tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70876516958199160302024-03-05T01:40:13.426-08:00One Girl's Faith JourneyTerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-46780367014348576722023-03-29T13:13:00.000-07:002023-03-29T13:13:18.184-07:00<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hey All! </span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If you landed here via a post you saw on my Instagram Page (@terajean) OR my FB Page (Tera's Online Christian Journey), please contact me via DM through one of those sites OR hit the Contact Me on this Home page and shoot me an email - My website is MEGA-outdated and is awaiting her makeover!</span></div><div>THANK YOU!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tGp0e6Nf-m8bneuhxcX9jo1XMdWwJO85m9VOlJyvd88KKdvex-FGGgZpx7BEbPnO5A1FqCCzIRQb0emVXqK0JeNxqXmIdu5OA9Pk1_bZF8hWNn5SqLQ1gg7WmSSE6G6MSLIjbTYM3kI/s1600/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px;" /></div>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-49342518129695201052016-05-16T19:59:00.000-07:002017-07-23T20:01:18.279-07:00Why We're Doing the Hard Unpopular Parent Thing....And Why I'm Choosing to Write About It.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He brought home the note yesterday. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They would be showing a movie to the entire 1st grade class to celebrate the end of a fabulous school year. #rockon</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But the reason for the note revealed the reason the note was needed. Although school policy was to show only G-rated movies, as long as parents said it was ok........PG could be shown.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, ok. I'm still in. After all, he's seen some PG movies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We've TAKEN HIM to some PG movies. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We're good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The small faces of three chipmunks staring us dead in the face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">No, no, no.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Of all the movies.....please not that one.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, months ago I caught an episode of the <strike>New & Improved</strike> "Alvin & The Chipmunks" cartoon that currently airs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was speechless. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, that's not exactly true. I had a lot to say. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But I didn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Could I be overreacting? Am I being overly sensitive? Am I such a Jesus freak that I can't even watch a simple kids show without ripping it to moral shreds?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I quietly turned the channel the next time it appeared, and continued to bite my tongue. <ouch></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> A few days later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> My husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Should you not know him, let me tell you that he speaks 1/100th the words of his female counterpart. Over the years, he has rarely injected his thoughts on the majority of media matters. (with the exception of "The Bachelor"...."my daughter is NOT going to be raised believing it is ok for a guy to claim to love her and then make out with no-less-than-a-handful of barely-dressed bods in a matter of a few hours and hope to be 'picked' as the winner) #rockondaddy</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So said husband says to me one morning, "I watched the new Alvin & The Chipmunks" with Jack yesterday Tera........ummmm, ya....NO. In addition to some seriously crude humor, I can't take all those "shut up"s and their little talk-back attitudes to that Dave guy that I think is supposed to be like their....Dad?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I knew right then and there that Alvin and his brothers would need to find a new home in which to showcase their stardom.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I also knew that God had seen to it that each of us had individually heard his message to us as mom and dad...loud and clear.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So we talked to our little man. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We explained all of the reasons why we didn't like this particular tv show. We told him how we believe in the power of our words and the impact of our actions. We talked to him about respect and lack thereof, how what we watch and listen to can become the way we see and speak in and to this world, and we told him how much we loved him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And we meant every word.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But when I saw the note lying on the counter this morning, can I be all-out honest? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My first reaction was "Ugh, ok, so it's not what I would have picked, but Jack is old enough to understand, we will just talk to him ahead of time, and explain it to him afterwards, I mean, we don't want him to get teased or miss out." #bikerodeofearsalloveragain</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I dropped the kids off and returned home to finish getting ready for work.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">God would NOT let it go.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Verses flooded my head.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> #FLOODED</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Romans 12:2</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"></span><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"></span><span class="text Prov-22-6" id="en-KJV-17022">Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Prov-22-6" id="en-KJV-17022">Proverbs 22:6</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Prov-22-6" id="en-KJV-17022"> </span><span class="text Prov-22-6" id="en-KJV-17022"></span><br />Above all else, <b>guard</b> your <b>heart</b>, for everything you do flows from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Proverbs 4:23</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">......To name a few.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Now..............before I start receiving hate mail, or messages telling me that I have no business condemning movies or schools or anyone's choices...........Hear me.</span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">That is NOT the reason for this post.</span></span></b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">And no, I don't believe that every child that sees this movie or any other like it is going to grow up to be alcoholic ax-murderer because they watched a smart-alec chipmunk shout "Buzzkill". (I watched the trailer)</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><span style="font-size: large;"><And I will also say that I believe that schools and teachers all around this world, including in my very own small town, are doing a <i>seriously</i> incredible job. They love our kids and they show it. And it's beyond admirable.></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Here IS why I share this story with you (and it goes far beyond one simple little rodents film)- </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Don't let the world decide what's best for you and those you love. </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"> </span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><b>Don't let the world convince you that you'll stand out <in a bad way> if you don't fit in <according to their way>.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">and</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Don't let the world's voice be louder than the voice of the God who loves you best and loves you most.</span></b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">I almost did this morning.</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">In an effort to save my first-grader alienation and embarrassment, I almost blatantly went against everything I knew and everything God was speaking to BOTH me and my husband....just to fit in...<i><b>and I ain't just talkin' 'bout the first-grader.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><good gravy, forty-five years old and still too-often worried about pleasing and appeasing the world></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Can you imagine the message it would have sent to the small boy who <i>knew</i> it was something mommy and daddy did not agree with?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">#ThanksfornotlettingitgoGod </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">The best part?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">I told our little man Jack after school today that he wouldn't be seeing the movie with his class tomorrow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">I braced myself for the tearful response, the small tantrum, the cries of "why mommy? why??"....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">"Ya, I didn't think so. We've talked about that lots around here and I know you and daddy don't like that for me."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Rock on little man. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Rock on.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tGp0e6Nf-m8bneuhxcX9jo1XMdWwJO85m9VOlJyvd88KKdvex-FGGgZpx7BEbPnO5A1FqCCzIRQb0emVXqK0JeNxqXmIdu5OA9Pk1_bZF8hWNn5SqLQ1gg7WmSSE6G6MSLIjbTYM3kI/s1600/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /><br />
Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-90432135712306871632016-03-26T08:18:00.000-07:002017-07-23T19:57:51.718-07:00Reese's Eggs & The Risen Savior.....We Love Both.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let me first start out saying that the order used in this blog post title in no way indicates my greater love.</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friends,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this house, we dye eggs. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We hunt for them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We leave out baskets. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We hunt for those too. (the benefit of being a middle-age mama is that you really do get to (<i>ahem...need to</i>) hunt for yourself)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Easter Bunny visits during the night (<i>ok, the wee hours of morn</i>) and sometimes, our youngest even hears him leave (<i>I beg of you, please don't tell him</i>).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We, as in, every single person that resides in this home, as well as the one that ditched us for a higher education, love Reese's Eggs. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I mean, we Looooove our Reese's Eggs. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">**Please let me interject here that if you haven't yet tried this amazing confection, you simply must run to your nearest retailer. They are, in fact, the precise and perfect ratio of creamy peanut butter and milk chocolate.</span></i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I digress.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So to recap:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We dye and hunt for eggs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We leave out baskets and await the big bunny.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We indulge in Reese's Eggs, without guilt, because after all; they do come but once a year.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, and one more thing:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">WE LOVE JESUS.</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We adore Him. We praise Him. We worship Him. We follow Him. We strive to be <i>like</i> Him and walk <i>with</i> Him.......daily.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We know Him from His birth, and His death, and His resurrection. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We cry at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and we rejoice at the Empty Tomb on Easter Morning.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We seek Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(and unlike the eggs and baskets, we are sure to find Him when we do)</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh, and we love Reese's eggs. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His death was for <b>life.</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His resurrection was for <b>hope.</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His promise was for <b>future.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His love..........is <i><b>eternal. </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>May you and yours enjoy a most beautiful and blessed Easter (she writes while licking the last residue of Reese's off her lips) ~</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love & Hugs,</span></span><br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52tGp0e6Nf-m8bneuhxcX9jo1XMdWwJO85m9VOlJyvd88KKdvex-FGGgZpx7BEbPnO5A1FqCCzIRQb0emVXqK0JeNxqXmIdu5OA9Pk1_bZF8hWNn5SqLQ1gg7WmSSE6G6MSLIjbTYM3kI/s1600/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /><br />
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<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-82288830197716515032016-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:002017-07-23T20:03:28.723-07:00Move In. Clean House. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you move into a new place, the first thing you gotta do is......clean
house. (At least that's what my mama taught me, how about you?)<br /> We take possession, and then we grab the Ajax. The Endust. The Clorox bleach. (Oh how I hate that smell, just ask my mama)<br /> Why do we do it?<br /> Because it's important that we start fresh.<br /> And clean. And free of cobwebs. (ewww spiders) <span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> The land will be given to you, but if you don't force out the bad......you'll have trouble.<br /> God's instructions to the Israelites.<br /> Listen, I'm giving you the land, providing you with a new home, but when you arrive....you'll need to clean house.<br /> Those cobwebs of your past?<br /> They need to go.<br /> That dirt of guilt and unforgiveness?<br /> Get the broom.<br /> Those streaks of shame and bitterness?<br /> Break out the Windex.<br /> Fear. Worry. Anxiety. Doubt. Resentment.<br /> Seriously, they're taking up too much closet space. (and that's some sacred space, amen ladies?)<br /> Move in. ----> He's given it. <br /> Clean house. ----> And live free.<br /> (Cuz sharp hooks and thorns really hurt...ever step on a Lego?)<br /> Friends, God offers us a new home through His Son. Actually, He paid for it. <br /> In full. (Hello, no mortgage) <br /> Move in.<br /> Clean house.<br /> Live free.<br /> (Ahhh....a girl can almost smell the Pine Sol...so much better than bleach)<br /> <i>♥</i><br /> {What I saw in Numbers 33:54-55 NCV this Friday morning, and I'm just so glad you're here}</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Trust your gut"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've all heard it. Most of us have even adopted it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all, we've been conditioned from little on to believe that our gut instinct is always the "right" instinct. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But is it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because my gut is flesh. I'm guessing yours is too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And if there's one thing I've learned in my 44 (ok, pushing 45) years it's this:</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't always trust what my flesh has to say.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The flesh of my gut has been known to whisper.......</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Don't stop and help, there's other people that will."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You don't need to give, you do plenty of other good things."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Inviting her for a cup of coffee isn't going to change the fact that her husband is a cheat."</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You can do it later."</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"You mean well, it's just that you're really busy. And it's the thought that counts anyway."</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And these are just a <i>few</i> of my gut reactions.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The list of gut reactions in the midst of real life circumstances is not pretty.</b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it's not </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Godly.</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my gut says, "Keep going".....God says, "Stop and be there."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my gut says, "You don't have enough to give".....God says, "I am your provider".</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my gut says, "One hour of time isn't going to change anything".....God says, "Clearly you haven't seen what I can do in a moment".</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When my gut says, "This makes me uncomfortable".....God says, "I created you to be comfort-able." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So here's what I've determined. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just today, actually. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After an extraordinary day surrounded by His presence in a spectrum of situations.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't need to trust my gut,</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I need to trust my God.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My reactions are a reflection of where I remain.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And when I remain in HIM..........I can trust that my reactions will bring Him glory. And my flesh will respond in obedience. And my instincts will be a result of resting in Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends, my gut may say, "You mean well and that's all that matters".........but my God whispers........</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good intentions don't shine My light.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i> In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:16 NIV<span class="p"><br /></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remain in Me. <span style="font-size: large;">(John 15:4)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rest in Me. <span style="font-size: large;">(Matthew 11:28-30)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">React in Me. <span style="font-size: large;">(Ephesians 4:32)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Resist your gut. <span style="font-size: large;">(Mark 14:38)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Renew your faith. <span style="font-size: large;">(Psalm 51:10)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Restore your trust. <span style="font-size: large;">(Jeremiah 17:7)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Remember...................I am with you always. <span style="font-size: large;">(Matthew 28:20)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Skip the gut.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Seek the One True God.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sweetest Blessings,</span></span><br />
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-79704580896446262682015-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:002015-08-05T09:15:53.948-07:00Minion Mania & Maker Reveal<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wy3iBtP1oiJjlk01TFWSv7ujBIN7QV_SCD2OvrT1WhyphenhyphenKqnrX94h6faUlo9FROOFW0z2t5iLqbA4GQDxTa7rKW5qp_MudZdFi4o1tsZ9cyA9B4MGjPpMokyQ2liAzxLgpme5Y5nFFmKH8/s1600/MinionMania.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wy3iBtP1oiJjlk01TFWSv7ujBIN7QV_SCD2OvrT1WhyphenhyphenKqnrX94h6faUlo9FROOFW0z2t5iLqbA4GQDxTa7rKW5qp_MudZdFi4o1tsZ9cyA9B4MGjPpMokyQ2liAzxLgpme5Y5nFFmKH8/s640/MinionMania.jpg" width="457" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now whether you love all things Minions or you are seriously ready to wring their squeaky little yellow necks, (and if you're wondering which category I fall in, I respectfully plead the 5th), one thing is almost for certain.....like Kevin, Stuart, and Bob....we know what it's like to stand in the shadow of the enemy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Uh oh.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We tremble and quake.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our lips quiver.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our minds shake.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are scared.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terrified actually.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And left feeling......<i><b>powerless to move</b></i>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So what's a girl to do? Seriously?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When our own Scarlet Overkill (cleverly disguised as job loss, divorce, heartache, loneliness, financial distress, wayward children, insecurity, jealousy, poor health, discontentment, or one of the many <i>many </i>other masks it wears) threatens to kill....steal...and destroy.....what are we to do?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What <i><b>CAN</b> </i>we do? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Move out of the shadow.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even if it means moving afraid.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With knees knocking.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With heart racing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With sweat pouring from every single forehead pore.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We move.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Out of the shadow.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Into the Light.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We pray to the One who listens.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We run to the One who reveals.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We worship the One who makes all things new.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And we boldly approach the throne...knock-knees and all...rejoicing in the knowledge and the truth that <i><b>although the shadow exists, the light wins.</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every. single. time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcVpNsfUFa1OGsmIhL92QYvHAcS2w3U8Le8Dz7a-C5HuQR68QKDtPVSs7Jv9RT1A6BhcIFfH90sbR9QEKMtzAHb-3pSXo_9_5hyeFWdMZNrMpOA-i3lSn0OhN3CTbVMUJ8Mz0VGBfm3l0/s1600/IntheLight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcVpNsfUFa1OGsmIhL92QYvHAcS2w3U8Le8Dz7a-C5HuQR68QKDtPVSs7Jv9RT1A6BhcIFfH90sbR9QEKMtzAHb-3pSXo_9_5hyeFWdMZNrMpOA-i3lSn0OhN3CTbVMUJ8Mz0VGBfm3l0/s640/IntheLight.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b><i> Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. YOU are my God...and I trust you." -Psalm 91:1</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ps. You can do it. I know you can. Xo.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Peace,</i></b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhxIflFN9RcQQePlpdo8WtnKuFRVzKYkMk5iNaruecNvq-2Y27nCYDjCYb43VNge2luxjoH7gDgZyyT60pcxGPZVkT0Ee_46v3XDWhVmrDy9zX5LikG2QtahglCc5zPcqp8sYGSXXFkoUvVT4Wt7QFdXcPT0BMSbcFPu9S8g9hf8_kZ_jKHV0TlcjT1xg=" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4:40am.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hate that time. As an admitted and proclaimed early morning riser, I have an unwritten 5:00am rule: 5am or after, get up and start the coffee. Anything earlier than 5am, get your butt back in bed young lady.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the dog barked. And the husband snored. So the mama got up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I opened the front door for her and then parked myself in my spot. The spot on the stairs where I wait for her to finish doin' what she's gotta do (which just happens to be more and more frequent as the years go by.......I can relate my furry friend).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Out of nowhere. Tears. A flood. And a heart that seemed to sting that kind of "ketchup in the cut" sting. Ouch.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From my perch I glanced down the stairs and saw the college boy's room. Empty. And although it's been empty for a few years now as each school year passed......this year, even summer would miss his infectious smile. And dirty socks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I turn my head and look down the hall. One of those bedrooms sits empty this early morning too. The carefree teenage girl who's away at a sleepover, quite possibly falling asleep as her mama sits on the step sobbing at 4:40am. She reminds me frequently that she is "almost a freshman" and will "get my permit in like 7 months" and "Can you believe I graduate in like four years Mom?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even the last of the crew. The one who I never deep down really expected to arrive. He'll be waking up soon, I just know it. He finds his way to Mama in her Jesus chair and nestles snugly into the place between the two arms....mine and the chair's. Not to mention the arms of his savior. He wakes each morning with an excitement and vigor and zest for life. "Mama, mama! In ten more days I get to graduate!" Kindergarten graduation. Another cap and gown. Another set of tears. Through watery eyes I can't help but giggle a bit as the song "Another One Bites the Dust" quickly plays out in my mind. On cassette of course.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are my babies. I am their mama.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I have to ask myself sitting on the steps in the wee of morning if some of those tears are selfish tears. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course they are.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As they get older, I get older. Now don't misunderstand, I love this age. Big time. When I write on your Facebook wall "40s rule" and "40s rock" and "Welcome to the Best Decade" as you join the club, believe me when I say........I mean it. I have found freedom and tasted victory and discovered true life while here and I wouldn't trade it for anything. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is something about the time that has passed away. Sometimes I feel as if it was time lost. Time not well spent. Time wasted.<br />And some of it was. It may pierce the flesh to admit it, but remember what I said about that 40s freedom?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-90-12" id="en-NIV-15391">Teach us to number our days,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-90-12">that we may gain a heart of wisdom. </span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Psalm 90:12</span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Teach us. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Whew. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Two words that usher in grace. Two words that indicate this isn't something that I was born knowing......but rather something <i>I needed to learn</i>.<br />A 44 year old student? <br />Why not.<br />I'm game.<br />I'm actually more open to learning and growing now than ever before. (see again the 40s clause)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">"Where has the time gone?"</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br />"How did they grow up so fast?"</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">"Could someone slow down time please?"</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Heard these? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Don't lie, you've done more than hear them, you've said them.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">All of us mamas have. I think it's in the handbook under "What to Say when Your Children become Taller than You, and Start to Drive, and Hit their First Home Run, and Lose their First Tooth, and Dance their First Recital, and Graduate Kindergarten". </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">I realize as I say those words how selfish a mama can be. Allow me to go first....</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br />While I mourn the loss of a college son's empty bedroom, there's a mama out there mourning a much deeper loss.<br />While I weep at the thought of a teenage daughter's catapult into high school, there's a mama out there who would rejoice at the opportunity to witness the jump.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">While I sob as the youngest prepares to walk down the Kindergarten aisle of pride, there's a mama out there who never had the chance to tilt the paper cap and wipe the Oreo crumbs away.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">While I feel sorry for myself and all the things I must Goodbye to.........there's a mama out there who never got to say Hello.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Lord, teach me to number my days. Not to wish them away or pray they'll stand still. Not to squander the minutes while missing the moments. The small moments. The really small moments. Not the ones captured for social media display, but the ones only the heart can snapshot. The skinned knee that only my kiss could heal. The last-minute suppers around the little breakfast counter. The "bust-out" family laughs that only we understand. The bad dreams that cause them to run to us. The big dreams they choose to share with us.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Twenty one years ago I was due with the first of what would eventually be three.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">May 8, 1994.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Mother's Day.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12">Thank you God for real live blessings. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-90-12"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Forever His,</i></span></span><br />
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /><br />
<br />
<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-83635115898978283722015-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:002015-02-12T09:17:27.997-08:00Redeemed....by Name.<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There was a girl sent from God. Her name was Tera. (that's me)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And although I was sent by Him, I haven't always known Him. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, once I met Him, I knew I'd never forget Him.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, He had me at........."I have redeemed you." And the "called you by your name" part?, well that was just a nice added personal touch. (it's pronounced "Tera", like 'tear a piece of paper', not Tera, as in 'tar---a', any other 'teacher always said it wrong on the first day of school' friends out there?) Of course, knowing that He always gets it right (and whispers it so beautifully) causes this (never got to have a personalized bike license plate or lunch box) girl to do a little bust-a-move. (Sorry, I think my 80s are showing)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i>Now this is what the LORD says-- the One who created you, Jacob, and the
One who formed you, Israel--" Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I
have called you by your name; you are Mine. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="p"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Isaiah 43:1 HCSB</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Redeemed: (thank you dictionary.com)</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To buy back, pay off, to recover by payment, to make up for; make amends for.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mercy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All that? For ME?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was hardly deserving. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A simple small-town girl who didn't even attempt to read the bible until she was 38 yrs old. Who missed plenty, and I mean PLENTY of church services along the way. Who chose to fill herself with the ways of the world rather than some good ole' daily bread and living water. Who strayed off course more often than the dumbest sheep in the field. Who messed up, tripped up, and slipped up, and often times forgot to look up. (And I do mean often) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So why? Why would the creator of the entire universe, the master of the stars and commander of the seas, the King of all Kings, the Name above all Names, and the Holiest of Holy redeem......Me?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three words. </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You. Are. Mine.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three sweet words that win out against chocolate any day of the week. (but honey, if you're reading this, dark chocolate with sea salt is my favorite)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am His. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He is Mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know His name.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He knows mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He leads.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I follow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He loves me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I still mess up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He........doesn't.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> But He knew what He was getting with me. A simple small town girl who doesn't always get it right. Who is learning as she goes along. Who fully understands the phrase "work in progress" (whew). Who realizes that a mighty price was paid for her. A price far exceeding her weight in gold (that price will remain a mystery by the way). </span></span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus.</span></span></b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One precious son.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One incredible payment. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Given for Tera. A girl sent by God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Redeemed.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfNhDU6VUENBP41bBz3nwVYVN-lZ-vM-yJc6f-8SmL-FFAchVvRgStlHBCmtp1fY-vBsi5inLQxVtC19X-Kr0BLeT0P4b4wOrauMp-SxweuNR5eR0jH5CWZouaD62PMyHb54A_-UNiJp0/s1600/MeRedeemed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfNhDU6VUENBP41bBz3nwVYVN-lZ-vM-yJc6f-8SmL-FFAchVvRgStlHBCmtp1fY-vBsi5inLQxVtC19X-Kr0BLeT0P4b4wOrauMp-SxweuNR5eR0jH5CWZouaD62PMyHb54A_-UNiJp0/s1600/MeRedeemed.JPG" height="320" width="195" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Because of Grace,</span></span><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Thank you to my special friend Suzie Eller, who encouraged me to write, and continues to inspire me daily. Find her story and more #livefree stories today at <span class="p">http://tsuzanneeller.com/2015/02/12/my-story-is/. </span><br />
<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-11885884257772936952014-11-15T17:47:00.000-08:002014-11-15T17:47:22.035-08:00Why I'm Glad the Dishwasher Broke<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bear with me. I'm not crazy. Well, for the most part.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Approximately
a month ago...the dishwasher died. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course, I did what any normal, rational,
middle age wife and mama would do..........I completely freaked out. I
mean it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I. freaked. out. I arrived at work, and in my panic, spewed my
situation all over the boss' desk. "I need your help! My dishwasher
broke! We go through a lot - did you hear me? - a LOT of dishes....what
am I going to do??"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I knew my options. Call my neighborhood
appliance store and have a shiny new dishwasher delivered and installed,
or (gulp)........wash the dishes..............by hand. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, before you
deem me a selfish middle-class brat who doesn't like to get her hands
dirty, sprinkle a little grace and soapsuds my way, would you?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I still don't have a dishwasher.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But I do have a sinkload of new memories.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because when it's dishes time.......it's daughter time. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Teenage daughter time. And if you have one of these special humans of your own, you know just what a sacred space that is. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I
wash. She dries. We listen to Pandora Christmas Music. We talk. We
laugh. Because when our hands are wet.....they aren't wired. Because when they are
holding on to pots and pans....they are free from Facebook and
Instagram. Because the time it takes to wash and to dry those dishes........is time we have together............unplugged. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You see, <i><b>the joy isn't in the clean dishes.........it's in the process of getting them clean.</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last
week I was watching QVC (don't judge me). New Instant Set-Up Outdoor
Lighted Wire Trees! Christmas in an Instant! Five seconds folks - you heard
right - just FIVE seconds and Christmas is born! No more fumbling
around outside with the husband trying to get those lights just right.
No more untangling of the dreaded net lights only to find out half are
burnt out (after you cover all the shrubs). No more climbing the ladder in the frigid cold to line those little bulbs of brightness just so. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sounds perfect....right? Hmmmm...I don't
think so.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You see, <i><b>the joy isn't in the well-lit house.........it's in the process of getting it lit</b></i>. It's in the time spent together hanging those said lights...and then discovering they're burnt out, and then taking them back down, and then rehanging them, and then.......well, you catch my {snow}drift..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Perhaps that's why our God instructs us to......</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i><b>Pray all the time. -1 Thessalonians 5:17</b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Perhaps that's why our God reminds us to.......</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i><b><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">Thank God in
everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and
give thanks, for this is the will of God for you who are in Christ
Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">Perhaps that's why our God tells us plainly to.......</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638"> <i><b>Be joyful. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">Perhaps it's because our God wants us to understand that</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">the power of prayer is in the process. </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">That it's not about the answer, it's about the attitude.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">That it's not about how rapidly He responds to our requests, it's about how we are renewed and transformed during the time of waiting.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">That it's not about the end result, it's about each and every important lesson we learn along the way. Strengthening our faith along the path of defective dishwashers and burnt out bulbs.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">It's about the process.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">The power is in the process.</span></span></span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">{Note: A new dishwasher is on my Christmas list. C'mon, y'all kinda figured that, didn't ya?}</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text 1Thess-5-18" id="en-AMP-29638">Soaked in Grace (with dishpan hands),</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-1287942786988796092014-10-27T20:49:00.000-07:002014-10-27T20:49:35.466-07:00Walls ...And Why They Gotta Go<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It started as a simple walk to work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After all, I had looked ahead at the forecast, and clearly today could quite possibly be the last time in 2014 that this fair-weather-walker-girl would have the chance.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And whenever I walk, He talks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure if He speaks louder, or I listen better, but either way, I heard Him. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It started with a song...(by the way, I sound like a RockStar when I'm alone)...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And I will praise You in this storm<br />
I will lift my hands<br />
For You are who You are<br />
No matter where I am<br /> And every tear I've cried<br />
You hold in Your hand<br />
You never left my side<br />
And though my heart is torn<br />
I will praise You in this storm</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't all that surprised to hear the lyrics on my lips. You see, I not only love the song, I was in the middle of praying for some friends who are currently struggling with everything from finances to family, from health or hearing Him, from stress to sadness. And God has been showing me the importance of praising Him in the midst of problems. Singing in the center of storms. Worshiping despite walls. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Walls. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Walls.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I heard the word over and over.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think Tera, think. The bible story with the walls. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joshua. Yep, that's it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joshua. Jericho. You know, the walls came tumbling down..... (go ahead, sing it if you know it)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Is that it God? Do you want me to spend time there today? Is there something You want to show me there today?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I smile even now as I write, remembering what felt like His warm smile upon me (it was indeed a gorgeous sun), and with a tilt of His head, He whispered, "Yes."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i> <span class="text Josh-6-2" id="en-NCV-5874">Then the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> said to Joshua, “Look, I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its fighting men. </span></i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-3" id="en-NCV-5875"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>March around the city with your army once a day for six days. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-4" id="en-NCV-5876"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Have
seven priests carry trumpets made from horns of male sheep and have
them march in front of the Ark. On the seventh day march around the city
seven times and have the priests blow the trumpets as they march. </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><i>They
will make one long blast on the trumpets. When you hear that sound,
have all the people give a loud shout. Then the walls of the city will
fall so the people can go straight into the city.” ~Joshua 6:2-5 NCV</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Can we just stop and and feel for poor Josh a minute here? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">"Let me get this straight God, in the middle of a major attack, you want us to............offer praise?" Yup.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">That's a great story God, it really is, but.......what does it have to do with my prayers? for myself? for others?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">My child, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Look at all the walls. They're everywhere. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Some my children built for themselves, some were constructed for them. </span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Either way, <i><b>they are not protection.....they are BARRIERS.</b></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><i><span class="text Josh-6-1">The people of Jericho were afraid because
the Israelites were near. They closed the city gates and guarded them.
No one went into the city, and no one came out.</span> ~Joshua 6:1 NCV</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><i> </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">No one can get in. That's true. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">But more importantly, you can not get out. </span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvzwm3nzvtXU8pdNSkJRjcJnsCxkDmMzk2iZMjPwhKzNdmwg5flmbQRwPCLDCbdZHfj02Lo2y6IczeS6czqMZWIsot7J6GVIibMrK5ha2iFsCElikhFMDQPb8mnw3Zeb5i13a4otPXpNa/s1600/Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvzwm3nzvtXU8pdNSkJRjcJnsCxkDmMzk2iZMjPwhKzNdmwg5flmbQRwPCLDCbdZHfj02Lo2y6IczeS6czqMZWIsot7J6GVIibMrK5ha2iFsCElikhFMDQPb8mnw3Zeb5i13a4otPXpNa/s1600/Wall.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Walls of insecurity. Walls of excuses. Walls of jealousy. Walls of fear. Walls of uncertainty. Walls of worry. Walls of selfishness. Walls of despair. Walls of greed. Walls of comparison. Walls of anger. Walls of unforgiveness. Walls of hurt. Walls of separation. Let's face it, even our Facebook page is called our.......Wall. And although it offers us a way to connect in <i>some</i> ways, doesn't it also serve as a wall that has taken away a part of our human face-to-face interactions?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"></span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"></span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">I kept walking. He kept talking.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">There's only one way to tear down the walls my daughter..........Praise.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Praise?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Are you kidding me? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">With everything I'm going through? With everything they are going through?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> "But God....I'm hurting." "But God.....it's not fair." "But God....I'm angry." "But God.....I'm scared." "But God.....I can't." "But God......I'm worried." "But God.............."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">That's right. You heard right. <b>The Power is in the Praise.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Praise: </span></i></span></span><br />
<div class="def-content">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">act</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">expressing</span> <span class="oneClick-link">approval</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">admiration</span><span class="oneClick-link"></span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">.</span> </span></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="def-number"><span><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span></span><span><span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">offering</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">grateful</span> <span class="oneClick-link">homage</span> <span class="oneClick-link">in</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">words</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">song,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">as</span> <span class="oneClick-link">an</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">act</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">worship</span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">Praise. It's what we do for Him. It's what we bring to Him. And when we do.......the enemy runs.</span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"> </span></span></b><br /><span class="text Jas-4-7" id="en-VOICE-29452"> <i>So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure. ~ James 4:7 Voice</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Praise. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Arm yourself with it. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Use it. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Raise your hands. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Raise your voice. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">Bring Him the offering of.....Praise. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877">There is nothing more powerful. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB_kkS0rhMtSIhv-ho_WOCtpl5X8JK3jpE8vg3DIJhpBf5UwEvb5F70JxLNCYlMC-xudaczBJQzLL1m1lJx8ynaGkbFa7PYop4-xJCcJi84hGmqt-nvQFVEM4VJML2kin4dYqPhfVLgtl/s1600/Praise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB_kkS0rhMtSIhv-ho_WOCtpl5X8JK3jpE8vg3DIJhpBf5UwEvb5F70JxLNCYlMC-xudaczBJQzLL1m1lJx8ynaGkbFa7PYop4-xJCcJi84hGmqt-nvQFVEM4VJML2kin4dYqPhfVLgtl/s1600/Praise.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Josh-6-20" id="en-NCV-5892">When the priests blew the
trumpets, the people shouted. At the sound of the trumpets and the
people’s shout, the walls fell, and everyone ran straight into the city.
So the Israelites defeated that city.</span> ~Joshua 6:20 </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can do it my friend. We both can. Praise.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Josh-6-5" id="en-NCV-5877"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-3135660758072344972014-09-16T17:42:00.000-07:002014-09-16T17:42:39.848-07:00"There's No Room"<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "But Mama", his shaky little voice cried, "there's no room."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had just entered the Kindergarten cafeteria. Nineteen little bodies with backpacks stuffed like sardines on their side of the morning breakfast table. I could see the terror in his eyes. I knew that look. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I know that look.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Those wet blue eyes translated those two small words in one split second:<br />No room = Not wanted.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Been there baby boy. Mama's been there.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Those teary eyes used to be mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And sometimes...............<i>they still are.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Um.......there's like totally no room at our table." (the 80s had a language all their own, amen?)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Oh shoot, I didn't know you wanted to go, there's just no room." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I often wonder if Mary felt the same way when her and Joe arrived at the inn.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was <b>no room</b> for them in the inn. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><i>Luke 2:7 </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">But guess what? This wasn't a Holiday Inn. This wasn't simply a case of late arrival. The word used for "inn" is this case is translated as "guest room"..........not a paid establishment complete with a hot tub, wet bar, and room service.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">Mary and Joe weren't late.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">They were <i>REJECTED.</i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">Certainly they had family in town, after all, they were returning for the town census.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">There WAS room.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">They didn't MAKE ROOM.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">Not for an unwed pregnant teen and her unshaven older beau. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">At age 43, I still struggle with the "there's no room" moments.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">That's not easy to admit. <i>Perhaps even a bit embarrassing.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">But I've learned over the years that what really connects us, what really binds us, what really allows us to relate and connect isn't sharing our strengths, but our weaknesses.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">So here it goes.... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">At age 43, I sometimes feel.......</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*left out</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*rejected</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*jealous</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*lonely</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*forgotten</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">*unwanted </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br />Am I alone? Do you ever feel this way?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">Perhaps from a friend? a coworker? a classmate? a church member? a spouse? a family member?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">But God. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981">How awesome is our Creator to allow the birth of his own Son to face the "no room at the inn" in order that we may belong? In order that He may understand? In order that Jesus himself may cradle and comfort us in the "no room" moments truly knowing and experiencing the ultimate feelings of rejection, literally from birth on......</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-KJV-24981"></span><br /><i><span class="text Luke-4-18" id="en-NIV-25082"><span class="woj">“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">because he has anointed me</span></span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">to proclaim good news to the poor.</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">and recovery of sight for the blind,</span></span></span><br /><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">to set the oppressed free"</span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Luke-4-18"><span class="woj">.................. </span></span><b><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">Truly I tell you,”</span> he continued, <span class="woj">“no prophet is accepted in his hometown."</span></span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"><i>Luke 4:18,24 </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">There's going to be times this side of heaven when "there's no room" moments will sting. And pierce. And feel as though someone is driving a stake right through us.</span></span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"><i>He knows that feeling too.</i></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">So what's a girl to do?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">Cry out to the King.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">Rest in arms of the Redeemer.</span></span><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">Seek Solace in the Spirit.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"></span></span><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">And with a softened, grateful, trusting heart; </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">remind herself daily.........</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">In my Father's world, </span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj">there is ALWAYS room. </span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"> </span></span>But<b>
you belong</b> to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory
over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than
the spirit who lives in the world.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>1 John 4:4 </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i><span class="text Luke-4-24" id="en-NIV-25088"><span class="woj"><i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Accepted as His,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-11857201175189814292014-07-05T19:49:00.000-07:002014-07-05T19:49:26.419-07:00Ugh. I'm an Unprepared Prayer Fail!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>What's wrong with me Lord? </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know me {all so well}, so I guess there's no use in trying to dance around this, so {deep breath}, here it goes...........</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lately, I can't seem to get though a prayer.</b> {gasp}</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Not even the one You taught.</b> {double gasp} </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not without a wandering mind. </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, sometimes; by the time I reach 'who art in heaven'......my head art in the grocery list, or the game schedule, or the last post, or the future tweet, or the plans I have for tomorrow, or.......well, you get the idea God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then the guilt sets in.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good Grief Tera, what's wrong with you? </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>How can you not even PRAY without losing your thoughts?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i> {which quite frankly often feels more like losing my mind}</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Perhaps someone reading this can relate? </b></i>{please?!}</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">{And I know guilt is not from you God, and I know that you know the concerns of my heart, and I know that you love me no matter what, and I know that you don't judge me as a "bad pray-er", but <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I don't want to wander</i>.</span>..not during my precious time alone with you. Not during those times that I want to intercede on behalf of those who's concerns and worries (including my own) I want to lift to you in conversation. Not during those times I want to offer you thanks and praise for all you have done and continue to do. No, <i>I don't want to wander.</i>}</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So tonight, this wandering-yet-determined-minded girl decided to face this looming prayer fail dilemma head-on. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I googled "focus on Jesus", "fixed thoughts", "looking to heaven", and I did indeed find some help for my boggled brain, but I continued my search....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxHaaMdDxAV3wIL8Vsty2FszRnysJlHPpoYDbJu5_wbMntl56EO7FJodNaDaix5JprjI22ge4f5BxPCx1qzehiItkZQSce2fCXs6aO1euQq0mXSYIRtlZH5-EdhF9XNc-FyVzJrylY0i5/s1600/Preprayer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxHaaMdDxAV3wIL8Vsty2FszRnysJlHPpoYDbJu5_wbMntl56EO7FJodNaDaix5JprjI22ge4f5BxPCx1qzehiItkZQSce2fCXs6aO1euQq0mXSYIRtlZH5-EdhF9XNc-FyVzJrylY0i5/s1600/Preprayer.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A prayer to prepare {the focus of my mind and soil of my heart}.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">And a ten cent notebook {to s l o w down, and write out each and every concern and praise}. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of it before, or <i>perhaps I just didn't think a "good Christian" should have to prepare to.......Pray.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But why not? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I decide to make a cake, but don't have the ingredients....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I decide to go grocery shopping, but forget my wallet and list....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I decide to clean the house, but don't have the supplies I need...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I decide to take a drive, but don't have the keys or a tank of gas.....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In each case, I need to prepare. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I need to prepare if I want to succeed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't mean I'm weak..........it means I'm wise.</span></span></b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So my friends, tonight; covered by grace, and equipped with a ten cent notebook and a prayer to preprayer........</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This girl..........is going to pray. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you'll join me.</span></span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Much Love, </span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhxIflFN9RcQQePlpdo8WtnKuFRVzKYkMk5iNaruecNvq-2Y27nCYDjCYb43VNge2luxjoH7gDgZyyT60pcxGPZVkT0Ee_46v3XDWhVmrDy9zX5LikG2QtahglCc5zPcqp8sYGSXXFkoUvVT4Wt7QFdXcPT0BMSbcFPu9S8g9hf8_kZ_jKHV0TlcjT1xg=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br /><big><span class="articletext"> "Each
time, before you intercede, be quiet
first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how
He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your
place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!"
Andrew Murray</span></big>
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I woke up early. (I usually do, but thought perhaps the jellybean hangover would hinder my wake-up time)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I spent approximately ten minutes curled up in my favorite chair with Jesus. (a little less than usual, but I had lots to do, you know)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I put down my bible, took a deep breath, stood up and declared (to myself and my shaggy pup-the only two awake),</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "Well.....time to put away Easter."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the words seeped out of my mouth, a bad taste followed.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b>Put away Easter? </b></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of
course, I was referring to the half-eaten chocolate bunnies, the new
sidewalk chalk, the magic bubbles, the overflow of plastic green grass that I'm
certain I will be vacuuming until the pine needles arrive....BUT....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I slumped
back in my chair, and thought......</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the early morning church
service, the baskets filled with goodies and treats, the decorated egg hunts, the
food (oh, the food!), the moments spent and memories made with family
and friends......do we......<i><b>do I</b></i>....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">PUT AWAY EASTER?</span></i> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do we relish the celebration, but resist the challenge? </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go, tell my followers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.” ~ Matthew 28:10</span></span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">Go.
Tell. Show the world. Let your light shine. Love one
Another. Take care of the less fortunate. Give to the poor. Forgive.
Serve. Walk humbly. Speak to encourage. Turn the other cheek. Build up
the kingdom. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">Show. People. Jesus. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199"><br /></span></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">Friends,</span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">let's not put away Easter. </span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199">Let's LIVE OUT Easter.</span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199"><i>Grace & Hugs,</i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-28-10" id="en-GW-24199"><br /></span>
<img src="http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/lucydesigns/Tera/TeraElness_sig.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-19487792690048985802014-03-30T19:43:00.000-07:002014-03-30T19:43:58.652-07:00Wait up!<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Amos-3-3" id="en-NIV-22399">Do two walk together</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Amos-3-3">unless they have agreed to do so?</span> Amos 3:3</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">I walk. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Fast. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">I just do. It's not on purpose. It's not even something I'm really aware of. It is simply MY "normal". I do have a couple of walking buddies who share my need for speed, but for the most part, I'm often told, "Sorry, you walk too fast for me." "Sorry, I can't keep up." My own kiddos have been known to cry out "Mom, wait up!" My dear hubby has even told me, "I can't go on a walk with you Tera, you're ten feet ahead of me." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">It has me wondering how our pace may also affect our spiritual walk with those who surround us in this life. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Could it be that others may not want to walk with us.....</span></span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">simply because we won't slow down enough to walk beside them?</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Or perhaps the Nikes are on the other feet..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Do we choose not to walk with others</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">.....</span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">because we feel as though we just can't keep up?</span></span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Either way, the outcome is the same. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">We walk alone.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">It's easy to return home from an inspiring conference.....or awe-filled worship service.......or uplifting bible study.......filled to overflow with Holy Spirit energy and fist-pumping Hallelujahs, but how do we react when others on our path don't share in that enthusiasm? Do we race ahead to Judgement Corner and impatiently wait for them to arrive? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Or maybe our path is heading in a different direction. We have thought about visiting a new church, or joining a bible study, or attending our first conference, but because this road is one we're not used to walking, we choose not to go at all....fearing the entire trip will consist of cries to "WAIT UP!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">.....or worse, that we will end up at the dreaded Dead End. Alone. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">Friends, can we decide to walk together, with the knowledge that pace matters? That in order to walk TOGETHER with those we love - whether it is a spouse, a family member, or a friend - that we must worry less about crossing the finish line <i><b>first</b></i> and more about completing the race <i><b>together</b></i>?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><br /><span class="text Heb-12-1"><b><i>We are surrounded by a great cloud of people
whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is
before us and never give up. ~ Hebrews 12:1a</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1">I don't want to walk alone in this life. You don't either. It's not how we were created. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"></span><br /><i><b>We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to
do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other
believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to
encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So let's be intentional with our walk - not just our <i>path</i> - but <i>how</i> we walk...and the <i>speed</i> at which we walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's choose a grace journey over a guilt trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's choose to love our walking partner, even if it means slowing down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's choose to swallow fear and join the walk, even if we have to shout 'WAIT UP!' from time to time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let's choose to walk..............TOGETHER.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Ps-55-13" id="en-NCV-14644">But it is you, a person like me,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-55-13">my companion and good friend.</span></span><span class="text Ps-55-14" id="en-NCV-14645"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Ps-55-14" id="en-NCV-14645">We had a good friendship</span></b></i><span class="indent-1"><i><b><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></b></i><span class="text Ps-55-14"><i><b>and </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-55-14"><i><b>walked together to God’s Temple. ~ Psalm 55:13-14 </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1">See you on the trail,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tera </span></span></i></b></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><br /></span>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-21100190232999186102013-12-11T18:51:00.000-08:002013-12-11T18:51:24.528-08:00Do You Hear What I Hear?<span style="font-size: large;">Said the night wind to the little lamb,</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>do you see what I see</b></i><br />
Way up in the sky, little lamb,<br />
<i><b>do you see what I see</b></i><br />
A star, a star, dancing in the night<br />
With a tail as big as a kite<br />
With a tail as big as a kite.........</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~~~Do you know what I see when I look at this picture? I see my just-became-a-teenager daughter. Yes, amidst the mass of bodies, the sea of faces, I see her at her Christmas choir concert. How is that possible? Because SHE is the one I'm looking for.....</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Jer-29-13" id="en-VOICE-19015">You will look for Me intently, and you will find Me.~ Jeremiah 29:13, VOICE</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Jer-29-13" id="en-VOICE-19015">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Jer-29-13" id="en-VOICE-19015"> </span>Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>do you hear what I hear</b></i><br />
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,<br />
<i><b>do you hear what I hear</b></i><br />
A song, a song, high above the trees<br />
With a voice as big as the sea<br />
With a voice as big as the sea</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">~~~<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Grumbling when the checkout line is too long, complaining when the prices aren't right, yelling at drivers that just aren't up to speed, condemning the traditions and choices of others....</span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we aren't careful, we may allow these sounds to sneak their way into our soul.......but just as we SEE what we are LOOKING for, we also HEAR what we are LISTENING for.......</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now if you will hear My voice, obey what I say, and keep My covenant, then you—out of all the nations of the world—will be My treasured people. After all, the earth belongs to Me.~ Exodus 19:5, VOICE</i></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,</span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>do you know what I know</b></i><br />
In your palace warm, mighty king,<br />
<i><b>do you know what I know</b></i><br />
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold<br />
Let us bring Him silver and gold<br />
Let us bring Him silver and gold<br />
Said the king to the people everywhere,<br />
listen to what I say<br />
Pray for peace, people everywhere!<br />
listen to what I say<br />
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night<br />
He will bring us goodness and light<br />
He will bring us goodness and light </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">~~~Friends, I don't know if all the holiday baking will get done. I don't know if just-the-right gifts will be purchased. I don't know if I will remember everyone on the card list. I don't know if the outdoor lights will get hung. And I'm quite certain the hubby won't get the hallway walls painted before company arrives. But do you know what I DO know?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that. ~ Jeremiah 29:11, VOICE</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jesus, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In the midst of this season, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I want to SEE you, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I long to HEAR you, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I desire to KNOW you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Happy Birthday Sweet Savior. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Peace & Love to You & Yours this Christmas!</i></span></b>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-11589725181761681222013-08-27T20:05:00.000-07:002013-08-27T20:05:05.113-07:00But God......I don't WANNA say Yes...<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The past few days have been hot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mean.............HOT.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">High temperatures paired with even higher heat indexes have resulted in school dismissals, sweaty kiddos, and super simple suppers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight was no exception. After a most simple "breakfast-for-supper" feast, I stood at my kitchen sink washing up the unexpected basket of beautiful cucumbers I had found on my counter. As I worked, I praised God for this beautiful harvest blessing, and for the kindhearted friend who was willing to share in her garden abundance {<b>grateful for her willingness to say Yes!</b>}. As I praised, I heard God speak to my heart (I have found that I always hear Him most clearly in the midst of praise, go figure).......<b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Tera, go for a walk."</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Um.....No thanks God, not tonight. I mean, it's H-O-T out there.</i></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I continued to peel, and He continued to plea...<b>"Tera, go for a walk."</b></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But God.....I don't wanna. After all, I'm really more of a "morning" gal, and it's already after 7pm.</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>.</i></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Tera, go for a walk."</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>FINE Lord (you can just hear my sassy-pants attitude, can't you?)....I'll go for a little walk.</i> </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I told the hubby and the kids that I'd be leaving (to which they each stared at me blankly, surely thinking, 'what? it's almost her BEDtime!'), strapped on the tennies, and headed out. I could walk around the neighborhood and be back before I broke a sweat.......or so I thought.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Tera, take your normal route."</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But Goddddddd..........C'mon....my normal route is over 4 miles. It's late. I've had a really full day. I'm tired. And did I mention, it's really HOT outside?</i></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">{At this point I realized I sounded more like a whining preschooler than a woman on a journey of saying YES to God.} </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I walked........and walked.........and listened......and listened.....and waited to hear what He had to tell me. Nothing. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Gimme a Break God, You called me out of my air-conditioned haven into this sticky icky heat, I'm listening, now the least you can do is say or show me SOMETHING.</i></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No booming voice from Heaven. No divine meeting along the path. No special signs pointing the way. Instead, I saw..</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">.................................... A Sprinkler.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Instead of avoiding it, I walked through it, feeling refreshed in the waters of baptism.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Galatians 3:27 </b><i>“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”</i></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>..............................................</i>A Hill.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>Instead of avoiding it, I climbed it, recognizing that I can do all things He calls me to do, through His strength, and not my own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">............................................A Cross.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Instead of walking by, I paused and gave thanks to the One who gave us His one & only, and for one & only reason......He loved us so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and finally, I saw............a Sunset.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WeeV93dci9ylxKwTtGVnfO_H7T8DKg02jX9qX81Qo5ghAHNdrUZV7vrOnbH2omNhns8O9VM1J6BWhT3Xbt5L3G_7TkMD28DRY5rxFWXtuW5T7bsDof24azU0RusZ-YtEdVv_tTWqO0bm/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WeeV93dci9ylxKwTtGVnfO_H7T8DKg02jX9qX81Qo5ghAHNdrUZV7vrOnbH2omNhns8O9VM1J6BWhT3Xbt5L3G_7TkMD28DRY5rxFWXtuW5T7bsDof24azU0RusZ-YtEdVv_tTWqO0bm/s320/Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And instead of hurrying to get home, I stopped. I stopped and realized that sometimes, often times, God doesn't shout. He whispers. He uses the everyday things of this world to captivate our attention, and draw us near to Himself, to simply talk.....and walk...by faith.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An act of obedience to God may be serving as a missionary in Uganda, it may be selling your home and making a move, it may be sponsoring a child in need or helping a friend through a difficult season, it may be a few kind words to a not-so-kind neighbor or sharing a gift with a stranger, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and it may just be, on a hot steamy night .................a simple walk.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living it out and Learning along the way,</span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tera </span></span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Inspired by God and the amazing book, "What Happens When Women say Yes to God" by Lysa TerKeurst</span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></b></i></div>
Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-45207383073291424262013-05-12T14:44:00.000-07:002013-05-12T14:44:34.283-07:00Housework, Homework, and How I Learned the Difference ♥<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Early Mother's Day Morning 2013. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two car<span style="font-size: large;">ds awa<span style="font-size: large;">iting me at the coffee pot. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAeqwoQqynbM4KJ8Jy1F0F7BRt3j9nSr1R0DtuvbuAnhNUINaQH6QMoGAzWkVIKm4BhrGL6F0IhJK6VLIMjO5l5GwujTBB9VYUOUfP4LSX-XUhNay_UOyvv_QnSi6FYNk1lxF0CtWDN2n/s1600/Cof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAeqwoQqynbM4KJ8Jy1F0F7BRt3j9nSr1R0DtuvbuAnhNUINaQH6QMoGAzWkVIKm4BhrGL6F0IhJK6VLIMjO5l5GwujTBB9VYUOUfP4LSX-XUhNay_UOyvv_QnSi6FYNk1lxF0CtWDN2n/s320/Cof.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">A<span style="font-size: large;">fter a few downed mugs and some <span style="font-size: large;">quiet time with<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Jesus........<span style="font-size: large;">it was time for.....Housework<span style="font-size: large;">.......<i>or so I thought.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I star<span style="font-size: large;">ted up the laundry</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;">I washed up the <span style="font-size: large;">dishes</span></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;">I made up the beds.</span>.<span style="font-size: large;">...at lea<span style="font-size: large;">st </span>of those who ha<span style="font-size: large;">d awake<span style="font-size: large;">n & arose.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tween daughter re<span style="font-size: large;">mained in slumber.....that is, until I received a ringing Facetime<span style="font-size: large;">.......requesting I bring<i> <span style="font-size: large;">her</span></i> breakfast in bed. "Just pe<span style="font-size: large;">anut butter toast M<span style="font-size: large;">om, oh, and some milk."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>As I popped<span style="font-size: large;"> in two slices of b<span style="font-size: large;">read, and reached for a plate and a glass........I ST<span style="font-size: large;">OPPED.</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;"><span style="font-size: large;">What<span style="font-size: large;"> is</span> <b>wro</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ng</b> with me? Why in the wor<span style="font-size: large;">ld am I<span style="font-size: large;"> doing <span style="font-size: large;">all this housework <span style="font-size: large;"><b>AND</b> serving my p<span style="font-size: large;">ret<span style="font-size: large;">een</span> princess on what is<span style="font-size: large;"> supposed to be <b>MY</b> <span style="font-size: large;">special day?? <span style="font-size: large;">And Why <span style="font-size: large;">oh WHY, a<span style="font-size: large;">m<span style="font-size: large;"> I ....................................................................................<i><b>HAPPY</b></i> about it?<span style="font-size: large;">??? <span style="font-size: large;"><i>(</i><i>Lord knows there were plenty</i><i>, and I mean PLENTY of years where the feeling would have lea</i><i>ned </i><i>heavily on the side of resentment......nowhere NEAR the vicinity of Happiness.) </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then right there, in the middle of a kitchen<span style="font-size: large;">, sta<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">ding on a rug th<span style="font-size: large;">at <span style="font-size: large;">was yet to be vac<span style="font-size: large;">uumed....<b>God told me why.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Tera, what you do in this place has nothing to do with <i><b>house</b></i>work and everything to do with <i><b>home</b></i>work. The sheets you wash, the silverware you clean, the toilets you scrub, and the food you prepare have NOTHING to do with <span style="font-size: x-large;">your</span> <i>house</i>, ........and EVERYTHING to do with your <i><b>home</b></i>. You are happy because; although you <i>like </i>your house, you LOVE your home. And you know, that <i><b>when you are serving them</b></i>....you are <b>serving ME.</b>"</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Could He be <span style="font-size: large;">Right?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He proceed<span style="font-size: large;">ed to lead me to these two verses ~</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-10" id="en-NCV-30333">Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. </span><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334">Anyone
who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve
with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised
through Jesus Christ.<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">~1 <span style="font-size: large;">P<span style="font-size: large;">e<span style="font-size: large;">ter 4:10-1<span style="font-size: large;">1</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then I read them again.......this way.......and listened as He spoke to me.....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-10" id="en-NCV-30333"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tera,</span> you has received a gift to use to serve others (Mo<span style="font-size: large;">ther</span>h<span style="font-size: large;">ood)</span>. Be a good servant of <span style="font-size: large;">my </span>various gifts of grace (Thomas, Abby, and Jack Henry). </i></b></span><b><i><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;">When you speak, <span style="font-size: large;">I wa<span style="font-size: large;">nt you to speak with the words I give you (Words of Kind<span style="font-size: large;">ness<span style="font-size: large;"> a<span style="font-size: large;">nd <span style="font-size: large;">Encouragement)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><i>. An<span style="font-size: large;">d when you</span> serve (and cook and <span style="font-size: large;">clean and drive the carpool), you</span> should serve
with the strength <span style="font-size: large;">I </span>give<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">you, </span></span> so that in everything<span style="font-size: large;">, (</span>every <span style="font-size: large;">dish wa<span style="font-size: large;">shed, <span style="font-size: large;">floor swept<span style="font-size: large;"> , meal made- </span></span></span></span>EVERYTHING<span style="font-size: large;">)</span> <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> will be praised.<span style="font-size: large;"> ~ 1 <span style="font-size: large;">Peter 4:10-11</span></span></i></b></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">He <span style="font-size: large;">was ri<span style="font-size: large;">ght. <i>(Note: He always is, so no use arguing<span style="font-size: large;">).</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I <b>serv</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>e</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>my home because I <b>love</b> my home. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because I know it is a gift. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because I <span style="font-size: large;">know that <span style="font-size: large;"><b>THEY </b>are a gi<span style="font-size: large;">ft.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because I know that when I serve <b>THEM</b>, I serve <b>HIM</b>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">and a<span style="font-size: large;">bove all else, <span style="font-size: large;">B</span>ecause I know that the love I have for <i><b>THEM </b></i>is a result of a love He has for <i><b>ME</b></i>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We <span style="font-size: large;">l<span style="font-size: large;">ove because He first loved us ~ 1 John 4:19</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">In other words,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love (my husband<span style="font-size: large;">, my children, my <span style="font-size: large;">parents, my friends<span style="font-size: large;">, my HOME) beca<span style="font-size: large;">use <span style="font-size: large;">GOD<span style="font-size: large;">. LOVES. ME. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i> </i><i> </i><i> </i><i> </i><i>~ 1 John 4:19</i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;">And He loves YOU. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;">And <span style="font-size: large;">it's why <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>home</i></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>work </b>makes <span style="font-size: large;">THIS</span> mama.......a <b>hap<span style="font-size: large;">py mama.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Mother's <span style="font-size: large;">Day Sweet Friends. ♥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love & Hugs,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tera</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW0513dwerBWFwS4v_qGnRa7dCNylt0rBW5MtpkVa-lXtIfbNuQ4HL5LEdWc7apvnLGdG4dOzRreqOwLePdhVFPHjmvc-eKm9FpmtlFpSaPCi_giIAMQxaehgGGqMRaBS3TDkDLIEhcKD/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW0513dwerBWFwS4v_qGnRa7dCNylt0rBW5MtpkVa-lXtIfbNuQ4HL5LEdWc7apvnLGdG4dOzRreqOwLePdhVFPHjmvc-eKm9FpmtlFpSaPCi_giIAMQxaehgGGqMRaBS3TDkDLIEhcKD/s320/068.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">~~~~ As for me and my HOME, we will serve the Lord.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Joshua 24:15 </span></b></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"></span><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-NCV-30334"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-9323730274835761732013-04-22T18:39:00.000-07:002013-04-22T18:39:47.068-07:00Hello my Name is ____________<span style="font-size: large;">The more time I <span style="font-size: large;">hang out with Jesus</span>, the more "a-ha" moments I seem to experience. You know what I'm talking about, those moments when the light bulb flickers and the wires connect.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was last Friday on my way to work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I heard the song "Hello my Name is" by Matthew West.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sure I love the tune, but what grabbed me, what <span style="font-size: large;">stopped me en route.....</span> was the story that inspired the song.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the story of Jordan. A preacher's kid. A preacher's kid who wrote a letter to M<span style="font-size: large;">r. </span>West <span style="font-size: large;">that began with</span>: Hello my name is Jordan...and I'm a drug addict. Eventually he landed in Teen Ch<span style="font-size: large;">allenge<span style="font-size: large;">, a <span style="font-size: large;">C</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">hristian rehabilitation center in the business of restoring lives with the hope of Jesus Christ.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>A preacher's kid? </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How could that be? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, a preacher's kid would <b>know all about God</b> right? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, if a preacher's kid who <b>knows all about God </b><span style="font-size: large;">struggles</span>, what hope is there for the rest of us?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That my friends, is when the light bulb <span style="font-size: large;">flickered, actually it sho<span style="font-size: large;">ne <span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: large;">SO BRIGHT</span></span> it ca<span style="font-size: large;">used me to <i><b>pull over</b></i></span></span></span><i><b> <span style="font-size: large;">and</span> listen</b></i>..................<span style="font-size: large;"> to Him<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>s<span style="font-size: large;">peaking to <span style="font-size: large;">me</span></span></span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Tera sweetie (<b><span style="color: magenta;">God always calls me sweetie</span></b>), I don't want my children to simply know all about Me.....I want <span style="font-size: large;">my children</span> to KNOW ME. You see sweetie, Saul knew "all about Me" and continued to persecute the Christians. The <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>oman at the <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ell knew "all about Me" but continued to feel alone and judged and condemned. The Pharisees knew "all about Me"<span style="font-size: large;">, reciting</span> every scripture, but continued to err on the side of the law.......instead of people<span style="font-size: large;">, </span>MY people. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tera sweetie, it's no<span style="font-size: large;">t enough to</span> "know all about Me".....<span style="font-size: large;">I want my children to </span><b>KNOW ME</b>. THAT is why I sent Him to you. My Son. <b>Grace & Truth in Human Form." </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the results?.........well, let's take a look......</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PAUL :</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Gal-1-11">Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning.</span> <i><b><span class="text Gal-1-12" id="en-NLT-29030">I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.</span></b></i></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Gal-1-13" id="en-NLT-29031">You
know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I
violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it.</span> <span class="text Gal-1-15" id="en-NLT-29033"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><b>I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. </b><i>(</i><span style="color: magenta;">sweetie side note: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">wow - not only did Paul know "all about God" - he knew </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">even more than h</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">is </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">peers did!</span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. <i><b>Then it pleased Him</b></i></span><i><b> </b></i><span class="text Gal-1-16" id="en-NLT-29034"><i><b>to <span style="font-size: large;">REVEAL HIS SON TO ME</span> so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles</b></i>. ~ Galatians 1:11-16 NLT, emphasis mine</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WOMAN AT THE WELL<span style="font-size: large;">:</span></b><span class="text John-4-25" id="en-NLT-26148"><b> </b>The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. <b>When <span style="font-size: large;">HE</span> comes</b>, he will explain everything to us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-25" id="en-NLT-26148">(<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">sweetie side note: the woman kn</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">ew "a</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">ll about God" and </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">yet </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">still d</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">idn't reco</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">gnize the One right beside her</span><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-26" id="en-NLT-26149">Then Jesus told her, <span class="woj">“I <b>A<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">m</span></b> the Messiah!”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-27" id="en-NLT-26150">Just
then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a
woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with
her?” or “Why are you talking to her?”</span> <span class="text John-4-28" id="en-NLT-26151"><i><b>The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone</b></i>,</span> <span class="text John-4-29" id="en-NLT-26152">“Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”</span> <span class="text John-4-30" id="en-NLT-26153"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>So the people came streaming from the village to see him. ~ John 4:2<span style="font-size: large;">5</span>-30, empha<span style="font-size: large;">sis mine</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-30" id="en-NLT-26153"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-30" id="en-NLT-26153">Paul had an encou<span style="font-size: large;">nter with Jesus and <span style="font-size: large;">went on<span style="font-size: large;"> to preach t<span style="font-size: large;">he gospel and write nearly t<span style="font-size: large;">he entire New Testament.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-30" id="en-NLT-26153"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The <span style="font-size: large;">Woman<span style="font-size: large;"> at the Well<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">had an encounter with Jesus and left her jug behin<span style="font-size: large;">d in order to run and tell others <span style="font-size: large;">what she had exp<span style="font-size: large;">erienced.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-30" id="en-NLT-26153"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a result....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text John-4-39"> </span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-39">Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”</span> <span class="text John-4-40" id="en-NLT-26163"><sup></sup>When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days,</span> <span class="text John-4-41" id="en-NLT-26164"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.</span> <span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165">Then
they said to the woman, <b>“Now we believe, not just because of what you
told us, but <span style="font-size: large;">BECAUSE WE HAVE HEAR<span style="font-size: large;">D HIM FOR O<span style="font-size: large;">URSELVES</span></span></span>. <span style="background-color: yellow;">N<span style="font-size: large;">OW WE KNOW</span> that he is
indeed the Savior of the world</span>.” </b><span style="font-size: large;">~<span style="font-size: large;">J<span style="font-size: large;">ohn 4:</span></span>39-42, <span style="font-size: large;">emph</span></span></span><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">asis<span style="font-size: large;"> mine</span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"></span><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"></span><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"></span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165">Je<span style="font-size: large;">sus.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">J<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ESUS</span>. <b> </b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><b>JESUS IS THE LINK BETWEEN KNOWING <i>ABOUT</i> GOD...........AND KNOWING GOD.</b></span><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through <span style="font-size: x-large;">ME</span>. ~ John 14:6 NIV</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165">Jordan <span style="font-size: large;">discovered that truth</span>. </span>During his time in Teen Challenge he began to realize that
God wasn’t done with him yet, and that all of those defeating titles
like “addict,” didn’t have to be attached to his name the rest of his
life. <i>His story is far from over. </i><b><span style="font-size: large;">S</span>o is mine</b>.......<i><b>and so is </b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>YOURS</b></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></b></i> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello my Name is <u>CHILD OF THE ONE TRU<span style="font-size: large;">E KING.</span></u></span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u></u></span></span></b></span><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Drenched in Grace</span>, </span></b></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tera</b></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b> </span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text John-4-42" id="en-NLT-26165"></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew West's video "Hello my Name is"</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-83193854058590466602013-02-24T16:24:00.000-08:002013-02-24T16:24:39.575-08:00Jack & The Jesus Cube <span style="font-size: large;">I received a package in my mailbox this week. One of those unexpected surprises that makes both your lips and your heart smile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The package was from Miss Ruth. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqfj_hWUaxlLtWwJFzX3iP9fCMClMQZH5ZEYZL2z2mwY79sxET5FDKxnW7EvNc0R020SWZMK4sBwhbBAHg4WRPxNHbUqZJZSzsU_1GVecuZNYeM6x4WWDTefmNBLg3m1xp3m_Y5kQkMT4/s1600/MissRuthCube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqfj_hWUaxlLtWwJFzX3iP9fCMClMQZH5ZEYZL2z2mwY79sxET5FDKxnW7EvNc0R020SWZMK4sBwhbBAHg4WRPxNHbUqZJZSzsU_1GVecuZNYeM6x4WWDTefmNBLg3m1xp3m_Y5kQkMT4/s320/MissRuthCube.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Miss Ruth is a beautiful 8<span style="font-size: large;">4 </span>yr old African American woman I met on the plane ride home from Charlotte, NC in July of 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was on my way home from my very first She Speaks Conference. A conference designed to encourage and equip women to share His message through speaking and writing. A co<span style="font-size: large;">nferen<span style="font-size: large;">ce I wasn't quite sure I belonged<span style="font-size: large;"> at, but had decided to trust the Father's prompting.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Miss Ruth was sporting a small red & white pin with the words </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"i <span style="font-size: large;">♥ </span>sunday school". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was a Christian Education Director at that time...and I just knew in my heart that God had arranged our seating <span style="font-size: large;">for</span> that 2.5 hour flight to Minneapolis. I gently leaned over and quietly whispered....</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"I like your pin".</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those were the last 4 words I spoke. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The entire flight.</span></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Miss Ruth spent the next 800+ miles sharing her <span style="font-size: large;">God</span> with me.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She had no idea who I was, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">why I was in Charlotte,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">w</span>hat I did for a living, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or eve<span style="font-size: large;">n if I was a believ<span style="font-size: large;">er</span></span>. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And it didn't matter. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">She was <span style="font-size: large;">determ<span style="font-size: large;">ined</span></span> to spill Jesus all over me until the wheels hit the runway, and that's exactly what she did. As we landed, I took out a small mesh bag of bible verses that I had received at the Conference, tucked one of my cards inside, carefully <span style="font-size: large;">placed</span> it into the palm of her hand<span style="font-size: large;">, and sai<span style="font-size: large;">d Goodbye.</span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Months later, my phone rang. <b>Miss Ruth. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Miss Ruth from Anchorage, Alaska. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have maintained a special friendship ever since that trip in the sky. We write each other letters and cards, phone each other occasionally, and exchange small gifts, verses, prayer<span style="font-size: large;">s,</span> and trinkets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This week's package............a Jesus cube. <i>Or at least that's what Jack Henry calls it. </i>It's actually called the 'Evangecube', described as "an easy-to-use puzzle to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to life and designed to make sharing your faith simple and fun". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jack Henry concurs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">H<span style="font-size: large;">e was imme<span style="font-size: large;">di<span style="font-size: large;">ately </span></span>drawn to this new "toy". He flipped it and flopped it and c<span style="font-size: large;">arefully soaked in <span style="font-size: large;">each and e<span style="font-size: large;">very c<span style="font-size: large;">ompleted picture</span>.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrdyMLSQ0SIjsZtwvXWkFmBpJTDNjdFuEZYHE_czwubEcU9AzWxovrSPqgJH3ipWwDWFyByIFxKj6Ys6myBkax4sPf6KydPmFezQ3SShRBV5VuUDg9VzdVTlHvjj5Cxg9bjeTaUk2XHnG/s1600/cube1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrdyMLSQ0SIjsZtwvXWkFmBpJTDNjdFuEZYHE_czwubEcU9AzWxovrSPqgJH3ipWwDWFyByIFxKj6Ys6myBkax4sPf6KydPmFezQ3SShRBV5VuUDg9VzdVTlHvjj5Cxg9bjeTaUk2XHnG/s320/cube1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b>"Lo<span style="font-size: large;">ok M</span>ama, here's <span style="font-size: large;">Jesus <span style="font-size: large;">on the cross. <span style="font-size: large;">He die<span style="font-size: large;">d t<span style="font-size: large;">h<span style="font-size: large;">ere ya kno<span style="font-size: large;">w.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">......f</span>or us ya know."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I <span style="font-size: large;">smiled sweetly<span style="font-size: large;">. {Kudos Sunday School teachers}</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But it was the <span style="font-size: large;"><b>next explanation</b> that truly grabbed my heart. He arranged the new puzzle to display this<span style="font-size: large;"> well-known image.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">He studied it, s<span style="font-size: large;">miled, and said.........................</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Look Mama, after Jesus died, He <span style="font-size: large;">got to hold God's hand."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speechless.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have see<span style="font-size: large;">n this</span> </span>picture/clip art<span style="font-size: large;">/painting/image hundreds of times.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have <span style="font-size: large;">imagined it being God reaching down and we are reaching up.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have <span style="font-size: large;">viewed it as God offering <span style="font-size: large;">His <span style="font-size: large;">rescuing hand to our <span style="font-size: large;">sinking soul</span></span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">An<span style="font-size: large;">d I <span style="font-size: large;">still<span style="font-size: large;"> bel<span style="font-size: large;">ieve these are both <span style="font-size: large;">great descriptio<span style="font-size: large;">ns.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>However</b></i><span style="font-size: large;">........................</span>I have never, <b>EVER</b>, <span style="font-size: large;">seen </span>this beautiful picture the way my Jack Henry had. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus <span style="font-size: large;">dying</span>, and then getting to hold his D<span style="font-size: large;">addy's hand<span style="font-size: large;"> agai<span style="font-size: large;">n.♥</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the same will <span style="font-size: large;">ho<span style="font-size: large;">ld <span style="font-size: large;">true..............for US. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">For<span style="font-size: large;"> w</span></span>e too.............are <i><b>His children.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>“Do
not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back
up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that <b>I am
returning to Him </b>who is my Father <i><b>and their Father,</b></i> my God <i><b>and their
God.</b></i>” ~ John 20:17 GNT<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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span> God <span style="font-size: large;">gave <span style="font-size: large;">His Son.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> Jesus came. He<span style="font-size: large;"> came <span style="font-size: large;">to fulfill the law. <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>nd He came.......<i><b>to res<span style="font-size: large;">tore the relationship between us and <span style="font-size: large;">our Father<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
For
God<i><b> loved the world so much that he gave his only Son</b></i>, so that everyone
who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16 GNT<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Everlasting Life Holding Hands with Daddy.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for sharing God's message Miss Ruth..........and Jack Henry. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazMIDAHRvgOi2tsqQWRZwk_PQTftKbY7wByMbr3JMEUNvqpvhMYoHbHWTxDawg81L6i64oMmfYj6yEBdvzLnuZpx9nQWrm8MDzCOxEsoqs-gZqMJ3Vi0fcFiBsdpERptG-TrmJHaNJqt9/s1600/JackJesusCube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazMIDAHRvgOi2tsqQWRZwk_PQTftKbY7wByMbr3JMEUNvqpvhMYoHbHWTxDawg81L6i64oMmfYj6yEBdvzLnuZpx9nQWrm8MDzCOxEsoqs-gZqMJ3Vi0fcFiBsdpERptG-TrmJHaNJqt9/s320/JackJesusCube.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whet<span style="font-size: large;">her your are 4 or 84, <span style="font-size: large;">w</span></span>hether it be through a pin or a puzzle, a smile or a hug, a listening ear or a sturdy shoulder, there are a <i><b>million ways </b></i>for us to share HIM with this world.♥</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's</span> do it.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>For <span style="font-size: large;">we</span> are <b>ALL</b> <b>child</b>ren of God through <b>faith</b> in Christ Jesus. ~ Galatians 3:26 NLT</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your Sister in Christ</span>,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">♥</span> Tera</span></b></i></span><br />
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<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-4844450101545606642013-01-20T10:53:00.000-08:002013-01-20T10:53:33.194-08:00My GODfident Confident Heart <span style="font-size: large;">It's far too easy to believe the negative things we hear. Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it because, deep inside, we <i><b>believe</b></i> the negative things we hear?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it because, we must admit, we ourselves, are the ones <i><b>speaking</b></i> the negative things we hear?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it because, we have somehow allowed the negative things we hear - all the doubt, guilt, condemnation, hurt, and pain - to plant themselves in the tender fertile soil <span style="font-size: large;">th<span style="font-size: large;">at</span> is</span> our heart? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friends, it's time to d<span style="font-size: large;">o some tilling</span>. It's time to disrupt the soil. It's time to replant. It's time to grab on to some new seeds - seeds of confidence, redemption, righteousness, mercy, love, and grace - and get those babies planted in that fertile soil. And it's time to <span style="font-size: large;">water and fertilize</span>.</span><br />
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<span class="versetext" id="1co3-6" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum"></span><b><i>My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. </i></b></span><b><i><span class="versetext" id="1co3-7" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum"></span>The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God
is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. </span></i><span class="versetext" id="1co3-8" style="display: inline;"><i>The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the
same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their
own hard work. ~1 Corinthians 3:6-8</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="1co3-8" style="display: inline;">I had the awesome privilege this weekend to attend the Compel Women's Conference in Sioux City, Iowa. I, along with hundreds of women, were blessed to hear Renee Swope speak the <b>right </b>words. <b>His words</b>. Words that we could not only HEAR, but words that we could PLANT in that fertile heart soil. Words that form promises - <b>His promises</b> - Promises, that when planted, watered, and fertilized, bear some pretty incredible fruit. You see, God can't lie. It's not how He rolls. He speaks truth. He <i>whispers </i>truth into that tender heart soil. And as we spend time buried in His Presence, resting in His Promises, the roots of th<span style="font-size: large;">e</span>se promises, well.........take root.</span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" id="1co3-8" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then..........AND THEN................just as the sprouts peek through the ground soil....Positive words, words of affirmation, words of not "self" confidence, but GODfidence burst forth: </span></span><br />
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<span class="versetext" id="1co3-8" style="display: inline;"> </span><b><i>My help comes from the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>, who made heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:2</i></b><span class="versetext" id="1co3-8" style="display: inline;"> </span><br />
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<i><b><span class="text Ps-139-14" id="en-NCV-16152">I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.</span></b></i><span class="indent-1"><i><b><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></b></i><span class="text Ps-139-14"><i><b>What you have done is wonderful. ~Psalm 139:14</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-14"></span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-14"><i><b><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NCV-29335"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. ~Phillippians 4:13</span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-14"><i><b><span class="text Phil-4-13" id="en-NCV-29335"><br /></span></b></i></span></span>
<i><b>Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10</b></i><br />
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<i><b>So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” ~Hebrews 13:6</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post was birthed as a result of an early encounter this morning<span style="font-size: large;"> - a</span>n encounter with my sweet 4yr old, Jack Henry. As I drank my cup o' joe and read His words, complete with messy bedhead and coffee-stained pjs, I heard the sound of small precious feet toddle down the stairs and make their way to me. My sweet boy quietly crawled over the arm of my chair and planted himself into my arms. He reached out his tiny hand, wrapped it around my neck, and whispered............<i>"Mama, you're just 'lovely'. You're <span style="font-size: large;">j<span style="font-size: large;">ust the</span> best m<span style="font-size: large;">ama I ever h<span style="font-size: large;">ad.</span></span></span>"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful friends, when <span style="font-size: large;">our</span> eyes and ears are fully open, we have the blessed keen ability to see and hear what HE says about us...............and it may just <span style="font-size: large;">be <span style="font-size: large;">heard</span></span> through the <span style="font-size: large;">voices</span> of <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>is smallest disciples<span style="font-size: large;"> ♥</span></span><br />
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<i><b>So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you. ~Hebrews 10:35 </b></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Be Blessed,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">♥</span>Tera</span></i><br />
<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-30050710256545099602013-01-10T17:55:00.000-08:002013-01-10T17:55:45.985-08:00My One Word .....Let's Do This.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something happened when I reached 41 1/2. Yes, 41 1/2. Age 40 came and went. 41, no problem..........but then, <span style="font-size: large;">BUT. THEN...</span> somewhere between 41 and 42.....this Mama......FORGOT. STUFF. I'm not kidding. I used to pride myself on my good memory. But then.... 41 1/2. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye Memor<span style="font-size: large;">y<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span>Hello Post-It Notes. My new BFF.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This realization did not stand alone...........with it came the following:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* Pottys. When planning a shopping trip to the mall, I now like to map out where each of the women's restrooms are prior to hitting the stores.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* Hand lotion. I remember thinking........."Why in the world do gals carry hand lotion in their purse? Who wants greasy hands all day?"............then came 41 1/2. Dryness. Lots of it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* Couch-Dozing. I can't recall the last time I saw the 10pm news. <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>noozin' on the sofa AND memory loss<span style="font-size: large;">?</span> Ouch.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friends, this list could go on.........but let's get to My One Word, shall we? Before I forget?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you Guessed it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Hold on, I'll grab my sticky pad)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">MY. ONE. WORD. for 2013 is...................</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0DQEfaDqr_zqT2rwFhie0yKvuPtxlDtqps4y9hG9ZVzph-SO7AEWinevEKwToNqo6AJfM-6anbIyV2mylB1LCyphSxb7tkCNJU9sSMdvySf0KGha4eznpWLhB8oP_xaZNArwTpmE_H-k/s1600/remember2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0DQEfaDqr_zqT2rwFhie0yKvuPtxlDtqps4y9hG9ZVzph-SO7AEWinevEKwToNqo6AJfM-6anbIyV2mylB1LCyphSxb7tkCNJU9sSMdvySf0KGha4eznpWLhB8oP_xaZNArwTpmE_H-k/s1600/remember2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You see, <i><b>I don't want to forget. </b></i> I don't want to forget all that He has done for me. All that He continues to do for me. Who He is. Who He sent. Why He sent Him.....Himself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have often compared myself to the Israelites....Primarily because I wandered the wilderness for nearly 40years.....<span style="font-size: large;">(</span>with some complaining and grumbling along the way<span style="font-size: large;">)</span> So when I came across this verse, this incredible verse found in the book of Exodus...... I knew my search.....<i>my search for My One Word </i><span style="font-size: large;">had ended.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am excite<span style="font-size: large;">d to see whe<span style="font-size: large;">re God & My One Word w<span style="font-size: large;">ill take me this year. </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;"> </span></span></span></span> <i><b>So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:36</b></i><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;">I am excited to embrace it and apply it to all area<span style="font-size: large;">s <span style="font-size: large;">of my life....my spiritual formation, <span style="font-size: large;">my marriage, my family, my friends, my <span style="font-size: large;">passions. </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><i><b>Fix
these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on
your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ~ Deuteronomy 11:18</b></i><br />
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<i><b>Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ~ Proverbs 7:3</b></i><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">***************************************************** </span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am excited to not only<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>ingest </i>scripture, but <i>digest </i>scripture<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> <i><b> </b></i><br />
<br /><i><b>This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that
time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write
them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ~ Hebrews 8:10</b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am excite<span style="font-size: large;">d to sh<span style="font-size: large;">are th<span style="font-size: large;">is</span> jou<span style="font-size: large;">r<span style="font-size: large;">ney </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">with all of you. </span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b> </b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><b>I thank my God every time I remember you. ~ Philippians 1:3</b></i><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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">My One Word......<span style="font-size: large;">Let's Do This.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swee<span style="font-size: large;">t <span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></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;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tera </span></span></b></i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Got a few extra minutes? <span style="font-size: small;">I love this song. I wanted to share it wi<span style="font-size: small;">th you. </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=16YYBoQ3YMI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=16YYBoQ3YMI</a></b>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-62069780982938268112012-12-30T15:14:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:14:14.896-08:00World's Worst Baby Book Mama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are mamas I know who have baby books & scrapbooks for their children that would challenge the work of the world's top graphic designers. To all of these mamas, "I salute you." For you see, I am, admittedly, the world's worst baby book mama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For <span style="font-size: large;">our</span> first son Thomas, I bought a baby book. Faithfully, for the first <span style="font-size: large;">six</span> weeks of his life, I documented important events....you know what I'm talking about, things like how much he weighed, what time he was born, who came to visit, what gifts he received.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When our daughter Abby arrived almost 7 years later, I <i>believe</i> I bought a baby book, but don't quote me, and heavens, please don't ask me where it resides.....those pages only made it thru the first few days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four</span> years ago, on New Year's Eve <span style="font-size: large;">D</span>ay, at 12:02pm, Jack Henry entered the scene.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-gdhyaoddHHEGvz3jZvY_tzl7NoZaY7JnDb_n8Ce2VO3TrPx1m144MQRDiDgcbidlAtyY6SbrFrPJVUiu8WuBshtfQPkc1FJmHxwsYeB0I78r17oV9ZGqm_Vc5QnzS880cjUdmBo-kRp/s1600/Baby+Jack+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-gdhyaoddHHEGvz3jZvY_tzl7NoZaY7JnDb_n8Ce2VO3TrPx1m144MQRDiDgcbidlAtyY6SbrFrPJVUiu8WuBshtfQPkc1FJmHxwsYeB0I78r17oV9ZGqm_Vc5QnzS880cjUdmBo-kRp/s320/Baby+Jack+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKA_aGFZuvJqQSuqVGlmM9TYKJ55Dqu_kFdo2r6KWyzrY5ZdDoFh_NuR-IOvaR5gGpw7qUTU5WMhX25JpNgUR_0QQat2o-o_rvvaCZI7HdtD4Vz7RNhgjFLSxlPVyH9ziPDLhqeOczsUB/s1600/Baby+Jack+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKA_aGFZuvJqQSuqVGlmM9TYKJ55Dqu_kFdo2r6KWyzrY5ZdDoFh_NuR-IOvaR5gGpw7qUTU5WMhX25JpNgUR_0QQat2o-o_rvvaCZI7HdtD4Vz7RNhgjFLSxlPVyH9ziPDLhqeOczsUB/s320/Baby+Jack+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, so you may have guessed by now..... no baby book. This time however; I'm quite sure I saved the money - a girl finally begins to know herself around age 40 you know. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truth be told, I used to<i> really</i> feel guilty. Guilty that I hadn't been a good mama and taken proper notes, guilty that good mamas had these beautiful books documenting everything from their <span style="font-size: large;">child's </span>first guests to their first teeth to their first steps<span style="font-size: large;">................</span> just pla<span style="font-size: large;">in <i>guilty</i></span>..........but you know what? {deep cleansing breath<span style="font-size: large;">}</span> I don't feel that guilt anymore. (a girl realizes a whole lot<span style="font-size: large;">ta</span> things around age 40)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Keeping a prestigious baby book doesn't determine my ability to be a good mama. Loving my kiddos unconditionally, encouraging them<span style="font-size: large;">,</span> nurturing them, building them up<span style="font-size: large;">, </span>valuing them<span style="font-size: large;">, and showing them<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The Way</i></span></span>....that's what makes me a good mama. (*note: not a perfect mama, there is no such thing. Let go of<i> that</i> mommy guilt immediately)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was hearing the Christmas story found in Luke Chapter 2 again this year that originally inspired this post. I have mentioned before that each year, when I read.....and hear........and soak in the words of this incredible love story, God shows me something *new*..................................... This year, my heart rested on these three incredible verses.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b><span class="text Luke-2-17" id="en-NIV-24991">When they [the shepherds] had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,</span> <span class="text Luke-2-18" id="en-NIV-24992"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.</span> </b></i><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ♥ Luke 2:17-19</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993">Mary didn't have a baby book. No Snapfish or Shutterfly either. Not even a Nikon CoolPix to capture the Savior's first smile. <i><span style="font-size: large;">BUT MARY</span> </i>TREASURED.........Mary PONDERED............Mary STORED UP each and every moment and embedded them in her heart.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>hat's what a good mama does you know. ♥</span></span></i><br />
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<span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b>Happy Birthday my sweet Jack Henry - You are forever engraved on your Mama's Heart. ♥</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b> </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b>Grace & Peace to <span style="font-size: large;">Y</span>ou<span style="font-size: large;"> as we</span> Welcome <span style="font-size: large;">the Gift of a</span> New Year,</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-2-19" id="en-NIV-24993"><i><b>♥Tera </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-8668364839615854222012-12-15T14:47:00.000-08:002012-12-15T14:47:50.716-08:00We can give them.........GRACE♥Stunned. Shocked. Saddened.....Seemingly helpless. But are we?<br />
Or, in the wake of yesterday's tragic events.......Is there something that we, God's people, God's CHILDREN can do?<br />
I asked Him about it last night. Most of the night in fact.<br />
I shed tears as I spoke with Him.......cried out to Him.....praying for the children who were snatched from the arms of their earthly parents......praying for the mommies & daddies who now feel the emptiness in their homes and in their hearts....praying for the community who gathers to find ways to express their love and demonstrate their support........<br />
I asked God...........what can we do? what can we send? what can we give?<br />
and He answered...........<br />
God ALWAYS answers...<br />
He answered,<br />
Give them.....<b>GRACE.</b><br />
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<b>Grace.</b><br />
<br />
<b>God's</b><br />
<b>Redeeming</b><br />
<b>And</b><br />
<b>Comforting</b><br />
<b>Embrace.</b><br />
<br />
Give Them Grace. Show Them Grace.<i><b> SEND. THEM. GRACE.</b></i><br />
Friends, if there's one thing I'm learning on this faith journey, it is the importance of<i> listening</i> to God, and in turn, <i>obeying</i> Him. Now. Not later. Now. He speaks. We listen.<br />
So here is what the Elness family came up with.........<br />
We are sending a shipment of Max Lucado's <i>"GRACE for the Moment Devotions for Kids"</i> to the students of Sandy Hook Elementary. 27 copies in honor and memory of those taken.<br />
We placed the order online, with instructions to ship to the school, and we prayed for each set of tiny hands that we hope will soon hold one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivalBs42fGYeOutLG2UX0fQp1bgsdHXZhSAaj66hWaZ-ldqPxYjLZi90TVhdreH_61L6P40FmPawdOTjc7R5U9XSZ6V4FrmcfeOS3OcfnGq4Narup98eERENjb8or3_7QvoNNl-yf6K_Kz/s1600/GraceKids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivalBs42fGYeOutLG2UX0fQp1bgsdHXZhSAaj66hWaZ-ldqPxYjLZi90TVhdreH_61L6P40FmPawdOTjc7R5U9XSZ6V4FrmcfeOS3OcfnGq4Narup98eERENjb8or3_7QvoNNl-yf6K_Kz/s320/GraceKids.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivalBs42fGYeOutLG2UX0fQp1bgsdHXZhSAaj66hWaZ-ldqPxYjLZi90TVhdreH_61L6P40FmPawdOTjc7R5U9XSZ6V4FrmcfeOS3OcfnGq4Narup98eERENjb8or3_7QvoNNl-yf6K_Kz/s1600/GraceKids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i>Grace for the Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids</i> presents the message
of God’s grace in a way that children can understand. It’s perfect for
families to read together or for older readers to enjoy alone. Each day
offers a devotion and scripture to encourage regular time with God. And
because giving grace is just as important as receiving it, a “Growing in
Grace” opportunity accompanies each devotion, offering practical and
easy-to-do activities to help kids apply God’s grace—every day and every
moment.</a></div>
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Will you consider joining us? Whether it's one copy, ten copies, or one hundred copies?<br />
Imagine if enough copies were sent to place in the hands of every small student at Sandy Hook?<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's share the GIFT of His Grace this Christmas. ♥<br />
<br />
<span class="text Mark-10-13-Mark-10-16" id="en-MSG-10532"><i><b>The people
brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples
shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push
these children away. <span style="font-size: large;">Don’t ever get between them and me. <span style="font-size: large;">These children
are at the very center of life in the kingdom.</span> </span>Mark this: Unless you
accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of
blessing on them. ~Mark 10:13-16 </b></i></span><br />
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<b>Grace. </b><br />
<i><b>Sweet Blessings,</b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Tera</i></b></span>Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-25861142646836016492012-12-01T05:51:00.000-08:002012-12-01T05:51:26.472-08:00In the Middle<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father - Son - Holy Spirit</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus in the Middle.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Son - Daughter - Son</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abby in the Middle.<b> </b></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><i>The LORD God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. ~Genesis 2:9</i></b><br />
<b><i><b></b><br /></i></b><i><b>The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. ~Exodus 3:2</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the middle is a pretty incredible place to be. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-6vqKTEExg2YoRw-IyjjPHK_0iQC8e6snZSt3xXqhU41Gu9CVmN5aeHPXmiauieUmg9kFxsFczcQLz9pd5OwKJcBDP09hpbaTYi0Quqod7u_OZnAaVIHkd3ZhdxdUph7MNokjtUaQbDh/s1600/oreo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-6vqKTEExg2YoRw-IyjjPHK_0iQC8e6snZSt3xXqhU41Gu9CVmN5aeHPXmiauieUmg9kFxsFczcQLz9pd5OwKJcBDP09hpbaTYi0Quqod7u_OZnAaVIHkd3ZhdxdUph7MNokjtUaQbDh/s200/oreo.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oreos.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twinkies. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dove Caramels.</span></span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the middle.</span></span></b></i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abby Jean & Jesus Christ - both loved to the fullest by their
heavenly Father and entrusted to the care of their earthly parents. Both made in His Image to
reflect His light, His grace, His mercy, and His love. ♥ Both sent for a purpose, and both with humble beginnings....</span></span><br />
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<b> <i><span class="text Luke-2-4" id="en-GNT-28021"><i><span class="text Luke-2-4" id="en-GNT-28021">Joseph went from the town
of Nazareth in Galile</span></i>e to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace
of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. </span><span class="text Luke-2-5" id="en-GNT-28022">He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, </span><span class="text Luke-2-6" id="en-GNT-28023">and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. </span><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-GNT-28024"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>She
gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a
manger..... ~Luke 2:4-7</span></i></b><br />
<b><span class="text Luke-2-7" id="en-GNT-28024"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, we celebrate and give thanks for our "in the middle". Our
middle-school, middle-child, in-the-middle Abby Jean turns 12 years
old today. A be<span style="font-size: large;">autiful </span>millennium baby born at night in a small hometown hospital
in December. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Baby Girl. You make us proud every <span style="font-size: large;">single day of your life. <span style="font-size: large;">And </span></span>God has you right where he wants you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Middle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>♥All my Love Always & Forever,</b></i></span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Mom xo</span></i></b><br />
<br />Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087651695819916030.post-41502739854111530522012-11-04T16:44:00.000-08:002012-11-04T16:44:34.917-08:00But Who Will Carry Me??<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jack Henry proudly began his first day of Sunday School this fall. He remained in the classroom without the shedding of tears (which his father and I immediately deemed a success as his siblings did not exhibit this exuberant independence in their 3rd year of life). However; when I returned to retrieve our curious new student, I questioned his teacher as to how he had managed. She told me that although he was very quiet, he really did quite well........But (isn't there ALWAYS a 'but'?), she went on to explain that at opening music time, the leader instructed the kids as to how they would weave their way to the front of the room, line up, and make their joyful noise. Our beloved Jack, in the most quiet, humble, deeply sincere small voice asked.........<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>"But who will carry me?" </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><span style="font-size: small;"> Oh brother........here it comes..</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He's not used to being carried all the time, is he?" the sweet woman asked with a grin....<i>(bless her heart)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now........at this point, all you mamas know, that this is where you insert the "cute filler laugh", the one that says "oh...isn't that cute?" even though inside you are secretly thinking:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Oh great, now these people know that we continue to carry this child who is approaching 4 and isn't exactly in the lightweight division...."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And you know what?.......<b>We do. </b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a matter of fact, as I was going thru some family photos, there was no denying it...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fagUkFqA930fnjGCDkGkF2IE1al1E-r5WVldEg9XTUI0-hZFGDdtQBl4IVvUD6T105r-svg59WQS4vE46TAABPqTZ5UAeRMG8kyarLxnlQ-WocYeqlil9FcTvouMYfXs-btOTAWM5zBS/s1600/Jack+walk+Aug+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fagUkFqA930fnjGCDkGkF2IE1al1E-r5WVldEg9XTUI0-hZFGDdtQBl4IVvUD6T105r-svg59WQS4vE46TAABPqTZ5UAeRMG8kyarLxnlQ-WocYeqlil9FcTvouMYfXs-btOTAWM5zBS/s320/Jack+walk+Aug+2011.jpg" width="192" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ca9NLxPwWl3rzkP5nU-JX30iXJBhJoxI6YM0N2_vPaOrwnAl0rCGr-QhtUKzt0d6IdpBxfwuFktbZge3PRN207XYwNNQ-7zPT05iN6CojaQPiWkEgZO0JZAUbF13dO0SQwB3X3iLlCOs/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ca9NLxPwWl3rzkP5nU-JX30iXJBhJoxI6YM0N2_vPaOrwnAl0rCGr-QhtUKzt0d6IdpBxfwuFktbZge3PRN207XYwNNQ-7zPT05iN6CojaQPiWkEgZO0JZAUbF13dO0SQwB3X3iLlCOs/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as I looked thru all the pictures, ALL the pictures of Jack Henry happily resting in the arms of another.........I Smiled. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I smiled and gave THANKS. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For you see, <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>I too can happily rest each day smiling safely in the arms of another. </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And friends, let me tell ya, there are days I'm in need of some SERIOUS carrying.......</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">C'mon, you know those days....You oversleep, the car won't start, homework's not done, the "right" jeans aren't clean, the cupcakes aren't baked, the dog gets sick........and it's not yet 8am. Anyone relate?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">♥Take heart sweet friends - - God is not only <b>WILLING</b> to carry us, He <b>INSISTS</b>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464">Then Jesus said, <span class="woj">“Come to me,</span></span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"> all of you who are weary </span></span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"> and carry heavy burdens,</span></span></b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"> and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28</span></span></b></i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj">****** Tired? Worn out? Dealing with too much stress? too much anxiety? just plain TOO MUCH?</span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><b>"No worries", Jesus says, "I'll carry you."</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><i><b> <span class="text Isa-40-11" id="en-NIV-18432">He tends his flock like a shepherd:</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span></b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-40-11"> He gathers the lambs in his arms</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-40-11"> and carries them close to his heart;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> H</span><span class="text Isa-40-11">e gently leads those that have young. ~ Isaiah 40:11</span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">****** Ever feel like you're wandering? Wondering while you wander just where your place is in this world? Wishing someone would lead you to your destiny?</span></sup></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><span style="font-size: small;">"No problem", Jesus says,"I'll carry you." </span></sup></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><br /></sup></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup>******* And sometimes, well,........sometimes we just need to give our ego a break, set our pride aside, and admit we need some help.......</sup></span></span></span></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup> </sup></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><i> </i><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i>Humble yourselves before the Lord, </i></span></span></span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i> and he will lift you up. ~ James 4:10</i></span></span></span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i> </i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "It's ok", Jesus says, "I'll carry you."</span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ </span></span></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><br /></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup>"But Mama", he asks me, "Who will carry me?"</sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup>He will my sweet boy. ♥ HE will carry us both.♥ </sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup> </sup></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><br /></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup>In His Arms, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICMXdoONXo_cxQ4jRxpPRBj9Ca58EqcVjY25osoCT5SZ-Q7fRUVfGzaOTqPAy5MRTebNzsIfLRNxbz8ilIXdh2U6NTD-AF9tjjO9EcB3IfXThHHcbrGvOsMOnBApV0y6xG83RO-jLZ4v/s1600/isaiah-46-4-550x320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIICMXdoONXo_cxQ4jRxpPRBj9Ca58EqcVjY25osoCT5SZ-Q7fRUVfGzaOTqPAy5MRTebNzsIfLRNxbz8ilIXdh2U6NTD-AF9tjjO9EcB3IfXThHHcbrGvOsMOnBApV0y6xG83RO-jLZ4v/s320/isaiah-46-4-550x320.jpg" width="320" /></a></sup></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-40-11"><sup><b><i>Tera</i></b></sup></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-11-28" id="en-NLT-23464"><span class="woj"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
Terahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04653650673066812618noreply@blogger.com0