if only kind words were spoken and kind actions
performed!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You have worked
miracles in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Remind me daily to be
kind to others as others have been kind to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-40357857206725740542017-03-16T12:27:00.001-04:002017-03-16T12:27:56.027-04:00Thankful for:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVoIOoJP0pc/WMq7oW0BeTI/AAAAAAAADiw/Rr7hnNnmFx09OcZ97b5K9nZNinCTow6TgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FVoIOoJP0pc/WMq7oW0BeTI/AAAAAAAADiw/Rr7hnNnmFx09OcZ97b5K9nZNinCTow6TgCEw/s200/blog2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal Entry:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 16, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“<span style="color: blue;"><b>Molly</b></span> called. She had suggestions for me as to job possibilities
and is going to keep her eyes and ears open for me. Worked on resume and cover letter-sent them
to <span style="color: blue;"><b>Bill</b></span> to critique and edit.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The first thing
that came to mind when I read this is family and friends. Where would I be without them? From the beginning of this journey to this
day God has place people in my life who have loved, encouraged, confronted when
needed, and just been there for me. They’ve
laughed and cried with me. Some of them
have walked a short way on the path with me bringing just what I needed at that
time. Many have been by my side for the
entire trip. What a blessing they’ve
each been in their own way!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m not going
to try to name them all. Many have been
mentioned already before in this blog. I’m
sure I’ll mention others in future posts.
The thing they all have in common is a willingness to reach out to
someone who was hurting and seeking and needing a helping hand. They all took time out of their busy lives to
make a difference in my life. I remember
each one of them to this day with thankfulness and love. I am going to talk about the two mentioned in
this entry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Molly</b></span> is one of
my dearest friends in the world. She’s become
a sister to me. She’s been with me
through good and bad times. She’s taken
care of me through surgeries, helped me move, gone on trips to Georgia, shared
many a meal, enjoyed Gaither concerts, and loved my puppy just to name a few
things. We’ve shared prayer concerns,
family matters, joys, sorrows, much laughter, and some tears. We can go weeks without speaking but if I
need her all I have to do is call. She’s
truly a gift from God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Bill</b></span>. What can I say? I tell people he was the finest Christian man
I’ve ever known and I’ve known some good ones.
Yes, I said was. God took him
Home 4 years ago last month. I may talk
about that on another day but today I want to focus on who he was in this
life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
This man was my
brother-in-law. He came into my life
when he started dating my sister in February 1968. From the beginning he treated this spoiled
bratty little sister with respect. He
became my brother when he married Pat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
If I tried to
list all the ways he supported me over the years it would fill more pages than
one can imagine. He was there for me financially,
emotionally, or with any questions or concerns I had. I tell people he was my go to guy for legal
or any other kind of advice. He was
always willing to listen to and give me great advice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
All of the
cousins adored that man. He became a
father figure to my kids. In fact,
everyone in our family adored Bill. He
became the human rock of our family. His
faith in God was evident to everyone who ever met him. His sense of humor was unique and always made
us laugh. His generosity was unmatched. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The one thing I
will always remember about Bill was his encouragement as I created this new
life after my divorce. I’d call him and
say, “I’m not sure I can do this”. His
reply was always “why not?” He never let
me doubt myself or my abilities. If
there was anything he could do to support me he did it. There was never any pressure to succeed, just
encouragement. If I tried something and
it didn’t work out there was no problem.
Just move on to the next thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
No, he was not
perfect because there’s only been one perfect Person to ever walk this
earth. However, he was as close as I’ve
seen in my lifetime. I miss him still.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The point of
this post is that God uses His children to minister to those who are lost,
seeking, hurting, or in any kind of need.
His word tells us to<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3bH7iFCEE4/WMq7oYoBjZI/AAAAAAAADis/zoB8y7mHNPEnfcYC7CE9z44_Q6L2dxroQCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3bH7iFCEE4/WMq7oYoBjZI/AAAAAAAADis/zoB8y7mHNPEnfcYC7CE9z44_Q6L2dxroQCEw/s200/blog1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
This just what so many people
have done and are doing for me still today.
My hope is that in my words and actions I do the same for others. It’s through the presence of God in my life
that I’m able to share His love, mercy and grace with others. What a joyful way to live!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for
bringing so many wonderful people into my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Today I thank You
especially for Molly and Bill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Enable me to share
the kindnesses they have shown to me with others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-26941535356351395002017-03-15T14:10:00.002-04:002017-03-15T14:10:26.827-04:00Who I depend on to get me<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5DaVGKenEo/WMmCpFwxFWI/AAAAAAAADic/JG99AXNx5qMT9nmdTguZE3Cttmb4GfmTwCEw/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5DaVGKenEo/WMmCpFwxFWI/AAAAAAAADic/JG99AXNx5qMT9nmdTguZE3Cttmb4GfmTwCEw/s200/blog5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 15, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I didn’t leave my apartment all
weekend. Didn’t even go to church. I had a headache for part of it and just
seemed to need some time alone. I know
that seems odd since I’m alone so much but this was different. I cry very easily right now but it’s not the
sobbing heart wrenching crying that I’ve done before. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">I’m deepening my relationship with God and I asked Him to
break my heart and to mold me back the way He wants me to be. That’s the kind of crying I’ve been
doing. Just tears of sorrow, repentance,
cleansing, relief, and healing. </span><span style="color: #0070c0;">I’m also reliving this time last year. I’m seeing more clearly what was happening in
my marriage and my life and it hurts.
April 4<sup>th</sup> will be one year since he told me and the memories
are painful but, with God’s help I’m dealing with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0;">I’m deepening
my relationship with God and I asked Him to break my heart and to mold me back
the way He wants me to be. That’s the
kind of crying I’ve been doing. Just tears
of sorrow, repentance, cleansing, relief, and healing. </span></b>Be careful what you ask God to do
in your life. When I read this I thought
of this song:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
The
Potter’s Hand by Darlene Zschech<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;">Beautiful Lord,
Wonderful Saviour</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I know for sure, all of my days are held in your
hands, crafted</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Into Your perfect plan</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">You gently call me into your presence guiding me
by Your Holy Spirit</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through
Your eyes</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> I'm
captured by Your holy calling</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Set me apart, I know you're drawing me to yourself</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Lead me Lord I pray</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-align: start;">Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #7030a0; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I give my life to the Potter's hand</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I give my life to the Potter's hand</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
</span></b><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">You gently call me into Your presence</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Teach me dear Lord to live through Your eyes</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I'm captured by Your holy calling</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Set me apart, I know your drawing me to yourself</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Lead me lord I pray</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me</span></b><b><span style="color: #7030a0; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I give my life to the Potter's hand</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me</span></span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I give my life to the Potter's hand</span></span></span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
God has done this in my life in various times and ways over the past 13
years but this weekend in 2004 was the most intense because my emotions were so
raw and my yearnings so deep and strong.
I longed for God to work in me as He saw fit. He is the Potter and I am the clay and my
desire still is to be molded to His plan and purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KVdoQEEX-I/WMmCoyQlncI/AAAAAAAADiU/OJzJPUQ1AxsFURDqu3ExqQoiwt5zGJ8PACEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8KVdoQEEX-I/WMmCoyQlncI/AAAAAAAADiU/OJzJPUQ1AxsFURDqu3ExqQoiwt5zGJ8PACEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p><b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">“I’m also
reliving this time last year. I’m seeing
more clearly what was happening in my marriage and my life and it hurts. April 4<sup>th</sup> will be one year since
he told me and the memories are painful but, with God’s help I’m dealing with
them.” </span></b><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Sometimes it’s hard to
see things clearly. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">God was opening my
eyes to the realities of what I had experienced.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This made me angry with my ex but I believe I
was angrier with myself for allowing him to treat me like he did.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">With God’s help I’ve forgiven myself and my
ex (not just once but it’s a continuing process).</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Each time Satan brings the memories back it
gets easier to forgive.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The pain is
mostly gone; it’s the anger at certain things that I’m having issues with
now.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">A memory will surface, I get angry,
I talk to God, I forgive all over again, and move on.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m being transformed as my mind is renewed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl0MvDN1kXw/WMmCo6L67yI/AAAAAAAADiY/M6ZCFwVQhdocDJssIPGg3Df-fkXmjvAFACEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl0MvDN1kXw/WMmCo6L67yI/AAAAAAAADiY/M6ZCFwVQhdocDJssIPGg3Df-fkXmjvAFACEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Ask anyone who
knows me very well and they will tell you that I love butterflies.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This is why.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">God has changed me just as He does a caterpillar.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I think the last 14 years having been my
cocoon stage where little by little I’ve been prepared for whatever He’s
planned for me.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">He’s renewed every part
of my being and given me wings to soar.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m
so excited about the new opportunities I believe He’s preparing for me at this
stage of my life.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I’m so thankful
for God who listens to my cry. I’m
thankful that He’s willing to take me through the hard stuff because that’s
where my faith grows and my life finds meaning.
Notice I said He takes me through.
He doesn’t send me or leave me alone to face these difficult times. He goes before, beside, and behind me. When necessary He carries me. The sacrifice of His Son on the cross made
this possible. He bridged the gap sin
created so that I can have a relationship with the Father. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y68m_gkLuJU/WMmCo7JXNnI/AAAAAAAADiQ/04QApLClrPcRU-TnmgdZ_KrMSUIoolEQwCLcB/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y68m_gkLuJU/WMmCo7JXNnI/AAAAAAAADiQ/04QApLClrPcRU-TnmgdZ_KrMSUIoolEQwCLcB/s320/blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
I
am so thankful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Through.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
What a wonderful
word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Because of Jesus You
go with me through the ups and downs of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In His Precious Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-14713613767309059032017-03-14T16:05:00.000-04:002017-03-14T16:05:05.246-04:00Developing<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7Ami-j9Hs4/WMhK-heF0VI/AAAAAAAADh0/_d6BJdj4bJAB3--78MruE-vRb2iI4DnCwCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7Ami-j9Hs4/WMhK-heF0VI/AAAAAAAADh0/_d6BJdj4bJAB3--78MruE-vRb2iI4DnCwCEw/s400/blog3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri:</u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 14, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“One thing that has been impressed on me
during the past years is how busy people are.
No one has time to <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">listen</span></b> to anyone any more. No one has time to spend with friends, family
or just people who need a <span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>listening</b> </span>ear any more. I believe go is calling me to a ministry of being,
not of doing: being available, being a
friend, and being a <b><span style="color: #134f5c;">listener</span></b>.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I’m not judging people who are
busy. There are seasons in each life
when we have to be busy to prepare for God’s work. I feel like I’ve been busy trying to please a
man who I could never please for 32 years.
Now I believe God is telling me to slow down and smell the roses. <b><span style="color: blue;"> I need to take care of myself, not in a
selfish way, but in a way that draws me closer to Him and allows me the time,
energy, and resources to minister to others.”</span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></blockquote>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">“Listen”</span><span style="color: #0070c0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZeGbGenbf4/WMhK_sxTYtI/AAAAAAAADh4/hk0q3E9XYksU6j3kpG2Z6SGZAv0tXW8bgCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lZeGbGenbf4/WMhK_sxTYtI/AAAAAAAADh4/hk0q3E9XYksU6j3kpG2Z6SGZAv0tXW8bgCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>"Listening"</b></span> is
not easy. I’m doing better than I was
but it’s still a struggle. I’m still too
“me” centered. I believe this is one
reason God gave me the job of receptionist/ministry assistant at a church. I’ve had to learn to listen to pastors, ministry
assistants, visitors, salespeople, etc.
Mostly I’ve learned to listen to church members. I’m the ministry assistant to the Senior
Adult Pastor and working with these wonderful seniors has been such a blessing.
By listening to them I’ve learned much
about life, love, commitment, and more.
I’ve also seen faith in action through these friends who have lived long,
productive, and often difficult lives. I’ve
truly been blessed by being in this place at this time of my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">“I need to take
care of myself, not in a selfish way, but in a way that draws me closer to Him
and allows me the time, energy, and resources to minister to others.”</span><span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span></b>This is the listening that matters
and enables me to be a better listener. God
listens to me. I must take time to
listen to Him. When I spend time each
morning with Him my day just goes better.
Everything doesn’t go the way I want it to but my actions and reactions
reflect that I’ve been with Him. That’s
what I mean by taking care of myself. No
one takes better care of me than my heavenly Father!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Learn to
listen. You’ll be amazed at the things
you learn and the difference you make. God’s
word says to:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wbqV--bGo/WMhK-pNGsQI/AAAAAAAADhw/ZnFyhMXN8Ck9PZWvpmKTzRsZ2xfh2LI4QCEw/s1600/blog2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7wbqV--bGo/WMhK-pNGsQI/AAAAAAAADhw/ZnFyhMXN8Ck9PZWvpmKTzRsZ2xfh2LI4QCEw/s320/blog2.png" width="274" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for
teaching me by example to listen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Increase my desire to
listen to You and to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Open my ears and
heart to hear Your truth and the heart cry of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-14500784462682690122017-03-13T15:15:00.002-04:002017-03-13T15:15:45.903-04:00Help in<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq9sinsQmg8/WMbuGq7DuLI/AAAAAAAADhQ/DFPPVSjKlLgjxk6DLF30QdFSO1jH69UpwCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kq9sinsQmg8/WMbuGq7DuLI/AAAAAAAADhQ/DFPPVSjKlLgjxk6DLF30QdFSO1jH69UpwCEw/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal Entry March 11, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“My devotion this morning says
to create a <b><span style="background: blue; color: cyan; mso-highlight: blue;">safe place</span></b> for yourself when you’ve
been hurt. I believe that is what I’m to
do right now.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
That first year
I did create a <b><span style="background: blue; color: cyan; mso-highlight: blue;">“safe place”</span></b><span style="background: blue; color: cyan; mso-highlight: blue;">.</span><span style="color: cyan;"> </span>My apartment
was my shelter from the world. The thing
is even though it was a safe place for me the feelings of abandonment, sorrow,
fear, and every other emotion I was feeling entered the door every time I did. It wasn’t a safe place because those feelings
couldn’t find me there, it was a safe place because I didn’t have to pretend
any more. I could be real and honest
with the One who knows me best and who listens and cares. I could cry, sob, scream into my pillow (it
was an apartment after all), laugh, sing, moan, and cry out to God as much and
as often as needed. It was so therapeutic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The thing is
there is only one genuine <b><span style="background: blue; color: cyan; mso-highlight: blue;">“safe place”</span></b><span style="color: cyan;"> </span>to be found in this crazy world. I say along with the psalmist:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSxTEQM9JB0/WMbuG3Xj3qI/AAAAAAAADhY/ki5UrXt4so8ZYqjuBap9uf_t2Jr86eB4gCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSxTEQM9JB0/WMbuG3Xj3qI/AAAAAAAADhY/ki5UrXt4so8ZYqjuBap9uf_t2Jr86eB4gCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
God alone is my <b><span style="background: blue; color: cyan; mso-highlight: blue;">“safe place”</span>.</b>
What’s wonderful about that is because His Spirit dwells within me He
goes wherever I go. I don’t have to “create
a safe place”. He’s in me always. He’s with me everywhere. He promised this in His word:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wzs8i79Kys/WMbuG20cMfI/AAAAAAAADhU/Qfjc7cHaCrMwR4u1NXsF4Fzz1ZOlUe4dgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wzs8i79Kys/WMbuG20cMfI/AAAAAAAADhU/Qfjc7cHaCrMwR4u1NXsF4Fzz1ZOlUe4dgCEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
These promises
are for the child of God who has invited His Son into his/her life. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made
this safe place possible. He is the One
who sends the Holy Spirit to walk with me in this life. He has hemmed me in before and behind (Psalm
139:5). There are so many promises in
His word of His presence being with me.
I believe He means it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Psalm 23 is a
perfect description of being in the safe place with God: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLXZjsbjHmQ/WMbuHP1cdQI/AAAAAAAADhc/TgzTNC6GLAcNrzVTq6LOo8rvQU-ARgblwCLcB/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLXZjsbjHmQ/WMbuHP1cdQI/AAAAAAAADhc/TgzTNC6GLAcNrzVTq6LOo8rvQU-ARgblwCLcB/s640/blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-color: #274e13; color: yellow;"><i>Hallelujah! What a Savior!</i></span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You are my “safe
place”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen!</div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-21536600962490638852017-03-10T14:06:00.000-05:002017-03-10T14:06:19.832-05:00Which path?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkZmYTgn5RQ/WML4CdJwpYI/AAAAAAAADg0/3Ong35Yme58Qm2TEf0siMao9istGH7euQCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkZmYTgn5RQ/WML4CdJwpYI/AAAAAAAADg0/3Ong35Yme58Qm2TEf0siMao9istGH7euQCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal Entry March 10, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I believe I am to look in
Lexington for a job and apartment.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
This one simple
statement was the beginning of a monumental journey in my life. It’s amazing to me how God plants a thought
in my brain and a desire in my heart. The
key is listening to His voice and saying yes to His will. I think about the blessings I would have
missed if I had allowed fear to keep me from taking one simple step. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I had said many
times if I could live anywhere (besides the beach<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>)
I’d live in Lexington. I loved growing up
there. I never felt at home in the Louisville
area but Lexington has always felt like where I belong. I also had a deep desire to work at a
church. However, this was not just going
to fall into my lap. I needed to step
out in faith.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
What was that
step? I contacted my friend Molly in
Lexington and asked her if she knew of any churches that were hiring. Then I
waited to see what God would do. I knew
that He was in control and would provide the perfect place that He wanted me to
be when the time was right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Is God calling
you to step out in faith? It’s
scary. If it’s not, it’s probably not
from God. He doesn’t call us to do the
easy. He calls us out of our comfort
zone. He wants us to depend on His
strength, His guidance, His knowledge to accomplish His purpose for our lives. He doesn’t’ force it. He gives us the choice to follow, to step
out, to obey. And when we do, wow, what
a blessing it becomes. Not easy, not
without struggle, not always popular, but always best.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I’ve been on
this particular path for 13 years today when I wrote that simple
statement. Today there are signs God is
opening a new chapter in my life and I’m excited to see where this path will
lead. On May 1 I will begin working part
time at my present job. I’m opening myself
up to what God would have me to do with the free hours each week. I know
He will guide because His word says:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YzJB2IK9o3g/WML4Chvhd3I/AAAAAAAADg4/bqT5PBUZQvYF5aZdFVOJqa_eOjUIXpDBACLcB/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YzJB2IK9o3g/WML4Chvhd3I/AAAAAAAADg4/bqT5PBUZQvYF5aZdFVOJqa_eOjUIXpDBACLcB/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Fear is not from You.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Your word You tell
us often “Do not fear”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Help me to always take
that first step because it is the hardest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for
directing my paths.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In Jesus’ Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-4872023549068948472017-03-08T14:48:00.000-05:002017-03-08T14:48:02.680-05:00I am...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AyNkIERC_6Y/WMBcwTJaE-I/AAAAAAAADgU/dUWn55-3dwETVfWUvupC2UJ_eziCeXMTACEw/s1600/blog1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AyNkIERC_6Y/WMBcwTJaE-I/AAAAAAAADgU/dUWn55-3dwETVfWUvupC2UJ_eziCeXMTACEw/s320/blog1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal entry March 8, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="background-color: black; color: #33ccff;">“I do desire a relationship but with
someone who cherishes me and lets me be me.”</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I know that
when I wrote this back in 2004 I was thinking of a human relationship, a man
who would cherish and love me for who I am and not try to change me. When I read this today I realized that I’ve
had that kind of relationship since Jesus came into my life and that was a long
time ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
I am cherished
by this One who left Heaven to live life on this earth so He could experience
and understand this life I live. I am
cherished by this One who walked and taught and loved as an example for me
while He lived this life. I am cherished
by this One who gave His life for me. I
am cherished by this One who ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for me. I am cherished by this One who intercedes for
me before His Father. I am cherished by
this One who is waiting to welcome me Home one day. I am cherished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rC_LtN4EfY/WMBdYUI2-ZI/AAAAAAAADgY/nqJHaCRhXnccmvBCNjwgY5RlfF7fl49bgCLcB/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rC_LtN4EfY/WMBdYUI2-ZI/AAAAAAAADgY/nqJHaCRhXnccmvBCNjwgY5RlfF7fl49bgCLcB/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus knows and
understands me. He does help me change
but it is always for the best. He wants
me to the person I was created to be which is wonderful. He allows me to make choices and when I make
the wrong one He’s still there helping me pick up the pieces. He doesn’t ridicule or accuse me. He lovingly guides me on the path that He’s
prepared for me. This is so different
from the way I was treated in my marriage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
For as long as
I can remember, through the good and bad, the easy and difficult, the glad and
sad, Jesus has been a part of my life. I
can honestly say I’ve never doubted Him.
I’ve doubted other aspects of my beliefs and that’s natural but I have
never doubted the love or presence of Jesus Christ in my life. Even as a child I had this blessed assurance
that He would always take care of me. I’m
so thankful for this gift of faith even though I certainly don’t understand it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
This assurance
has been magnified over the last 14 years as I’ve traveled a sometimes
treacherous path. He’s never ever let me
down. I could fill a book with the ways
He’s taken care of me. Spiritual,
physical, mental, psychological, and every other need I’ve had have been met
and overcome in a myriad of ways throughout my life. He’s provided well beyond my simple needs and
blessed me abundantly. I don’t
understand why He’s done this for me but at this point in my life my deep
longing is to serve Him daily in gratitude for His marvelous gifts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: #33ccff;"><span style="background-color: black;">“I do desire a
relationship but with someone who cherishes me and lets me be me.” </span> </span></b>These words written years ago
reflected a desire that had already been met.
The One who knows my needs and desires before I even have a glimmer of a
thought about them answered my unspoken cry.
He will do the same for you when you reach out to Him in faith. He’s waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I have a wonderful relationship
with Your Son Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s only possible because
You willingly sacrificed Him for a dying world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Help others to desire
this same relationship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In His Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen. <o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-82021249052042782302017-03-07T14:31:00.000-05:002017-03-07T14:31:34.841-05:00Discover the:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXySHnAEKqA/WL8Jts6ny2I/AAAAAAAADf4/t_CfPi3YP3I3gIkwNQptNVBmoJzq7_KMQCEw/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXySHnAEKqA/WL8Jts6ny2I/AAAAAAAADf4/t_CfPi3YP3I3gIkwNQptNVBmoJzq7_KMQCEw/s200/blog4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Journal Entry March 7, 2004</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
"Church was great. Went to choir and came home. No one to sit with. I'm still struggling with
loneliness. I'm clinging to God & His
word. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">I'm not worthless because Jesus died for
me."</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Loneliness and
feeling like I don’t matter are two themes that run through the pages of my
journal. I knew in my head this wasn’t
true because I knew God was with me and that Jesus died for me. The thing I take away from this is how our
words and actions affect those around us, especially those in our lives whom we
are supposed to love and care for with compassion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Over the years
of my marriage I had been made to feel like I didn’t matter. Nothing I said, did, liked, enjoyed, or
wanted was of any consequence. I was to
reflect the values, likes, words, and even thoughts of another. The problem is that person didn’t have my
best interest at heart. It was all about
him. Those years took their toll on me
and it’s has taken many years, tears, prayers, and counseling to overcome the
damage done. The truth is from time to
time those old insecurities rear their ugly heads. Thankfully God reminds me in those times of
who I am in Him and He has given me ways to respond to Satan’s attacks. The Evil One is after all the one who wants
to discourage me so that I will not be a witness to the power and love of Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
This experience
and the things God has taught me through it has impressed on me how important
my words and actions are. Believe me, I fail all too often to reflect Jesus but
through His Spirit I’m making progress. One
of my greatest joys in life is to bring a smile to someone’s face by word, deed,
or attitude. I know there have been days
when someone’s kindness has made all the difference in the way I view my
world. It’s such a little thing with
such a big result. A smile, a hug, or a
kind word are gifts nothing can erase from a life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkbmfTZeow0/WL8JtdWpodI/AAAAAAAADfw/VHZUtNxpQXkImirk-UzezjMxXuNCA989wCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkbmfTZeow0/WL8JtdWpodI/AAAAAAAADfw/VHZUtNxpQXkImirk-UzezjMxXuNCA989wCEw/s640/blog3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
If nothing else
I’ve written touches your heart please hear these words: <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">“I'm not worthless because Jesus died for
me." </span></b>The Son of God died
for me. He died for you. As Chris Tomlin sings:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He
became sin, who knew no sin<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
That we might become His righteousness<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
He humbled himself and carried the cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Love so amazing, love so amazing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jesus Messiah, name above all names<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">His body the bread, his blood the wine<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Broken and poured out all for love<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jesus Messiah, name above all names<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">All our hope is in You, all our hope is in You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
All the glory to You, God, the light of the world<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jesus Messiah, name above all names<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="writers" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: normal;">Songwriters</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
CHRIS TOMLIN, CHRISTOPHER DWAYNE TOMLIN, DANIEL CARSON, ED CASH, JESSE REEVES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="writers" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
<strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; font-weight: normal;">Published by</span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
There’s no way
Satan can ever convince me I don’t matter when I remember what Jesus did for
me. You have the same promise. All you have to do is receive the gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aL5tO1zMaN0/WL8Jte7dW8I/AAAAAAAADf0/PobyNR_OvzsgEppnxs8lI2j4D3AqIIu_gCLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aL5tO1zMaN0/WL8Jte7dW8I/AAAAAAAADf0/PobyNR_OvzsgEppnxs8lI2j4D3AqIIu_gCLcB/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You’ve given the best
gift of all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Your Son gave His
life so that I might live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I pray that many will
accept this gift that is freely given.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In His precious name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-52448003300539849452017-03-03T14:18:00.000-05:002017-03-03T14:18:12.343-05:00I Love the:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWOUCwgHWJg/WLm_SBk34PI/AAAAAAAADfE/bXANJ7BA7pcrGUdohYpY9mDNxVmk_LH-ACEw/s1600/blog%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWOUCwgHWJg/WLm_SBk34PI/AAAAAAAADfE/bXANJ7BA7pcrGUdohYpY9mDNxVmk_LH-ACEw/s320/blog%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>Thoughts for Cheri:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u>March 4, 2004<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
“I feel so odd right now. I feel like God is about to reveal something
to me. Pat gave me Jeremiah 3:33 to help
me when I was down Monday. I’m
memorizing it today and ever since I’ve been going over it I’ve just felt like God
is telling me something.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
My first
thought when I read this is: I love God’s
word. I love how it speaks to whatever
is going on in my life at a given moment.
I love how the underlying message of God’s love, grace, peace, mercy,
and hope never changes. I love how every
page points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ who scripture tells us is The Word. I just love God’s word!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNAEaXcOw2g/WLm_VML4OJI/AAAAAAAADfU/74txjVrsxTMQsruVPQA-L0KA9mOrLovjACEw/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iNAEaXcOw2g/WLm_VML4OJI/AAAAAAAADfU/74txjVrsxTMQsruVPQA-L0KA9mOrLovjACEw/s400/blog5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus is the
Word made flesh. By His life, death, and
resurrection He revealed the Father to a dying world. Today scripture continues to reveal Him to a
still dying world. Please if you don’t
know Him, seek Him in the pages of a Bible.
He will be found if you seek.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oz7oiPBquFg/WLm_UyOGvjI/AAAAAAAADfQ/IVf5AwUJ3zUPLYocLLkZ3Bfb84bB6zlYgCEw/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oz7oiPBquFg/WLm_UyOGvjI/AAAAAAAADfQ/IVf5AwUJ3zUPLYocLLkZ3Bfb84bB6zlYgCEw/s320/blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
Throughout my
life God has used His word to guide, convict, teach, comfort, encourage, and
just enable me to live life. God’s word
is not stagnant. As the writer of
Hebrews says:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6e8gLIjTgg/WLm_SKonkiI/AAAAAAAADfA/YCK8YMIBo4Y2Z4XcXE4WcvgO7tobjAewwCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6e8gLIjTgg/WLm_SKonkiI/AAAAAAAADfA/YCK8YMIBo4Y2Z4XcXE4WcvgO7tobjAewwCEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_9"
o:spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:161.25pt;height:161.25pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
The verse I was
memorizing this particular week still speaks to me today. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bT3f_Mn_dwk/WLm_SVZStOI/AAAAAAAADfI/Lc_88qkfQNMWx0F-xTH9-01gn4HwhQOxwCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bT3f_Mn_dwk/WLm_SVZStOI/AAAAAAAADfI/Lc_88qkfQNMWx0F-xTH9-01gn4HwhQOxwCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_8"
o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:207pt;height:155.25pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
This is truly a beautiful
promise from God which has proven to be true over and over again in my
life. I’ve called to Him in desperation,
in sorrow, in repentance, in joy, in seeking, in praise, and in many other ways
and He’s always answered. Maybe not in
my time or in the way I desired but always in the right time and best way for
me. Through His word He’s revealed “great
and mighty things” especially the power and majesty of Jesus Christ and the
faith that sustains me as I walk through valleys and on mountaintops. He’s amazing!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
God’s word is a
gift to all of humankind. Unfortunately
it’s a gift too few have chosen to unwrap, even those who profess to be
Christians. Don’t allow someone else to
tell you what God’s word says. Spend time
reading it and allow God Himself through His Holy Spirit to reveal the message
He has for you. You will not regret it. It will change your life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVPxjWf7e4k/WLm_SYp1klI/AAAAAAAADfM/AK_yfgaJ4-IKNCavdlinnaIrFwDm-aW1wCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVPxjWf7e4k/WLm_SYp1klI/AAAAAAAADfM/AK_yfgaJ4-IKNCavdlinnaIrFwDm-aW1wCEw/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10"
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Father,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You so graciously
revealed Your word to men so it could be shared with all of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Your word speaks to
the hearts and minds of all who open their eyes and ears to see and hear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank You for The Word Who became flesh so we could know You!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
In His Name,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Amen<o:p></o:p></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-75594375179507731662017-03-02T15:07:00.000-05:002017-03-02T15:07:01.668-05:00No matter the language we need to say:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ED5YBEw_qh8/WLh5xt8GtmI/AAAAAAAADeo/Fl49mQf8in0aojgZ19PyCbOfj9YyrMSGQCEw/s1600/blog4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ED5YBEw_qh8/WLh5xt8GtmI/AAAAAAAADeo/Fl49mQf8in0aojgZ19PyCbOfj9YyrMSGQCEw/s320/blog4.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></u><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thoughts
for Cheri:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer
completed:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please Lord, deliver me and enable me
to feel complete and content in every area.
I know I will not be perfectly complete or content until I’m with You
but I long, as Paul, to be as complete and content as is possible while living
this life on this earth.”</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><span style="color: #7030a0;">Thank You</span></b><span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span>for
all You have done in my life. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">Thank You</span></b>
for loving me and saving me. <b><span style="color: #7030a0;">Thank You</span></b>
for hearing this prayer and for answering according to your will and purpose.”</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“I love You!”</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I claim and ask all of this in the
precious name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.”</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Amen”</span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s much I could talk about from this portion of
my prayer but I want to focus on these 2 words today: <i><span style="color: #7030a0;">“<b>Thank You”. </b></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">These words are important to say to anyone no matter
who they are or what they do for you. Expressing
gratitude shows appreciation to others and it can make a big difference in
someone’s life. It doesn’t matter if it’s
the person that picks up the trash or your boss, saying thank you matters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If it matters to people how much more should I express
my gratitude to the Giver of all good gifts?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdM8w34Osho/WLh5xjy4ZVI/AAAAAAAADek/rY1RF0dPe4IbnWcgNcGn0Z5Re8ftMGWygCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdM8w34Osho/WLh5xjy4ZVI/AAAAAAAADek/rY1RF0dPe4IbnWcgNcGn0Z5Re8ftMGWygCEw/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1027"
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o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Everything I am and have are gifts from my
Creator. First of all, He is my
Creator. I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t
for Him. Secondly, I have eternal life
because He made provision for His Son to live, die, and live again to give me
life with Him forever. Thirdly, He loves
me with an everlasting love. If He never
gave me anything else that would be more than I deserve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He has however chosen to bestow on me gift after gift:
peace, joy, mercy, grace are just a few of those gifts. He’s given me relationships: family and friends who have blessed my life
in so many ways. He’s given me nature
through which He reveals Himself to me daily.
He’s given me pets over my lifetime who have made my days sweeter in so
many ways. He’s given more material
possessions that I ever needed. He’s
answered prayers in the ways that have always been best for me even when I didn’t
know it. I could go on and on but
hopefully you get my drift. My Father
loves to lavish His child with gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I know that not every follower of Christ receives the
same gifts. In fact, many are suffering terribly
around the world. I don’t understand
why some suffer persecution but sometimes I believe they are more blessed than I am because they are
truly sharing in the suffering of our Savior and that’s a gift in itself. Paul stated:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LkaYWRQi-8/WLh5xv-JFpI/AAAAAAAADec/TsbvVH4JbAUibup-0m_9ueqkUrNJb1pCwCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LkaYWRQi-8/WLh5xv-JFpI/AAAAAAAADec/TsbvVH4JbAUibup-0m_9ueqkUrNJb1pCwCEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1026"
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o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I guess what I’m trying to say is that as a Christian I
am to be thankful and content whatever my circumstances. God has a plan for each life and I am to live
mine to the fullest each day. I am to
take nothing for granted but to be thankful in all things because that’s what
He’s using to conform me to the image of Christ. He’s a personal God who works personally in
the life of each of His children to complete His will in Christ:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BS59jdsE0Bk/WLh5xjenFLI/AAAAAAAADeg/3wONX5MxPAM_HFBKjat6HKNbc_m4dxPUQCLcB/s1600/blog3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BS59jdsE0Bk/WLh5xjenFLI/AAAAAAAADeg/3wONX5MxPAM_HFBKjat6HKNbc_m4dxPUQCLcB/s320/blog3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For this I am thankful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You give me gifts that will make me more like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You give me gifts that will help me serve like Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank You!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In His Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-69522107646319417082017-03-01T15:00:00.001-05:002017-03-01T15:00:49.955-05:00Am I Willing To:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJnNh5KR_l8/WLcn0fBnkNI/AAAAAAAADeA/9FzA9Cods4MLaSatJPuoBWTZcmLBqiXbACEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJnNh5KR_l8/WLcn0fBnkNI/AAAAAAAADeA/9FzA9Cods4MLaSatJPuoBWTZcmLBqiXbACEw/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thoughts
for Cheri:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer
continued:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to
opportunities You have for me. I surrender
all to You. Whatever You ask I am
willing to do. I lay my life, my
desires, my plans, my hopes, my dreams at Your feet and give myself to be used
by and for You for the furtherance of Your Kingdom work.”</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Take my life and lead me. Empty me of all that hinders me from serving
You to the fullest extent possible. Remove
anything that hinders me from being what You want me to be.”</span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This should be my prayer every day. The truth is I do better on some days than on
others. Thankfully God knows this is my
heart’s desire my heart. He also knows on
too many days my flesh fails. That’s why
this is one of my favorite passages from His word:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Do you not know?</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">Have you not heard?</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">Yahweh is the everlasting God,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">the Creator of the whole earth.</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">He never grows faint or weary;</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">there is no limit to His understanding.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span></span></i><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span id="en-HCSB-18450" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"> </span></span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">He gives strength to the weary</span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">and strengthens the powerless.</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-HCSB-18451" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">Youths may faint and grow weary,</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">and young men stumble and fall,</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-HCSB-18452" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">but those who trust in the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">will renew their strength;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">they will soar on wings like eagles;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">they will run and not grow weary;</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;">they will walk and not faint.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 40:28-31<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t
have to do this in my own strength. When
I do surrender all to Him, when I do lay everything before Him, when I do empty
myself of things that hinder me, He takes what I offer and fills me with His strength. He places in me everything I need to serve
Him as He leads. Willingness is the only
thing required of me. Jesus Himself made
this abundantly clear:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA42vlAt5sU/WLcn0wIgLYI/AAAAAAAADeE/iXyNYws_yOkxFP00sH7US1hyg3HsL2otACLcB/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA42vlAt5sU/WLcn0wIgLYI/AAAAAAAADeE/iXyNYws_yOkxFP00sH7US1hyg3HsL2otACLcB/s400/blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Take up thy cross and follow me,”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I heard my Master say;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">“I gave me life to ransom thee,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Surrender your all today.”</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">CHORUS:</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wherever He leads I’ll go,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wherever He leads I’ll go,</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wherever He leads I’ll go.</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">He drew me closer to His side,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I sought His will to know,</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">And in that will I now abide,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wherever He leads I’ll go.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">It may be through the shadows dim,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Or o’er the stormy sea,</span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">I take my cross and follow Him,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">Wherever He leadeth me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">B.B. McKinney</span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Am I willing to daily do this? That's the question.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I love that when You ask me to “follow Me” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You know I’m totally incapable of doing so on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I love that You’ve already promised to give me exactly
what I need to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">All I have to do is to be willing and to lay down my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Seems only fair since Jesus laid His down for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank You!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In His Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amen<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1129904874875987929.post-26203413563935126862017-02-28T15:50:00.001-05:002017-02-28T15:50:15.698-05:00Where Can I Find:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-66fz8x9qAS0/WLXh32xh2hI/AAAAAAAADdk/H22jPjMVb_MLf4S7lRO7Ac3xE7ibpccIwCEw/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-66fz8x9qAS0/WLXh32xh2hI/AAAAAAAADdk/H22jPjMVb_MLf4S7lRO7Ac3xE7ibpccIwCEw/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thoughts
for Cheri:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Prayer
continued:</span></u><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I am so bored in my job. I do it to the best of my ability but it is
so slow right now. I have been thankful
for the lack of stress, the benefits, the hours, and seeing Tanya every
day. I’m also thankful for being here
with her during this difficult time as she recovers from her miscarriage. I am thankful for the kind people who work
here and for the friendships I’ve developed over these years.”</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt;">“However, I am now experiencing a desire for something more
challenging.</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My gifts,
talents, and interests are taking root as I discover who I am and who You
created me to be. <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I desire</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>a place of service. <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I desire</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>a flexible schedule in a setting where I can travel, work
at home, and in an office. <b><span style="color: #00b050;">I don’t know
where or what this would be but if it is from You, You do.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“<b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I want</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>to write, <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I want</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>to visit people, <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I want</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>to teach or
counsel. I am willing to be trained
however You provide for me to be. <b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">I want</span></b><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>a place where I can learn as I serve and grow in my
ministry to which I believe You have called me.”</span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt;">“However, I am now experiencing a desire
for something more challenging.”</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is the first glimmer of a prayer that grew into something amazing and led me to
where I am today. I had ideas of what I thought
I wanted and God has granted some of them.
Some of them are no longer desires of my heart. Some of them are still glowing embers in my
soul that may fan into flames one day.
The point is, I had these desires, I professed them to God, and I trusted
Him to answer in His time and His will.
That’s what praying in Jesus’ name is all about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7w27GhS0ACY/WLXh2ed-k6I/AAAAAAAADdg/6YHHh_p5yh8E9HsvYA0Rb7irbCorLkZbgCEw/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7w27GhS0ACY/WLXh2ed-k6I/AAAAAAAADdg/6YHHh_p5yh8E9HsvYA0Rb7irbCorLkZbgCEw/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1026"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:138pt;height:138pt;visibility:visible;
mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\GINNY~1.POR\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">“I desire, I desire,</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #2f5597; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <b>I want, I want, I want, I want.” </b></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Lots
of “I” statements in there. That’s
okay. God wants to hear our heart’s
desires. The key, however, is <b><span style="color: #00b050;">“<i>I don’t know where or what this would be but
if it is from You, You do.” </i>“If” </span></b>is
a big little word. In this case it
signifies my willingness to accept His will for my life, my desires. I laid my requests before Him in expectation
that He would answer in His time and His purpose. That’s what prayer is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRjMgqdfE28/WLXhy86X3yI/AAAAAAAADdc/tu06h-dv5dYH4mLk6CgEJ5qma7yyUBQEwCEw/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XRjMgqdfE28/WLXhy86X3yI/AAAAAAAADdc/tu06h-dv5dYH4mLk6CgEJ5qma7yyUBQEwCEw/s400/blog1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4"
o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:298.5pt;height:191.25pt;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\GINNY~1.POR\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When I’ve laid my requests before God I am to leave
them there and allow His peace to fill my life and guard my heart and
mind. That’s just one of the benefits of
having Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
I hope that anyone who is reading this and doesn’t know Him will seek
Him and invite Him into your life so you will know this peace that passes all
understanding. If you do know Him, trust
His heart and His plans. It’s the only
way to live!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Father,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Only You can give me perfect peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This perfect peace comes from knowing Jesus Christ as
Savior & Lord of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank You for this marvelous gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In His Precious Name,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
butterflyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589357497285063849noreply@blogger.com0