tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32829092698741000192024-03-14T13:48:42.970-05:00Sisters' Weblog: It Bloggles the Mind!We hope to glorify God by sharing all He is doing in the lives of two sisters in Christ.Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.comBlogger1660125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-32282513100560605332013-07-19T10:48:00.000-05:002013-07-19T11:33:37.992-05:00Author: Katie<br />
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On November 7, 2011, as a 2nd anniversary present to my husband, I wrote up a testimonial and sent it in to Christian Cafe, the Christian internet singles site where we met. Here is our story:</div>
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In 2001, I unexpectedly became a divorced parent of two. My son was ten and my daughter was almost eight when this happened. As of 2009, we had been living with my best friend for nine years. (Because I was struggling so hard trying to provide, God moved in her heart to take us in shortly after the divorce.)</div>
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Being a single mother was probably one of the greatest challenges of my life and most certainly the most rewarding. In the 9 years I was single again, my main focus was on raising my children and trusting God for a husband in His time. For fun, I tried some online dating services and eventually signed up at Christian Café. I paid for a membership for a brief time, but did not seriously desire to connect with anyone so I let my membership expire. However, since I had signed up, I would often get email notifications when there was a free trial period. Since I had to be frugal, I decided that I’d just play around whenever I got a free membership. Eventually I even stopped taking advantage of the free memberships and for about a year I did nothing with it. I got busy going to college and working full-time. I was quite content at being single so I stopped going to the Café altogether.</div>
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Then, on March 23, 2009, I got another notification for a free trial. So, I half-heatedly decided to take advantage of the free offer. I was really too busy to get involved in a relationship but I really had nothing more interesting to do at that moment. So, for entertainment, I decided to go in and check my inbox to see if there were any funny emails to read (I got them from time to time). I had no idea that God was about to use the Christian Café to bring about a complete overhaul of my life. My Heavenly Father was also about to provide for a huge transition into a totally new phase in my walk with Him.</div>
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As I sifted through emails, I responded to a few potentials. My original plan was just to check the emails and be done. But, since I had nothing better to do at the time, I decided to go ahead and just browse the café and see any new faces I was matched up with. It was at this time that I came across a profile picture of a man from Alabama who was very handsome, but in a wheelchair. My first instinct was to just move on to the next profile because I just did not think I was selfless enough to date a person who was handicapped. But, I was curious as to how he ended up in the chair. I wanted to read his story. I wanted to find out more. So, I read his profile and was blown away. I thought, “If could place an order for a husband, this would be his profile”. I really asked myself if I could overcome the handicap and take a chance on this wonderful man. After praying, it didn't take long to realize I’d be crazy to pass by this potential opportunity. He had mentioned in his profile that it was important that the wheelchair wasn't a problem.</div>
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It also said on his profile that his membership had ended. But, I still had to at least make an attempt and see what God would do. I knew that He is a God of making the impossible possible according to His plan.</div>
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So, on March 23, 2009, at 10:23 pm I sent my first email titled, “Pick Me!” (I wanted to make sure my email stood out among others…and it worked because it was the first one he opened…and the last…</div>
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Here is what I wrote:</div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">“Hi, I am not usually this forward on here...but I can't wait until you get a free trial so we can (hopefully) chat. I LOVED your profile and don't worry about the wheelchair issue...if I am so blessed that we might engage in a conversation...I won't be concerned with you being in a wheelchair.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">You seem like a really good person who loves our Lord as much as I do... and I'd love to have the opportunity to correspond with you. So, if you have even the slightest bit of interest while you are thinking about which of your many emails to respond to...I hope that it might be possible that you would pick me!!!! :-)</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">My trial here will end tomorrow...I don't know how our paths will cross at the same time...but with God all things are possible...right?</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Who knows..maybe you have already found that special someone.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Blessings to you”</em></div>
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Out of all the emails I responded to that day (prior to finding Michael), I only anticipated one reply. However, since I could not afford a membership, I had to wait until the next free trial. Normally, the free trials came months apart, but for some reason, only two weekends later, I received another free trial. I didn't realize it until a couple days later because I was at a sleepover with some friends and unable to check my email. On the morning after the sleepover (April 5), I was talking to an acquaintance who informed me that in her prayer time earlier that week, she felt that God had given her a “word” for me (oblivious to what was going on with Christian Café). It was Isaiah 62: 2-4.</div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">“2 The nations will see your vindication,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">and all kings your glory;</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">you will be called by a new name</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">a royal diadem in the hand of your God.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">4 No longer will they call you Deserted,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">or name your land Desolate</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">But you will be called Hephzibah,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">and your land Beulah;</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">for the LORD will take delight in you,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">and your land will be married..”</em></div>
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It was received as such a message of hope. I had been through so much and had struggled so long and when God’s word was spoken in that moment, I believed. I knew God had given this person a word of prophecy and I could not let it go. I didn't know who or what it was speaking of…I just believed. Then, I told her about the email I sent to Michael and how I was anticipating hearing back. I also told her that his membership ended but that I believed that all things were possible with God. So, when I went home that evening and realized I had another free weekend, I couldn't sign in quick enough! As soon as the page popped up, I began looking for his reply and there it was!</div>
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On April 9, 2009, this is the response Michael typed to me:</div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">“Well, I kept getting notifications that I had mail here on Christian Cafe, so I thought I'd come back for one more month and I have to say that I'm glad I did because I LOVED your message and your profile! You sound like such an engaging, interesting woman with a true love for the Lord!! But, unfortunately you're not active right now here on CC!! But, you are 100% absolutely correct when you say that with God, all things are possible!!</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">So, with that being said but without rambling on too much for lack of not knowing when (or if) you'll get this message, I'll just leave it at this for now. I do have a paid membership for 1 month, so maybe you'll pop back on within the next month ... but if not, since I'm paying for this membership this month, I am permitted to send my contact information…</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Hopefully we'll be able to hook up and communicate with each other ... provided you haven't already been spoken for.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Blessings!</em></div>
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I was so excited! This began a plethora of email exchanges that quickly led to phone conversations and video chats. Although things were going great, I was very apprehensive and guarded my heart not to get carried away too quickly. As the relationship began taking a more serious note, I wanted to slow things down. I was going through some difficult personal circumstances and began to be very insecure about a romantic relationship. But with every doubt came affirmation from God that I needed to hold on and not run. Every time I doubted, something would happen that would tell me that this relationship was part of God’s plan.</div>
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One example of this would be the fact that my best friend and I were doing a Bible study by Beth Moore on Esther. The reoccurring themes just happened to be, “Who knows…” and “…for such a time as this”. One night, just after watching a video on these themes, I was talking to Michael. I believe we were discussing the difficult circumstances I was going through and how I didn't want him to get caught up in it. He responded, “Who knows? God may have brought me into your life for such a time as this”. Well, you can imagine how the conversation turned at that point. I do not believe in coincidence. I believe in a God that is always aware and in control of all circumstances…I especially believed in that moment!</div>
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I have to go back in time for a minute in order to prepare for another example. A couple years after my divorce I heard a song on the radio that made me cry. I said out loud, as the tears rolled down my cheek, “That will be the song played at my wedding if I ever marry again!” One morning, not long after Michael and I started communicating, I got this email from Michael in which he explained that he usually leaves the radio on when he gets ready for work in the mornings. Usually, he can’t hear it from the back room but the song really grabbed his attention. He said it described exactly how he felt about me and wrote down the words. Before I even read them, something inside me said, “It can’t be…” Here are the words to the song:</div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">It’s always been a mystery to me,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">How two hearts can come together,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">And love can last forever.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">But now that I have found you I believe,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">That a miracle has come when God sends the perfect one.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">So gone are all my questions about why,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">And I've never been so sure of anything in my life</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">~chorus~</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Oh I wonder what God was thinking, when he created you.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">I wonder if He knew everything I would need,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Because he made all my dreams come true.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">When God made you, He must have been thinking about me.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">I promise that wherever you may go, wherever life may lead you,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">With all my heart I'll be there too.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">And from this moment on I want you to know,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">I'll let nothing come between us, and I will love the ones you love.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">(guy):So gone are all my questions about why (girl echoes):about why</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Oh I wonder what God was thinking when he created you,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">I wonder if He knew everything I would need,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Because He made all my dreams come true.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">When God made you He must've been thinking about me.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Bridge</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">He made the sun He made the moon,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">To harmonize a perfect tune,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">One can't do without the other they just have to be together.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">And that is how I know it’s true,</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Your for me and I'm for you and my world</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Just can’t be right without you in my life</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Chorus</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">He must have heard every prayer I've been praying (girl echo)</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">I've been praying (both) He must've known everything I would need</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">When God made you, He must've been thinking about me.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;"></em>Under any other circumstances I would have thought it too soon for a person to feel this way about me. But, even though I was apprehensive and careful of getting carried away too quickly, I couldn't deny the “coincidence” of this song. I knew even before I read the words that it would be this song…This old song that I had not heard in eight years and only heard the one time…This old song that he had heard for the first time that morning.<br />
It had only been a few weeks. We had never met in person. But so many things like this just kept happening. So on May 09, 2009, Michael and I had plans to meet in person for the first time. I was so nervous I could hardly eat. I felt sick. When we met, he treated me so sweet, but, for some reason, I began to feel uneasy about the whole situation. We had a wonderful dinner. Then, I went home to change for our symphony date. I was suddenly so uncomfortable with everything and knew I would never meet a nicer man but at the same time… I think I knew inside that this really could be it and it scared me to death. I cried out to God in tears, on my knees and prayed for wisdom and guidance. I asked Him to remove my fear.</div>
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When we were at the symphony I was afraid that he would want to hold hands or put his arm around me. I didn't know what I would say or do. It was so terribly awkward for me, but not for Michael. He knew from the beginning. He had settled it in his heart and he waited patiently for me to get it settled in my heart (which took much longer!).<br />
The moment arrived when he had an opportunity to put his arm around me. I was freezing. He gave me his jacket and as I had anticipated, he took advantage of the opportunity to “hold the jacket up” on the other side…and it felt WONDERFUL! The next morning we went to church together before he returned home. Later he told me that it was the best first date he had ever been on and even admitted being a little misty eyed as he left. These words brought tears to my eyes. I was overwhelmed.</div>
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The second weekend we got together (two or three weeks later), we sat out in the church parking lot after a date, watching lightening off in the distance. We held hands in the car that night for the first time. I have butterflies as I write this…just like I did that night.</div>
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In early July, I made my first trip from West Tennessee to Central Alabama. He took me to a very romantic restaurant for dinner that overlooked a beautiful river. Then we spent some time together before he took me to check into the Fairfield Inn, where he had reserved a room for me. The next morning was when I would be introduced to his church family and friends. Here is another one of those “examples” of how God was showing us that He had brought us together for marriage. One of his friends took me aside and asked if she could sing at our wedding! I responded, “Ummmmmm we haven’t even known each other for two months!” But, before I knew it she had drawn me into making plans (and she DID sing at our wedding…you’ll never guess what song it was)! Neither of us knew that her husband was talking to Michael about the same thing!</div>
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During the last week of May, Michael attended my college graduation (I never anticipated my future husband being at my graduation). My son had joined the navy a few months earlier and I had decided it was time for a change. Previously, my daughter and I were presented with an offer to move to Atlanta and start a new life with friends there. It was a hard decision that took several months to make and accept. I had lived in West TN for most of my adult life and (prior to meeting Michael) I couldn't imagine ever leaving. But, the invitation from our friends seemed like an opportunity to move forward and I thought maybe God had opened this door for us to walk through. So, we were planning to move to Atlanta in July. God was about to throw a wrench into my plans.</div>
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What I was unaware of was that God was about to take me through a very difficult pruning season…one which would not involve a move to Atlanta but to Alabama. God would use this time to bond Michael and I even closer to Him and one another. The Atlanta plans fell through at the last possible moment when my daughter chose to move in with her estranged father (who ironically just happened to live only two hours away from Michael). I had already turned in my notice at work and there were no open doors in Tennessee. I didn't know what was going to happen to me…but God did. Marriage and a move to Alabama was not something I had planned for, especially not this early in the relationship with Michael. I had come to a place in my personal life where I had put my friends, church, career, and children in first place…the place reserved for God alone. I needed to have God in that place before I could have a successful relationship with anyone…God knew I needed pruning. Michael knew God had put him in my life for “such a time as this” and He was my lifeline to Jesus through an excruciating season of heartbreak and transition. God used Michael to be a beacon in what would have otherwise been a very dark time in my life.<br />
As time went on, our friends, coworkers, family, and both of our church families were all pushing the marriage buttons! We kept telling <em style="border: none; color: inherit;">them</em> that <em style="border: none; color: inherit;">they</em> were moving too fast! However, it got us talking about it, just a couple months after the first incident at his church, we were shopping for wedding rings. We wanted to be prepared but had no intentions on being married within a year from meeting. (I think God may have actually been laughing out loud at our plans.)</div>
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On the weekend of August 9, (Just three months after meeting in person for the first time and a little over a month after the Atlanta plans fell through), Michael had come to celebrate our three month anniversary of the day we met in person for the first time. Due to circumstances at the time, and conversations we had been having, I knew that a proposal was in the air at some point, but Michael wanted to do it when I least expected it. I expected it at least by August 9, the day Michael was scheduled to return home after our anniversary date. We went to the restaurant where we met in person for the first time. I thought maybe he might propose then. Dinner came and went. No proposal. So, I had resolved that it was too obvious and he wasn't going to do it. As fate would have it, his car broke down and had to be put in the shop for repair. It wasn't going to be ready for several days. So, because he had to work early the next morning, I ended up having to drive him back to Alabama that evening where he had another vehicle available. We got there just in time to catch the most beautiful sunset from what is now our front porch. It was such a romantic gift from God that set the stage for what was about to take place.<br />
With the long day coming to a close, and a much unexpected ending, I had given up on a proposal. We were about to say goodnight with the little game that we began playing after we picked out wedding rings. It was a conversation that would go something like this….</div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Katrina: “I want to marry you.”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Michael: “You do? You want to marry me?”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Katrina: “Uh huh”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Michael: “So, you want to marry me huh?”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Katrina: “Yeah”</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;"></em><em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Now, at this point he would normally say something like, “Well, you never know.”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">But this time he said something different…</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;"></em><em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Michael: “So, will you….marry me?”</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Not believing he was serious, I responded jokingly.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Katrina: “Yes! Now I just need a ring on my finger!” Then I held out my hand.</em><br />
<em style="border: none; color: inherit;">Michael: “You mean like this one?” Much to my surprise, he reached around and pulled out the ring.</em></div>
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<em style="border: none; color: inherit;"></em>Needless to say, the moments following involved lots of squealing, crying and shaking as he placed this beautiful ring on my finger. He accomplished his goal. I was definitely caught off guard! At 10:00 pm I began waking all of my closest loved ones to tell them the news before announcing it to the world on Facebook the next morning. They all affirmed and celebrated with us.</div>
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Originally, we had set the date to be the weekend of the anniversary of our first email connection, April 9, 2010. The move to Atlanta turned into a move to Alabama. But, the wedding date turned out to be much sooner than expected. Unable to secure a job, I would not be able to afford an apartment and I was not going to move in with a man I was not married to. This would not glorify the One who brought us together. More and more, Michael and I were encouraged to move up the wedding date. I was filled with fear. It was all happening so fast. But while sharing my dilemma with a co-worker and mentor one day, she asked me, “Are you going to let a spirit of fear keep you from doing sooner what you know is destined to be anyway? Why <em style="border: none; color: inherit;">not</em> marry him now?”</div>
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After much prayer and so many circumstances moving us to marrying sooner, we moved the date up from April 9, 2010 to November 7, 2009. We chose November 7 because November is the season of Thanksgiving and the number 7 is God’s number for completion and perfection.</div>
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And so it was, Michael Dunkin and Katrina Blakely became Mr. and Mrs. Dunkin on November 7, 2009. We are a three cord strand with God at the center, growing ever happier in our marriage with each passing day. This testimony is completed on the day of our 2nd anniversary and presented as a gift to my “Hubby” from his “Wifey” with so much love. I give all the praise and honor and glory to the only One who deserves it. Thank, you Father for blessing us both with this gift of marriage. It is our desire to have a relationship that will be a testimony to others of Your great love. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”<br />
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-53060704586951867852013-07-19T09:46:00.001-05:002013-07-19T11:05:00.096-05:00Surprise!<br />
Author: Katie<br />
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Surprise, Sue! It's been a loooonnnnggg time since I posted here. I've been on a very long hiatus trying to adjust to my new life as an empty nester and wife. It wasn't easy but, I can honestly say, I am happier than I have ever been in my life! The thing that makes me most happy is that leaving everyone and everything behind to start a new life has opened my eyes to see how I had made idols of my relationships.<br />
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Losing everything that meant the most to me (kids, friends, church, job, familiarity, comfort of the known, etc...) caused me to run to God and place Him back on the throne that was only made for Him. I have learned that life is not about me and that I can let go and trust God with everything. He's truly got it all!<br />
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These words are so small and just a brief summary of so much more than I can put into words. As I read previous posts, it's almost as if a stranger wrote them.<br />
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God doesn't miss a beat and He truly uses everything for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose!<br />
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By the way, aside from an amazing new husband (I have the best one) and a new adorable mini weenie, I am now a Mimi! I have the most adorable sweetheart angel of a grandson! Brently Carson Blakely was born to my daughter, Tiffany on November 15, 2011! <br />
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My first moments as Mimi to my newly hatched grandson!</div>
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Here is a pic of me and my awesome hubby:</div>
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Isn't he gorgeous??!!!</div>
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And here is our baby, Zoe</div>
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Tiffany just graduated college with her associate's degree and has already begun working on a bachelor's. Justin is currently in Oregon planting a church with the International Missions Board. He graduated from the Navy in 2013 and will begin working on his degree at Liberty University in Virginia this fall.</div>
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Well, that's the last 4 years in a nutshell. I am working on a new ministry called RhemaJoy. I won't be blogging much here because most of my energy is focused there. Just wanted to throw in a quick update here....because somehow I have this idea in my head that people are actually interested in the rest of the story! LOL.</div>
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Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-5828332332082993412013-02-27T20:11:00.000-06:002013-02-27T20:39:21.017-06:00You Took OffenseAuthor: Susan L. Prince<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px;">Today I heard a bit of insight on the radio, and it was one of those things that I caught mid-message and I have no idea who was the man responsible for the message. I don't even know what station I heard it on since I listen mostly to WSCAN. LOL Anyway, when he said it I immediately grabbed my pen and wrote it in my journal so I wouldn't forget it!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">This is the thing he said that I found interesting:</span><br />
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Taking offense at something someone says or does when they did not intend to offend you, is <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> sin.</blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px;">I only listened to about 3 minutes of this message that may have been 30 minutes long, but that was all I needed to hear of it today I guess. The snippet that I heard may have only been a side-note of a message on a completely different subject, so my "commentary" on it may not have a thing to do with the message in it's entirety.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">The </span><strike style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">holiday</strike><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> Christmas season is a good example. I bet if I had left this sentence to say "holiday season" some Christian somewhere would have a fit. In fact, leaving it say "Christmas season" may offend someone else. Guess what, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">not my problem.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> I'm not meaning to offend a Christian if I wish someone "happy holidays" and I'm not meaning to offend anyone by saying "Merry Christmas". If someone is offended by my choice of words when I had no intention of using them to hurt, then I am guilty of nothing. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">The same is true in reverse. If someone says or does something that I find offensive, but they never intended to hurt or offend me, it </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">is</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">my</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> problem. I think some Christians can be too complacent at times and not be offended by things they should, but this guy made a good point about Christians sometimes being </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">overly</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> sensitive.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">Ever been slighted? Did the gang at work organize a spontaneous get-together at a local coffee shop and fail to mention it to you. You may have been on break or something and missed the word going around, but no one meant to exclude you. The next day, when you found out about it, you were bothered and upset that you weren't invited. You </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">took</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> offense.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px;">Many Christians like myself work in a secular world. We have co-workers who pepper their language with terms no Christian should, or live a lifestyle that is very worldly. Should I cringe every time certain words are spoken in conversation when that person is simply sharing a story and using their own vocabulary? They are simply telling me a story about something that happened in their life, they haven't set out to intentionally offend me by what they say or how they say it. They have done nothing wrong. If I am offended, it's all on me. I </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">took</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> offense.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Offend</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">means </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">"To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in." </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">(</span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #38b63c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">The Free Dictionary</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">) or</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">"a.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">b</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">. to cause dislike, anger, or vexation"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">(</span><a href="http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=offended" style="background-color: white; color: #38b63c; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Merriam-Webster</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">Notice in each definition the part that says "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">to cause</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">"? That means intent. If there was no intent "to cause", then you shan't be offended! If you are, it is only because you </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">took</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;"> it! </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">You <span style="font-style: italic;">took </span>offense!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px;">This isn't to say that some behavior isn't offensive, it can be, but this little statement of wisdom that I heard today has caused me to consider what actually causes the "displeasure, anger, resentment, wounded feelings, difficulty, discomfort, injury, dislike, or vexation" in me. Is what caused it valid? Or am I allowing my arrogance, pride, and haughtiness, to cloud reason? If I am, then I am </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">taking </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">offense.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">Taking offense is like stealing something that isn't mine. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17.734375px; text-align: justify;">Taking offense is sin.</span>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-29670175622993399712012-10-22T06:09:00.003-05:002012-10-22T06:13:23.439-05:00Friendship with God<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Author: Susan L. Prince</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are just "outloud ponderings" of something I read this morning in Robertson McQuilkin's book, Life in the Spirit. It may or may not make sense. I'm formulating some of it while I type. McQuilkin mentioned that God wants to be our best friend. He pointed out that "best friends have to know one another and like what they know. They take every chance to get together and they work hard at doing what the other one likes." That got me thinking about my relationship with God and if I put as much effort into getting to know Him and doing what He likes as I do in my relationship with my best friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do a lot of thinking, and just because something like this causes me to ruminate, it doesn't always mean that I conclude the negative. It doesn't always mean that if I question it in myself, I must be reaching the conclusion that I fall short. I simply ask myself these honest questions. I ask them often. If ever I do discover a deficiency, I hope to be quick to change a practice, a habit, or whatever I need to do to correct the situation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said, I've been thinking on this question recently. Does my relationship with God reflect a "best friendship?" I thought about those I am closest to. I thought about those couple of people I have allowed to know me more intimately than anybody else, about those I trust implicitly. I thought about the effort I put into those friendships. I do invest in my friends. I have always invested deeply into those I believe God put into my life. I consider my friends a blessing beyond anything I can explain. I treasure the relationships that I have and care for them the best I know how. I thank God for my friends on a daily basis and pray for them. I do arrange things in my life in order that I may have time with my friends. My friends pour into me, so it only makes sense that I would want to spend time with them. I pray that God can use me to pour into them as well. I think when God gives a friendship, it is somehow mutually satisfying and is sustained in a special godly love; we mutually exhort one another and this allows us to strengthen each other in the faith, and also, because there is trust and we understand that Christian love is the basis of all we share, we can speak into one another's life when a rebuke is needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, as I thought about my investment in my friendships, I started to consider what time and effort I put into my relationship with God, my Father, my Lord, my friend. I have to admit that I at times recoil at saying, "I am a friend of God...He calls me 'friend.'" It seems so small, and (I really HATE the I am a Friend of God song, but I digress.) I live alone, therefore I have less distraction when I am home. I can go to bed when I want and spend time with the Lord in quiet. Nobody is here to ask me to get them something or listen to what they need to talk about. Do I take advantage of that? You bet I do! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spend so much time thanking God for my blessings that if God ever needed encouragement for a job well done, He would do well to get that from me! I am mindful of the Spirit all day, every day. Sure, there are moments in which I push Him aside when my worldly self takes over and I become selfish, but I usually come to my senses within minutes, and/or after a short ranting time (lol - to one of my best friends!). I believe that if I share my heart with God, even, and maybe especially, when it is not right, He alone can help me get it right. He is totally aware of my bad attitude, so it is not like I'm telling Him anything He didn't already know. ;) This is me spending time with God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm serious about Sabbath rest. God commanded it and it was made for man. I do take one day a week, almost without fail, to just rest in His love. I break from work, I break from tasks, and I just set out to enjoy my time. It may be spending time with a friend, it may be time at the lake thinking about Him and enjoying creation as I walk through the woods or just sit and ponder, it may be going and doing something I enjoy (movies, carpool, drinking coffee at the Frog or Sbux, etc.), and possibly spending time in His Word...but, God gave me the day! Of course I want to embrace it! I have liberty in Him and try to enjoy it to its fullest! Like a friend who gives me a gift, I open it up and enjoy it. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no awkward silence with a friend, instead, it is often comforting. There is no awkward silence with God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's something kind of whacked...I absolutely LOVE getting to know my friends. I LOVE going through old pictures, scrapbooks, asking about their past and if I am so blessed, visiting the places that mean so much to them. I learn about their passions seeing what they spend their time and effort doing. With God, I have thousands of years of history to read about to learn about Him! I LOVE His Word and seeing all that He has done and learning about His passion for His people! I've concluded that in many ways, I enjoy a special friendship with God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do put the time and effort into knowing Him as much as I can. This is not to say that I am perfect about making the time, or saying and doing the right things, as either of my closest friends would attest to, but it is a friendship nonetheless. I am an imperfect friend with a perfect God. It may be onesided at times, but that is what makes friendship work. Forgiveness, mercy, grace and love exists in my relationship with God, and He makes that evident to me on a daily basis. Why the heck would I not want to be friends with Him? </span></div>
Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-28202166375203361442012-10-22T06:08:00.001-05:002012-10-22T06:13:06.826-05:00Betrayal<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Author: Susan L. Prince</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Been thinking about betrayal, the ultimate breakdown of trust. How is it that after the disciples, and yes, all of them betrayed him at one point, especially as He went to suffering and death, was Jesus able to commission them to go out and make disciples. How was he able to trust them with such a large responsibility after how they had just all failed Him?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judas we all know died the ultimate betrayer. He killed himself. What if he had repented instead? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter repented and Jesus restored him. He restored all of the disciples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus, who knows the hearts of men, understood that his friends had weaknesses and His love covered over those weaknesses. He was able to send them out to represent Himself and trust their repentance. Jesus knew the hearts of the men He surrounded Himself with, and therefore He was able to trust them, despite their failings. The relationships could be restored. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't seem so easy for humans. Jesus, afterall, created humans, so He knows our hearts. I can't know the hearts of men, or can I? What if I took the time to really get to know somebody. What if during conversation over coffee, I looked into the eyes of the person sitting across from me. What if I asked deep, personal and intimate questions? What if I didn't assume I knew somebody well, but really dug into their lives by spending time with them, by listening to them without offering advice or commiserating, but just listened. I think after some time, I might *know* that person. At least I would know them better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, what if that person betrayed me? Would I question myself? Would I question the heart of that person? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been hurt by people. I am not easily offended, so it is not easy to do, but it is possible. Thing is, I really try to know the hearts of the people I surround myself with. I could never *know,* really KNOW, the hearts of all of the people in my life, but those that I make time to *know,* I trust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been hurt by people I have trusted, but love really does cover over a multitude of sin. It can only really happen if I know the heart of a person. If I know the heart of that person is bent on repentance and reconciliation, and I see behaviors that line up with that, trust can flourish again. In fact, in some situations, the trust never waivers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an odd thing, this Christian life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God, help me to never betray my friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help me to never betray You.</span></div>
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Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-82093982996600128322011-12-19T14:06:00.003-06:002011-12-19T15:08:50.182-06:00What Does Christmas Feel Like?<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Author: Susan L. Prince</span><br />
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I was talking with a friend the other day and I observed that it didn't feel like Christmas to me. She asked, "What does Christmas feel like?"<br />
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I answered, "I don't know...it just feels happier, people are nicer, families gather together, there are great meals...," decorations and commemorations, and people think about Jesus. I said that I can remember as a kid how exciting Christmas was, that I couldn't wait for it to come, and that now, the appeal is just gone.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kEHE0nWpmeu7kaojzyAhq0vlSHvbBt341PH_Za8Gm-bnf-hy-KwKER4Lyj5QFxqZIMDkoOkKn-2oP9Aaa2eHKCGKke7_RL5BxGcqmry4oJsDksa4LTWmiWfwEMVccBTScUcxQ115bw/s1600/scottscrooge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kEHE0nWpmeu7kaojzyAhq0vlSHvbBt341PH_Za8Gm-bnf-hy-KwKER4Lyj5QFxqZIMDkoOkKn-2oP9Aaa2eHKCGKke7_RL5BxGcqmry4oJsDksa4LTWmiWfwEMVccBTScUcxQ115bw/s1600/scottscrooge.jpeg" /></a></div>Then, last night as my friend and I sat around watching George C. Scott portray Ebenezer Scrooge, I was struck by the thought that it felt like Christmas. All I was doing was sitting around wrapped up in a blanket, watching a Christmas movie with a friend. Her home is decorated with greenery and lights, ceramic, snow-covered villages and many scented candles glowing, and I was sitting there observing all of it.<br />
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She had just finished making a tasty dinner for me, poured sparkling cider into my glass, made sure I was comfortable and warm, and that her home was inviting and seasonally appealing while being entertained by a classic holiday film. It felt like Christmas. <br />
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It felt like Christmas because of the the holiday decorations, the sights and sounds, but most of all because I was spending time with a friend. This special friend had just spent a part of her day making me feel comfortable and happy by serving me. It was her good pleasure.<br />
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When I think about Christmases past and why they were so anticipated, (obviously as a child, getting presents is the big appeal), but as one grows older, it's the family time and the meal we all share that starts to be the important part. I think about my Gram making that turkey gravy, and Grandpa challenging me to eat all those mashed potatoes. I think about Grandma's laughter and seeing to it that everybody is happy, and then taking pictures of us that leave off our heads, feet or the people on either side. I miss those people. I miss those times. They can never be again, because those people are no longer here. I live so far from home and miss my family.<br />
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Spending that time with my friend yesterday made me realize that it is the people I miss. It's the people in my life who have served me and have seen to it that I am happy. My joy has been one of their greatest concerns. You know what? I am so blessed that even though the people that I miss are gone from my life on this earth, He has seen to it that I've never been without people in my life who love me and want to see me happy, and show me this through serving me. They are pleased to give of themselves to me, their time, attention, resources, talents and gifts. <br />
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At Christmastime I'm remembering how God leads us to do this for each other. He first did this by giving us life, then He gave us His Son, and His Son gave us salvation. We should<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10:19-21&version=NIV1984" target="_blank"> rejoice that our names are written in heaven</a>. It has been His good pleasure to serve <i>us</i>! That bloggles the mind! <br />
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What does Christmas feel like? <i> It feels like I'm loved.</i>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-15479758957201766842011-06-24T09:32:00.003-05:002011-06-24T15:32:24.800-05:00Avoiding the Appearance of Evil?Author: Susan L. Prince<br />
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<i>"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">1 Thess. 5:19-22 </span>KJV)</i> has often been used to caution Christians about doing anything that might look like sinful behavior to another, or further, might cause somebody to stumble in the faith.<br />
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<div>The verse has always kind of bothered me because I am conscientious about my behavior and would never want somebody to stumble because of something they saw me doing. It also would bring up discussion about doing things that <i>appear</i> evil to one person, may not <i>appear</i> evil to another, we all have different opinions about what constitutes "questionable behavior," like going to the movies, or maybe into a bar, or what we watch on tv. </div><div><br />
</div><div> I often think about Jesus and his ministry and how he hung out with "sinners" and was around people who partook of wine at parties and spoke to tax collectors and prostitutes. If His behavior had the appearance of evil, how the heck am I going to avoid appearing evil? </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's also interesting to note how different generations in the church view certain things. The older generation might say the guitar or drums in church is evil, or that rock music is "of the devil." Dancing or smoking a cigar might be a problem for some, or possibly having a tattoo, but when we start avoiding things that others' might deem "questionable," we start infringing on a believer's liberty in Christ. We can easily become legalistic and start calling things "unclean" that simply are inconsequential to God or are pure in His eyes. It also can cause us to start judging one another, our actions and motives, so I think properly understanding this verse is very important.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-snAuTPi76ChynFQ88uzoH0JHYhOH1OBY2ms5pDg_V8-kda30JOXLmC81gNl2zFvAqJy32P2HBIS1kJVxT0gO7z3QPCm5J7KipYsSQIdWrd91F4VSjdLwqtXicpjMsX4gvUxQnJkyg/s1600/12942748772ij1vv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-snAuTPi76ChynFQ88uzoH0JHYhOH1OBY2ms5pDg_V8-kda30JOXLmC81gNl2zFvAqJy32P2HBIS1kJVxT0gO7z3QPCm5J7KipYsSQIdWrd91F4VSjdLwqtXicpjMsX4gvUxQnJkyg/s200/12942748772ij1vv.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I heard something on the radio yesterday that brought this to the surface of my brain and I thought I'm going to research it. It turns out that I could only find the "appearance" term in the King James Version, and that in the translation I use, NIV, it says, <i>"do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil."</i> It says "avoid every <i>kind</i> of evil. Other translations use, "every <i>form</i> of evil," and I like what The Message says, "Throw out <i>anything tainted with</i> evil."<br />
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It became clear to me just from that little revelation, that Paul wasn't saying avoid questionable behavior, he was saying avoid anything sinful. It is important to weigh what is said, or prophesied, and determine if it is good or bad and if it is bad, avoid it!<br />
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<i>"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thess. 5:19-22)</i><br />
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I think it is better understood that we avoid evil, <i>no matter how it appears to us, or in whatever form it takes. </i>Evil can appear to us in many ways, even as "an angel of light," which is why we need to first determine if what we encounter is good or evil, and <i>if it is evil, throw it out and run away!</i></div>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-70925069186882896102011-06-05T13:54:00.003-05:002011-06-06T06:12:11.473-05:00"What Makes You Think...???"Author: Susan L. Prince<br />
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Isn't it amazing how something said almost in passing can literally "stop a person in his tracks" and really change a person's thinking? <br />
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Has that ever happened to you? It has me and I am going to share the nugget of wisdom that was passed along to me a year or so ago by my friend, Chris Rowland. Chris probably won't even remember the conversation, and she can't know how much those few words she spoke that day impacted me.<br />
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I was sharing with her one day in a quick conversation that we just happened to pick up in passing, that I wasn't sure I was really getting anything out of the discussions we'd been having in our SaLT Group Bible Study and I didn't think I was going to go one night. (Really, it was probably just a lame excuse because I didn't <i>feel</i> like going.) Chris said to me, <i>"What makes you think you are supposed to get something out of SaLT? <b>Maybe we are supposed to get something from you.</b>"</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tH728Vfx60Vm707cxuR8oy2FOvoqW5OxOcWqSlD68nG3qJ6Tvuusfd1zckD6bc27KjKKDGvCFhwytyPlugpNDBtcb3zgoJFPK8BL1FCqg9jAZH0uDSfS9vx-_zjNV87_nX9o0J4FmA/s1600/spiritual_gifts.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tH728Vfx60Vm707cxuR8oy2FOvoqW5OxOcWqSlD68nG3qJ6Tvuusfd1zckD6bc27KjKKDGvCFhwytyPlugpNDBtcb3zgoJFPK8BL1FCqg9jAZH0uDSfS9vx-_zjNV87_nX9o0J4FmA/s320/spiritual_gifts.png" width="320" /></a></div>BAM.<br />
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Chris and I went on about our day going separate ways, but what she said struck a chord in me. I'm the type of person that really ponders and thinks about things when they are spoken to me, and that just wouldn't let me go. The Holy Spirit convicted me, and used Chris Rowland to point out an error in my thinking at that time. What she said was also a springboard for me to start utilizing my spiritual gifts the way they were intended to be used when God gave them to me. <br />
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Armed with the understanding that as I study my Bible, God will reveal things to me for the sole purpose of helping <i>others'</i> see truth, I can use my gifts to edify the Body and glorify God. It is my part in the Body of Christ! It's not about me! Ever since that talk with Chris, I have approached Bible study differently and understand that God may use me during our SaLT Group meeting times to impart a word to another person. He may not, but it is my responsibility to prepare myself appropriately and be willing to use my gift at all times. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2guMqnLS_BakDRR98DB_wzmxK1Zj9d48CaV7MLZewdv0ZeaTs2712jp1L3YDeFFwZsdzvfrLmm4q5OdMudqVULH6slKNNa_X9izqKo-vS6yz2VLbfSD_ln9EvowmpjYXNKKudkPEeXA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2guMqnLS_BakDRR98DB_wzmxK1Zj9d48CaV7MLZewdv0ZeaTs2712jp1L3YDeFFwZsdzvfrLmm4q5OdMudqVULH6slKNNa_X9izqKo-vS6yz2VLbfSD_ln9EvowmpjYXNKKudkPEeXA/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>Now, here's another cool thing that I realized talking with a friend at church today. My friend confessed that she sometimes is fearful to speak up in a group of people with something that the Lord may be prompting her to share. I tried to encourage her using this story of Chris encouraging me, but then realized something else, that<i> if you don't share what God wants you to, you are robbing God's people.</i> I also pointed out that had Chris not shared with me that "maybe we are supposed to get something from you," I would have continued to rob God's people from something. The flip side of that of course, is the "ripple effect," Who knows how many other people have been affected by what Chris said to me that day?<br />
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What Chris said to me opened my eyes to see that I need to be available to God and be obedient to share with others what He reveals to me. Over the course of this past year, as I have learned to share more and more, it is quite possible that something I've passed along has impacted somebody else profoundly. I'm not saying that to toot my own horn, because I'm not, it's all God anyway, but I am saying it to point out that God may have charged you with speaking truth into somebody else's life, and you need to be obedient to tell what you know. <br />
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So, I ask you, the reader, w<i>hat makes you think you are supposed to get something out of _________? <b>Maybe we are supposed to get something from <u>you</u>.</b>"</i><br />
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</i>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-86092752159695030672011-05-31T23:06:00.000-05:002011-05-31T23:06:21.792-05:00Knot, Knot, Knot on WoodAuthor: Susan L. Prince<br />
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The past few days I have spent on my knees. No, not in prayer, although I was very mindful of God during this little project, especially when I noticed the knots in the wood of the deck I was applying water sealer to.<br />
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I walk around on the deck feeling the smooth wood beneath my bare feet, spend time at the table reading newspapers, drinking coffee and doing Bible study, often by candlelight and the light given off from the flame of the tiki lamps. I've had the deck for two years now and it is one of the best investments I have ever made. <br />
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One of my really favorite things to do is lie on the wood once it is heated by the sun. I love it! I don't know why, it is just something I enjoy doing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV3yZir3cSEiuCMZXqFZNPetyD0L1ihyTygYr2FtbPf71oYBYXRJ7A-iryIZPFvKn57xg61Ww9uhVJhA2RZaHrSj3XpGiMfLIW4jET8gawm1xKbuW4tuCzU41RdSHWSteRw9h64dTRw/s1600/DSCN8430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV3yZir3cSEiuCMZXqFZNPetyD0L1ihyTygYr2FtbPf71oYBYXRJ7A-iryIZPFvKn57xg61Ww9uhVJhA2RZaHrSj3XpGiMfLIW4jET8gawm1xKbuW4tuCzU41RdSHWSteRw9h64dTRw/s200/DSCN8430.JPG" width="200" /></a>One night I even decided to sleep on it and I did! Katie did, too, for part of the night, even though she made for herself a contraption of netting to protect herself from bugs and whatnot. I braved the elements, just me and my bag and "woo pillow".<br />
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I've really learned to enjoy my deck and want to protect it so it will last as long as possible. I applied water sealer to it shortly after it was built and figured it was time for another application. This time I was more meticulous about the process and noticed something that fascinated me.<br />
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I saw the knots. <br />
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The first time I sealed the deck I used a pressure sprayer, so I stood above the wood, spraying it with sealant. Today, I used a brush and applied the sealant by hand, therefore it required me to be on my knees, brushing over every single surface of the deck. Because I was so much closer and literally going over every inch of the wood, I really took notice of the knots. <br />
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Knots are the bases of branches that died, broke off, and then were covered over as the tree grew. Knots are considered imperfections, because in the timber world, they reduce the strength of the wood. They often appear darker in color, and I think, add character to a piece of wood. Today they added immensely to my day out in the sun, working on the deck.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD4x_a1LO9bzPpH5X5BXC6ZMb6WF6fzPDwbUNaMnyOsHl7U8DvzKN1djKpms4Q1CrTWqKmd281t2Yb9wnJgRFne7F9IzDXPsud6YeYDhr2oL55fnj-GQY8Q8aD6LLZYY0KPOT4miTFQ/s1600/knotinwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYD4x_a1LO9bzPpH5X5BXC6ZMb6WF6fzPDwbUNaMnyOsHl7U8DvzKN1djKpms4Q1CrTWqKmd281t2Yb9wnJgRFne7F9IzDXPsud6YeYDhr2oL55fnj-GQY8Q8aD6LLZYY0KPOT4miTFQ/s320/knotinwood.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I noticed the detail of the grain of the wood. With my brush, I would follow the grain, then come upon a knot. The grain of the wood where the knot was, changes. The grain takes a turn around the knot and sometimes the grain changes direction a whole 90 degrees. <br />
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I started thinking about the fact that those were once branches on a healthy, living and growing tree. I looked at the different planks of wood that were placed together to form the floor of the deck and saw that each plank had varying wood grain and texture from the next. The knots were all in different places, too.<br />
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Reminded of John 15:2, <i>"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful,"</i> I looked at a knot and studied it. I considered for a moment that it was a scar in the tree that was now a plank of wood on my deck. The branch that had been growing there was weak, or for whatever reason, it fell off, and the tree continued to grow, "swallowing" up that hole that was left, filled it with resin, and went on with life, growing stronger and stronger as time went on, producing whatever fruit is was designed to produce. The branch that had been a hindrance to that tree producing good fruit was cut off. <div><br />
</div><div>There are knots in my life. The areas of my life that have been weak, or ways of thinking that were destructive, have been pruned away by God. <b>He is able to reveal to me through my prayer life, fellow believers, His Word and circumstances, where these hindrances and things that produce rotten fruit are. He cuts them off, so I can continue to grow in Him and therefore produce good fruit. </b></div><div><br />
</div><div>I was also thinking about how these "knots", or scars, remain in me, although often hidden from view. I am grateful for those "knots" so I can remember not to go that way again, producing rotten fruit. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I am glad I have knots, and like the knots in the wood I was examining today as I brushed over it, I was able to see the beauty in the imperfections. Every piece of wood is astonishingly beautiful in its own way, and the knots make it that much more appealing to me. I was able to see the strength in the weakness. Something else occurred to me as I pondered; that <b>my brothers and sisters in the Lord <i>all</i> have knots.</b> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Just like the wood grain and texture was different in each plank of wood, <i>we</i> are all different. We grow spiritually at different paces, we are pruned for various things and our knots form, but He continues growing us to produce good fruit. <b>When we are put together, like the planks of wood on my deck, we are a beautiful piece of work that the world can see as His Church, and behold as the glory of the Lord.</b> Knots and all! </div>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-8136862622619129302011-03-15T11:17:00.002-05:002011-03-15T11:21:32.968-05:00The Greatest RevolutionaryAuthor: Katie<div><br /></div><div><div>There are many reasons why Jesus was and is still considered a revolutionary. Many claim that Jesus had a political agenda. He claimed to be God incarnate who came to redeem his people and set up his Kingdom on Earth. This in itself was enough to bring about contention with religious authorities of the day. Much of what Jesus practiced during his earthly ministry went against the religious practices that had been strictly enforced for generations. He proclaimed salvation by grace instead of the works based plan enforced by the Pharisees (Ephesians 2: 4-5). He was criticized for performing miracles on the Sabbath, and for offering salvation even to the Gentiles. He kept company with sinners and taught forgiveness instead of revenge. He consistently rendered the religious leaders humiliated and speechless when they chastised him. Yet, he loved and gave his life for them no less than any other sinner.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the modern day protestant church, we learn that it is by grace we are saved and not of ourselves. It is not because of any works we have done. Instead, it is a gift from God therefore; we cannot boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). This teaching has been passed down through generations. It is radical and changed the course of history. Men can not work their way to God. It is impossible because there is no one righteous (Romans 3:10-24). Jesus changed the world because he taught mankind that the only way to God is through the Messiah (John 14:6). This teaching frustrated the religious leaders in the New Testament era. It contradicted everything the Pharisees believed about God and Heaven because they taught that man should live by Old Testament Law (with a few minor adjustments of their own). Christ’s message caught the attention of the rebellious. This message gave and continues to give hope to the hopeless. It drew the Gentiles to Christ. They realized that he alone was the Savior. For those who still had doubt, Jesus performed miracles that appeared to be unorthodox. </div><div><br /></div><div>One such miracle took place on the Sabbath. There was a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. (They did this in a spirit of accusation.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus answered, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” With the Pharisees anger burning against him, Jesus then instructed the man to hold out his hand and it was completely healed (Matthew 12:9-13). Jesus reached out to the meek and humble in spirit. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was from this pool of unlikely candidates that Jesus chose his followers. Society’s rejects were those that he reached out to and spent his time with. It was their lowly state that made the message of Christ so appealing. His life was extraordinary and unexpected. The Messiah, the King, and the Redeemer expected by the Jews was not a lowly carpenter. Jesus introduced a new way of thinking and understanding that would continue to bring about change long after his death and resurrection. </div><div><br /></div><div>The teachings of the Christ continue today. So do the practices of pious, legalistic religious leaders. We are a people with a Savior whom we still reject, mock, and crucify on a daily basis. Faithful Christians are still mocked and persecuted for following the teachings of the Greatest Revolutionary of all time. More often then not, it is the educated legalistic religious leaders who instigate persecution of the saints. </div><div><br /></div><div>The heathens of Christ’s time on earth did not have access to the Holy Spirit like we do today. The Spirit came in Christ’s place to dwell in every believer. Yet, even today we have the same problems with religious leaders and politics in the church. Even with the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, we mock the lowly, avoid the needy, and seek the things of earth (health, wealth, and prosperity). We seek to please our flesh and rely on ourselves instead of God. We can not plead ignorance as an excuse. We have the living, breathing Word of God available to us every moment of every day. A very disturbing question is raised when I think of Christ returning again. Will we recognize him or will we reject him yet again?</div><div><br /></div><div>If Jesus returned today, he probably would not respond to our society much different than he did the first time. However, the next time he comes he will come as Judge, not Redeemer (Revelation 20:11-15). The religious community has adapted the ways of the world to a point that it can be very difficult to tell the saints from the sinners. But, this will not be a problem for the Son of God who knows our hearts. Religious leaders are still rejecting the needy and neglecting the poor. We are still the same people only more depraved than ever. We have not learned form the mistakes of the Patriarchs. We have so much more available to us for understanding and knowing God. We have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead. We have witnessed the miracles and can experience the Holy Spirit living in us, yet we remain self-centered instead of self-sacrificing as God is. The religious of today often behave no better than the self-righteous, pious leaders in biblical times. Jesus would contend with them the same way he did the Pharisees in his day. However, he would also display deep love and mercy to the poor in spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even in modern day society, it is those who are lowly and meek in spirit that follow hard after Christ. It is the true followers who are persecuted by the self-righteous. The Messianic teachings still prevail as truth and are still revolutionizing the world in more ways than can be accounted for. Just as the wickedness and depravity of our generation might cause Jesus to react in anger, so the repentant heart of one sinner continues to cause such great celebration.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kingdom of God exists in his people. It was God’s plan to send Christ to unite mankind as one with him through the Spirit. Those who do not know Jesus can not comprehend this. The Jews believed the Messiah had come to conquer their enemies and set up a kingdom from an earthly perspective. The Kingdom he came to set up is not one that man can understand apart from the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of God already exists in the hearts of every believer where God himself reigns. God’s Kingdom is the governing of the Holy Spirit uniting mankind as one body. Sadly, just as it happened in biblical times, today there are many who do not understand nor believe this concept. It is up to the Christian community to be Christ to the lost and hurting.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><br /></p></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-11368318406011525152011-02-16T08:19:00.002-06:002011-02-16T08:23:36.117-06:00God and Moses...Face to Face?Author: Katie<div><br /></div><div><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Exodus 33:11</span></strong></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >God "spoke to moses as a man speaks to his friend"</span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Deuteronomy 34:10</span></strong></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in."</span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I did some research in order to understand...and also in order to teach. It's important as Christians that we know how to give an answer and I'm not very good at that. So, I am working at being better. As I was reading this passage today, I pondered...</span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"God came in a cloud and had a conversation as if with a friend"..."but face to face?" Then in my research I came across Deuteronomy 34:10. Each passage is speaking to illustrate an intimate relationship. Exodus 33:11 is focused on God...and His speaking to Moses....personally...as if sitting down over a cup of coffee. This point is emphasized to me in Deuteronomy because there it says, the LORD "knew" Moses face to face. This makes it clear that "face to face" is to help us see the intimate relationship God and Moses had with one another.</span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >What makes this even more clear is that further in Exodus 33:19-23, God tells Moses that he cannot see His face and live. Therefore, the Father hides Moses' face in the cleft of the rock and allows him to see only his back side. Even today with Christ as our Savior...because of the presence of sin...we cannot see the fullness of God in all his Glory and live. It would be more than our humanity could handle.</span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Today, God gives each person the opportunity to have a "face to face" relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. One day all believers will literally see Him "face to face". That should give believers incentive toward intense evangelism! I can't wait to see Him in ALL His glory!</span></p></div><div><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-45762739638861948782011-02-03T12:29:00.006-06:002011-02-03T16:01:42.900-06:00Reading the Bible for LifeAuthor: Katie<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I read the first chapter in <i><b><a href="http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/readthebible/">Read the Bible for Life</a></b> </i>by George Guthrie<i>. </i>I must admit I was quite surprised at how personal this chapter was for me since it revolved around the February 5, 2008 tornado that struck <a href="http://www.uu.edu/"><b>Union University</b></a>. I didn't realize that Dr. Guthrie had begun his book with this particular discussion with David Dockery. The entire chapter was so personal and so relative to my walk with God that I was almost moved to tears. Let me explain.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the time spoken of, like many who will be reading this book, I was not only a student, but I was also on staff at Union. I had just left the office 2 hours prior to when the tornado struck. It brought me back to that night when I received the phone call saying that volunteers were needed to help get the students to safety...and what a miracle that not a single life was lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember the weeks following and how the normal routine at work had completely changed and we all had to pull together to salvage what was left. We had to regroup, reorganize, counsel, and rethink how things would need to be done. I remember attending my classes at one of the local private schools while campus was being "reconstructed". It took everyone putting aside personal tasks and personal issues to focus on working together to help the victims and clean up the rubble. The whole community came together. It was such an amazing experience to see so many reaching out to others in a time of crisis.</div><div><br /></div><div>Amidst the nostalgia while reading, I found myself deeply touched by a couple of particular statements in Dr. Dockery's testimony. The first thing he said shich had a very personal impact was when he commented on his perspective of what it meant to live with a biblical view of the world. He states, "First, we must be committed to the Great Commandment, loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, as well as loving one another as ourselves".</div><div><br /></div><div>It was not the words of Dr. Dockery which struck a chord so much as the Word of God which he quoted. If I had my personal journals in front of me, there would be many references to Mark 12:30 and Deuteronomy 6:4 because these verses were the start of a lifetime of change for me and have been the focal point of that change for the last decade.</div><div><br /></div><div>Loving God first goes totally against the grain of humanity. In fact loving God and others is quite the opposite of human tendency. Loving self first is what comes natural to our carnal being. What I have learned about putting me first is that it is...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Lonely</div><div>2. Counter productive</div><div>3. Self-defeating</div><div><br /></div><div>The harder we work to elevate ourselves in our own eyes and the eyes of others, the more selfish we become. We fight so hard to protect what is ours and to be something other than who God created us to be. Consequently, we are not much fun to be around. </div><div><br /></div><div>People feed off of one another's selfishness. They try to make friends with those in the limelight for their own personal gain. They step on others to climb to the top. They even do nice things for others for personal recognition. Relationships become superficial. Feelings get hurt. Anger gets stirred. Fights happen. Friends are alienated. This is the same kind of selfishness that is at the root of divorces, gang fights, riots, and wars. </div><div><br /></div><div>Being self focused is the equivalent of shooting oneself in the foot or beating your head against a brick wall. Yet, it is a constant battle and a conscious choice, moment by moment that I strive to not be self-centered. Being unselfish does not come naturally for most of humanity yet, selfishness is almost like self abuse. Even so, we cling to the carnal teachings that say we are our own God, we don't need God, and/or we must be true to our "self"..."me first". This gives a whole new perspective to, "The last shall be first and the first shall be last". Putting myself first almost always will put me in last place in the long run.</div><div><br /></div><div>Truthfully, I have learned from personal experience that selfishness leads to loss...not gain. God commands us to love Him first because unless we do...we can't love others. If we love others and consider them more important than ourselves, we live in peace with others and with God. </div><div><br /></div><div>God doesn't command us to do this because he is an egocentric. He doesn't put boundaries in our lives to imprison us. He does it to free us. The cure for all the misery in the world is found in the First and Greatest Commandment...love.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, where is the problem? Why is loving God and placing others as more important than ourselves so contrary to popular belief? Why is it so hard to love? It shouldn't be. </div><div><br /></div><div>In closing, I leave you with another impactful quote by Dr. Dockery, "It is because of sin that our relationship with God has been distorted. It is because of sin that our relationship with others has been frayed."</div><div><br /></div><div>It is because of sin that we find it hard to love.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-13612121426946276312010-12-28T08:47:00.002-06:002010-12-28T09:12:36.080-06:00Sleepless Christmas EveAuthor: Katie<br />
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This Christmas Eve I laid awake in my bed. Unlike many Christmas Eve's past, this time I wasn't awaiting the arrival of Santa or anticipating my kids opening their gifts on Christmas morning. This year, I laid awake feeling an ache in my heart at how much Christ was not invited into the preparations for the day and how much there was to do on Christmas day that had little to do with Him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-8RnV4-jJhzJ7Xxvpng355vWD5IpjOStPpLqoQwpph7bt51R0CcH_rKybsqWyOUTNu4pU8JjSoJgER5SvMluEbnJa7Zmpj5c1fA9egOrlrtJdWseTg0njGaxPBfnedHmMSwT4DACLQ/s1600/moon_halo5w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-8RnV4-jJhzJ7Xxvpng355vWD5IpjOStPpLqoQwpph7bt51R0CcH_rKybsqWyOUTNu4pU8JjSoJgER5SvMluEbnJa7Zmpj5c1fA9egOrlrtJdWseTg0njGaxPBfnedHmMSwT4DACLQ/s320/moon_halo5w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I tried to pray but couldn't focus so I decided to get up. I bundled up and made my way to the back porch. As I sat quietly under the stars and the beautiful moonlight, I understood the Heavenly peace of the Silent Night. There was a beautiful ring around the moon predicting the white Christmas that was about to arrive.<br />
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As I sat in my pajamas, bundled in my sister's coat, I thanked God for the 8 family members that were sleeping inside. I thanked him for the season and the Reason. Then, I believe by the leading of the Holy Spirit, the silence was broken as I heard my voice in the crisp clear night singing, "Oh Holy Night" followed soon after by "Silent Night". It was so perfectly peaceful...it was Christmas.<br />
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The air was cold but in my heart, a warm fire burned as I rejoiced and celebrated in song with the Heavenly host under a starry blanket in the earliest hours of Christmas morning. Oh night divine.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-45241256598868857952010-12-07T07:11:00.000-06:002010-12-07T07:11:21.175-06:00December 7 - Happy Adoption Day!Author: Susan L. Prince<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Reposted from a few years ago, but it accurately captures the excitement this day brings me every year!</span><br />
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December 7th is probably just another day to you. NOT TO ME! December 7 is special to me because it is my anniversary! Way back in 1966 God chose to bless me on December 7th. He had it all planned out before the world began, but as far as my existence...this day in 1966 is a milestone. December 7, 1966 I was adopted!<br />
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I was only four months old so I don't remember much, actually, I remember nothing of the events of that day, but I mark it as special anyway. I know that<b> it was the day I got a family!</b> A wonderful mom and dad. I love them so much. I have tears as I blog knowing that as much as they are special to me, they have NEVER let me forget how special I am to them.<br />
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My parents are so awesome. I go to them when I need anything...encouragement, opinions, even if I need help financially I know that I can count on my parents. If I had a need right now and called them and asked them to come, they would be on the next flight out of Cleveland. I can always count on my mom and dad to be there for me. They have never failed to show me love.<br />
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Growing up I took my parents for granted, not intentionally, but I thought all parents were like mine. They were there at every band concert and softball game, awards banquets and every kid milestone. They were always there when I needed help with my homework. They took care of all my needs. I always had clothes to wear, (even though I think mom sometimes had to drag me to clothes shop!), and food to eat. I had the extra-added benefit of having Gram come live with us when my grandad died too. She baked the most awesome chocolate-chip cookies (that I have not ever been able to duplicate), and beaten biscuits...I miss the beaten biscuits! I never meant to take for granted the love my parents showed me...so here for all the WWW to see...Thanks Mom and Dad for loving me!<br />
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I remember helping dad every spring put the mower deck on the tractor so I could mow the yard and in the fall it was time to put the snow blower back on and chains on the tires. I remember mom helping to coach my softball team one year and always being my taxi getting me to and from all my practices and rehearsals. I remember Gram supporting me in my endeavors on the softball field and in the band as well. I have so many awesome childhood memories and most of them because of my parents loving me so much!<br />
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When I was adopted, I gained parents, but later on I gained two younger sisters. We had a good life growing up together. I remember bickering as siblings do but we love each other and are there for one another when needed. I am so blessed!!! WHY DID GOD GIVE ME SO MUCH?!!!<br />
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Ohhhhhhhh, the mail just came in! Snail mail that is and LOOK! I have a card from Mom and Dad! YAY! It's a Veggietales card...Bob and Larry on the front! I'm so excited! Wooohooooooo!!! It says "God made you special and He loves you very much." and now I'm gonna open it! Inside it says "What better reason to have a happy birthday?" But Mom scratched out birthday and wrote "ADOPTION DAY!". Then the best part is what she wrote after that: "We love you more than you love Veggie Tales. Love, Mom and Dad." AND I LOVE THEM MORE THAN I LOVE VEGGIE TALES! (and I LOVE Veggie Tales!)<br />
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God did make me special and every day of my life my parents have reminded me of that. As a kid they would tell me I was special and that being adopted was special. As an adult, they still tell me I am special. I know I am special in God's eyes because of the parents He gave me. WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I feel special today!<br />
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December 7...today is a day I will celebrate!Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-76193636627654005322010-11-09T22:23:00.002-06:002010-11-11T07:20:42.585-06:00How Hiking is Like Walking With the SpiritAuthor: Susan L. Prince<br />
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Recently I vacationed in the Smokies with friends who invited me to come with them. I was blessed beyond measure in so many ways during that vacation, but one particular thing struck me while hiking the Abram's Falls trail in The Great Smoky Mountains, and the thought I had is what developed into this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUIkiMBc2BK8b8CaJswH11XQOeaADM95zSclNlMyerkAQnO7Zr1IlvX5t8xsJyNcZPZtQYqXjJ3jINkK38cGPNnASl6SDxS2DQeyg_T14DzakrBYO9ji6hX5DXL11exG-1QUWiMV6ig/s1600/7017_1246315321478_1337259602_30710987_746364_n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUIkiMBc2BK8b8CaJswH11XQOeaADM95zSclNlMyerkAQnO7Zr1IlvX5t8xsJyNcZPZtQYqXjJ3jINkK38cGPNnASl6SDxS2DQeyg_T14DzakrBYO9ji6hX5DXL11exG-1QUWiMV6ig/s320/7017_1246315321478_1337259602_30710987_746364_n.JPG" width="240" /></a>I was walking the trail and now and then would be tripped up by rogue rhododendron roots or rocks jutting up out of the dirt of the trail. It was rough terrain in some places and I started thinking about how amazing it is that God so made our brains that when I stumble, my brain sends messages to my entire body; arms, legs, ears, eyes, so that it will correct itself in order that I don't completely fall over and get hurt. My equilibrium is kept by fluids in my inner ear and when thrown off kilter, my arms flail, but only to gain balance as my feet readjust and find footing again. It bloggles the mind when you think of all the physiological processes that must take place whenever we trip, in order for the human body to react and correct itself.<br />
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Then I started considering something else. I started realizing that as my eyes observed the trail I would make a mental note of where certain obstacles were; rocks in the way, troublesome roots sticking up, sticks obstructing the path, and then I noticed how often my body automatically maneuvered itself to avoid tripping to begin with. I was able to keep my pace, see an obstacle and duck, or swerve to the side, possibly lift one foot higher off the ground to avoid a rock, or simply lengthen or shorten my stride momentarily to miss a slippery spot on the trail. My eyes would see the obstacle and immediately my brain sent all the right signals and the appropriate body movements took place to avoid even a stumble. I didn't have to see the obstacle and conscientiously react; watch my leg, think about lifting it higher so that my foot would avoid the obstacle, no, I simply saw it and my body did what it had to do to avoid danger. It really happened so quickly that I didn't think about it, I just kept right on walking.<br />
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Then it occurred to me that this is something similar to what it is like to walk in the Spirit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIR_-os7RJRkS4w7ISMajt-4HwTCfTQv0yHsRgvorTMBhRIaQghZxHI_SnaNUjgNOGTr9wjyLePHlUpwsDk2WIfhUqmcTNbdek2VKvwI7vkVUw01PjBwfyBEjjeeHvvFb969tov3NDg/s1600/DSCN1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIR_-os7RJRkS4w7ISMajt-4HwTCfTQv0yHsRgvorTMBhRIaQghZxHI_SnaNUjgNOGTr9wjyLePHlUpwsDk2WIfhUqmcTNbdek2VKvwI7vkVUw01PjBwfyBEjjeeHvvFb969tov3NDg/s320/DSCN1029.JPG" width="240" /></a>For the believer, the Holy Spirit's purpose is to "guide you into all truth." (John 16:13) The Spirit "will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit's guidance is of utmost importance as we read God's Word and learn the Truth from it, and equally as important is when we yield to the Spirit; He helps us apply the Truth we learn to the life we live. This is a mystical process and in I Corinthians 2, we are told why, "we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory....The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." To those who have not the Spirit of God in them, this is all foolishness, but to those of us to whom the Truth has been revealed, we are guided through life by God Himself.<br />
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As we walk through life in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can apply the truth we've learned through God's Word to life, so as troubles arise, we are able to adjust accordingly and overcome the obstacle. Sometimes we are able to see trouble on the path ahead because the Holy Spirit nudges us to pay attention and see the danger, and then we can completely avoid the problem by staying on course and not veering to the left or the right. For the most part, walking in the Spirit is that automatic adjustment that happens as we go about our day to day lives, avoiding pitfalls and choices that take us away from the path we are following. Following the Holy Spirit is not always something we consciously do, but it is putting into practice the precepts we have learned as we walk with God day after day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0fzMHJu7yyPmOYF3ooen_QEHWhoTvW-1uxLbSix9GR7xULbF2W9OjDWtX2MUcORvoivzVhcScZwPodnz55lG3bfwpK5Xg51RWd-JMQdeEuivT_9QllBMi8hItUPoMImQIoKfiEvG9A/s1600/DSCN9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0fzMHJu7yyPmOYF3ooen_QEHWhoTvW-1uxLbSix9GR7xULbF2W9OjDWtX2MUcORvoivzVhcScZwPodnz55lG3bfwpK5Xg51RWd-JMQdeEuivT_9QllBMi8hItUPoMImQIoKfiEvG9A/s200/DSCN9155.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Sometimes, like on the trails of The Smokies, the road is bumpy and we get tripped up. The pitfalls and bad choices are always because we choose to believe the lie; the lie that more money will make us happy so we choose this job over that, the lie that alcohol will take away emotional pain, the lie that you need to be married to be happy, the lie that success in your career will be what makes you happy, etc. We may have ignored the warning signals from the Holy Spirit; mystical unctions or maybe warnings fellow believers pointed out, and fell flat on our face because we sought things that would bring only temporary happiness. We may have chosen to fill the emptiness in our lives with something other than God. We may have chosen the way of sin, and then found ourselves suffering terrible consequences. Eventually, the Holy Spirit will convict us. The Holy Spirit will woo us back onto the path of the righteousness, and we can readjust our lives again and live according to the Truth. This often requires a much more conscientious choice to be obedient to the Holy Spirit and get back on the path that He is guiding us to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oVj0sGM43cc0UzXYspz8UYeRjw4YF3-DOToti5Jqpz8ctZkLHE1shJDr7Rp3KhTGYc1PFJoQrrHn9TZhDgEsBiLL7rimKMYhId1CU5ZVAycFa5YeDl0phiLZkmDpioKB4gPnQVrOZg/s1600/DSCN9102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oVj0sGM43cc0UzXYspz8UYeRjw4YF3-DOToti5Jqpz8ctZkLHE1shJDr7Rp3KhTGYc1PFJoQrrHn9TZhDgEsBiLL7rimKMYhId1CU5ZVAycFa5YeDl0phiLZkmDpioKB4gPnQVrOZg/s320/DSCN9102.JPG" width="320" /></a>While walking those trails in the woods, at some point, I became conscientiously aware of the fact that with every step I took, I was making adjustments in my stride. Some of the adjustments were hardly noticeable, and others required a lot of maneuvering, but I was always able to stay on course. I was picturing how the Holy Spirit works in my life when I allow myself to be guided by Him and for the most part, the adjustments I make are daily, but minute and hardly noticeable. Now and then, an obstacle is thrown into my path and because I am a student of the Word, the Holy Spirit reminds me of that truth and then I deal with the issue, adjust my walk and continue moving forward. Sometimes the problem causes a detour in my life and I stray from the path, but because the Spirit of the Living God resides in me, He is always calling me back to the path that leads straight to God. <br />
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Walking in the Spirit is like walking a hiking trail, we need to be attentive at all times and constantly adjust our stride to make sure we always remain on the correct path, because the pay off at the end is much too important to miss!<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsusanlprince%2Fsets%2F72157625206797347%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsusanlprince%2Fsets%2F72157625206797347%2F&set_id=72157625206797347&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsusanlprince%2Fsets%2F72157625206797347%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fsusanlprince%2Fsets%2F72157625206797347%2F&set_id=72157625206797347&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-75387416935433742662010-11-03T03:20:00.008-05:002010-11-03T13:58:52.152-05:00Emptying<span class="Apple-style-span"><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span">Author: Katie<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> am learning that being emptied of my "self" is not a one time thing or something that happens every now and then. It's not anything that will ever be over. It's moment by moment day by day and usually happens to me in the middle of the night.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I struggle with insomnia and take medication to help but obviously the meds are not enough tonight (as I am beginning this at about 3:30 am). As a Christian, my spirit is always going against my natural human tendencies. I am fighting a battle for my mind on a daily basis. When the Spirit is in authority, I have peace of mind but otherwise...my mind is focused on me. When I gave my heart to Christ and asked Him to become Lord of my life I was unaware of the warfare I had declared on the the enemy of my soul..the ruler of my "flesh". I only knew that I came to a place where nothing on earth mattered enough to me to sacrifice having a relationship with my Creator. In the moment of total surrender, I surrendered "self". I died to an old way of life and began to walk in a new direction. This new direction began a very difficult but glorious journey into a relationship with Jesus Christ.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">2 Corinthians 5:16-20</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28895" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">17</sup> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28897" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">19</sup> that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28898" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">20</sup> We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (NIV)</span></span></span></div><div></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">I love the way that this passages is interpreted in <i>The Message:</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><i></i><blockquote>"16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you."</blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I see these verses in a whole new light and it actually speaks to me in regards to the things that have kept me up tonight (aside from a reoccurring case of the hiccups of which I also battle yet again).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I never realized how overly analytical I can be. I don't analyze things from a "scientific" or an "intellectual" perspective. I analyze people, behaviors, personalities, things that are said to me, circumstances, the meaning of life! I can't not do it. I'm always trying to make sense of things and always seeking to do what is right and beating myself up for the things I do wrong. My mind just never seems to rest. This is part of the reason I have so much trouble sleeping. I am not at peace. God is not on the throne.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Often when I awaken at night like this, with my thoughts drawn to the negative. So I have learned to overcome this by holding my thoughts captive to Christ. This means to redirect my thoughts according to the truth of God's Word. So, when I am thinking about the things that make me miserable, I try to redirect my thoughts to the blessings of God. At first this was helping but it seems as though I have come to a cross roads. As I redirect my thoughts to the blessings, they end with "yeah but..." and head right back in the wrong direction, at which time I redirect again and I just keep going in circles all night long. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have kept it no secret that I have had a very difficult and dysfunctional past but God set me free from that past. The problem now is that I have found myself in captivity again to the very things He set me free from. In a nutshell, I am captive to me...not Christ as I should be.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">So, I am taken to the scriptures I spoke of earlier in this post. It has been my thinking that when I gave my heart to Christ the old is dead...gone. A new beginning has come. I took off my "old self" and put on the new person that God had made when I was reborn as His child. So, this means that the past is the past. I should leave it there. God has...but I keep dragging it back up in my thought life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">On the other hand, I think I see 2 Corinthians 16-20 in a new light now. Before I saw people through the eyes of being human. But then I met Christ. I began to see myself and others in a new way. Salvation is about reconciliation. First, we are reconciled to God through Christ. Then, through Christ we are also to be reconciled to others. This means we are to live in peace together. I don't see this enough in the Christian community...and I have had my struggles living it as well. That's because I try to live in peace according to my own strength. I try to do it the way I think it should be done. Often I become very legalistic in how I seek reconciliation with others and it just doesn't work...because I am doing it...not God. In reality...when God is in first place and I just focus on getting that relationship right...that is when peace comes. I keep saying this..when will I live like I believe it? That is when I am able to love others...by loving Him first. It always come back to this! It always comes back to Mark 12:30-31. No wonder my King made these the first and greatest commandments!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I know the condition of my heart. I know that I battle daily to stay above being self centered. Although I have had some amazing mountain top experiences and great moments of peace, I am not experiencing lasting peace...the peace which God has been speaking to me over the last month in my travels (of which I still plan to write about). It is a peace that surpasses all understanding. I know the moments when I have peace like a river and why. It is because I am staring in the face of my Redeemer and at peace with Him. The war...the battlefield of the mind...the flesh rising up against the Spirit...this is an ongoing battle that finds its victory in Christ alone.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have realized that I am always trying to do what is right. I am always trying to fix me. I am my own idol! I keep trying to do what only God can do through me! I do this by being overly critical of myself. I criticize myself even to others because it is what I expect from others...to be criticized. I figure if I put myself down before they do then they can't hurt me. But, this does not glorify God nor does it magnify Him to others....and worst of all, it destroys my peace. I do not have peace with Him...and therefore no peace within or with others. As a result the very thing I do to protect myself from pain, brings me the greatest pain of all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Luke 12:27 tells us that even the lilies are clothed in beauty. All of their needs are met by God with no effort on their part at all. . They are so beautiful yet often never even seen. If God cares so much for that which is never seen...how much more He will care for me if I just stop trying to do things myself and let Him provide and make me beautiful? This is not to condone laziness...but to encourage complete trust that God will guide his beloved and provide all we need to be all He has created us to be. We will be a display of His splendor!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">When I stop stressing and stop trying to take things into my hands that I am supposed to lay at His feet...when I stop trying to analyze and control things; when I stop holding on so tight to what He is wanting me to let go of; when I stop trying to be perfect in my own power (because that is impossible) but let His strength be made perfect in my weakness; when I start being anxious for nothing and I start letting Him labor and toil over the things that are not mine to labor over...I will be like the lilly. I will live in peace and total trust in God. I will magnify His glory. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He is in the business of restoring beauty from ashes. This is my life. He has done it before and He is doing it again. My life becomes a mess when I take Him off the throne of my heart and put me in that place (whether by pride, control, false humility, bitterness or any other such thing). I have learned about the enemy disguising himself as an angel of light. I have at times allowed myself to be deceived into following the enemy away from God when I thought I was following God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Several years ago a theme God gave me called for me to pray to be emptied. God has really been doing that. </span>I am thankful for the sleepless nights I have had (although I would like to be done now lol). They have been such a great teaching tool. I have learned that I am constantly seeking to fill the emptiness with things other than God. I pray to be emptied so He can fill me. But I truly believe that sometimes he leaves that place vacant just long enough to give me an opportunity to choose to be filled with Him...or to fill the empty place with things that don't belong there.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Every day, every moment, every trial is an opportunity to choose to let God fill the emptiness or to fill it with something else that will only need to be emptied again. So, when that thought comes to my mind, when my peace is shaken...the first thing I need to do is drop to my knees and give the thing I want to put in my God shaped hole...to God...and let allow Him to fill me to overflowing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A friend posted on facebook to look at Psalm 23 in the negative. This is the result of filling the emptiness in my life with the wrong things.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The Lord is not my shepherd</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Therefore I can not rest </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I do not have peace </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">My soul cannot experience restoration...I am drained</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I go down a path of unrighteousness and cannot bring Him glory</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I fear and am anxious about everything because I am not aware of His presences</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have no comfort from His presence</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have no protection from my enemies, no honor</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">My cup is empty and dry</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Goodness and mercy are far from me</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I can not dwell in His house if He is not my shepherd</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">But when the Lord is my Shepherd</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I will be satisfied</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He will make me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside still waters where He will restore my soul (peace and rest).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He leads me in the path of righteousness for His glory and my good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Because He is with me. His rod and staff give me comfort.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He prepares a feast before me in the presence of my enemies!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">He anoints me with the Holy Spirit above and beyond what I could imagine..spilling over everywhere I go.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">His goodness and mercy will follow me all my days</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I will dwell in His house forever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">If there is no peace...then God is not leading me. If there is an absence of peace then I have filled an empty place with something that will not satisfy...something that does not belong there. I need to fill it with God and God alone. I need to dethrone the idol and put God in His rightful place. I need to love HIM FIRST!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-27309749576301192942010-10-28T18:16:00.004-05:002010-10-28T22:18:11.647-05:00Peace Like a RiverAuthor: Katie<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></div><div>During my quiet time today, I prayed in my journal. Then, I opened a book of prayers to the place where I left off. In my journal, I was seeking God for direction. I am trying to figure out how to order my days. Soon a new year will begin. It is my hope to get this worked out before then...but God may have a different time table. The title of the prayer I read was called, "Needing Direction". </div><div><br />
</div><div>The scripture: Jeremiah 6:16, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find REST for your souls."</div><div><br />
</div><div>The prayer: "Lord, I come before you, standing here, seeking Your face. I need direction, I feel so lost, so alone. But You are here with me, to lead and to guide me, to show me the way I should go. With you and You alone, I can find REST for my soul. Give me the PEACE of Jesus. Peace like a river. Peace...Peace...Peace...Lord, give me peace."</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhG-wcJmk-dG1-GfQMfyvEM_jcNlWdaEbOv6cEa9MdEG6kWKPOKwWvKjaf2n8IUgSGYyXrsd_1bX5TM9Evp3CD_AUSREALUNPxQ5n5x79WsJi_kiEPeDUyJ_D6eL8R9sunbspZAU8eg/s1600/DSCN8666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhG-wcJmk-dG1-GfQMfyvEM_jcNlWdaEbOv6cEa9MdEG6kWKPOKwWvKjaf2n8IUgSGYyXrsd_1bX5TM9Evp3CD_AUSREALUNPxQ5n5x79WsJi_kiEPeDUyJ_D6eL8R9sunbspZAU8eg/s320/DSCN8666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Over and over this theme of peace keeps coming up...peace like a river. This was the them of the retreat I went on...and everything leading up to it. I have been out of pocket for an entire month now. I spent the last of September and the month of October traveling for many different purposes. With each trip God blessed me in so many ways. First I went to Florida to welcome home my sailor son and the other sailors from 6 months at sea. Then, I returned home for about a week before heading off to Colorado with my husband on a business trip. The day after we drove home from Colorado, I went on my bi-annual retreat with my best friend to Mt. Cheaha in Alabama. Finally, a month of travel ended with a vacation in Gatlinburg Tennessee...just in time for the peak of foliage! I will be writing of these journeys over the next week or so. I have so much I want to write and God has been doing amazing things. But, the one thing that has been coming to me over and over from resting in the spa beneath the Rockies to the peace of the river at Cheaha, to the relaxing time soaking in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains...from Rocky Mountain High Colorado to Rocky Top, Tennessee...God has been speaking peace to this weary soul....peace and rest. I think I like this theme!</div><div><br />
</div><div>However, peace and rest do not come easy for me. I am a doer. I go go go. I have no order to my days and I love so many things in life. I love painting, photography, crocheting scarfs for the homeless, playing my piano, and mostly...I love writing writing writing. The thing I want to do the most is write a book. But, I can't seem to figure out where to begin. I keep blogging because I know that when it all comes together, much of the material will come from what I post here. But, I can't seem to focus. I only know that what I keep hearing God say is what I read in my devotion today...what I keep reading in all my studies and today I clicked on a link to a church I used to follow on line...and the message coming up this Sunday is on finding peace like a river. My Sister in Christ, Sue, also mentioned peace like a river on her facebook page today. It just keeps coming up. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Something that really popped out to me in my amazing devotion time today is this, "...Be occupied with me...Be alert to My voice...Be devoted to Me with your whole heart...Put all that is around you into My keeping..."</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then this really jumped out at me, "You will be my mouth piece in places where ther are no other voices to be heard." I have no idea what that means but it really jumped out at me!</div><div><br />
</div><div>There is so much more that I will not include in this post but here is the final thought I'd like to add, "You will discharge your duties with dispatch and you will deal in wisdom in each responsibility; but your heart will REST in My hand!"</div><div><br />
</div><div>There is not a man on the face of this planet who will ever convince me that God and I don't have conversation! He is so close to my heart. He knows my every thought, my every concern, and He hears my every cry....and He responds!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Praise and glory to the One and Only! "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll...whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, 'even so, it is well with my soul.'" Some old hymns will never be lost. Amen.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-54995857148826164392010-10-08T11:51:00.003-05:002010-10-08T12:15:58.360-05:00Living the Call Day 34 - ForgivenessAuthor: Katie<div><br /></div><div>I haven't been able to write like I want to. Life has a way of getting in the way! I have spent the last week in Florida visiting my son who just returned from a 6 month deployment (tour) in South America with the US Navy. It was a blessed time with my son and his dearest friends. </div><div><br /></div><div>Upon returning home, I began preparing for a week long road trip to Colorado with my husband! It's going to be wonderful, I just know it! So, now I have squeezed a few minutes in to write before running errands with my mother-in-love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just before taking my trip to Florida, God moved in my heart during quiet time. Hopefully, in the near future I will have time to elaborate on this, but, for now, I will keep it brief.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been holding a bitter grudge against an old friend for a few years now. I have had no desire in my heart to offer forgiveness to this person. It ate away at me like a poison. But, God spoke to my heart through Colossians 3:12-14 and Deuteronomy 30:16. First He told me that I am commanded to forgive. Secondly He told me to love Him, walk in His ways, and keep His commands..then I will live and increase and the Lord will bless the land I am entering to possess. Forgive...obey.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right in the middle of my journal, as I was confessing this bitterness and unforgiveness that He exposed with His glorious light (this is the day after I cried out to Him to shine His light so bright in my life that every dark place would be exposed), He told me to call this friend who I was so bitter against..and ask HER to forgive ME! I didn't even finish the journal I was writing. I was instructed to stop and do it right then.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, on September 27, 2010, at around 10 am, with my stomach in knots, I called my friend and asked her for forgiveness. She rejoiced and without batting an eye...offered complete forgiveness and then, to my surprise...she asked me to forgive her for hurting me! In that moment, it was almost as if I could see inside my very own soul as Christ's light burst through that dark place and the freedom that was found is beyond anything I can put into words!</div><div><br /></div><div>My friend and I went on to talk for about an hour after that and it was as if nothing ever happened. This is the forgiveness that Christ offers us all!</div><div><br /></div><div>"Father forgive them for they know not what they do."<br /><br /></div><div>Christ had to forgive before He could die or else He could not have said, "It is finished". I have been crucified with Christ...yet I cannot say "It is finished"...because there are still others I need to forgive. So, I leave myself still hanging on the "cross" so to speak. I cannot die to "self" until I have forgiven. Once the forgiveness is complete, then I will be able to say, "It is finished" and experience becoming like Him in his death...and alas...the power of the resurrection and a new beginning...totally free...and ready to serve and love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I cannot do this until complete forgiveness comes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Father, I pray for you to continue to shine your light into the dark places! Help me to forgive that I might also be forgiven and walk in peace with You.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-775403456194829492010-09-22T12:49:00.009-05:002010-09-22T20:57:24.185-05:00Living the Call Day 24 - Out of the DarknessAuthor: Katie<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>Mark 12: 29-30</i></b><b><i><br />
</i></b><b><i>29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'</i></b></span><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuJhv0r1PCqP7ZUbbZiDmezlclhy0u2QlfRTnKtJQdsFd2IlDf6kwDBMIMJjF3_xM2nkQZec7QykjgIuTCp7uIaHe6hakF6eS1vBIIXmADK5bjIBcCBwe2cWeYZmkg3Xf7tTbSymVrQ/s1600/insomnia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuJhv0r1PCqP7ZUbbZiDmezlclhy0u2QlfRTnKtJQdsFd2IlDf6kwDBMIMJjF3_xM2nkQZec7QykjgIuTCp7uIaHe6hakF6eS1vBIIXmADK5bjIBcCBwe2cWeYZmkg3Xf7tTbSymVrQ/s200/insomnia1.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have been struggling to find sleep and peace in the dark of night for the last few days...in flesh and spirit. I have not set time aside with God due to a very busy schedule. Today, I anticipated this much needed time that has been very missed. I started by opening my most recent book of journals and reading from the beginning. It's amazing because the journal starts with the same things I am still talking about...loving God and others. <i><b>I realize that, until I reach Glory, I will forever be in need of growth and transformation in this area</b></i>. But, there is something in my 5th entry that jumped out at me and spoke life to me today. God speaks to me through my very words on the pages of my own journal.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So far, since I have begun "Living the Call", I have been spoken to in the most unexpected ways...</div><div><br />
</div><div>From my garbage about my garbage</div><div>From my coffee cup He lifted me up (further down the page)</div><div>From my journal about my journey</div><div>From my painted walls to my tainted heart (another blog in progress)</div><div><br />
</div><div>I know, it's corny but I am an artist and I can be that way sometimes! Perhaps these will be the chapters of my book...I can't wait to see how God will bring it all together! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Today, the above mentioned journal entry that spoke to me was dated 4/19/10.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Note: If my life is not filled with joy and my heart cannot rejoice in my circumstances, then I have allowed my flesh to put that light out. I have no one to blame but myself."</div><div><br />
</div><div>I was speaking in regards to how I was handling different circumstances but I can definitely apply it to where my mind has been the last few days. I can NOT live apart from God. I can NOT focus apart from His Word. Every day I need Him. Every day that I don't take time out to be alone with Him, my flesh gains strength and my spirit weakens. Here are some of the fruits that come from a spirit of flesh:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Self-centeredness</div><div>2. Worry</div><div>3. Anxiety</div><div>4. Depression</div><div>5. Unkindness</div><div>6. Irritability</div><div>7. Sowing discord/division</div><div>8. Unwise thinking and speaking</div><div>9. Emotionally and mentally out of control (I actually wonder if I'm insane..still not sure LOL)</div><div><br />
</div><div>the list goes on...</div><div><br />
</div><div>This is how I have been over the past few days. I have NOT been loving God. I have been loving ME....AGAIN. I have had to go back and read my previous "Living the Call" posts many times...feeling like a hypocrite and quite convicted of my behavior. (Talk about holding yourself accountable.) I have sought counsel with some who are close to my heart and told them that it seems like the enemy props up a chair beside my bed at night (I have been suffering from insomnia, anxiety, cramps, nausea... and more while trying to sleep). It seems that as I start drifting off, this "enemy" starts attacking my physical body. Once I am "partially" conscious...it's as if this "enemy" starts attacking my mind, whispering in my ear...deceiving me to self-defeating thoughts that spin out of control...and cause me to doubt my faith and relationships with those I love. I begin worrying about life and digging up things from the past once forgiven...then I "un" forgive. I begin letting my emotions have control over my mind and things just go downhill from there. The deception grows. The more I listen to the lies...the more I believe them. They get nastier and I get nastier with each sleepless night filled with anxiety and despair...and I start hating life. Everything seems meaningless...a chasing after the wind. This really is true about life. It is meaningless...apart from God.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here are the fruits that come from the Spirit of God:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Love</div><div>2. Joy</div><div>3. Peace</div><div>4. Long suffering (or patience)</div><div>5. Kindness</div><div>6. Goodness</div><div>7. Faithfulness</div><div>8. Gentleness</div><div>9. Self-control </div><div><br />
</div><div>These are not the fruits I have bore over the last few days. But, a precious sister in the faith spoke words of life to me last night and prayed with me. I had trouble falling asleep again (even after taking a muscle relaxer)...but I took heed to her words and did not allow my thoughts to be held captive by this "unseen enemy". Instead I held my thoughts captive to Christ. I wonder now if indeed there was an "enemy" of my soul sitting at my bedside because when I held my thoughts captive to Christ, rebuking any evil thought...it was if the "whisperer" fled. I fell fast asleep and did not wake again until morning. My heart, that had been racing (as it does most nights) settled down and I experienced the bliss of a good night's sleep. I awoke this morning singing a different tune (Heaven on Earth to be specific) as I determined to spend quality time with God...and I have been at it for hours! I can't possibly write everything He has spoken to me! Much of it was His kindness leading me to repentance. His faithfulness truly does satisfy. But my cup is not just filled..it is overflowing!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Funny, He started things this morning by encouraging me as I was preparing to have coffee. He filled me up from my coffee cup (I know...cheese). My cup reads, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles...." The remainder of that (not on my coffee cup) would be, "they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint" Isaiah 40:31-32. Some versions read, those who "hope" in the Lord. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRiAS9sLteea8F2O6tOR4qEc57nC0Y_3UTb61fv5fokJeHDS-exp6HEp59euT1Hfv6uZuqAQWZSWkGXHL6dlofEpj82RANBpiZHFeXxqfCuQeGjoJOynesNAPUspf-epOQkQd9SqArQ/s1600/isaiah_40_31_niv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRiAS9sLteea8F2O6tOR4qEc57nC0Y_3UTb61fv5fokJeHDS-exp6HEp59euT1Hfv6uZuqAQWZSWkGXHL6dlofEpj82RANBpiZHFeXxqfCuQeGjoJOynesNAPUspf-epOQkQd9SqArQ/s320/isaiah_40_31_niv2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>I will not grow weary of the "wrongs" I experience in life. I will not grow faint as I run this race..as long as my hope is in God. Not ME. Not people. (Gosh how many times do I have to tell myself this before I actually start LIVING like this!!!) I can't seem to stop placing faith in people...even after seeing this I will only be let down time after time. I even think I can do things myself...without God's guidance...only to let myself down. I can't even minister to others without growing weary apart from Him or I will grow weary in doing good. Apart from God, the work will deplete me of strength. I will give up and walk away before God's work is done...leaving a mess for God to hand over to another for clean up..the "other" whose hope is in the Lord. Apart from Him I rob myself of a huge blessing and He hands it to another. I MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN! I have to continually remind myself that APART FROM THE VINE THE BRANCH WITHERS AND DIES. Placing hope and faith in people not only puts expectations on them that they cannot possibly live up to...but it's putting them above God. This is idol worship. I confess...I am guilty...but praise God, He has opened my eyes and revealed the Truth. His light has overcome the darkness yet again!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I cannot start my days without Him. Problem is, when I start my days in the Word...I can't seem to want to stop...which is why I have a hard time starting out that way. But, maybe, for this season in life...I need to be spending the majority of my time there until I am finally strong enough to walk away from the Word but still Walk IN it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Love God</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-38276072915601315632010-09-14T12:06:00.005-05:002010-09-22T20:55:21.146-05:00Living the Call Day 14 - His Love is Amazing!Author: Katie<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><i>Mark 12: 29-30</i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' </i></b></span><br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm sitting here staring at my laptop wondering where to begin. I'm not sure what I am supposed to be writing. I only know that I am taken aback by God's presence today. I'm not sure what triggered the event or if anything did. God can choose to pour Himself out on anyone He pleases at anytime. I know it's nothing I have done or can do other than make myself available. He just chooses to lavish Himself on us his own good pleasure. He pours Himself into my life and smiles as He sees me overwhelmed by His presence!</div><div><br /></div><div>As I am really focusing on Mark 12 and loving God, more and more I am becoming less and He is becoming greater in my life. More and more I am realizing how little I have to do for Him and how much more He wants to do through me. More and more I am realizing how little I have control over and I have no choice but to surrender to Him. More and more I am realizing how much of me still needs to be emptied...and how much more of me there is for Him to fill. THAT'S IT! That's what has me fired up! I have learned not to focus on how much of me is still in need of emptying...but on how much of me there is left for God to fill! Ha! Whatsoever things are excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8)!!! This is why I want to take my enthusiast self to the top of the highest mountain and shout to all the world, "What is wrong with you people? Do you know what you are missing?" </div><div><br /></div><div>More and more I am losing touch with carnal desires and finding myself focused on the eternal. More and more I want to lay down my life for His purpose. More and more I am learning to hate the self-centered part of me...and finding myself drawn to the God focused part of me. As all of these things take place, I am finally seeing myself through God's eyes...and loving who I am in Him. I am seeing myself through Christ and in Christ and the self-esteem issues are becoming less of an issue. I keep asking myself, "Why would God call me to build up women who have a low self-esteem when I have such a low opinion of myself?" I considered myself a hypocrite and felt powerless. Apart from Him...those are my best traits! Apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5) but in Him I can do all things (Phil. 4:13). </div><div><br /></div><div>God has searched the deepest places in my heart over the last several years. He has been sifting me. It has been excruciating. It has been what I have prayed for by His lead. I have asked Him to empty me. He led me to this prayer because it is necessary for these things to happen...in order that He might fulfill His purpose in me. This is the good that God speaks of in Romans 8:28. </div><div><br /></div><div>Several years ago I was led to pray Philippians 4:10 "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death." Oh my goodness! There is so much meat right there in just one scripture! I could write a book on it! There is so much to understand! I couldn't possibly put it all in one blog! But for starters, I have pondered, what does <i>fellowship</i> of sharing in His sufferings mean? </div><div><br /></div><div>God just moved in my heart to pause for a moment and read Philippians 4. He stopped me at Philippians 4:17, "Not that I seek the gift, but that I seek the fruit that abounds to your account" (another blog). As I searched the commentary for this particular verse I was drawn back to verse 11 and felt led to pray. With fear in my heart (which God had already spoken to me about in Phil. 4:6) I began to pray. I was led to ask God to teach me to be content with anything, to live <i>above</i> things, to be unaffected by my circumstances. After seeing what happened when I prayed to be emptied and to know Christ and the power of the fellowship of the sufferings several years ago, I was a bit nervous. But, then I confessed to Him, "My prayers will not bring about circumstances. You move me to pray about these things because of circumstances that you have already put into place. For this I praise you! You are preparing me and providing for me in advance that you might be glorified in and through what is to come! I am a cracked pot, a vessel fit for your presence. I am broken, yet You are able to remake me and fill me to overflowing!"</div><div><br /></div><div>The truth God has spoken to my heart in this moment is that my prayers are preparation for what is to come as I become like Christ through rising above circumstances and having contentment in them. This is the fellowship with Christ I have through sharing in His sufferings. This is how Paul was able to praise God and witness in the midst of the worst circumstances. This is being emptied. This is loving God.</div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-59630958182089998382010-09-11T21:06:00.005-05:002010-09-11T21:23:48.169-05:00911 Nine Years LaterAuthor: Susan L. Prince<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">(an edited repost from 2002 and 2004)</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It's 9/11 2010. Nine years later. <b>September 11</b>. It used to be just another day. I mean, pick one...does November 9th mean anything to you? What about February 27th? August 18th? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>September 11th</b>. We all remember what we were doing at the moment we heard the news. It impacted us all that day. That week. Now, nine years later...we say life isn't the same. How has your life changed? Honestly. How is your life any different today than it was September 10th, 2001? It seemed time stopped for a moment, in shock. Agony. Fear. We took a breath as we reflected on the "important" things in life. But, how are our lives different today? Maybe some things have changed at the airport, but really, my personal life is basically the same as it was September 10, 2001. I have basically the same job that I love, the same friends with some added to the treasure chest, I have the same family, I have the same daily triumphs and struggles. I know that a great many families suffered loss that awful day, and their lives are being lived without loved ones, but for <i>most </i>of us I believe not much has changed. I thank God for that. I thank God that I live in a country that allows me to worship Him, and a country that takes its freedom seriously. So seriously, in fact, that we have many <i>volunteer</i> soldiers willing to lay down their lives to defend our freedoms. I thank God that He has taken us from September 11th, 2001 to today. I thank God that He is a Comfort to those who suffer. God has blessed America.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGUvnnltBlkHPHuPBn_O8XY5Oz_7sY_U95BjTmgI6X9MGm1H1q-jd3k5ACOh8YlhdHxNRFXeGy3eXdDi35Bs_nbQh2SpIZtrSHpTBp36dYPu-7kQAtBVxMmfYnCOTt_-xjBjgzvHFNg/s1600/cornerstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGUvnnltBlkHPHuPBn_O8XY5Oz_7sY_U95BjTmgI6X9MGm1H1q-jd3k5ACOh8YlhdHxNRFXeGy3eXdDi35Bs_nbQh2SpIZtrSHpTBp36dYPu-7kQAtBVxMmfYnCOTt_-xjBjgzvHFNg/s200/cornerstone.jpg" width="200" /></a>I challenge you to think about how you are living your life today. Is it different than it was September 10th, 2001? If not, why? If so, how? Is that a good or bad thing? </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
My life has not changed in any significant way since that dreadful day, and I know why. It is because my God hasn't changed. He is the same today as He was yesterday, and as He was September 10, 2001. My foundation is in Christ, the Word, and the Word was, the Word is, and the Word will be. Everyone had their world rocked that day the planes hit, but was your foundation shaken? Did your foundation fail? If it did, you built on the wrong foundation.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Everything works together for the good of everybody who loves God and is called according to His purpose."</div>Susan L. Princehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08382434848789827353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-31196523268771440772010-09-08T09:20:00.013-05:002010-09-08T15:33:57.010-05:00Living the Call Day 10 - Amazing Grace<div><br />
</div>Author: Katie<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Was blind...but now...I <i>see</i>!!!</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><b><i>Mark 12: 30-31</i></b></div><div><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24696" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">29</sup>"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24697" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">30</sup>Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24698" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">31</sup>The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."</span></i></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"><b><i><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last week I have been writing about God's call for us to love Him. I was wondering if I would ever be able to move on to the next part...loving others. As I was focusing my heart and mind on loving God first and writing about what that means (which is a book in itself), I found myself being reminded of the past. I'm talking the way past, like elementary school past.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I confess that I struggle with self-esteem issues. This comes from a history of being the oddball..you know the person who sits at the table in the cafeteria with all the other "rejected classmates"...the "un" popular table. <i>We all sat together because nobody else wanted to sit with us</i>...not because we wanted to sit with each other. So, there we were all developing friendships with people we really didn't desire friendships with because we wanted to be friends with those who didn't want us to be friends with them! How stupid is this?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNEepTEx6K-ebflihL5CivBhBe-4kSEzncuO7ku4lchGrcyZ7-iysEU_SlxvEU8YeNJ0TVUV9J056TD70pChiS1p3sMatv1xq6sBto6wpGjr1HS0cH7I6ijMR2Gi_N296bwFeNIl6mg/s1600/friendrequestfromjesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNEepTEx6K-ebflihL5CivBhBe-4kSEzncuO7ku4lchGrcyZ7-iysEU_SlxvEU8YeNJ0TVUV9J056TD70pChiS1p3sMatv1xq6sBto6wpGjr1HS0cH7I6ijMR2Gi_N296bwFeNIl6mg/s320/friendrequestfromjesus.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I truly believe this is where the draw to abusive people begins...at childhood. <b>It is the unquenchable desire to belong, to fit, to be loved, and known by others. We want to be somebody God has not called us to be.</b> We want to be popular and well known by others. Often we make terrible mistakes in order to get the status in life we so desperately desire. Often we are willing to sell our very souls..only to our own demise. This comes from the innate desire God has placed in us to be known and loved by Him. <i>But we are so misguided by our sinful nature and deceived by an enemy we unknowingly embrace as our friend when our true friend for life is the one we often reject</i>..the only One who has all the love we seek and knows how to love perfectly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One would think this self-destructing desire to be in the "in" crowd would stop after becoming a Christian. Accepting Christ saves our souls but often we trade off a healthy relationship with God and others in order to achieve status in Christian "groups" (often referred to as cliques). We desire to be friends with the "popular" Christians and to feel accepted by the "in" crowd of believers. (Ah yes...the enemy is alive and well in the church..and bent on keeping the lost out and the saved blind). After all, there isn't a human being on planet earth who can say that they enjoy rejection. <b>We all have a desire to be accepted and loved by somebody. </b> It is in us because the root of this desire is a need for perfect love from the Father. Yet, even in the church...even as Christians...we just keep "looking for love in all the wrong places". (Okay..I know..corny...just sayin'.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this "love" we seek is distorted and we are confused. Look at all the books written about love. One that I have read recently is, "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Five Love Languages</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">". I have discovered that my main love language is quality time. I do not feel loved when those I love are not willing to give me quality time. I also feel like others feel loved when I give them quality time. But for some, giving and receiving gifts defines love. Sadly, since that is not my love language...too often, others who do not see quality time as love, will not understand that I am loving them. They instead may feel suffocated and want to get away from me. Then I no longer feel loved.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's almost as if love is defined by how "I" see it. The problem I have with this is that <i>the only part about love that has to do with me is whether or not I am <b>doing it</b> and <b>doing it right</b>.</i> Love is not about what I get. It's about what I give...what I do. Why do so many people seek so many places to find the meaning of love. So many authors have gotten rich of of people's need to understand love. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqoDfFVvm0vjhPjDeLKx3DEbgVL6J03p_57KxUbYuQgR-LkQJbVRzQ54CYRcSc2u62ppEDlNGiA0yEccyZKXxEKmvRvdPK-lp25XdgKeM9LYRyd56atjdiBkknPKviV9Qjm92NizQWA/s1600/bible-verses-about-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqoDfFVvm0vjhPjDeLKx3DEbgVL6J03p_57KxUbYuQgR-LkQJbVRzQ54CYRcSc2u62ppEDlNGiA0yEccyZKXxEKmvRvdPK-lp25XdgKeM9LYRyd56atjdiBkknPKviV9Qjm92NizQWA/s400/bible-verses-about-love.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truthfully, there is no need for any other book to be written because <b>God wrote the only book we need that very clearly defines love.</b> God taught us love because He lived it. He sent His One and Only to demonstrate pure and perfect love. It is all about self-sacrifice. It's all about sacrificing your desires and your time and your comfort and your money to give to another. It's about being willing to give up your very life to answer the call of God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here are a few definitions of love for those who may be seeking to understand. Love is not something you say or feel. It is something you do. Love may make you feel good and want to tell somebody about it...but if you are doing it...the words "I love you" will never need to fall from your lips for another to know that you do. In addition, you know you love and know you are loved even when it may not feel so good.</span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 13</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28654" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup>Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28655" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">5</sup>It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28656" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">6</sup>Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28657" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">7</sup>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romans 5:8</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, <b>Christ died</b> for us.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I write these words from the fingers of one who has not been loving God, others, or myself. I have been impatient, unkind, envious, self-exalting (therefore not exalting God). I have been angry, keeping perfect records of all wrongs ever done to me, I have delighted in deceiving myself, therefore blinding myself from Truth. I started to lose hope, put up walls, created an inability to trust (based my trust on people instead of God), but I will not accept defeat! I will persevere with Christ in me, the Hope of Glory...perfect love.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To continue with my story...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have spent the last week looking over my life, rekindling the pain of rejection. I have been wondering what is wrong with me that people are repelled by me? Why do I have so much trouble making and maintaining healthy friendships? I have focused on rejection by my parents, my friends, the church...so much. I could write a book on rejection and it would probably be a best seller!!!! I began to feel hopeless and pathetic. This led to a domino effect that led me to unforgiving those I have forgiven, taking back what I have let go of, resurrecting a past that was dead and buried, and a gigantic pity party...the guest of honor..who else? ME!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why I have not been posting over the last few days (aside from being very busy). I knew my heart wasn't in the right place. I had to get it right and have spent the last couple days crying out for God to deliver me from my enemies...only to discover yet again who my worst enemy is...satan? No...he is no threat to me. God has made that clear. <b>My worst enemy is myself.</b> I deceive myself right out of loving God by not loving my enemy...not loving others more than I love myself. The funny part about that is, I'm really not loving me either when I am so selfish. I'm hurting my relationship with God and others..and as a result..I am hurting myself more than anyone. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My former pastor once said something to me that I really had a hard time grasping...but now I understand. <b>We must be careful not to give satan more credit than he deserves.</b> Sometimes we need trials to open our eyes to who we really are. Much of the time our trials are consequences of our own actions. And often, God sends trials our way to teach us. And even in the rare instance that our torment may be related to the evil one...he can only go as far as God will allow for His good purpose and glory...Therefore, for our ultimate good. (See Romans 8:28.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, now my loving, amazing, wonderful God and Lord of my life has spoken to me in the time I have given to Him today (I'm thinking His love language is the same as mine...quality time..he he). He clearly spoke through the devotions I read and His word. And He has brought into light that which was hidden in darkness. I praise Him for the darkness because His glory shines much brighter and clearer in the darkness. He has made clear that which I could not see. He has shown me the dirt and swept it away. Once again...He has made my heart clean. This, in the Christian realm is known as a filling of the Holy Spirit. I have been born again again! The old has passed away. I have been clothed in righteousness. He has made me new...again! Feels like the very first time!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, My Savior has ransomed me. And like a FLOOD...HIS MERCY REIGNS! UNENDING </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>LOVE</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, Amazing grace."</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
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</span></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-26172823642145002612010-09-03T10:36:00.004-05:002010-09-03T13:22:14.752-05:00Living the Call Days 3 and 4Author: Katie<br />
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Didn't have time to write yesterday...didn't really have a serious quiet time although I did converse with my Father throughout the day. So, this is why the days are combined. It is funny how God speaks to you in the strangest things...most unlikely moments. Today, as I was walking and He was ministering to me through Rebecca St. James' "The Cradle Song"...of all songs. (I have had it for years but never really listened and it was so appropriate for the need this morning.) Here are the words..<br />
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<i>Jesus I love You my Lord my life</i><br />
<div><i> Where would I be without You<br />
Here in the quiet, the still the night<br />
I am in awe of You</i><br />
<i></i><b><i>Trials may come and friends they may go<br />
What really matters is You, my Lord</i></b><i><br />
Beautiful Savior my God, my friend<br />
I am in awe of You<br />
Trials may come and friends they may go<br />
What really matters is You, my Lord<br />
Jesus I love You my Lord my life<br />
Where would I be without You<br />
Here in the quiet, the still the nightI am in awe of You<br />
Why would You, Creator and King,<br />
Come as a baby for all, for me<br />
Beautiful Savior my God, my friend<br />
I am in awe of You I am in awe of You</i><br />
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I want to be in awe of Him like that! I have suffered a huge blow in the area of relationships recently...and the pain has been overwhelming at times. But when I stand in awe of Him...I can't feel anything but ultimate joy, perfect peace, and complete love...and I can see how He has blessed me beyond what I thought I had lost.<br />
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But what I am about to write is the unusual part. As I was walking (and lost in the moment), I saw a garbage truck and remembered that I forgot to put the can out! So my walk became a run as I jogged back to the house...then walked...then jogged...then walked really fast and stopped jogging altogether because I am old and out of shape. I made it in time to add some trash to the can that I put out. As I opened the lid of the garbage can, at the very top, I found an old sermon notes page I had thrown away while cleaning my office. It was from many years ago....August 20, 1995 to be exact. On the page were written these words:<br />
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<blockquote>"Katrina, </blockquote><blockquote>Just a reminder...I know how you are feeling and I am with you. Remember to lay down your burdens at my feet and I will take them from you. I will never leave you. Remember also as you are suffering that these trials will soon become blessings because through these trials I am making you more like Me! There is nothing material that can give you the peace that you will have through Me. Pray and read My Word. Lean on Me. </blockquote><blockquote>Love, God"</blockquote><br />
Wow! GOD SPOKE TO ME ABOUT MY GARBAGE FROM MY GARBAGE!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1byMqx1Pb_FMmy0AXrFsh0eX7m8ohlsYRTE9PiGWVVDoFVn3nNOyGI4I_G5-WZuq8tg9ComAzXy3nXwwCca6dXDObWXb84wXqZUdruyJusxqQdUOg8AscwtabLWljB1_fhsTQ9gUxA/s1600/garbage+can_RGB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1byMqx1Pb_FMmy0AXrFsh0eX7m8ohlsYRTE9PiGWVVDoFVn3nNOyGI4I_G5-WZuq8tg9ComAzXy3nXwwCca6dXDObWXb84wXqZUdruyJusxqQdUOg8AscwtabLWljB1_fhsTQ9gUxA/s200/garbage+can_RGB.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>At the time the note was written I was unknowingly living in an abusive situation. My children were just babies. I didn't know how bad it was or how much worse it was going to get... but I hurt so bad in my heart all the time. I am not sure what exactly was going on on August 20, 1995, but I do know this, God spoke to my hurts that day. He spoke truth that breathed life into my weary soul. He gave me love and hope. I know this because I recorded the words He spoke. If I didn't believe and didn't receive hope, I would never have written them down to remind me....little did I know the reminder would come 15 years, new heartaches, a new wonderful husband, and two amazing adult children later.<br />
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He really did bring blessings from those trials...and they have really changed me. Now, I am trying to heal from new wounds from broken relationships...relationships that I treasured. History often repeats itself in new ways with new people through different circumstances..funny how that is...but this time I am different. I know I am very blessed and I am really growing to love my new life and seeing God's hand prints all around all the time. But I really have to watch my thought life and try not to miss the blessings because I keep looking back, missing the blessings that I have before me. I keep desiring to focus on the pain that just won't seem to subside...instead of focusing on the One who is my only hope of deliverance and complete healing. Or, this may be the thorn I carry for the rest of my life to remind me that people can never take God's place in my heart.<br />
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I keep seeing other people as enemies, betrayers, deceivers. I even see myself as my own worst enemy. In a way I am...apart from God. The only deceiver is satan and I can allow myself to be deceived or I can listen to the Voice of Truth that tells me a different story. People aren't my enemies...but my brothers and sisters in Christ have the same enemy I do...working on them daily. His plan is to divide the body of Christ. His work is focused in the church. God calls me to pray for those I see as enemies....and He calls me to do this because they need it as much as I do. They fall prey to the same deceptions from the master deceiver. They face the same battle I fight daily...the battle to put self on a pedestal and to look out for number one. We battle to be looked upon well by others when we should only seek God's approval. The enemy's plan is to confuse us and turn us against each other...and he has been doing this well for centuries. I think his ultimate weapon is pride. It is in our nature to exalt ourselves and the only way to overcome is to exalt God.<br />
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In our best effort and strongest moment as humans we fail to give God the glory and honor He alone deserves. Our only hope is Jesus Christ, His Son. We must choose to receive Him as Lord of our life. We have to take off the crown of glory we have bestowed upon ourselves and place it where it belongs...on the King of Kings.<br />
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</div><div>We shouldn't expect others to take notice of our good deeds...or then we have our reward. I want my reward to come from the Father. I want to hear Him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant". I want to get to a place where how others look upon me is not a concern of mine and the deeds that I do are for HIS glory alone. These trials in my life...these excruciating, difficult, heart wrenching trials...they are the key to being emptied of myself and filled with Him. For this reason I can praise Him in the midst of it all.<br />
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He takes away anything that I exalt above Him...and this is for my good. My God is a jealous God...jealous FOR me. He wants me to worship Him because He is perfect and Holy and He is Everything I need to experience an overabundance of blessing, peace, rest, joy, and love. As long as there is one ounce of selfishness motivating me...I will need trials. The fire purifies.<br />
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This is why God commands me to love Him first...and why this is the greatest commandment of all. Apart from this, I can do nothing...I have nothing. Apart from this, everything in life is meaningless...a chasing after the wind.<br />
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Love God</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-39131413432808659922010-08-31T21:38:00.002-05:002010-09-03T12:54:19.637-05:00Living the Call Day 2Author: Katie<div><br /></div><div>Mark 12:31: "...and the second is this, love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing really exciting to write today. It was a very busy day. I started journaling and spending time with God but then that time was interrupted and I had to go to the Dr. for a Cardiac MRI. Not to worry. It was just a precautionary thing...I have a healthy happy heart! </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all it was a rather fun day which included running around with my crazy friend, Pam who makes me laugh almost the entire time we are together! We picked out paint for the new office, then I had to do some business in the admin. building at UAB. We went to lunch at this awesome artsie fartsie cafe (Lucy's) a couple blocks away before heading to the Kirklin for the MRI. We found out rather quickly that the MRI was not scheduled at the Kirklin...it was in another building in the hospital....we had lots of fun trying to find the place where I had to go.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I got there we had crossed over 4 blocks without ever leaving the building (well except for a brief moment in a parking deck)! It's no fun getting lost alone but when two crazy people get lost together...it can be quite entertaining...for everyone involved! Everywhere we went people laughed and smiled. Not sure they were laughing with us or at us...but it really doesn't matter. Laughter is healing so if they were laughing at us...praise God...we brought healing into their lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>After running a couple more errands, we headed back to the house to try out the paint samples I purchased at Lowe's. Then Michael and I watched a movie called, "To Save a Life"...and it really made a huge impact on me...one that I'm sure to talk about in future blogs. I highly recommend it to all believers. It has a pretty important message and it really can make you think about how you treat other people...and how you don't know how one interaction with another can make the difference between life and death.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as my interrupted time with God, I will continue where I left off in the morning. As far as ordering the day...well, we are still on the Loving God part...because loving Him...covers a multitude of things.</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing I am pondering now is...</div><div><br /></div><div>I am an entrepreneur like the Proverbs 31 woman (a woman I have been reading about who has been a big motivation for my leap of faith). So the question I am processing...is my call to ministry a priority over my career or my career over the ministry? Earning a living means I minister to my family...and my family comes first before church...but not before God. From where I am now, I believe that writing is supposed the top priority over Mary Kay and over other ministry activities. The writing is a big part of the call I am writing about living...ha! Figure that one out! But, so is reaching out to do my part of God's work in rebuilding the cities long devastated in the lives of modern day widows and fatherless children. All of this follows my first 2 priorities...God and my family. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before you decide to help me as I seek answers to my questions...I am not looking for an answer from a person at this time. I am trusting God with this and I am sure He will give me the answers as I study His Word and pray.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for day 3...</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow, I will get up early, have my time with God...then meet with a wonderful new friend to discuss a wonderful opportunity for ministry...one that will also minister to me. This is where the next part of Mark 12:30-31 comes in.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way..the color for the room...peach kiss! I LOVE IT! Thanks for your help, Pam!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>LOVE GOD!</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282909269874100019.post-49232530758361123912010-08-30T15:15:00.003-05:002010-09-03T12:54:19.637-05:00Living the Call Day 1Author: Katie<div><br /></div><div>Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment..." Mark 12:30<br /><div><br /></div><div>Today I begin a new historic moment in my life. A few months ago, God called me to take a huge leap of faith and give up my full-time job in order to live the call He placed on my life many years ago. It was not an easy decision to make by any stretch of the imagination. I had the most wonderful job in my life! I also liked my paycheck! However, He has provided for me to do this and all open doors pointed in this direction. He has set so many things into motion and now I am following His lead on yet another journey...one day at a time. I plan to record this journey as I go, here on Sister's Weblog. I know there are soooooo many fans just dying to take time out of their busy schedule to follow me on this journey! LOL. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, this is going to be a very informal series of journals...more just to have for my personal record than anything else. However, I do invite friends and loved ones...and strangers even...to join me on this adventure. You never know...God may use it in your life somehow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, as I opened the Word to seek God's order to my days. The topic of the discussion with my King was First things First...Mark 12:29-31 and Matthew 22: 37-40.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So, now I know the FIRST thing I need to do each day. Spend time with God. I didn't start today out very well because I cleaned and organized first when I was supposed to spend time with Him. Tomorrow I will do better.</div><div><br /></div><div>The most important relationship I have needs to be the relationship I have with my Father.</div><div>Since I waited so long to start my quiet time today, I don't have time to elaborate on the things God spoke to me in this journal today...but I will edit and update tomorrow. Until then....</div><div><br /></div><div>Love God.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04063158955096675582noreply@blogger.com0