tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32989453183806531832024-03-13T23:29:01.646-07:00Tea for 12Lover of family and friends, tea parties, coffee dates, fabric, books, nature, God and all things vintage. Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-81760336467220832812020-06-10T13:16:00.003-07:002020-06-10T13:52:45.775-07:00Are You For or Against Us?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Is Jesus for Trump or Against Trump? – Pursuit of Percipience" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQr0tVeOb2xA9P72540YBXu9CCk8j3SejpeJMSVUyX8lCF11QtN&usqp=CAU" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Joshua 5:13-14</span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">a man was standing before him </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "source sans pro"; font-size: 1.575em; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">. Now I have come.” And Joshua </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">fell on his face to the earth and worshiped</span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”</span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">With current event issues escalating, I felt God leading me to drown out all of the voices that were screaming in my head. I wanted God's perspective. What would He say? That morning I decided to move towards God in a simple act of obedience. In this case, I knew God was asking me to deactivate my FaceBook account. </span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was thinking of how I wish God would just give us His perspective on things and immediately, Joshua 5:13-14 came to mind. I knew it was God speaking and decided to take a better look at Joshua's story the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">I stumbled upon this article and am so thankful for God's provision and enlightenment. It is my hope that all Christian's can glean something valuable from it in these hostile, divided times.</span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://bible.org/article/captain-lord%E2%80%99s-army-joshua-513-15">https://bible.org/article/captain-lord%E2%80%99s-army-joshua-513-15</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now this is when it becomes very personal. A few days after that, a family discussion began about an upcoming trip we had planned to AZ. Differing opinions led to misunderstandings and assumptions and then hurtful words erupted. Only God truly knows the heart, but I sincerely believe no one really wanted to hurt anyone, but the individual desires and stress of things not working out brought heat to the discussion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When I finally had time to let the heat settle and ask God for His perspective, He once again came to my rescue and I realized that what He had spoken a few days earlier was just as relevant in this situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">God, what is my part, why am I agitated? How can I have peace. He gently reminded me that I cannot see the whole story. Only He has all of the information and although we think our cause is just and noble or even Christian, we must go to Him for proper perspective first. I thought I already had that. I repented and He opened my eyes to see other perspectives. Immediately, peace and love came.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As for our personal family discussion - When I asked, Lord, are you for or against a family trip to AZ, the answer was NO. Lord, are you supporting this family member's viewpoint or this one's? The answer was NO. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We so desperately need God's viewpoint even when we are sure our cause is righteous or our view is Christian. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Today while in prayer with a few friends, my head was bowed and I was looking at my arm in a blurry kind of way. You know the look you need when you are looking at a 3D picture? It was kind of like that. Part of my arm looked see-through. Then I realized it was because my eyes were trying to put 2 different images together. I closed 1 eye and had 1 picture and then closed the other e</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">ye to see a different one, but when I opened both eyes, I had a whole different picture and it was the one that I needed to function properly in my body. I believe that was symbolic of God's perspective and the church body. He, and only He sees the whole story. I need to humbly go to Him in full surrender to put perspectives together and see it afresh. It will still be imperfect, but much better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In this personal story, one daughter's focus was her pregnancy and baby. My other daughter's focus was letting go and trusting God. Both important and both from the heart of God. Now, I pray God, that you would merge these 2 perspectives into your plan and purpose for all of us.</span><br />
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<span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">And Joshua </span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">fell on his face to the earth and worshiped</span><span style="background: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); border: 0px; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 1.575em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?</span><br />
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Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-88736713081178841842019-02-08T13:35:00.002-08:002019-02-08T13:41:16.320-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Where Are You God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 2018 will not go down in history as being one of my favorite years. I feel as though it has been a year of taking - things that I love and things I had hoped for. The struggle has been to see and hear God through it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, I kept feeling God was mysteriously silent. Still, my heart longed to hear His voice To believe for everything He has for me and nothing else. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, shouldn't I be hearing his voice more? I have been a Christian for 40 + years. Shouldn't things be getting clearer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, as I cried out in desperation once again, I kept looking at the sun shining. I definitely decided that today was not a day for venturing out. It was just too cold. However, I decided as I have many times that maybe God was prompting me. I decided to follow this trail even if it led to no new revelations, like so many times before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I put my coat on and called for my dog. I kept hoping that God would show up in all His glory pronouncing His great love for me or maybe sending miraculous solutions to my problems through someone I would surprisingly bump into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But alas, that isn't what happened. I just couldn't stop thinking about the roaring wind rushing through the trees. It was coming in waves as the ocean does and it was powerful and thunderous. I thought of how it made me feel and the very reason I am drawn to nature. Following this, many things began coming to my mind - ocean waves, blue sky, majestic trees, singing birds, laughing grandchildren, waterfalls, crunchy autumn leaves, flowers, earl grey tea, blackberries, soft fur on my dog, cool water, warm sun. Was not the Lord already speaking to me through all of this - displaying His love, showering His blessings? The older I get, the more sensitive I am to these things and maybe, just maybe, I am hearing and seeing God. And much more than I realize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 55:12</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 19:1-4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day <b>they pour forth speech</b>; night after night <b>they display knowledge</b>. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. <b>Their voice goes out into all the earth</b>, their words to the ends of the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 96:11-12</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Song of Solomon 2:13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Genesis 27:27</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, "See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.</span></div>
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Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-90677092295936319662018-10-27T11:55:00.002-07:002022-10-10T07:05:25.830-07:00Faith Under Pressure<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.55em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
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<span class="text Jas-1-2-Jas-1-4" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #741b47; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZFVg1ln9PY/W9S8zxhrCFI/AAAAAAAADPA/zMsGT-IbbosLryFlIkVtv1SyGayT2M_pACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-3081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="434" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FZFVg1ln9PY/W9S8zxhrCFI/AAAAAAAADPA/zMsGT-IbbosLryFlIkVtv1SyGayT2M_pACLcBGAs/s320/IMG-3081.jpg" width="289" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span class="text Jas-1-2-Jas-1-4" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;">Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Jas-1-5-Jas-1-8" id="en-MSG-12782" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. <b>You’ll get his help</b>, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, <b>without a second thought</b>. People who “<b>worry their prayers</b>” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, <b>keeping all your options open</b>.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-5-Jas-1-8" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">James 1:2-8</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-1-5-Jas-1-8" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">As a believer, I have always recognized my inability to be led totally by the Spirit. Our flesh loves to get in the way. However, this has caused an internal struggle that I never anticipated and a burden God never intended for me to bare. As I look at this scripture, I now see it in new light. </span></span></div>
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<span class="text Jas-1-5-Jas-1-8" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">My "humility" to see my own imperfections caused confusion and an inability to believe with confidence that God was speaking to my heart. Thus, how could I ever walk in assurance? For me, in many cases, this robbed me of the peace that God wanted me to have. </span></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">First, I would start out believing God was directing me. He says He will (as noted above in James) and at times I felt it. But, when unfavorable circumstances lingered or I didn't get the support I needed, doubt set in. I began to wonder if I heard what I wanted to hear out of selfishness or pride. Maybe I just made it up.</span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">While watching "The Bible" on Netflix the other night, Abraham's struggle spoke to my heart. He loved God and was obedient but questioned God's promise to bring him a son. He even took matters into his own hands. I take comfort in knowing that such a faith-filled man of God struggled as I do. He, like many others - Joseph, David and Moses went through long periods of testing where they asked "where are you God?". Who am I to think I will not be challenged with these same struggles? These stories are written so we can learn through them and avoid the same mistakes that others have made. </span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">When I was watching the story of King Saul, I couldn't help but feel heart broken for this man. He was chosen and his sons could have ruled as kings for generations. Instead, he chose to do things his own way and ultimately let fear destroy him. It is a dangerous place to be when you believe God is not taking care of you and you must take matters into your own hands. Saul's story does not end well. It could have been different.</span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">As I look back at this scripture now, I <b>choose</b> to believe that God is speaking to me. It is our choice to believe. It isn't even necessarily a feeling. It will never be a fact presented to us on a sheet of paper or an audible voice in our ear straight from God's throne, but rather a quiet whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12) When you hear from God, there needs to be no plan B as stated in James. The steadfastness in believing, in spite of circumstances and lack of support, will bring the promise to fruition. </span></div>
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Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-15779745146346907262016-04-06T16:29:00.001-07:002016-04-06T16:29:54.771-07:00<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 1pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt docpart="39BF50B57F45479EBC61183E21BFD3D1" id="89512082" storeitemid="X_5985CC7B-E685-4C07-B0DE-E77750CEFE94" text="t" title="Post Title" xpath="/ns0:BlogPostInfo/ns0:PostTitle"></w:sdt></span>
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<strong><span style="color: #17365d;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;">FAITH
LIKE A CHILD – Matthew 18:3</span><o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: 22pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Visiting
my grandson Jonah is always a high energy experience - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>lots of joy and exuberance for life going on
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my daughter, Genevieve was
preparing dinner for the family; Jonah and I were working on pretend play dough
cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rolling and he was
cutting and decorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had picked
out the cookie cutters that he wanted and placed them on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our cookie total was growing, I was
noticing that we were getting quite low on the dough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">As is
my nature, I felt I needed to warn him that we were running out of dough and
would not be able to complete all of the cookies he had anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jonah”, I said, “We are running out of dough
and we will probably not be able to make those three last shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of those cookie cutters are big and I
only have this little piece of play dough left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Without
batting an eye or even looking at me, he calmly said, “Yes, we will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Yes
we will, I pondered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, my
mind went to what the Lord had been teaching me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the answer to our requests is always
in the believing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was quite
good at this, but the Lord had begun to show me that my past disappointments
had led me to put a wall of protection up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had become cautious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even my
warning to Jonah was evidence of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
did not want him to be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Lord?”
I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you going to speak to me
through this play dough and Jonah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
this is so, I am ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me see what
the faith of a little child can do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Normally, I wouldn’t even consider asking this, for I was sure to be disappointed
because there was absolutely no evidence that this could be accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">I
looked at the tiny piece of dough in my hands and decided I could roll it
thin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we could get 2 more cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, there is a star shape left and we
already made a star, so we don’t have to count that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gave me hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">But
God didn’t need my help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I began to
roll the dough thin for the 2 shapes, I began to feel God encouraging me not to
settle for less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonah had believed we
could finish the last three cookie shapes and to my surprise . . . . not his, we
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Should
I be surprised that God would speak to me through my grandson and play
dough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, God says, unless you become
like a little child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, that means
not letting past experiences cloud your vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jonah has not had enough experiences to let this happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">According
to your faith, be it unto you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew
19:29</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arabic Typesetting"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">All
things are possible for those who believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mark 9:23</span></div>
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Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-64763968513803772412015-10-13T13:33:00.000-07:002015-10-13T14:02:26.200-07:00Rejoice In Expectation - Romans 12:12<div align="center">
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On the evening of September 17th, I sold a blue dress that I had made from a vintage sheet and vintage pattern. This event would prove to be a notable event in my walk with God for several reasons. It would be an opportunity to rejoice and expect - something God had been teaching me to do for a long time.</div>
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Now that might not sound super exciting to you, but for me, it was a huge struggle that would have the potential to help me understand a concept about God that is still hard for me to grasp.</div>
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Let's take a step back to my "Leave It To Beaver" childhood". I want to first state that I grew up in a very loving and safe home. My father was an excellent provider. He was also very frugal, practical, responsible and in no way . . . extravagant. I have always valued those noble qualities in him. In fact, I have strived to attain them in my own life. </div>
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Somewhere along the way, I let that shape my view of God and myself. In myself, I allowed it to produce feelings that left me feeling irresponsible, especially when we faced financial difficulties. As for my father God, I could not see him as the extravagant God that He is. In fact, as I type those words, I still struggle to believe it. Compounded with my empathic personality, it produced an ongoing battle in my prayer life. </div>
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If my prayer request was too big, I would surmise that it was too extravagant to request. Why should God grant that request when other people are suffering? I do not deserve it.</div>
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If my prayer request was too small, I would surmise that it was too trivial for God to care about and it shouldn't even matter to me.</div>
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Now, what does all of that have to do with selling a dress on Etsy? A lot!</div>
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This was a chance to rejoice and expect. When I sold the dress, I immediately remembered that my daughter, Lydia, wanted to use the dress in her wedding. That was fine, because I had another sheet that was identical. But as soon as I had that thought, a fear came over me because I had not seen that sheet for a very long time. The following day, I made a frantic search for the missing sheet. As I had suspected, it was gone. No trace of it.</div>
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When I nervously shared this with God, He directed me to<strong> </strong>rejoice for selling the dress and expect the return of the missing sheet. I thought, okay, I can do this. As the days went on, I was still frantically searching for the lost sheet and the reality was becoming all too clear. IT WAS NOT IN MY HOUSE, therefore, it was gone. I cried to God. I was striving with all my might to expect<strong> </strong>and rejoice, but I couldn't muster it up. Again, I heard, rejoice. I fearfully thanked God for allowing me to sell the dress and I sent it on its merry way in faith. That was all I could do.</div>
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After 20 days of striving to expect, I was at a low. As my husband and I drove home from a beautiful fall hike, he had no idea that I was having an angry discourse with God in my head. It went something like this - "God, do your sheep really hear your voice? Did you tell me to expect the sheet or did I make that up? If I can't really hear your voice, then what is the point? This is making a mockery of you and me. If you told me this, it will be a testimony to you. Do what you said you would do!" Then I apologized and asked for forgiveness. </div>
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After church the following day, I brought up the subject again with my daughter "Are you sure you don't have the sheet?" We both remembered her giving it back after borrowing it for her dorm room. Then she had a memory of some of her hall mates having borrowed some sheets. She looked through some Instagram pictures and there it was - a picture of my blue sheet hanging as a curtain in a friend's dorm room . . . hope. I excitedly yelled, "Lydia, text her now." Lydia did not share my enthusiasm and chuckled "Mom, I remember her giving me back a large stack of sheets." This sapped some of my hope, but at least we were investigating. Lydia calmly texted her friend who responded with a<strong> </strong>picture of my blue sheet sitting on the back seat of her car. What rejoicing! </div>
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And then, this came to my mind<em>: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheets and loses one of them. Doesn’t she leave the ninety-nine in the sewing room and go after the lost sheet until she finds it? And when she finds it, she joyfully puts it in her arms and goes home. Then she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, "<strong>REJOICE</strong> with me; I have found my lost sheet."</em></div>
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This was not just about a lost blue sheet; this was about my relationship with my Father God.</div>
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God is extravagant. My request is not too small. It is not too trivial for God to care. It matters.</div>
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(If you would like to read my experience with "big requests", check out "My Testimony - Losing It All" <a href="http://lorradams.blogspot.com/p/my-testimony-part-2.html">http://lorradams.blogspot.com/p/my-testimony-part-2.html</a> )</div>
Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-76657670001053519602015-06-28T13:58:00.001-07:002015-06-29T21:03:22.285-07:00Is Love Winning<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">#IsLoveReallyWinning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">This was a sad couple of days for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is joining together to stop the “haters”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, hatred is being disguised in
the name of love - doublespeak. </span><span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">The landmark Supreme Court decision has now made gay
marriage legal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unknowingly, I happened
to be on FB shortly after the decision. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
read a comment that a friend had posted and I couldn’t agree more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comment was something to the effect that
America was going down the tubes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought to myself, “I could agree with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are so many problems - from financial collapse to GMO’s to sexual
abuse, and a failing medical system.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, I was not prepared to read the hateful
comments that followed that post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
heart was immediately saddened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
followed that post was an ugly discourse all related to the Supreme Court
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The comment was removed, I am
assuming, because the backlash to that statement was so severe).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">As I continued on FB, the hashtag #lovewins was
flooding the feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with this came
some very disturbing comments directed towards Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One that caught my eye was: “</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Can't decide if I am happier that gay marriage is legal
or that conservative Christians are angry? win/win”, followed by this comment: “I'm
a rotten person. I'm tickled over the outrage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I commented on the post, not about
homosexuality, but rather about love winning through our speech. My friend graciously
apologized in a loving manner and we moved on, although others were not so
gracious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never stated any opinions on
my stance on gay marriage, but only that we should be able to love one another
despite our differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The responses I
got were angry, “</span><span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">No, you're haters. The idea that anybody
would have to live their lives by your belief system in a "free"
country astounds me. I'm elated that the conservatives are freaking out. The
lesson here as it always has been is, mind your own business.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">I thought of the scripture: A soft answer turneth away
wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really hoping that this would be the
case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What ensued was comments about me
that were untrue and I realized that to some, I will always be a label.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amount of discourse will break
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soft answer turned away my
wrath, my anger, but not Kevin’s (the man I was conversing with).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
looked at Kevin’s FB page, my heart opened up to make room for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only God could do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, my friend told me that he had been the
victim of hate crimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In church the
following day, my emotions led me to tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%;">We have a hard job ahead of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those things will be repairing the damage
that the church has done to those who are suffering greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many in the church have not felt the pain of
those, who are truly suffering. We have offered little or no hope or
understanding for them - only a standard that they can’t reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart is grieving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to be ready for the anger and hatred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-59997413390889548052015-05-05T13:25:00.001-07:002015-05-05T13:25:31.116-07:00Friends Stick Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30uuWjUHkTI/VUkWWyRU17I/AAAAAAAACpo/0bnnNjJKB70/s1600/me%2Band%2Bklara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30uuWjUHkTI/VUkWWyRU17I/AAAAAAAACpo/0bnnNjJKB70/s1600/me%2Band%2Bklara.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">July 12,
2012, I wrote in my journal - Today was a good day - holding hands and jumping
in the waves with my grand-daughter Klara. As she held my hands tightly,
she said, "friends stick close together." I thought - You're so right,
Klara, you're so right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shortly
before that entry,</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;"> I had a
dream that I was sharing a message to young adults. I had no plan and I
was anxious. As I looked around the room, I saw people laughing, joking
and having fun. This scripture came to my mind. Proverbs 18:24 “A man who
has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother.”</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">I never
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Another
important lesson came to me one Sunday through Times Square Church. Mary
and Martha – Martha was concerned with details, Mary was concerned with
relationship. She spared no expense, sharing with not only Jesus, but his
disciples as well. She paid close attention to Him, listening to every
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Luke
10:38-42<sup> “</sup>As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came
to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. <sup> </sup>She
had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came
to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the
work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</span><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;"> </span></sup><span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered,
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">Details
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<![endif]-->Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-47527022876341896422015-04-01T14:23:00.000-07:002015-05-05T12:10:48.316-07:00DRY AND WRINKLED, BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ne544zkk8FQ/VUkVYUVT2zI/AAAAAAAACpc/C7xnXJWkR9c/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ne544zkk8FQ/VUkVYUVT2zI/AAAAAAAACpc/C7xnXJWkR9c/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After watching the movie "Into the Wild", I had
been thinking about how I needed to enjoy nature more. I took a leisurely walk
down Stackhouse Park to spend time with God. I started my usual ritual of
thinking who needed prayer and started praying. It was frustrating and dry. It
was exhausting me and I felt God say be quiet - listen, look. I had to really
put an effort forth to quiet my mind, but as I did, I began t<span class="textexposedshow">o notice cream colored leaves standing out on some of the
trees. It was early spring and everything was dead and gray. I thought it was interesting
that these leaves were still hanging on and that they looked pretty to me in
the dead gray forest. </span></span></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As I pondered this, I realized
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been through a very long, hard, brutally cold winter, but I was still connected
to the branch. Maybe a little dry and wrinkled, but still beautiful and hanging
on, shedding some light in the dark forest. I thought . . . Soon this tree will
bloom again. As I neared the end of my walk, several pine trees showed
themselves strong and green, even after an unbearable winter. I said to myself,
I want to be like them someday.</span></span></div>
Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-41853976166779283422015-03-03T06:01:00.001-08:002015-04-01T14:11:10.433-07:00Reflections on Menopause<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">(Written 08/06/2014)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Today, I finally got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to bother me when some of my
herbalist sisters would talk about the changes in women as something beautiful,
the moon cycle and celebrating your first menstruation, really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(those wacko earthy people)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After a hard week of emotional
instability, something began to sink in to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can choose to embrace or reject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rejecting emotions is a common thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They can be misleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today my
friend made a statement that stuck with me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was talking about some of my recent
heightened emotions and she simply said, “but those emotions were still there”
meaning whether they were heightened or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This caused me to further
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it”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My emotions are there, heightened
or buried or controlled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The middle
ground is usually preferred and considered the healthiest; however heightened
emotions can cause us to learn more about ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we ask ourselves why – why am I fearful,
why am I sad, angry, irritated or joyful?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Is it good, is it bad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I deal more effectively with these
emotions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I discover can help my
physical, spiritual and emotional body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can allow more of the things that cause joy and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (In my case, resting and pampering after busy times.) I</span> can restrict the things that cause pain and
irritation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Too many commitments.) </span>Our bodies are telling us
something and we can listen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Batang","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I can work through this and yes,
I can celebrate menopause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-82892262411512684262015-02-23T13:11:00.002-08:002015-02-24T14:04:04.188-08:00The Example of Jehoshaphat<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"> </span><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9b1hv97yvk/T2mdCxZwzhI/AAAAAAAAABY/wpPfVrCPYxw/s1600/battle-of-grunwald.jpg" height="319" id="yui_3_5_1_4_1424725410022_771" style="height: 319px; width: 450px;" width="450" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">2
Chronicles 20 - When Faced With A Battle</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b>Prayer</b> - Verse 3 </span><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-3" id="en-CEV-9979"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-3" id="en-CEV-9979">Jehoshaphat was afraid, so <b>he asked</b> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> what to do.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b>State the Truth.</b> </span><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-3" id="en-CEV-9979"></span></i><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";">Verse 6-9</span><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-6"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-6">You, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,
are the God our ancestors worshiped, and from heaven you rule every
nation in the world. Y<b>ou are so powerful </b>that no one can defeat you. </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-7" id="en-CEV-9983">Our
God, you forced out the nations who lived in this land before your
people Israel came here, and you gave it to the descendants of your
friend Abraham forever. </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-8" id="en-CEV-9984">Our ancestors lived in this land and built a temple to honor you. </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-9" id="en-CEV-9985">They
believed that whenever this land is struck by war or disease or famine,
<b>your people can pray to you at the temple, and you will hear their
prayer and save them</b>.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";">Faith</span></b> Verse 20 <i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><i>E</i></span><span class="text 2Chr-20-20" id="en-CEV-9996"><i>arly the next morning, as
everyone got ready to leave for the desert near Tekoa, Jehoshaphat
stood up and said, “Listen my friends, if we <b>trust the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></b> God and believe what these prophets have told us,<b> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will help us</b>, and we will be successful.”</i></span><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b>Praise God</b> </span>Verse 21</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";">They
brought their mouths in line by singing and praising God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>They were showing their faith with their
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not sitting around
camp complaining and wondering what they were going to do if God didn’t
show up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"></span><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-21" id="en-CEV-9997">Then he explained his plan and appointed men to march in front of the army and <b>praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> for his holy power by singing:</b></span></i><b><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-21"> “Praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>!</span></i></b> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-21">His love never ends.”</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b>God Gives The Victory </b>Verse 22-24 </span></div>
<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-22" id="en-CEV-9998">As soon as they began singing, the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> confused the enemy camp, </span></i><i><span class="text 2Chr-20-24" id="en-CEV-10000">so
that the Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed
those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until
the entire camp was wiped out! When
Judah’s army reached the tower that overlooked the desert, they saw
that every soldier in the enemy’s army was lying dead on the ground. </span></i> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><b>Spoil are To Be Taken</b> Verse 25</span></div>
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<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-25" id="en-CEV-10001">So Jehoshaphat and his troops went into the camp to carry away everything of value. They found a large herd of livestock,<sup> </sup>a lot of equipment, clothes,<sup> </sup>and other valuable things. It took them three days to carry it all away, and there was still some left over.</span></i></div>
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<span class="text 2Chr-20-25" id="en-CEV-10001"><b>Celebration </b>Verse 27-28</span></div>
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<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-25" id="en-CEV-10001">Jehoshaphat led the crowd back to Jerusalem. And as they marched, they played harps and blew trumpets. They were very happy because the LORD had given them victory over their enemies, so when they reached the city, they went straight to the temple. </span><span class="text 2Chr-20-25" id="en-CEV-10001"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text 2Chr-20-27-2Chr-20-28" id="en-CEV-10003"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";">If
you are struggling to read the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Encourage yourself by knowing that it will bring you happiness and
victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God to give you a love for His word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He says you have not, because you ask not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God to help you choose spiritual food
over what the world offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said in
Psalm 107:9 that he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good
things, but how can we be satisfied if we don’t sit at his table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is. 55-1, 2 Why are you spending your money
on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to me, eat what is good and your soul
will delight in the richest of fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Lorraine’s translation – why are you eating the junk food of the world
– enjoy your Creator and all His wisdom.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It is said only 1/3 of professing Christians
read their bibles even once a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
wonder why we don’t have victory?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed","sans-serif";">Make
sure you are spending the majority of your time with good people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bible has lots to say about the influence
evil people have on us and the encouragement the people of God can give us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-85300143631756652322015-02-02T11:00:00.000-08:002015-04-01T14:11:30.058-07:00The Final Grade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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And He said unto me, my
grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Corinthians 12:9
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I am competitive when it comes to academics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I was alarmed when I received an
F on my first college chemistry exam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was the first F I had ever received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
only that, I was taking a statistics class that resembled a foreign language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered how I would ever make it through.</div>
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To my surprise, I received a final grade of A in both
classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God brought this to my
remembrance when I was struggling with the possibility of losing my house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother had just passed away and I was
exhausted with full-time school work, working a job, interning and
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“My grace is sufficient for thee.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Through that experience, God spoke to my heart. There had
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Therefore, having so vast a cloud of witnesses surrounding
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Keep running with endurance and you will receive the crown –
or as I would say – the final A grade.</div>
Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-80004635677041567752015-02-02T10:50:00.000-08:002015-04-01T14:11:21.452-07:00Your Words Have Been Heard<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="woj">And when you pray, do not keep on babbling
like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 6:7</span></div>
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<span class="woj">As I learn to pray and trust God more, I find
I am always being stretched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years
ago, I was praying and I found myself repeating my concerns over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A still voice reminded me of the verse in
Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And when you pray, do not keep
on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their
many words.”</span></div>
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<span class="woj">I said to God, “I know Lord, just let me say
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voice again, “I know what you want”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
continued, “Well, let me express it better just once more”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the voice whispered, “I know what you
want”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Lord, I persisted, “Let me
summarize with better clarity”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God
said, “Do you trust me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then I
exercised self control, and the temptation to ramble subsided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, Daniel came to my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Daniel 10:12-13<b> </b></span>Then
he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your
mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words
were heard, and I have come in response to them. <sup> </sup>But the
prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of
the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king
of Persia.”</div>
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My rambling showed a lack of trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a way to try to manipulate
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could just pray enough then He
would answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful God is
patient with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard my prayer and
was already at work, even though I could not see it. </div>
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Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-62756386351085968682015-01-15T12:56:00.001-08:002015-02-05T09:18:15.671-08:00Thoughts on Homeschooling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRx5ZtbmRCE/VLRi3gaOTsI/AAAAAAAACis/U00Ki5-dlI4/s1600/homes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRx5ZtbmRCE/VLRi3gaOTsI/AAAAAAAACis/U00Ki5-dlI4/s1600/homes.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately, a lot of my homeschooling days felt like this. The most difficult part of homeschooling was feeling judged by other Christian moms. Some of it was just my imagination, but a fair amount of it was not.<br />
<br />
When it comes to homeschooling, don't let the public fool you, we had a wonderful social life and I believe my daughter, Lydia, got a great education that catered to her needs.<br />
<br />
There were plenty of good people in our group, and only a few critics, but for me, the critics seemed to be running the show; they had the loudest voices. I experienced a lot of judgement on my parenting skills, my choices concerning movies, television, fashion, and books. After much discouragement and hurt, I cried out to God for direction. He
whispered the word "Pious" (<i>making a hypocritical display of virtue</i>) to my heart. He showed me how even Paul and Barnabas parted ways (<i>Acts 15:39 <span class="text Acts-15-39" id="en-KJV-27482">And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other)</span></i>.
Stepping away was lonely, but it was the best thing for me and my
daughter at that time. I didn't want my daughter viewing Christians as pious.<br />
<br />
Eventually, my daughter and I left the Christian homeschool community. We continued to homeschool on our own. We needed to focus on building our self-esteem and letting God shape us, not our fears of what others might think of us. <br />
<br />
During this trying time, the Lord gave me a beautiful devotion on loneliness by <span class="addmd">L. B. E. Cowman in</span> <i>Streams in the Dessert</i>. "A life that is dedicated to God knows divine fellowship, no matter how many human friendships have had to be forfeited along the way. Learn to walk alone with Him as Moses, Abraham, Paul and Jesus did. Allow God to isolate you. It is in the experience of isolation that the Lord develops an independence of life and of faith so that the soul no longer depends on the continual help, prayers, faith and care of others. The assistance and inspiration from others are necessary, and they have a place in a Christian's development, but at times they can actually become a hindrance to a person's faith and welfare."<br />
<br />
The conclusion I came to is that this life is full of disappointments, hurt, and sacrifice. God is much bigger than all of that. My first two children went to public school. My eldest made it through without peer pressure, but she didn't escape the cruel comments and bullying friends. On the other hand, my son was pretty popular and followed his friends right into the world of partying. My last daughter was home-schooled and hurt the most by her best friends. The bottom line is all of my children have graduated and moved on with their lives. They
are all well adjusted and excelling. They live their lives committed to the Lord. I am very proud of them. <br />
<br />
God sacrificed his own son and Abraham was called to sacrifice his child. We cannot escape the pains of this world, but I am happy to report that if handled correctly, these trials can make us stronger. <br />
<br />
I don't regret my homeschooling experience. We have lots of wonderful memories. The good outweighs the bad and I wouldn't change a thing. We met wonderful people along the way. I have learned many things about myself and my daughter and we were forced to seek the Lord and grow. It is not my job to convince people I am spiritual. I don't need to have disclaimers for my behavior. In the book, <i>The Life You've Always Wanted</i>, John Ortberg says. "Instead of focusing on the boundaries, Jesus focuses on the center, the heart of spiritual life. Boundaries can give us a sense of superiority. The true heart of spiritual life is love of God and people. We can tragically think we are becoming more spiritual when we are becoming more judgmental." Let us ask ourselves, the more scripture we know - are we becoming more loving? more patient? more understanding?<br />
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<br />Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-29603290497490069792015-01-12T11:49:00.001-08:002015-02-24T14:10:47.283-08:00Do It Afraid<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
I love Gideon. He is my kindred spirit. He is fearful, never sure of himself and always asking questions. Thankfully, that didn't stop God from using him in a mighty way. That gives me hope.<br />
<br />
The story is in the book of Judges - Chapters 6 and 7<br />
<br />
Chapter 6<br />
<br />
It begins with the Israelites disobeying God. So what does God do? He lets the enemy have control over them. Some of the people were so scared that they ran and hid. Others made strongholds. Every time the Israelites tried to plant crops, the enemy stole from them and destroyed everything. Eventually, the enemy took everything.<br />
<br />
After trying it on their own, they beg God for His help. <span class="text Judg-6-1-Judg-6-6"><i>The People of Israel, reduced to grinding poverty by Midian, cried out to <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> for help</i>.</span> God says "You have idols".<br />
<br />
In my own life, I ask myself who or what is controlling me, where do I run when faced with trouble, and what distractions do I have that replace my dependence on God? <br />
<br />
We find Gideon hiding from the enemy and yet, God asks for his help. God informs Gideon that He is helping him and He calls him <b>a strong</b> <b>warrior</b>.<span class="text Judg-6-11-Judg-6-12" id="en-MSG-2874"> “<i><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> is with you, O <b>mighty warrior</b>!”</i></span> By earthly standards, this would not appear to be the case. But we don't walk by sight, we walk by faith and God calls Gideon a strong warrior. <br />
<br />
In verse 13, Gideon asks God why these things are happening. <i>Gideon replied, “God is with me, my master? If <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> is with us, <b>why has all this happened to us</b>? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about?</i> The Lord answers him.<br />
<br />
Many times I have heard Christians say, "don't ask God why". But in this case, God answers him and shows Him where the problem lies.<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Judg-6-8" id="en-KJV-6663"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>That the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;</span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span class="text Judg-6-9" id="en-KJV-6664"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>And
I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand
of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave
you their land;</span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span class="text Judg-6-10" id="en-KJV-6665"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>And I said unto you, I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.</span></i><br />
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In Verse 14 God sends Gideon to fight. We must also fight our battles to gain our victory and capture our spoils. I love Gideon's response in verse 15 <i>"Gideon said to him, “Me,
my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My
clan’s the weakest in Manasseh and <b>I’m the runt of the litter</b>.” </i><i><span class="text Judg-6-16" id="en-MSG-2878"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> said to him, “I’ll be with you. Believe me, you’ll defeat Midian as one man.”</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="text Judg-6-16" id="en-MSG-2878">Next Gideon offers a sacrifice. Can we make a sacrifice for God, a show of our willingness to trust Him? Now here is the part I can relate to the most. Gideon is not sure. He asks God for a sign and not once, but eventually, a total of three times.<i> </i>Graciously, God grants his request. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Judg-6-16" id="en-MSG-2878">Gideon builds an altar, showing God his willingness. He is afraid, but does it anyway. Verse 27 </span><i>Gideon selected ten men from his servants and did exactly what <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>
had told him. But because of his family and the people in the
neighborhood, <b>he was afraid</b> to do it openly, so he did it that night. </i><br />
<br />
The enemy arises from sleep and is not happy. <span class="text Judg-6-33-Judg-6-35" id="en-MSG-2892"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>’s Spirit comes over Gideon.</span> We have this spirit in us. Gideon gathers help and heads toward (not away from) the enemy camp. He still has hesitation, doubt and fear. <i><span class="text Judg-6-36-Judg-6-37" id="en-MSG-2893">Gideon said to
God, “If this is right, if you are using me to save Israel as you’ve
said, then look: I’m placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If
dew is on the fleece only, but the floor is dry, then I know that you
will use me to save Israel, as you said. </span></i><i><span class="text Judg-6-36-Judg-6-37" id="en-MSG-2893"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And
it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece
together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. </span><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">Then Gideon said to God,
“Don’t be impatient with me, but let me say one more thing. I want to
try another time with the fleece. But this time let the fleece stay dry,
while the dew drenches the ground.” </span></i><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">And God is still gracious and patient with him.</span><br />
<span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"><br /></span>
<span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">Chapter 7</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">Gideon's faith is stretched when he realizes the intensity of the battle and how little he has to offer. </span><br />
<i><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>
said to Gideon, “You have too large an army with you. I can’t turn
Midian over to them like this—they’ll take all the credit, saying, ‘I
did it all myself,’ and forget about me. <span class="text Judg-7-7" id="en-MSG-2901"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>
said to Gideon: “I’ll use the three hundred men who lapped at the
stream to save you and give Midian into your hands. All the rest may go
home.</span></i><br />
<span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"><br /></span>
<span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">Once again, </span>I see God's loving patience and grace with Gideon. </span><span class="text Judg-7-9-Judg-7-12" id="en-MSG-2903"><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895">Verse 10-15 </span></span></span><i><span class="text Judg-7-9-Judg-7-12" id="en-MSG-2903"><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"><span class="text Judg-6-39" id="en-MSG-2895"></span></span>If you have any
doubts about going down, go down with Purah your armor bearer; when you
hear what they’re saying, you’ll be bold and confident. </span></i><i><span class="text Judg-7-13" id="en-MSG-2904">Gideon arrived just in
time to hear a man tell his friend a dream. He said, “I had this dream: A
loaf of barley bread tumbled into the Midianite camp. It came to the
tent and hit it so hard it collapsed. The tent fell!”</span> </i><span class="text Judg-7-15" id="en-MSG-2906"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><i>His
friend said, “This has to b</i>e t<i>he sword of Gideon son of Joash, the
Israelite! God has turned Midian—the whole camp!—over to him.</i>”<sup class="versenum"> </sup><i>When
Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he went
to his knees before God in prayer. Then he went back to the Israelite
camp and said, “Get up and get going! <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> has just given us the Midianite army!”</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Judg-7-21" id="en-KJV-6716">And so the enemy was defeated. </span><i><span class="text Judg-7-21" id="en-KJV-6716">They stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="text Judg-7-21" id="en-KJV-6716">I can't help but be inspired by this beautiful story of how God used a </span><span class="text Judg-7-21" id="en-KJV-6716">seemingly fearful, doubtful man in such a gracious, patient way. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Judg-6-16" id="en-MSG-2878"> </span><span class="text Judg-6-16" id="en-MSG-2878"><br /></span></i>Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3298945318380653183.post-83432256838986008862013-01-24T14:53:00.001-08:002013-01-24T14:53:23.279-08:00Herbed Shortbread Cookies<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These have to be my favorite. This cookie is just a shortbread cookie with very little ingredients. I cut the recipe and just make a few cookies for my husband and I.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The nice thing about the cookie is that the possibilities are endless. Add any herb, I prefer peppermint or lavender. You can roll them in powdered, colored, regular sugar, or chopped nuts or even<span style="font-size: large;"> put a glaze or icing on.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can grab a tea bag such as Peppermint or Oolong or grab some Rosemary or Thyme from your spice shelf for your herbal addition. Have fun and experiment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Mint Shortbread Cookies</u><span style="font-size: large;"> - makes 3 <span style="font-size: large;">dozen</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 <span style="font-size: large;">c</span> butter (softened)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 c sugar</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1T ground mint (<span style="font-size: large;">you can get this from a tea bag)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 c flour</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">1/4 t salt</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mi<span style="font-size: large;">x</span> butter and sugar,<span style="font-size: large;"> then add the rest. Chill dough<span style="font-size: large;"> slightly. <span style="font-size: large;">Make</span> 1" <span style="font-size: large;">balls and roll in sugar (or w<span style="font-size: large;">hatever). Press with thu<span style="font-size: large;">mb. 350' for 12 minutes.</span></span></span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span><br />
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<br />Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021513085445439080noreply@blogger.com1