tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27324600465671296002024-03-19T00:02:18.224-04:00A Becoming LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-4699686698527613712015-05-08T23:04:00.000-04:002015-05-11T14:10:11.645-04:00"Welcome to the Chart Room"<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I have been in the midst of the <a href="http://thebravejourney.com/">BRAVE</a> journey with
<a href="http://www.crossroads.net/">Crossroads</a> and many other churches in our city.
Recently, I spent some time going through the BRAVE experience at <a href="https://citylinkcenter.org/">CityLink Center</a>. This interactive prayer
experience was one that provided some hands on tools to further explore the
places in which God has been calling us as individuals to be brave.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I walk into the Chart Room not knowing what to
expect. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
I am met by two huge wooden tables that look as though
they have maps on them underneath a sheet of glass. They are surrounded by well lit alcoves filled
with messages inviting me to chart out a course.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The track playing through the headphones I am wearing
tells me to look for the message that connects with my heading.</span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: black;">My heading during this BRAVE journey has been: <i>“Find a
woman of peace.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I landed on this after reviewing a few things the BRAVE
app pulled up for me to consider—where I want to be less stressed, where I need
change, something I want to do, and looking at my “next spiritual step.” It was this last area that really drew my
attention, since all of these other items felt like areas where I have actively
been make changes in my life recently. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In looking at the spiritual progression—from seeking
truth, to receiving Jesus, to focusing on obedience—I really am at the place
where these are a part of my story, but I need to step towards replicating my
faith in others. This is something that
I have been open to for a long time; and in some ways I think this happens on
some level in snippets with many people I meet daily. I am a teacher and love to share the things I
am learning. I also have the privilege of
doing this daily with my Little Love.
However, I am constantly challenged by the stories I hear of others in
our community at Crossroads who are actively and intentionally moving with a
purpose to disciple others in their lives, encouraging and guiding them along as
they seek Jesus in the midst of their life in a more disciplined and regular
way. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i>I don’t know how pursue this, really. It doesn’t seem like something I can make
happen. So in some ways this brave
challenge seemed to be the one that would require me to trust God to act most. In the end, that is why I picked this heading. </i></span></div>
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<span class="woj" style="color: black;">Truthfully, it feels risky to me, because
I see no way of accomplishing all this on my own. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="woj"><b>However, after too many
times of failing, </b></span><b>I have learned that </b><b>when I build up plans in my own way, they fall far short of
what I hope for or expect. God’s way is
always better.<i> </i></b> I sense that God has been
in the midst of the formation of this heading, but nothing in my life at the
moment really seems to suggest that this can be accomplished. Certainly not in six weeks. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yet, I’m choosing to follow. That’s what it is to be obedient, right? I think of the disciples. Jesus often asked them to go and do things that
probably seemed a bit odd to them.</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19%3A28-36&version=NIV">Yet,they followed and discovered things just as he told them they would be. </a> <i><span style="color: black;">I wonder what I will find.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">When I am asked to sum all this thinking up in six words
or less, I remembered a phrase I have heard used around Crossroads to describe
the way they encourage discipleship—“find a person of peace.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This phrase was meant to refer to the passage where Jesus
sends out his twelve disciples in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+10&version=NIV">Matthew</a>:
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="woj"><sup>“ </sup>Whatever town or
village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house
until you leave.</span> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>As you enter the home,
give it your greeting.</span> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>If the home is
deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to
you.</span> </span><span class="woj"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><sup> </sup>If anyone will not welcome you or
listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your
feet.” </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+10%3A11-14&version=NIV"> -Matthew 10:11-14, NIV</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="woj" style="color: black;">It is a phrase to express that our time
is best spent sharing the good news and fostering growth in someone who is a
willing recipient. This person is a “person
of peace.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="woj" style="color: black;">I have all this in mind as I set my
heading. “Find a woman of peace.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I think about all of this in the Chart Room as I look around in these nooks
trying to find a message that speaks to me.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b>It is the sign that says
“I AM THE AUTHOR OF PEACE” that I keep coming back to.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPjcIKmm6F3JlYOqetOIrjy0umhjmESu8xbw2qpNaSQKO4yJalHILuCt8W6CoQAszpTirB_gITW6bStM8-lD_i0cbPJhcJAvFSxfBxs14-LfQodc70I7FlBtsXjwk3Ep8ijlsPN6ukjAm/s1600/103055+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPjcIKmm6F3JlYOqetOIrjy0umhjmESu8xbw2qpNaSQKO4yJalHILuCt8W6CoQAszpTirB_gITW6bStM8-lD_i0cbPJhcJAvFSxfBxs14-LfQodc70I7FlBtsXjwk3Ep8ijlsPN6ukjAm/s640/103055+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i>There is something in this proclamation of God’s
character makes me pause. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I grab a brochure and sit down to consider this.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i>I am struck by the idea that in this journey to “find a
woman of peace” it is God who is the author of peace. He wants to bring His peace to my life. I am also amazed by the thought that just as
He brings His peace into my life I can trust He will prepare a person of peace
for me; and as I consider this,<strong> I begin
to think that perhaps this journey to find a woman of peace is not primarily an
external thing.</strong> </i> <i>I didn’t see that coming! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExiN-vZiY-eFqYyZDHiHxUwvr5FSerA7Lc2ORIuiOvAokCPpCoCqg3kdJoC-B5pU32IpS_YoFlqPbpAIfDJ0Cb-drg__uHzKfsv4K2RiDRLREoEKfUDeZHXW1Kx_ZA3fHoqev121PD8wV/s1600/103438+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExiN-vZiY-eFqYyZDHiHxUwvr5FSerA7Lc2ORIuiOvAokCPpCoCqg3kdJoC-B5pU32IpS_YoFlqPbpAIfDJ0Cb-drg__uHzKfsv4K2RiDRLREoEKfUDeZHXW1Kx_ZA3fHoqev121PD8wV/s640/103438+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As I Set Sail I am aware of God’s love for me. I am aware of his provision. I am aware that He wants my good, as I seek
him and desire to be part of His vision, where disciples reproduce. <i>He
wants me to be a woman of peace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I step into the Storm Room and take a seat on steps. <b>I watch as people walk out on the
water. </b> <i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14%3A22-33&version=NIV">Like Peter</a>, when Jesus says, “Come,”
these people step out in faith. The waves
are churning and still they go. </i> I spy a
spot high up and walk across the waters where I find a place to rest on the
edge of a wave.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6WO8gU2YXWfb5yAxcvvq1dDfba9Hmhfo5HNxbbvJdp70OJ0yXt3VsFOAavVvYAjIjI_smPmQAnqaL3mm9wucPz3EmDbAbC4fYCRM55wUu66MEjI1dtnhoYOXtcnC_GfKh0kKqAdFRq7O/s1600/20150507+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6WO8gU2YXWfb5yAxcvvq1dDfba9Hmhfo5HNxbbvJdp70OJ0yXt3VsFOAavVvYAjIjI_smPmQAnqaL3mm9wucPz3EmDbAbC4fYCRM55wUu66MEjI1dtnhoYOXtcnC_GfKh0kKqAdFRq7O/s640/20150507+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" width="566" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I sit and think about the storms that have been raging in
me during this BRAVE journey. <i>Fear is something I have battled again and
again in my life. </i> This time fear comes in
the form of a <a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/2015/05/of-strong-ankles-fullness-of-life-and.html">full life</a>. How does this
challenge fit into it? I am not sure I
see that yet. I am afraid of being
overwhelmed. Yet, I realize, Jesus knows
my capacity better than I do. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><b>I keep coming back to that chart room message: “I am the
author of peace.”</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i>All I can think is that God will take care of finding a
woman of peace. <b>He wants me to
concentrate on the internal journey of finding my peace in Christ.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">With this revelation I move into the sanctuary.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I move through in the sand up to the front and find a spot to sit on a wooden
bench. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I sit and listen to the music.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I lift up praise.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I thank God for speaking to me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It is good to rest here in His presence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In His presence I find peace.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As the minutes pass and I finally stand to leave. I leave knowing that I do not go alone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b>The peace of Christ goes with me. He is with me wherever I go.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not
be afraid.” </b></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A27&version=NIV"> -John 14:27 NIV</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we seek Christ and step boldly into the plans He has laid
out for us—especially when they seem bigger than we can handle. May we find that He is the peace in the midst
of the stormy places. May we keep our
eyes fixed on Jesus. May we discover
that He never leaves us or forsakes us.
May we come to know His faithfulness anew.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">A big thank you to my dear husband for capturing some photos of the prayer experience for me. It wasn't until long after I returned I wished I had thought to pull out my camera!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-15045454929582673732015-05-01T15:17:00.000-04:002015-05-01T15:32:34.740-04:00Of Strong Ankles, Fullness of Life, and His Perfect Way<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I have been in the midst of the <a href="http://thebravejourney.com/">BRAVE</a> journey with <a href="http://www.crossroads.net/">Crossroads</a>
and many other churches in our city.
This week I spent some time meditating as a part of a <a href="http://app.thebravejourney.com/">group work</a>
challenge. There were two other options
that probably would have stretched me in terms of experience a little bit more,
but I didn’t have time to do them before the first of my groups met on Tuesday
morning. So I went with a practice that
I enjoy and practice more regularly than the other options presented. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The instructions are to pick up to five passages from a
list of about ten. I begin looking at
the list and quickly find myself reciting most of the Scriptures based only on
their location. I come to the last one
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+18%3A30-36&version=NIV">Psalm 18:30-36.</a> I am not familiar with
this passage at all. I think to myself, “I
guess this is the one I’ll use.” To be
honest, I am feeling a bit obstinate and based on the other passages in the mix
I have no clue how this Psalm could possibly relate to me and the area of my
life God has been inviting me to be BRAVE in.
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I grab my Bible, open it up and began to read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“As for God, his way is perfect:</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">The
</span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text">’s word is flawless;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he
shields all who take refuge in him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">For who is God besides the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text">?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">And
who is the Rock except our God?</span></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">It is God who arms me with strength</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
keeps my way secure.</span></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he
causes me to stand on the heights.</span></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">He trains my hands for battle;</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">my
arms can bend a bow of bronze.</span></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">You make your saving help my shield,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
your right hand sustains me;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">your
help has made me great.</span></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">You provide a broad path for my feet,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">so
that my ankles do not give way.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+18%3A30-36&version=NIV">-Psalm18:30-36 (NIV)</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">It is when I reach this last verse that
I stop in wonder:</span> <i><span style="color: #0b5394;">“You provide a broad
path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”</span> </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i>God
gently reaches down into my proud and skeptical heart and sets me straight.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><b>In
that one line he reminds me of what he has done in my life and what he wants to
do as I trust him right now.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Once upon a time, my left ankle gave out
again and again. Three times in six
months when I was a sophomore in high school; again in my senior year; and then
four years later as I was looking forward to a honeymoon full of hiking. With several of the sprains, including the
last one, nothing happened to jar my ankle. I took a step or shifted my weight
and <i>it just gave way.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">It was a time when I was so
fearful. After the last sprain, I
remember wearing my air cast weeks after the six weeks it was to be worn were over. I didn’t want to be using crutches
on my wedding day. I worried over the
hiking that Jason and I would be doing—would my ankle just roll while were out? The image of feeling of my ankle collapsing,
the icky sound and the pain played over and over again in my mind. It was awful.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i>Now, in this moment God is reminding me
of that time in my life. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><b>He is reminding me of how He met me
there and healed me. Through a time of
unexpected <a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-healing-prayer.html">prayer for healing</a> He gave me back my ankle. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">I remember how for months afterwards, I
had a hard time leaving that image behind me.
I didn’t know what healing looked like.
I kept wondering if it would be the next hike or simply walking down the
sidewalk that my ankle would roll. Even
now, if I let myself, I can still hear the sound, picture the rolling, and feel
the pain. <i>The memory is one full of
fear.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">It has only been trusting God’s healing
one day at a time that has brought me to a new place, a better place, a freer
place. I walk with my family and speak
praise when my ankle begins to roll and instead of buckling it corrects and
holds strong. <b>Instead of walking in
fear, I walk in His <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=ESV">power</a>.</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i>In this moment I am wowed. I reminded of all he has done for me. I am led to a place of gratitude. </i> <i><b>This is really how God wants me to come to Him
and His Word--with praise for what He has done in my life and expecting Him to
act in my life right now--ready to receive the His good gifts. </b></i> <i>I read the passage again.</i></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6bQYlhIJH90EtEO6CRI3U0uIcWJZrtq2EVoP-R5AZ-YfT_4oVOOEHGOB3jehyd78Yv4PVZ72EtpCM6y3zUXye4DJtRgHXc2cPQVVU2b6WnR1bfkbc6Wt045H40OVuG3CqwCZO4mlgSUU/s1600/1108-017+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6bQYlhIJH90EtEO6CRI3U0uIcWJZrtq2EVoP-R5AZ-YfT_4oVOOEHGOB3jehyd78Yv4PVZ72EtpCM6y3zUXye4DJtRgHXc2cPQVVU2b6WnR1bfkbc6Wt045H40OVuG3CqwCZO4mlgSUU/s1600/1108-017+by+Jason+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">At first I see more feet. </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he
causes me to stand on the heights.” </span><span class="text" style="color: black;"> What
agility a deer has! What beauty can be
seen from the heights! I think of places
I have hiked. The views I have
seen. <b>It is in His perfect way and in His security I stand on those heights. </b> What new heights might He be leading me to climb?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">Then, I notice how He trains me. </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can
bend a bow of bronze.”</span><span class="text" style="color: black;"> I imagine what
that is like and <b>I feel energized, ready, empowered.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">He not only trains, He protects. </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“You make your saving help my shield, and
your right hand sustains me.”</span><span class="text" style="color: black;"> <b>I feel
upheld in the midst of difficulty.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">I read, </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“Your help has made me
great.”</span><span class="text" style="color: black;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2016&version=NIV">David</a>, who wrote this Psalm
recognizes that he is not just surviving.
God is doing something bigger than he could do himself. God's help has made him great. I tend to think about how it is God who is
great <i>and he is</i>. But it seems God wants to do great things in us
too. I can’t help but wonder if this is
all part of his plan to reveal his glory.
That is a new thought. <b>He wants
me to be great with his help and by his power, not apart from it. </b> I do not think of myself as great. What might greatness look like in my life?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">Then, those words again! </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“You provide a broad path for my feet so that
my ankles do not give way.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">For whatever reason, I think about the
words of Jesus that say </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="woj">“Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many
enter through it.</span> </span><span class="woj"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> But small is the gate and narrow
the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”</span> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+7%3A13-14&version=NIV">(Matthew 7:13-14)</a> <i>What amazes me is that God’s perfect way,
this narrow road that leads to life, is broad enough. </i> It is a sure path. It is a good path! </span><span class="text" style="color: black;"><b>This is not about
pain or failure or fear. This is about
healing and wholeness and good in my life!
</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">I look back to the beginning again. </span><span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all
who take refuge in him. For who is God
besides the Lord? And who is the Rock
except our God? It is God who arms me
with strength and keeps my way secure.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">And I wonder what it looks like to take
refuge in God in the fullness of life anyway.
I sit and consider this for awhile.
As I do words well up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I wiggle and squirm</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">With thoughts of dishes and dinner undone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is here you invite me to sit</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">In Your presence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">{Held}</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is here you remind me </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">You are</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Refuge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Rock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Right here in the fullness of my life</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Not apart from it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">You are inviting me</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">into</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Your</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">perfect </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The path is wide</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">So that my ankles will not give way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i>I begin to realize that it is in the
midst of my full life God wants to remind me of who he is. It is in the midst of my full life that God
wants to lead me to stand on the heights.
It is in the midst of my full life He trains me so that I am energized,
equipped, empowered—ready for all He leads me toward. In the midst of my full life He protects and
upholds me. In the midst of my full life He leads me towards a greatness that reveals His glory. In the midst of my full life He is leading me
towards wholeness, healing and good. He
is my Rock. He is my refuge and by His
power He keeps my way secure. </i></span><br />
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><b>I rest in
all of this, thankful.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">I feel invited to step out into his
perfect way, knowing the path is wide so my ankles will not give way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i>Grace
and peace be ours in abundance as we allow God to meet us right where we are
at—in the fullness of our life—and lead us into his perfect way. May we learn to step with the guidance of the
Holy Spirit. The path is wide and our
ankles will not give way.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
P.S. The photo was taken during a trip to Canyonlands National Park during the first year we lived in Utah.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-86240596674266266302015-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:002015-04-03T09:00:07.755-04:00Where Are You?<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She slips from my lap and picks up her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">Jesus Storybook Bible</a>.* She hands it to me, saying,
“Carry please, Mama.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I say, “Sure!” as we head out the gate and toward the
bathroom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She settles in on the floor as I pull out a floss
pick. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She calls out to me, “Papa? Where are you?” </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBeebnU3gtA0R-lAA23ev6z2x6ChEb9SanZKICykaDyGUz2L5fq6iGAocmM8pK2pCr80ZpF6n7tiK8qxm5u5ngiGGaSgzcr9LxtCHGhMlpczKnHhYV7x9smU8RFn43jmKrJsaAJaGSwsX/s1600/IMG_5504+by+David+Charles+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBeebnU3gtA0R-lAA23ev6z2x6ChEb9SanZKICykaDyGUz2L5fq6iGAocmM8pK2pCr80ZpF6n7tiK8qxm5u5ngiGGaSgzcr9LxtCHGhMlpczKnHhYV7x9smU8RFn43jmKrJsaAJaGSwsX/s1600/IMG_5504+by+David+Charles+Photography.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by David Barless, used with permission.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I know just what she is referring to. They are words from the story of the
crucifixion. I turn around and face her
on the floor, flipping to the familiar illustration. (Jesus is on the cross, battered and bruised
with a crown of thorns on his head and a tear falling from his eye. Above him a sign reads “Our King.”)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She turns her head toward mine with a familiar request on
her lips. “Read.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I pull her up on my lap, there on the bathroom floor, and
begin halfway through the story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“They nailed Jesus to the cross. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Father forgive them,” Jesus gasped. “They don’t understand what they’re doing.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“You say you’ve come to rescue us!” people shouted. “But you can’t even rescue yourself!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">But they were wrong.
Jesus could have rescued himself.
A legion of angels would have flown to his side—if he’d called.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“If you were really the Son of God, you could just climb
down off that cross!” they said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And of course they were right. Jesus could have just climbed down. Actually, he could have just said a word and
made it all stop. Like when he healed
that little girl.”</span><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">- The Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 304</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Here we pause. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">We
revisit the story that we read the night before in the front room. Jairus, the little girl’s daddy had come to
Jesus. I ask if she remembers how Jesus
went to the little girl and called her from death to life saying, “Honey, it’s
time to get up.” She nods and says,
“Breakfast.” "Yes," I affirm.
“He asks her if she would like some breakfast. How about you? Are you hungry for breakfast?” I ask her with a
little smile and a friendly poke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She says again, “Read.”
And so I do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“He could have just said a word and made it all
stop. Like when he healed that little
girl. And stilled the storm. And fed 5,000 people. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">But Jesus stayed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You see, they didn’t understand. It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus
there. It was love.”</span><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">- The Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 304</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><b><i>It was love.</i></b> I
pause here. I soak it in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>The nails in his hands.
The nails in his feet. The
thorns. The shame. They speak of his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLgJesHF52I">love. </a></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>He could have made it stop. But he didn’t. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The people didn’t understand, then. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>Do I understand, now?
</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I don’t know.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I keep reading.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTwVn33KibhzdOvYt6NbmwCN8rbQN-fDbSeJ-Hy9XyUPYhINt_vAooNxt_VIMuNejwuqpx0GtMFsJ3d-Fggm7OHsB7c-ilj6j0QPCDKbikHsXPtI8GL4qYdzjxH-d99rNSVr4U5qMEOUO/s1600/DSCN1749+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTwVn33KibhzdOvYt6NbmwCN8rbQN-fDbSeJ-Hy9XyUPYhINt_vAooNxt_VIMuNejwuqpx0GtMFsJ3d-Fggm7OHsB7c-ilj6j0QPCDKbikHsXPtI8GL4qYdzjxH-d99rNSVr4U5qMEOUO/s1600/DSCN1749+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Papa?” Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Papa? Where are
you? Don’t leave me!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And for the first time—and the last—when he spoke,
nothing happened. Just a horrible
endless silence. God didn’t answer. He turned away from his Boy.</span><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">– The Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 304</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>Oh, this moment. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of my Little Love and the way she often calls out
playfully from her room these days, <b>“Daddy, where are you?” </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>She knows her daddy will come looking for her. She expects it. She looks forward to it. It brings her comfort, peace and such joy
to know her daddy will respond. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i><b>Here, Jesus’ daddy doesn't respond. </b></i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMFhL3L8plw">The Father turns his face away.</a> <i>He turns away from the Son He loves. </i> With the picture of my girl in my mind, I
find my heart breaking. <i>Oh, this moment.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Tears rolled down Jesus’ face. The face of the One who would wipe away every
tear from every eye.</span><span style="color: black;">” <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">– The Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 304</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">My Little Love, she looks at with me with concern written
all over her face and says, <i>“Cryin'.”</i>
Yes, dear. Crying.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I can’t imagine she grasps the fullness of this,
yet. How could she? I am still not sure I do. <i>But it is amazing to me that she does get that
this is a moment to pause. </i> She tenderly wants
to reach out in comfort as she sees Jesus’ hurting face and hears of His tears.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We turn the page.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Even though it was midday, a dreadful darkness covered
the face of the world. The sun could not
shine. The earth trembled and
quaked. The great mountains shook. Rocks split in two. Until it seemed that the whole world would
break. That creation itself would tear
apart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The full force of the storm of God’s fierce anger at sin
was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin,
and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin.”</span><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">-The Jesus Storybook Bible, p.306 </a></span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA_mk5_bAj_KWXzFE7hKNtqtSx75QV7kFJjSWRcoiQIDUJzHor6e53XO21ibNPuuhGaZtm8vwjUKiQG987RT51qYQjkkjNq1ssv-IUJplJ4cKUkeVGSVBVmd1XVt2fiyrQZkDC4NKpY2f/s1600/DSCN1745+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA_mk5_bAj_KWXzFE7hKNtqtSx75QV7kFJjSWRcoiQIDUJzHor6e53XO21ibNPuuhGaZtm8vwjUKiQG987RT51qYQjkkjNq1ssv-IUJplJ4cKUkeVGSVBVmd1XVt2fiyrQZkDC4NKpY2f/s1600/DSCN1745+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">As I read of this storm raging,<i> I feel it. I feel so very aware of the many ways I have
messed up and do mess up—so very aware of the sinful heart that God was seeking
to save.</i> I think of the words of Paul: </span><span style="color: #0b5394;">“For
our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God.”</span><span style="color: black;"> -<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+corinthians+5%3A21&version=ESV">2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">God loved his creation—the people made in his image—so
much that he was willing to give his Son to destroy sin and not his children
whose hearts were filled with it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMFhL3L8plw">How deep the Father’s love for us. </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>How deep the Father’s love for me. </i>The thought makes me <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLJ0IjLAmOA">tremble</a> inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Then Jesus shouted in a loud voice, “It is finished!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And it was. He had
done it. Jesus had rescued the whole
world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Father!” Jesus cried.
“I give you my life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Strange clouds and shadows filled the sky. Purple, orange, black. Like a bruise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus friends gently carried Jesus. They laid Jesus in a new tomb carved out of
rock.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">How could Jesus die?
What had gone wrong? What did it
mean? They didn’t know anything
anymore. Except they did know their
hearts were breaking.”</span><span style="color: black;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">–The Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 306</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Jesus speaks words of power. <i>And then he dies? This doesn’t really seem like a rescue. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The storm that has been raging
suddenly seems to calm—like when Jesus stilled the storm. Yet this calm seems awful and ugly. I feel numb.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">In this moment, I am with the disciples wondering, “How
could this happen? Wasn’t Jesus the
Rescuer? The King God</span> had promised? It wasn’t supposed to end like this.”* </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Then, I remember. <i>It doesn’t end like this.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><b>Jesus is not dead.
He is alive!</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I look at my Little Love and tell her, <i>“It doesn’t end
here! <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+24&version=NIV">Jesus rises.</a> He is alive!”</i>
She giggles.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MgCNhggmkNOjlqoGd6UD0xpJLWnQGhEH84Txbqgf2tm9whKzjc2iKdPyjavhxN_5Jqxk6a9r6tYhSDrIcGWEVZiohYFnBrum3fygp5jmWuZmnbBbGiTiJVZv0hbKo0mK_M9RH1M8dnuL/s1600/IMG_0403+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MgCNhggmkNOjlqoGd6UD0xpJLWnQGhEH84Txbqgf2tm9whKzjc2iKdPyjavhxN_5Jqxk6a9r6tYhSDrIcGWEVZiohYFnBrum3fygp5jmWuZmnbBbGiTiJVZv0hbKo0mK_M9RH1M8dnuL/s1600/IMG_0403+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><b>It was<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+12%3A1-2&version=NIV"> for the joy that was set before him that Jesus endured the cross</a>—the joy of relationship with us, the joy of
relationship with me. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">I think of the lyrics from Matt Maher’s
song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IExdrZGQVeI">'Christ is Risen'</a>: <i><b>“Oh death! Where is your sting? Oh hell! Where is your victory? Oh church! Come stand in the light! Our God is
not dead. He’s alive! <span style="color: black;">He’s alive!”</span></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I smile and pull her close saying, “This is good news!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">She wiggles out of my arms. I let go of her and stand up, turning towards the sink to grab my tooth brush. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I notice the morning sun shining. Its bright light is pouring in right where I am standing; and I can't help but continue to hum to myself, <i><b>"He's alive! He's alive!"</b></i></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: #0b5394;">“Now unto him that is able to keep you
from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy,<sup> </sup>To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude+1%3A24-25&version=KJV"> </a></span><span class="text" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude+1%3A24-25&version=KJV">–Jude 1:24-25, KJV</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>Grace and peace be
ours in abundance this Good Friday as we remember the depth of the Father’s
love for us and this</i> <i>Easter as we
remember—Jesus is risen, He is risen, indeed!
May we take joy in the hope that we have through His death and
resurrection. When we come to Him, Jesus takes our sinful hearts and presents us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. We are so very loved.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
P.S. I highly recommend</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427831153&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">The Jesus Storybook Bible</a> <span style="color: black;">if you do not already own a copy. It is published by Zondervan. © 2012. The story referenced throughout this post is called 'The sun stops shining,' pages 302-309. The thoughts I shared along with the disciples are from p. 310.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">The photos in this post are from Badlands National Park, South Dakota in July 2010. We got up to watch the sunrise. The first two were taken by Jason and the third by me.</span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-53447955983341832372015-04-02T09:00:00.000-04:002015-04-01T16:17:44.436-04:00Behold, The Lamb<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">We sit listening to her Daddy read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“It was Passover, the time when God’s people remembered how God had rescued them from being slaves in Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every year they killed a lamb and ate it.”</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Collectors-Edition/dp/0310736420/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397913644&sr=8-2&keywords=jesus+the+storybook+bible">-The Jesus Storybook Bible</a>, 286.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">At the word “lamb” she begins to chirp with excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Yes, dear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lamb does say “baa”,” I respond with a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Her Daddy continues to read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">““The lamb died instead of us!” they would say.”</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Collectors-Edition/dp/0310736420/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397913644&sr=8-2&keywords=jesus+the+storybook+bible">-The Jesus Storybook Bible</a>, 286.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She shouts her refrain with glee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Yes, dear.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">You have got it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lamb.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He is the one in this story to pay attention to.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Daddy continues to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My girl continues to “baa.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit in wonder considering this Lamb.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">This Holy Week began with whispered prayers about how to lead this Little Love of not quite eleven months to consider what was important this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find now that she is reminding me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I know it?</span></i><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">My husband is still reading.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“Then Jesus picked up some bread and broke it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave it to his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up a cup of wine and thanked God for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He poured it out and shared it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My body is like this bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will break,” Jesus told them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This cup of wine is like my blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will pour out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is how God will rescue the whole world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life will break and God’s broken world will mend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart will tear apart—and your hearts will heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the passover lamb died, so now I will die instead of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood will wash away all of your sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you’ll be clean on the inside—in your hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So whenever you eat and drink, remember,” Jesus said, “I’ve rescued you.” </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Collectors-Edition/dp/0310736420/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397913644&sr=8-2&keywords=jesus+the+storybook+bible">-The Jesus Storybook Bible</a>, 292.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22%3A1-18&version=NIV">the lamb in the thicket</a>, rescuing Isaac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rescue involved a family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of the blood of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2012&version=NIV">the Passover lambs</a> above the doorposts in Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rescue involved a nation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of John the Baptist’s words about Jesus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A19-34&version=NASB">“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rescue is for the world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53&version=NIV">Isaiah 53</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">"Who has believed our message</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and to whom has the arm of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> been revealed?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-18714">He grew up before him like a tender shoot,</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and like a root out of dry ground.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-18715">He was despised and rejected by mankind,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Like one from whom people hide their faces</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Surely he took up our pain</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and bore our suffering,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">yet we considered him punished by God,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">stricken by him, and afflicted.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But he was pierced for our transgressions,</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he was crushed for our iniquities;</span><br /><span class="text">the punishment that brought us peace was on him,</span><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and by his wounds we are healed.</span></b><span class="text">We all, like sheep, have gone astray,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">each of us has turned to our own way;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">and the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text"> has laid on him</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the iniquity of us all.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">He was oppressed and afflicted,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">yet he did not open his mouth;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">so he did not open his mouth.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">By oppression and judgment he was taken away.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Yet who of his generation protested?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">For he was cut off from the land of the living;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">for the transgression of my people he was punished.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">He was assigned a grave with the wicked,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and with the rich in his death,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">though he had done no violence,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">nor was any deceit in his mouth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Yet it was the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text">’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and though the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text"> makes his life an offering for sin,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">he will see his offspring and prolong his days,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and the will of the </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text"> will prosper in his hand.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">After he has suffered,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he will see the light of life and be satisfied;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and he will bear their iniquities.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,</span></span> <br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and he will divide the spoils with the strong,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">because he poured out his life unto death,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and was numbered with the transgressors.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">For he bore the sin of many,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and made intercession for the transgressors."</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">This is what we remember this week—the rescue that comes through the death of Jesus, the Lamb, on the cross. Yet, this rescue doesn’t end in death, but <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20&version=NIV">resurrection!</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20&version=NIV"> </a> </span>Jesus has victory over death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We remember this too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is who He says He is, God.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of the scene John describes in the throne room of heaven. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NIV-30792"> </span></sup>In a loud voice they were saying:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength</span><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and honor and glory and praise!”</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><sup> </sup>Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">be praise and honor and glory and power,</span><br /><span class="text">for ever and ever!”</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><sup> </sup>The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped."</span> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5&version=NIV">- Revelation 5:11-14</a></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">Somehow, in these words, I can picture the voice of my Little Love calling out “Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baa!”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">Yes, Little One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: black;"><b>Behold, the Lamb and worship Him.</b></span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><i>This is a repost from the archives. It still amazes me the way God uses my Little Love to draw me nearer to him. I hope you have enjoyed remembering with me. A new post will be up tomorrow about how God is using this Little Love to draw me into His presence as we move toward Easter right now. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we behold the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb who lives! May we give thanks for the redemption that comes through Christ and worship with every breath and action of our lives.</span></i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">P.S. Behold the Lamb. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVk7jhvhrLY">Remember and worship</a> Him today. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;">I highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alive-Again-Matt-Maher/dp/B002JOGSGU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1397914866&sr=1-1&keywords=matt+maher+alive+again">this Matt Maher album</a>. It is one of my favorites and is a great a Lenten and Holy Week album. </span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-75014975283152591742015-03-13T15:14:00.003-04:002015-03-13T15:14:43.404-04:00Rejoice<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><em>It has been a sick week around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been resting up. So just a quick post today.</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><em><br /></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">It seemed appropriate to me that these verses were among the
first I read as I sat down this afternoon as everyone else naps.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>“Rejoice in the Lord always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say it again: Rejoice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your gentleness be evident to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is near.”</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=philippians%204%3A4-5&version=NIV">-Philippians 4:4-5</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I have been rejoicing in the Lord this week.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">In the midst of sickness, there has been so much
provision: doctors with Zofran to calm Little Love’s stomach, a husband to hold
my hair out of the way of the toilet multiple times in the middle of the night,
family who stepped in to care for a little one so I could rest, rest, energy
returned, food brought when making food was still beyond me, help offered by
friends, and the capacity to care for a sick one returned home from a trip.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I have been aware of God’s presence.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I have found my mind wandering to the idea of how this
sickness totally wiped me out physically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I have considered this, I found myself freshly aware that sin totally
wipes me out spiritually. I am utterly unable to cope with the consequences of
sin in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in Jesus I am made
new, because of his death and resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%205%3A14-21&version=NIV;VOICE;MSG">
</a></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%205%3A14-21&version=NIV;VOICE;MSG">He takes that old life and leads me to a new way of living.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is another reason I have been thankful
this week!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">It looks as though it may be another long weekend and so I
have been praying for His gentleness to care for my dear ones.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><em>Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we rejoice in the
Lord always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever life brings, may
we have eyes to see the goodness of the God and sense His nearness to us as we
walk through it.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Jessica :)</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-38809946665758768582015-03-06T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-06T09:00:10.327-05:00Grace and Peace<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is the third time I walk up the stairs to her room in
fifteen minutes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The first had been a triple whammy that took me off guard
in about two or three seconds—smacking my face, quickly followed by grabbing
the glasses off of my face in anger and putting her foot into the potty (which
was fortunately empty)—just as we were about to pull up her pants. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The second time I came up the stairs, I sat with her
discussing what had just happened. After
she owned that she smacked her mother, pulled the glasses from my face and put
her foot in the potty, she once again pulled off my glasses. She was no longer angry; but, the attempt at a
mini-practice of asking me to take my glasses off, did not go well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Now, as I enter her room, I find my Little Love quiet
after a few minutes of screaming protest at being returned to her crib. She looks up at me and reaches. “Hold-y,” she cries out.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I scoop her up in my arms and carry her to the nearby
recliner. “Let’s talk,” I reply
seriously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Did you grab the glasses off of mama’s face?” I ask her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Yes!” she admits, enthusiastically.
I am pleased with her honesty and also a little amused at the way her
tone doesn’t seem to acknowledge that there is anything wrong with her
behavior. We are learning around here,
for sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We talk about the way we ask mama to take glasses off to
look at the eyes hiding behind them. We
do not rip them from mama’s face. We
practice once again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I say, “Can you ask mama to take off her glasses?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She says, “Please.” The way she uses the word is often more of a
statement. It is given that the glasses
are indeed what she is interested in and she adds her polite “please” so she
can proceed with the fun as soon as possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I take off my glasses and we commence the game that she often
asks to play—me winking, blinking and batting my eyes at her. After a few minutes, I stop and thank her for
asking me to take off the glasses instead of grabbing them off my face. I tell her I love her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;">She looks at me
and says, “Grace and peace, Mama.”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">These are the words that we share before she goes to bed
at night, “Grace and peace from God to you, the grace and peace of Jesus.” </span><span style="color: black;"> I stare back at her and wonder how she knows to use them now. Has she overheard Jason and I using them with each other? We don’t always, but often enough.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG1k5KRyGfD2GE1-BrApodolIqzK4hM7QyE6vzFrqsv_hHnxQqVM_1XO7EukO8tAt-JKWYwx8EqSCm8AbITIb0c5C61rW2La_HzTt3ATltwPGjBypBHufzx_Vq8bEZbNiTdykcPqFlqXm/s1600/IMG_4180+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG1k5KRyGfD2GE1-BrApodolIqzK4hM7QyE6vzFrqsv_hHnxQqVM_1XO7EukO8tAt-JKWYwx8EqSCm8AbITIb0c5C61rW2La_HzTt3ATltwPGjBypBHufzx_Vq8bEZbNiTdykcPqFlqXm/s1600/IMG_4180+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<i><span style="color: black;">All that is in me
softens at her words. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">They take me back to a <a href="http://marshill.org/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=57_40&products_id=474">Mars Hill podcast</a> about
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1&version=NIV">Philippians 1:1-2</a> I listened to in 2008. It was a sermon that forever changed
the way I thought of this greeting in most of the New Testament epistles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Rob Bell* defined grace in a few ways from the Greek word <i>charis</i>.
The first definition he gave was “joy, pleasure, favor, gratification,
and acceptance.” The next was “a favor
done without expectation of return.” The
last he shared was from Spiro Zodiakes “the absolutely free expression of the
love of God finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of God.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Next, he took some time to define the word “peace.” The Greek is <i>aranay</i>. It means every kind
of good (similar to its Hebrew counterpart <i>shalom</i>). In the Bible, it is used in the present tense
form, with the exception of one instance where it is in the future tense. So when we read it, we should read it: every
kind of good <i>right now</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">He moved from defining the terms to expressing them as
the people we are to be—people that speak grace and peace; people who need
grace and peace; people who interrupt with grace and peace; people who live
grace and peace. We are to be known for
being people who share and are committed to speaking God’s grace and peace to
others, including ourselves, in everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">My little one is exactly right—grace and peace. <b>Isn’t
this the way we should want every conflict to end?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Isn’t this the way Jesus answers us when we
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9&version=VOICE">come surrendered</a> and trust him to take all that we have done wrong and lay it
before the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A6&version=VOICE">cross</a>? He brings His
resurrection life and offers us grace and peace.</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">She offers an invitation to lay this time of conflict
behind us with every kind of good right now and full of the free expression of
the love of God, full of joy, favor and acceptance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Who can resist such an offer?</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I touch her cheek, ever so gently, and say, “Grace and
peace, Little Love.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we respond in all things (especially conflict) and to
everyone we meet with the grace and peace of Jesus. May we find that we speak His life and love
to everyone we meet and are filled to overflowing with the gift that we share.</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
P.S. In thinking about grace and peace this week I have found myself humming along to this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hoE94af8VI">Jill Phillips song</a> that became a favorite of mine during the early morning drives when I was headed to work in the first couple of months we lived in Utah. May you listen and find yourself clinging to the grace and peace that comes through Jesus. If you really like it you might consider <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/writing-on-the-wall/id262489951">adding it</a> to your library. <em>(Just so you know...I don't actually know Jill Phillips. I have not been asked to promote her music. I just believe that if I enjoy an artist, you should support them! </em>And...</span><span style="color: black;">I would have embedded the video, but that feature doesn't seem to be working for me today! The video will go into the post, but not appear in any of the previews I have done...Sorry about that!)</span><br />
<br /><br />
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<span style="color: black;">*Admittedly, Rob Bell has been a rather controversial figure in the Christian community for awhile now. I don't believe or necessarily agree with everything he has written or taught. However, the series on Philippians is one of the best sermon series I have listened to. </span><span style="color: black;">As with any speaker, teacher, author it is important to thoughtfully consider what they teach in light of what the Bible says.</span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-26896258444892297222015-02-27T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-27T13:57:14.613-05:00It Is Well<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">When I think of you, I remember a younger me. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I remember many times when we sat with Marie and our
friends, Bibles open and talking about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In the early days, Molly and I perfected the art of avoiding eye contact with Marie so we didn't have to share first. The awkwardness between new people faded over the years to where it would be hard to believe that we didn't always share secrets and struggles and the things that good friends do. We all enjoyed each other so well. You always spoke straight from the heart and got straight to the point with your wondering and sharing and confronting. <i>Wise woman.</i> </span>I
learned about praying out loud, during those years, with you and with our friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I remember squeezing into Marie's Toyota Paseo, so many different
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly, I remember there was
enough room for everyone as we drove home; but occasionally, we packed in like sardines—like the
time we kidnapped Molly for her birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think you were on crutches and got to sit up front because of your injured leg. We went back to Marie’s place, the one with the breakfast nook, for dinner. Afterwards, I remember us cheering with Deborah during <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095993/">Return from Snowy River</a>, "Go Jim go!" We cheered for the dashing hero on his black stallion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were other movies too, like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/">The Shawshank Redemption</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057115/">The Great Escape</a>, during sleepovers. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were also many musicals and plays at Walnut and Finneytown. On our way to watch Ellen in Godspell, I remember talking about
whether the note I received from Will during study hall meant anything; in it he had drawn my profile and written about "the North girl."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What fun times those were!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I went looking for a particular photo of our small group
last week. I never found it. But Molly did!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm660R5E0CllJW6LpWeLc7j8BP_iicKtrBeYDj3jqKvjKSBgQTyX6j7Z0Vql40PtBG8JEP1v_BgCQb6w60BDr5STAsI9VnyEaXfGTAR5XbBHpHslmGnVzvAooj7L_-BJx6eomvsWzzskD/s1600/11015432+from+Molly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm660R5E0CllJW6LpWeLc7j8BP_iicKtrBeYDj3jqKvjKSBgQTyX6j7Z0Vql40PtBG8JEP1v_BgCQb6w60BDr5STAsI9VnyEaXfGTAR5XbBHpHslmGnVzvAooj7L_-BJx6eomvsWzzskD/s1600/11015432+from+Molly.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I found a
photo from Resident Camp, instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember eating with your campers while I served on Girls Crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were such a wonderful counselor.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedzvwJdxPabPWhvbB1aTo01Zt4V6RnXMe3-0c5iFfLLRaNMsk1V4Bm0E-U64xa4mgVqCzQO0dnMbfp_X3o1WJocm3a6IueDkC3-6H_YZVOTxFlE4Un-zcgYf-ozMcWkFilvjQXCC5fqLP/s1600/20150218_152241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedzvwJdxPabPWhvbB1aTo01Zt4V6RnXMe3-0c5iFfLLRaNMsk1V4Bm0E-U64xa4mgVqCzQO0dnMbfp_X3o1WJocm3a6IueDkC3-6H_YZVOTxFlE4Un-zcgYf-ozMcWkFilvjQXCC5fqLP/s1600/20150218_152241.jpg" height="313" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I remember having gym class together too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so relieved to know someone else that
first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it must have been
with Mr. Christoph, because I remember being on mats tumbling and talking with
you, Lindsay, and Tiphanie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am
remembering correctly, I think we spent the beginning of the semester lamenting
our lack of volleyball skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> V</span>ery
few of us did well on the bumping and setting tests.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">You always seemed so comfortable with who you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that is pretty rare in a middle
school or high school student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>You made me feel like I could be me around
you</strong></i>, <em>the me that was still trying to figure out who I really was</em>—even if
that meant you were witness to ridiculous dance choreography in the bathroom
just down the hall from the lunchroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We laughed about it, but I never felt foolish for sharing that piece of
me with you. (Though, now, I would like to groan that I ever thought that was
remotely cool. Oh well!)</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><em>That was a precious gift you gave me then.</em></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I did not know I could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> live authentically until years later. But years later, I do know that is the best
way to really live, even if it sometimes feels very risky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are never fully known, we can never be
fully loved. You were known and loved, friend.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">It seems such a long time since those days.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Life seldom brought us together since then. (Those few moments
when it did were sweet). From afar, I loved watching your adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seemed to have such a “seize the day” way
of living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took you all over the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>You found so many kindred spirits,
touched so many lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>I know we are all
richer for knowing you.</strong></em> I am.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ScB38vE60-6FzXHLExcaKCPXi-XVJyaQa68pCtpWxQfE3Oa54R3A_2VdXXs2jxNII7dfPbfn8Hus1JLqfhok4bd4QRUlsU15Gk3QtttkZDkOSZOuqS3fArgxBqOV6WpXNcfBeT7sl8F/s1600/IMG_2883+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ScB38vE60-6FzXHLExcaKCPXi-XVJyaQa68pCtpWxQfE3Oa54R3A_2VdXXs2jxNII7dfPbfn8Hus1JLqfhok4bd4QRUlsU15Gk3QtttkZDkOSZOuqS3fArgxBqOV6WpXNcfBeT7sl8F/s1600/IMG_2883+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Now, you are gone.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">(You,
who were always so full of life and laughter and making things beautiful—can it
really be?)</span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">It reminds me that <a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/2012/07/longing-for-someday.html">this world is broken and of my longing for home</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>It makes me
long for the day when all will be made right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In that place, in the presence of Jesus, you are whole again.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Sickness does not have the last word, neither
does death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>For that, I am so very
thankful.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I remember Marie sharing this passage from 1 Peter
about character with me.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Wives, in the same way submit
yourselves to your own husbands so that, <em>if any of them do not believe the
word, they may be won over without words by the behavior</em> of their wives, when
they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your
beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and
the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it
should be that of <em>your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the
holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves.</em> They
submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah,
who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. <em>You are her daughters if you do
what is right and do not give way to fear.</em>”</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+peter+3&version=ESV">
</a></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+peter+3&version=ESV">– 1 Peter 3:3-6</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I think it is especially the last line that
makes me think of it now.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“You
are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></strong></div>
<span style="color: black;"><strong>
</strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><em>What a courageous woman you were, my
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em>You faced months of treatment, friends and family beside you, near and far, praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>You did not
give way to fear.</em></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I
want to live like that too!</span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">These were God’s words to Joshua and the
people of Israel as they entered the Promised Land:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go.”</strong> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua+1%3A7-9&version=NIV">– Joshua 1:9</a></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The road ahead of
Israel was full of promise in the midst of difficulty.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>In the midst of all of this, God told them not to fear, he
would be right there.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i> </span><i>He would not leave
of forsake them.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i> </span>What words of hope!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What words of comfort!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i>God goes with us wherever we go.</i></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><i> </i></span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">You must have taken hold of God’s promises in the midst
of such difficulty.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">His promises are the springs of life that keep us going.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQcvxIEIrzXv37Ogxzx3lCpUxpYrTcQjVexWROHDG0SbfQvXd21dQCViUhujbCXd6XdXuJKrMTTs1Hsb1mm7gXlTl9mXEI-e26DaCgh9xq3u2blU9ZcynEEDQrIuwaComtCLQJwzjrWSF/s1600/IMG_2281+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQcvxIEIrzXv37Ogxzx3lCpUxpYrTcQjVexWROHDG0SbfQvXd21dQCViUhujbCXd6XdXuJKrMTTs1Hsb1mm7gXlTl9mXEI-e26DaCgh9xq3u2blU9ZcynEEDQrIuwaComtCLQJwzjrWSF/s1600/IMG_2281+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="342" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I believe that our names tell us something about who we
are.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Your <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1&version=NIV">namesake</a> was loyal, determined, strong and brave—<em>like
you</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She, too, was no stranger to
difficulty.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>You know what? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her story doesn’t end in death, it ends in
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ends with a <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A13-15&version=NIV">redeemer</a>.</strong></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">So does your story,
Ruth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20&version=ESV">Jesus</a> lives, so will <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+15&version=ESV">you</a>.</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Because of all this,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul">it is well</a></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">. </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we trust in the promises of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we cling to Jesus as our sure hope in the
face of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+15%3A51-58&version=MSG">sin and guilt and death</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we trust that
His resurrection life will right all the wrongs and make <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+21%3A5&version=NIV">all things new</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this we can say it is well.</span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Jessica</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-20120987211456588412015-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-20T13:32:06.643-05:00Isaiak!<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I pull her out of her seat at the table and set her on
the ground as the next <a href="http://seedsfamilyworship.bandcamp.com/track/god-is-holy-isaiah-6-1-3">song</a> begins to play off my phone.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">My Little Love runs into the next room as the words
begin, “Isaiah 6:1-3.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Isaiak!” she squeals, running back towards me.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">(She may or may not have Isaiah the prophet crossed with
baby Isaac who we read about last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or perhaps, it is Isaiah 6 she is trying to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not totally sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile at her.)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 6,” I
affirm.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I run downstairs to move some laundry over while she runs
around on the wood floors—exploring, dancing, repeating the location of the
verses in the song over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Isaiak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiak.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The song plays on.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“In the year that King Uzziah died, I
saw the Lord, sitting upon a throne high and lifted up; and the train of his
robe filled the temple. Above him stood the
seraphim, each had six wings: With two he covered his face, with two he covered
his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to
another and said:</strong></span></div>
<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span></strong><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;<br />
the
whole earth is full of his glory.”</strong></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="right" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+6%3A1-3&version=ESV">-Isaiah6:1-3 (ESV)</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">When
she hears the word “Holy” she stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtq1eAyDULRrIX81LZkisgefvlFC3fnvsB5HrrK9JtrsPCGZoZe7kqrgvdiTYkT2w5IF78GN5f39DznyunQn9A0ihzXMD6QGY8QL5Q4f1b37l75Ua2srmDpswjdsSNietDPFzHd4x0GDH/s1600/IMG_4144+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtq1eAyDULRrIX81LZkisgefvlFC3fnvsB5HrrK9JtrsPCGZoZe7kqrgvdiTYkT2w5IF78GN5f39DznyunQn9A0ihzXMD6QGY8QL5Q4f1b37l75Ua2srmDpswjdsSNietDPFzHd4x0GDH/s1600/IMG_4144+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">It has been a word that she has been
using for weeks or maybe even months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holy</i> and beloved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silent night, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy </i>night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hears it and
usually enters into her own moment of calling out, <i>“Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Holy.”</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><i> </i></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><i><b>
</b></i></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">She sings “holy" at the table.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">She sings “holy” while she plays.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">She sings “holy” in her car seat.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">She sings “holy” in the middle of the grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This one surprised me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sure enough, the words to the music, as
we rolled through the baking aisle in Meijer searching for food coloring, were saying
just that.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">She sings “holy” as she lies in my arms before bed.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I am amazed by this Little Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way she is so observant and attentive
causes me to pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she begins to
sing “Holy,” once again, with such earnestness and joy, I stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to miss it!</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The God she sings about <u>is</u> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"><b>
</b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">This moment we are living right now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a chance to live worship.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;"><b>
</b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">And this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy</i> God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls me his
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3:12&version=ESV">chosen one, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy and beloved</i></a>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Something
in my heart changes in these moments.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t help but think of Moses standing before the burning bush as God
says, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+3%3A5&version=NIV"><b>“Take off your sandals, for where you are standing is holy ground”</b>(Exodus 3:5).</a></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFDNb0RXcZqJESAR6qOl6E7iF2BUYhfYg-i0lt590aKAvBLdUw-hC2audvL-fPRSuc9JSS8K47vabCBd5Oj18G8LhwON6EMQ-Vr9DilodGz7R7yssLNl3Fx0eiepqBxUKYL4fXDWDmfUO/s1600/11-29-08080+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFDNb0RXcZqJESAR6qOl6E7iF2BUYhfYg-i0lt590aKAvBLdUw-hC2audvL-fPRSuc9JSS8K47vabCBd5Oj18G8LhwON6EMQ-Vr9DilodGz7R7yssLNl3Fx0eiepqBxUKYL4fXDWDmfUO/s1600/11-29-08080+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t help but smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
help but join her in this chorus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Holy,
holy, holy is the </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> of
hosts;</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Calibri;">
the
whole earth is full of his glory.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Because He is holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a moment to worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This moment is one in which I am invited to
put on love.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">And so I do.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we stop to embrace each moment as one to be lived
worshipping the Holy One,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>humbled to be
called God’s holy and beloved children, and standing on holy ground.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Jessica :) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">P.S. <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/">Family Seeds Worship</a> is wonderful. It is Scripture set to music. We usually listen at breakfast to begin the day off with God's Word. We do more if my Little Love asks throughout the day, which she often does. By listening she is memorizing Scripture and she doesn't even realize she is doing it. I love that she is hiding God's word in her heart with such joy.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-38984835484111461622015-02-13T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-13T09:00:00.750-05:00For the Tired and Weary<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">After I lay my Little Love down, I find my way to the
love seat where my Bible and journal sit tucked in a bin nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pull them out and set them beside me while I
pile on the blankets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grab my Bible
and pause, holding it in my left hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could open to my bookmark in John and read, my heart, my body weary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I pause to breathe deeply and to
talk to God:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">God, I have come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come after a challenging day
yesterday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hoped for a fresh
start in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had hoped to
leave the tantrums of yesterday behind with sleep, but that didn’t happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that my girl is tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that she has a gum bulging with a
new tooth waiting to come through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
must hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there is an
explanation for much of her behavior, though I don’t understand it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am having a really hard time being all here
and all in control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to be
the problem in my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was me
yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want that to be me
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to raise my
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to speak in clipped,
sharp tones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to see her cues and
respond like You would, Jesus.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">As I talk of this, I think to myself how much I am like
my child before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hurt, I grow
cranky and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am uncooperative and
I lash out, most often with my tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am disobedient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I am tired and
weary when my Little Love behaves this way, I imagine that when I am like my
girl God must feel like me—tired and weary.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">At this thought, your answer comes swiftly.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">No! No! No! </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">You speak ever so gently.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">You may be like
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I do not feel like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don’t
you remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not grow tired or
weary.</b></span></span></i><br />
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</div>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The words of a song I learned at camp, one Jr. High
summer long ago, come to mind.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">“Do you not
know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you not heard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator
of the ends of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not
grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives strength to the weary and increases
the power of the weak.”</span></strong><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A28-29&version=NIV"><span style="color: #b45f06;">-<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Isaiah
40:28-29</span></a></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A28-29&version=NIV"> </a></span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Oh, how you comfort me with your words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You meet me where I am—tired and weary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You promise to give me strength and to
increase my power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>My circumstances may not change, but You change me in them.</u></b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I often forget it, but you God, you are holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are set apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so very different than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are gentle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You love me perfectly in my brokenness and
lead me towards wholeness.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
able to do so much more than I can imagine.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I open the Bible in my hand and begin searching to find these
words in Isaiah 40.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The words of
promise continue.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">“Even youths grow
tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will
soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and
not be faint.”</span></strong></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A30-31&version=NIV"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></a></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A30-31&version=NIV"><span style="color: #b45f06;">-Isaiah 40:30-31</span></a></span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A30-31&version=NIV"> </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"></span>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I grab hold of
your promises</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I take that which you have promised and claim it for myself today<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>circling all the behaviors and
tantrums and exhaustion and pain and whatever may arise in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am placing my hope in the Lord. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that whatever comes, you will give me
the strength to bear it with your heart for my sweet girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this, I find that inwardly I am
soaring.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">***</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we trust in the promises of God and claim them for
ourselves today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May He bear us up and
lead us to live abundantly in all things.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Jessica :)</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-4294673948564880022015-02-06T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-06T09:00:07.362-05:00Come To Me<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">He began pursuing me quietly last spring.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Some family members sat across from me in the living room
while my Little Love happily played on the floor between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked me what I was doing to find
rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I responded about how I had begun
reading for fun on Sundays during naptime.*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was something, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I moved on.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">A week or two later, during the first week of the spring
session of the mother’s group at Crossroads the question we were to discuss was
“How do you seek rest?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The women around
me spoke up and I sat quietly fumbling for anything to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I muttered something about the new planner I
had purchased and trying to have a plan each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that this was helping me to
accomplish more, but truly I was treading water and I didn’t even know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I moved
on.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><br /></i><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYtYg29XdwOHAlfTzcReOj70mlUQf24sqCGHZdhZXxrLOeAssrf2WM53d-UFHzrZkRTlSZw-Yq90XADDEqruG4rYo4kcYa6QEwoWme6UN2k3YKRQusaXd3Dpb8_lVsh-i4-9L0eCqGDfm/s1600/in+spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYtYg29XdwOHAlfTzcReOj70mlUQf24sqCGHZdhZXxrLOeAssrf2WM53d-UFHzrZkRTlSZw-Yq90XADDEqruG4rYo4kcYa6QEwoWme6UN2k3YKRQusaXd3Dpb8_lVsh-i4-9L0eCqGDfm/s1600/in+spirit.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></i></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">As summer arrived, life changed as Jason began traveling
regularly for the first time in over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Life seemed to be moving along, but as it did exhaustion was beginning
to surface alongside two companions, anger and impatience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were directed inwardly and toward my
poor husband who deserved none of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
one point I found myself reading a bunch of Kevin Leman books, one about
stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like he knew what was
going on, but I was still in a place of thinking I could handle everything on
my plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I moved
on.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The schedule on my calendar in August was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relentless</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason traveling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commitments in the evenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food to make for more than just our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No
breaks.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">something had to break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out it was me.</b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I found myself crying in the arms of my husband’s arms,
him asking what was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
weathering the first two weeks, I looked at the rest of the month unable to
figure out how I would survive the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He asked what he could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wasn’t sure. </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I was reading my Bible trying to hold on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was spending time with our family on the
weekends, with my girlie at other times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wasn’t spending much time with just my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really didn’t have any time for me, except
in the shower at the end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was all too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason listened telling
me that he had been trying to tell me this for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finally,
I knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t keep going like this.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The crazy thing is that some place in me I felt like I
should be able to do this without a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The truth is the only one who is
supposed to be able to do everything is God.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not God…though sometimes I try to be in
my desire to control the circumstances around me (mostly without realizing it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
crazy thing is that while I was trying to read God’s Word and connect with Him I
seemed to be unaware of the way He was speaking to me in the midst of my
circumstances all along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I felt
like time spent in His word was dry; He was trying to breathe life into my life
if I just had eyes to see and would be courageous enough to trust him and give
him control.</i></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">He was calling out: </span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><strong>"Come to me,
[you] are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."</strong></i>
-Matthew 11:28-30</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I needed space to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed to find a way to be me again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"></span>
<br />
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</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">So it began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason
stayed with our Little Love while I ran some errands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I had no pressing commitments, I was
rushing the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered how
inwardly rushed I had become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns
out it is a lot easier to get into a rut than to find the way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have embarked on the journey though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working on asking for help from
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also working on finding
people to trust my Little Love with when family is not free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing all this very imperfectly, but as
I have been taking small steps forward I have found that I have a bit more
energy to do what I knew that I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">That seems so very backwards, yet it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we rest we have the energy to work, to
create, to respond.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">I am learning to rest again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am learning to follow those little nudges
of the Holy Spirit again that lead to peace and life and love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and rest</i> so that I can rise to whatever
the calendar brings and then some. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I do better, I hope you will find me typing
away and sharing the beautiful journey of becoming with you.**</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Grace and peace be
ours in abundance as we pursue Jesus’ promise that when we come to Him we will
find rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May His rest reach into the
deepest parts of who we are and breathe His life into us spilling forth His
radiant love.</span></i></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Jessica :)</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">*I read often, nursing has been great for that, but it
had been months since I had read any fiction for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to devour it and nonfiction is much
easier to put down for chores.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">**While I hope this means I will be able to post more
regularly, I plan to rest as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
if you find yourself enjoying this space on A Becoming Life and not knowing
when to expect a post, perhaps you might consider joining the email list to get
the next post in your email whether it is one week or a month or a few months!</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-63489844894946292272014-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:002014-06-27T09:00:03.592-04:00Knots*<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i>Thinking of this poem after choosing to walk into fear and out in freedom on the other side this week. Giving thanks for moments like these as tough as they are. </i><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The knots in my stomach—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Tighten and Constrict.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">On and off.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Again and again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">All. Day.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">As the thought of tonight’s event</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Forms in my mind—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Drawing closer and closer,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Minute by minute.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">A knot is added to a lengthening chain—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">New people—new knot.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Alone to navigate a new place—another knot.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">And it feels like I’d rather not go.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I’ve a swirled chain rattling my interior.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">And I think I just might be sick.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPE-wC_GNoed5v7Y4iZr_i-IVGe3PmF4yV5EBTeOpAaUnWTZ3eVwLyJJ7CiZy0NMO5Pp8yMm_HohgQsFPLJACrMbTHp-X_03fb_WhMpaomVWPpDhEbqSwli2hmg5lMrMBnxxKouwX2VIg/s1600/IMG_2128+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPE-wC_GNoed5v7Y4iZr_i-IVGe3PmF4yV5EBTeOpAaUnWTZ3eVwLyJJ7CiZy0NMO5Pp8yMm_HohgQsFPLJACrMbTHp-X_03fb_WhMpaomVWPpDhEbqSwli2hmg5lMrMBnxxKouwX2VIg/s640/IMG_2128+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">So I gasp air and grab hold of Truth—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201:7&version=NLT" target="_blank">“God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity.”</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201:7&version=NLT" target="_blank">“The spirit God gives is power, love, and self-discipline.”</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">My mind assents.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">The knot remains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">So too, the Truth.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Two forces battling—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">One solid rock.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Other shifting sand.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I breathe deep and go forth clinging to Truth.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">I walk in the reality of the moment—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">One step in front of the other—</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Anxiety is quelled.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClV92wdCYpScEngLPBwVwO30OnSa5AfdAYIMlAwrijRJXraP5CV2W2Jzf6tRS8nrmLmQtvf5d6JxQMuUc3PNdUJ9p1VUMird695OKnGQYSnGfMP_XoN25ZbNnHQJyrVqlMZgRsxVF-WHO/s1600/IMG_2122+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClV92wdCYpScEngLPBwVwO30OnSa5AfdAYIMlAwrijRJXraP5CV2W2Jzf6tRS8nrmLmQtvf5d6JxQMuUc3PNdUJ9p1VUMird695OKnGQYSnGfMP_XoN25ZbNnHQJyrVqlMZgRsxVF-WHO/s640/IMG_2122+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Taking one moment at a time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Immersed in that solid Truth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The Spirit God goes with me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Giving courage to tackle </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">One obstacle at a time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">His presence near.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The knots relax—slow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Truth has won.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Peace reigns.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">And the joyous glow of His victory</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Burns brightly in my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Sometimes discipleship is like this--clinging tightly to Truth and trusting God one step at a time.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>***</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Grace
and peace be ours in abundance as we cling to Truth and push through
fear trusting God, one step at at time. May we discover that He is able
to walk us through more than we think we can handle. May we find joy
in the freedom that follows obedient faith.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jessica :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*Reposted from the archives</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-41106594574250367322014-06-20T21:56:00.000-04:002014-06-20T21:56:02.822-04:00Drink Deep<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">As I think about how I am to begin practicing </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Good%20Life">the goodlife</a></span><span style="color: black;"> I figure it might be helpful to pick a focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I choose to consider taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hind sight, I’m not sure why I pick taste other than perhaps it is something to do with the way my Little Love has been putting things into her mouth with such relish lately.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the living room, she spots a piece of lint on the floor that fell from the laundry basket or was tracked in on a foot and grins big before quickly shoving it into her mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She does all this lightning quick, before I have time to pluck it from her little hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That edge of the carpet that has been pulling away from the kitchen threshold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah…she’s swallowed that up a time or two when I was looking the other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell by the way she coughs as I catch her looking guilty with another piece in hand.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">At the table, she grabs strawberries and bites big with the pink juice dripping gloriously down her chin, accompanied with a squeeze of each berry that leaves them in mangled bits that cover her hands and booster tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smears it around with an artist’s flourish and concentration that is quite endearing, if sticky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She takes bites of mama’s food and sometimes dada’s to—the vegetables, the curry, the beans and rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tries it all, and loves most of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Outside, as I pull weeds she sits nearby on the sidewalk grabbing blades of grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing that she often tries to put these in her mouth, I tell her she can pluck them, but not eat them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She listens, but takes it as an invitation to scrape up a bit of dirt to sample instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the swimming pool, she is ready to try the leaf that is crumpled at the bottom of the shallow pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I distract her with something else for a few moments only to find that while I have been surveying the cloudy sky she has grabbed the hose end and placed it in her mouth instead.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the bathtub, she nimbly folds her head forward into the water and drinks deep of the soapy water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must know that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Search-Delicious-Natalie-Babbitt/dp/0312369824">Natalie Babbit</a> wrote that it was delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I can’t help but laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This girl has tasted and seen <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34:8&version=NIV">the Lord is good.</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5omFBvzGbDZGwwwKXv-q2NrnAQydZgm0KzsQMZ2kb1PCZ5_nctHXD1rSl96RcV5M4W7goyjQP7Ultd69xz_ISiu54kbhFlNM1RwgcDtAFyqreVycKdzD19AGOxfuyena7EK5KQsWRR4Sy/s1600/IMG_3803+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5omFBvzGbDZGwwwKXv-q2NrnAQydZgm0KzsQMZ2kb1PCZ5_nctHXD1rSl96RcV5M4W7goyjQP7Ultd69xz_ISiu54kbhFlNM1RwgcDtAFyqreVycKdzD19AGOxfuyena7EK5KQsWRR4Sy/s1600/IMG_3803+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="582" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In many small moments, I have for a few seconds caught a glimpse of God’s goodness, but I feel like I’m so busy managing all the messy bits that I don’t often just delight in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How to move beyond this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jason reads one night: <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">“You’ve had a taste of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.”</span></b> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202%3A1-3&version=MSG">1 Peter 2:2-3</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Drink of God’s kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taste it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I think of what this picture has looked like in my own arms this last year—my baby drinking deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way God wants me to experience him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants me to drink eagerly, letting his kindness pour in as much and more than I can take in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow this will grow me up mature and whole in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It’s a beautiful image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babies are made to drink deep, but they do learn in those early weeks how to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So how do I learn to drink deep of God’s kindness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">How do I move away from managing moments to delighting in them?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I think of the <a href="http://www.gfa.org/offer/freebook/">Revolution in World Missions</a> book I have been reading this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>K.P. Yohannan writes of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">native missionaries and their children going hungry overseas</i> and here I am wondering how to taste the Lord’s kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something in me is unlocked in reading this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I think He must be teaching me how to drink.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I recognize that God has been watching me struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows what I have not seen until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been living the good life all along without <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>recognizing it or giving thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He opens my eyes to see all this grace right before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kindness has been there all along.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Left-over lentil sloppy joes in the refrigerator. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Fresh clean water to drink straight from the tap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The pineapple and melon on my counter top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The jars of legumes, grains, and nuts hanging on my wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The English muffin with egg and cheese I share with my little love at breakfast.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">And this is just the start of what is sure to be a long list.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDtFm6tGegv67PnzYCufc5DcVFxHQvLdYJe97BQTpmf68SN7eJ5DqRfNOrGIWTdUSkLTc_-nZ79VXAfBegVCWpDD4HHJf__-_stODJP0EQePNiRwt8OZz9u-hz8kYwXxM1Fx3pOUUZFqg/s1600/IMG_2042+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDtFm6tGegv67PnzYCufc5DcVFxHQvLdYJe97BQTpmf68SN7eJ5DqRfNOrGIWTdUSkLTc_-nZ79VXAfBegVCWpDD4HHJf__-_stODJP0EQePNiRwt8OZz9u-hz8kYwXxM1Fx3pOUUZFqg/s1600/IMG_2042+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="640" width="578" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I repent as I consider these brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder how do they drink deep of the Lord’s kindness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">How myopic I have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">If I am honest, I often too easily tire of my own good food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the luxury of eating out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ponder whether I make a bad choice when I buy conventional foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think of that potato I threw out earlier this week, somewhere around the world someone would have salvaged it to make dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In so many ways, I have failed to interpret all this abundance in terms of God’s goodness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It is dangerous to forget the abundance of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up—make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget </b></span><span class="small-caps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></b></span><span class="text">, your God,</span> <span class="text">the God who delivered you from Egyptian slavery;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">the God who led you through that huge and fearsome wilderness, those desolate, arid badlands crawling with fiery snakes and scorpions; the God who gave you water gushing from hard rock; the God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never heard of, in order to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead of you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. </i>Remember that </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text">, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If you forget, forget </b></span><span class="small-caps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></b></span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, your God, and start taking up with other gods, serving and worshiping them, I’m on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you;</b> I mean it—destruction. You’ll go to your doom—the same as the nations </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"> is destroying before you; doom because you wouldn’t obey the Voice of </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text">, your God.</span>”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy+8&version=MSG">Deuteronomy 8:11-20</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">With eyes opened I can see how good God is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can see that I have a lot to learn about being disciplined and allowing the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of self-control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know my heart will be better for being open to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">As I have been thinking about those native missionaries, it comes to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go hungry holding out food that is greater than the stores of my pantry and the contents of my refrigerator—the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A35-40&version=NIV">Bread of Life</a> that transforms a life.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying,</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="woj">“Take and eat; this is my body.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text">Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, </span><span class="woj">“Drink from it, all of you.</span><sup> </sup>This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. </span><span id="en-NIV-24084"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="woj">I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A26-29&version=NIV">Matthew 26:26-29</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">They know what it is to really drink of the pure kindness of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Through them, I am learning too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we drink deep of God’s pure kindness. May we be overwhelmed by the changes it works in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we find Him gently drawing us into disciplines in our lives in order to allow us to bless our brothers and sisters around the world out of His more than sufficient abundance.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-1328298944866026912014-06-13T14:51:00.003-04:002014-06-13T14:51:43.023-04:00The Good Life<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It has been quiet around this space the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In my home the days have been full of celebrations, decisions, viruses, prayer, people and life as usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thoughts have been many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, the words have not come clearly or easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve left this space to live life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I return as the thoughts settle and the work of putting them into practice begins.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the midst of a lot of reading I have been seriously thinking about the way we are to live out our relationship with God and what that means in the context of family. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GYZJMIGHz6SPBGbrR-dBOndgrgujtllex4C38N2tV3_KdLzayeda8eQ15oHyZWeYBdTPTFzEqd26DPLNNO7-y2iltLLpGl_Xm8SqHzyuUzIdKCdG4DC5kt_jioXiYg0BBUkU0z0zDg46/s1600/IMG_3846+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GYZJMIGHz6SPBGbrR-dBOndgrgujtllex4C38N2tV3_KdLzayeda8eQ15oHyZWeYBdTPTFzEqd26DPLNNO7-y2iltLLpGl_Xm8SqHzyuUzIdKCdG4DC5kt_jioXiYg0BBUkU0z0zDg46/s1600/IMG_3846+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">“This is the commandment, the rules and regulations, that </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text">, your God, commanded me to teach you to live out in the land you’re about to cross into to possess. This is so that you’ll live in deep reverence before </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"> lifelong, observing all his rules and regulations that I’m commanding you, you and your children and your grandchildren, living good long lives.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">Listen obediently, Israel. Do what you’re told <i>so that you’ll have a good life</i>, a life of abundance and bounty, just as </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"> promised, in a land abounding in milk and honey.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">Attention, Israel!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text">, our God! </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"> the one and only!</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">Love </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text">, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. <i>Get them inside of you </i>and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy+6&version=MSG">Deuteronomy 6:1-9 MSG</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A few things stand out to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>This is about the good life God wants us to live with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It begins with me</span> loving God first.</b><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></i>It is about my husband loving God first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of that love we lead our child to love God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I cannot pass on what I do not have</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>All of this is an all day every day, in every way you can, every chance you get way of life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Along with this, I have been struck by the sensory nature of the symbolic elements and celebrations in Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are made with bodies—able to see, smell, touch, taste, and hear—for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpND1dF6k5F3XDmlhuQJQCbYKbkk9vWD9y5DeiiZ6Bk2ONWb76hfv8RJJIbvLoIy3AgdR2zO9FdDgN6esrfNUNDKss_VombtV6LFzKOEs6IdeHWodZS7GcTO5we3jbf159wFCz6Uqfkhg/s1600/IMG_0681+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpND1dF6k5F3XDmlhuQJQCbYKbkk9vWD9y5DeiiZ6Bk2ONWb76hfv8RJJIbvLoIy3AgdR2zO9FdDgN6esrfNUNDKss_VombtV6LFzKOEs6IdeHWodZS7GcTO5we3jbf159wFCz6Uqfkhg/s1600/IMG_0681+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">With all of this in mind, I have been considering what it looks like to live mindful of these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have to say I have a long way to go!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the midst of all this, I am very aware that <b>kingdom life is not about right actions, but allowing God to cultivate in me a right heart that leads to them</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This good life is what I want to be cultivated in me and around me (my family, my neighbors, my friends).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I hope to be sharing more soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we seek to live the good life God has for us when we trust him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we discover that as we get his love and his commands inside our hearts it leads to transformed lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-64463263113026323442014-05-09T14:46:00.001-04:002014-05-09T14:46:18.665-04:00He Gently Leads<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“<span class="text">Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text">In His arm He will gather the lambs</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #0b5394;">And carry them in His bosom;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span> </span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A11&version=NASB">-Isaiah 40:11</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He will gently lead me</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Through this time of sleepless nights,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">With little lamb drawn close.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Shepherd</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He will gently lead me </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I will not flounder, flail, flop</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Or fail.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">For He tends the flock.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He makes me lie in green pastures.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He leads me to still waters.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He restores my soul.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He does it gently.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So I blink and find I am on the other side </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Joyfully in the flock</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Surrounded by Love, lamb close and secure.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNHnkt8YcxvpKuhtfufG7jSrr6fL4XfIi0sFnkVAUroOo39fN0HaTsNvqpWPy15FF3O555IoOQ9nCNT7TqrwCiGJO4x4AclXprKu4jveRXF4X7uiD7DgZTIekZc_2iGwSR9HKiXoNh29n/s1600/DSCN0688+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNHnkt8YcxvpKuhtfufG7jSrr6fL4XfIi0sFnkVAUroOo39fN0HaTsNvqpWPy15FF3O555IoOQ9nCNT7TqrwCiGJO4x4AclXprKu4jveRXF4X7uiD7DgZTIekZc_2iGwSR9HKiXoNh29n/s1600/DSCN0688+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The verse from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A11&version=NASB">Isaiah </a>was so encouraging to me as I was tired after a week or two of waking for teething pain back in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reflecting birthed this poem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just happen to be in this place once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spotted the tooth beginning to cut the gum just the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about knowing the cause of the waking and the fussing makes it all SO much more bearable and me much more compassionate toward the cries of my Little Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As Mother’s Day draws near I think of this poem and smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A1-18&version=NIV">Good Shepherd</a> has led me gently through this first year of mothering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu-aE3cUib9UUrdl11SCH_RuZO2C-t4qh3IAPzCMjA1ADxARBepbhANqVsObD1RGXo83TwP6e1-n7hNs5lbgfQFGmOkoQchFTqlvE2vhRv4jfWTPlg5ikCaqS2GFfkG98WjXYV4cPkVlH/s1600/IMG_3616+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu-aE3cUib9UUrdl11SCH_RuZO2C-t4qh3IAPzCMjA1ADxARBepbhANqVsObD1RGXo83TwP6e1-n7hNs5lbgfQFGmOkoQchFTqlvE2vhRv4jfWTPlg5ikCaqS2GFfkG98WjXYV4cPkVlH/s1600/IMG_3616+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="320" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we allow ourselves to be gently led by The Good Shepherd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we delight in Him—rejoicing that he knows what we need; he knows what our little ones need—and trust that He will give us the strength to love them (and others too!) as follow Him in loving obedience.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-34311542665972544932014-05-03T13:38:00.003-04:002014-05-03T13:38:51.305-04:00Eager as the Little Ones<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It would seem…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The new act of parenting is as fall.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuxDT7Ra7lNkuOZxRkbIp3vjYpK2ygaIuT8-TgwlqJye5F3WhC41MxQzVnU8zUak5rTO0W_VRwr2drdItii-Ckg8vPO_BFRdgiuD8uTVgySMdm3c7rvlPOYg8O25_a1Vd5CjsJPm7CCsG/s1600/IMG_0738+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuxDT7Ra7lNkuOZxRkbIp3vjYpK2ygaIuT8-TgwlqJye5F3WhC41MxQzVnU8zUak5rTO0W_VRwr2drdItii-Ckg8vPO_BFRdgiuD8uTVgySMdm3c7rvlPOYg8O25_a1Vd5CjsJPm7CCsG/s1600/IMG_0738+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Life as it were </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">surrenders</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">dropping in dazzling color,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Fading </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">to a pleasing, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">fallen, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">crunchy brown.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEaRzRIzven-7aK0ALw_YEsYJ44FOaexe9_j4hqV-34s3jWK1HVI7GoVpfNihhrSizJseiZ70MSMJDGEc0Xe672d135htqp2FImXc8E7V9AXCrOA1K-LJUbYtNU_PJugvl3ItGXp1wz3A/s1600/IMG_1776+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEaRzRIzven-7aK0ALw_YEsYJ44FOaexe9_j4hqV-34s3jWK1HVI7GoVpfNihhrSizJseiZ70MSMJDGEc0Xe672d135htqp2FImXc8E7V9AXCrOA1K-LJUbYtNU_PJugvl3ItGXp1wz3A/s1600/IMG_1776+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Moving fast into winter—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Barren and cold and strikingly beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">(Those tired smiles are genuine and true.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX04eQ0GbiGMJHscXjtTehBkmeFFha8u6X0DxHumQ-ry7c5iJ-xN3srGbAqiOT-QlHQW9cEqV7DYt5jQEuvPnAVchPlDF6aDFdphs-DT23Ekgl327Ko0cBoorU63szEYgbLyathzCqv7W/s1600/DSCN1436+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX04eQ0GbiGMJHscXjtTehBkmeFFha8u6X0DxHumQ-ry7c5iJ-xN3srGbAqiOT-QlHQW9cEqV7DYt5jQEuvPnAVchPlDF6aDFdphs-DT23Ekgl327Ko0cBoorU63szEYgbLyathzCqv7W/s1600/DSCN1436+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Inside </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">the life rings grow, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">the roots deepen, </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The days stretch out—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Long and gray.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We long.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We hope.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We wonder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Will spring come?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">And then…</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">One day it does! Buds popping, trees leafing, sun shining, winds blowing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJooFzfBzf32jLNYNHvcwxhoSEiG5dziwTMpZKsU_MrVBHOy8MTkEGX-At9jqHYF1ApY4NTK2KF3hvpOPKopbyQvXsqh9N_aE8K6wR99-wDG8GJ708urhNKJKC1vfxGZ7ZeH-oDSKDE5Fz/s1600/WT+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJooFzfBzf32jLNYNHvcwxhoSEiG5dziwTMpZKsU_MrVBHOy8MTkEGX-At9jqHYF1ApY4NTK2KF3hvpOPKopbyQvXsqh9N_aE8K6wR99-wDG8GJ708urhNKJKC1vfxGZ7ZeH-oDSKDE5Fz/s1600/WT+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">We </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">rush </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">into </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">ALL </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">THIS </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">as </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">if </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">for </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">the </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">first </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">time!</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEHtaIdLEtCkacHVcQMLAZXL1xwS8DzfMU5QKn4Xc7kfKvIjhlEqv_lXCW2JpyegMX6ZX3f7R1uIBYDmDtNemOdISqYbPhQMuLIyH-7_lkQeZ_4WXgv0JdC4e6lhH0el9Ry9TCd79unko/s1600/WT+2+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEHtaIdLEtCkacHVcQMLAZXL1xwS8DzfMU5QKn4Xc7kfKvIjhlEqv_lXCW2JpyegMX6ZX3f7R1uIBYDmDtNemOdISqYbPhQMuLIyH-7_lkQeZ_4WXgv0JdC4e6lhH0el9Ry9TCd79unko/s1600/WT+2+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><b><i>Eager</i></b> a<i>s the little ones who lead the way</i> to exploring LIFE! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">New and fresh and gloriously abundant again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we embrace the seasons of life in all their beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we do may we trust that God uses each with skillful purpose growing us more into the image of Christ as we allow Him to work in and through us.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-88046534949920867842014-04-25T10:18:00.000-04:002014-04-25T20:26:29.247-04:00Freedom Calls<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I wrote a poem in response to reading <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+25&version=NASB">Isaiah 25</a> a few months back. </span><span style="color: black;">The joy and freedom seem especially appropriate to me for this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_year#Easter_season">Easter</a> season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“The unassailable fortifications of your walls He will bring down, lay low and cast to the ground, even to the dust”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+25&version=NASB">Isaiah 25:12 </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvzvQskp5wKH788t0naVhtB1f_SLbZSnMhMzfeZJnG8cb3teeZmxBOX1EWS1Sv1XJVYRfemiiHecaq-cEqZ8HXcF9mN8PVTHXF81w0SJKoEvYfQSzFciyiuG_Fr4nOkphiTjGW4cEogGi/s1600/DSCN2175+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvzvQskp5wKH788t0naVhtB1f_SLbZSnMhMzfeZJnG8cb3teeZmxBOX1EWS1Sv1XJVYRfemiiHecaq-cEqZ8HXcF9mN8PVTHXF81w0SJKoEvYfQSzFciyiuG_Fr4nOkphiTjGW4cEogGi/s1600/DSCN2175+by+Jason+Holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I peek out from behind the citadel </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">In hopeful wonder, I hear His words:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Let’s break down the walls! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come to the feast!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;">(A place where the fear, the schedules, the life, the friendships</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>are handed over to One who knows the way to thrive.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come eat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come drink! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come LIVE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come enjoy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Come trust me with all things—the cares, the woes, the joys and sorrows, the dreams!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Could there really be a place for me </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">At such a table, so full and inviting?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I hear Him now,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Freedom calls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">He says,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Come out!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I pause and call,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“What if I can’t—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The locks, rusty and old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Will you…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Can you break me out like a maid trapped in a fairy tale?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Oh yes!” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">He responds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“The stones will roll at my command.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Then break away!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I want to sit with you at your table today!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I say with longing delight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">A voice rumbles like thunder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The walls!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">They fall down!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">He is running toward me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I am running toward Him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We meet in His wide open arms. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">He holds me close and whispers </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Of the journey ahead</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The way out through the rubble all around.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“Stay close!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk near!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">There will be nothing to fear</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Though the way may be treacherous all ‘round.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">In freedom, now walk!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Follow me, Dear.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">You’ll know the way by My path of Light.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Ever closer you’ll shine because you are Mine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">A beacon to draw others near.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We’ll be a winsome, formidable pair</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Speak to them of freedom and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Invite them to the feast.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It will be a lavish banquet—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">A wedding celebration.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">The guests once Lost in darkness, now Found in Light.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Those once Least, greeted joyously in places of Honor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">“It sounds so marvelous.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I muse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">We’ll tell the story of Love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Then we’ll dance,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Him and me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Evermore and evermore.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we allow Christ to cause the walls of pain and hurt and sin to fall down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we find Him holding us steady and with Him freedom that is full of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we walk with Him sharing the story of Love He has written on our hearts.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">P.S. The really fun photo is courtesy of my husband and his trip to Krakow, Poland. It is a photo from his tour of Wawel Castle.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-53000482126186118282014-04-11T10:53:00.001-04:002014-04-11T10:53:34.455-04:00Faithful<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Most days, I spend time praying for my little “life of grace” using the <a href="http://www.inspiredtoaction.com/wp-content/uploads/kat/I2A_Prayer_Calendar.pdf">Inspired to Action Prayer Calendar</a></span><a href="http://./"><span style="color: black;">.</span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today the attribute was faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Faithful, God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is faithful.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of this poem I crafted a few years ago while spending time reading <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+103%3A1-5&version=NIV">Psalm 103:1-5</a> at a Last Wednesday service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">God you are good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So good.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Nothing escapes your notice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Observing all</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">You<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>take care to provide for everything I need—</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Right now and all eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Faithful, God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">You are faithful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I treasure you for you have done great things—</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">For me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Around me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">In me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">How beautiful the works of your hands.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I marvel.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I worship you.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwewkhKYo11F4Z1bEdCOUmNe3_4sLrqdUvZ4gAS2poIyRpBPqzrt36-ULsnHmfq65jDJEHEKh1N6xTZA5NNJTCYoarJqFF7axc8NY5yNIUarNS9HCB4xL_yl1SciY05L9j8d-_uzvPa3Ru/s1600/IMG_1091+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwewkhKYo11F4Z1bEdCOUmNe3_4sLrqdUvZ4gAS2poIyRpBPqzrt36-ULsnHmfq65jDJEHEKh1N6xTZA5NNJTCYoarJqFF7axc8NY5yNIUarNS9HCB4xL_yl1SciY05L9j8d-_uzvPa3Ru/s1600/IMG_1091+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we know God’s goodness, witness God’s faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we respond in worship through all we do.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
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<![endif]--></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-1632662597555042432014-04-05T20:44:00.000-04:002014-04-05T20:44:08.456-04:00Wear Love<span style="color: black;">We sit side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pen is in hand to capture the thoughts we will share when we gather round loved ones to bless as two plan to become one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It has been eight years (this week!) since I said yes and we looked with great anticipation toward the late summer day when we would say “I do” as they do now. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I ask what words we will speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">What is it we have learned in eight years worth passing along?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Wanting to be prepared and growing agitated I suggest we stop and pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grumbles. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“Well if you don’t want to talk to God I will<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,” </i>I say in a sing-song voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“Nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stole that line right out of my playbook,” he retorts with a smile.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reply with a grin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We slow and pause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We try to get our hearts right before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bring our friends before Him. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Lord, what is it that two hearts preparing to be knit together as one need to know? What have you taught us?</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I share how I’m thinking of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+3%3A12-14&version=NIV">Colossians</a> and <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2%3A18-25&version=NIV">Genesis</a> and what it means to live in unity as one flesh before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells me he likes the sound of that.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I wonder what thoughts he has and I have no idea why he says I am better at this than he is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lives love so much better than I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is patient with me when I exasperate…sometimes intentionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He steps in and does what I fail to do—from making dinner, to humility, forgiveness, and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I have so much to learn from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell him so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He quips back about how he has just the verse.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="text">“Better to live on a corner of the roof</span> </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs+21%3A9&version=NIV">Proverbs 21:9</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">I scowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">He tells me he would be sitting on the addition roof with his porter if he really felt that way about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">With a poke, I ask him what he would say, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seriously,</i> to our friends.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">He tells me his words to them would be:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marriage takes work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t do it alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live in community that will support you in loving one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage will be the hardest thing you ever decide to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will also be the best. So work at loving each other well.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I smile at his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are true to the way he lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also think about how they complement and fill in what it looks like, practically, when unity is lived out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bring out the best in one another. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">“We are a good team,” I tell him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I think about how this is as it is meant to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Two people come together in love and are united as one flesh before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This oneness is a mystery that He works in us as we lay down our lives (our time, our pride, our way) for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a mystery that runs deeper than the joining of two bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is oneness of heart and purpose and vision for life <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">together</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes as we seek Christ; both of us yielded and open and focused on Him, we write our story together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And it is beautiful.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is what we have learned to practice in eight years.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Wear love.</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>“So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond all things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+3%3A12-14+&version=NASB">Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB)</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It comes down to this, dear ones. Put on love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we live united in Christ by wearing love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we find great joy in oneness as we go where the Holy Spirit leads us.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-38190597781080499662014-03-28T09:00:00.000-04:002014-03-28T09:00:05.729-04:00It Stands Forever<span style="color: black;">She had Alzheimer’s disease, my grandmother—Hazel.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">In the time before she passed away my mom read <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1&version=NIV">Romans</a> to her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Romans, that book which tells it </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+3&version=NIV">like it is.</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+3&version=NIV"> </a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There is none righteous, not even one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Romans, that book which tells of </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+3&version=NIV">grace through faith in Christ. </a></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Romans, that book which tells of </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5&version=NIV">hope.</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+5&version=NIV"> </a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,<sup> </sup>through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>perseverance, character; and character, hope.</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Romans, that book which encourages us to </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12&version=NIV">live life as worship, changed,</a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+8&version=NIV">free and following the Holy Spirit.</a></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[…]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text">Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. <sup> </sup>Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Romans, that book which reminds us to </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12&version=NIV">live love.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I still remember my mom describing the peace that it brought to her mother.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I marveled, thinking of this as I stood in front of the kitchen sink reading the verse from John: <span style="color: #0b5394;">“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” </span></span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+1%3A5&version=NIV">John 1:5</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For Grandma, it was God’s word that remained a source of strength when the familiarity of life gave way to darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This was something my mother seemed to know intuitively.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">It’s funny that I should remember all this before sitting down to read this in Isaiah:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">“All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely the people are grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span style="color: orange;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+40%3A6-8&version=NASB">Isaiah 40:6-8 </a></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life sweeps through our bodies—growing, learning, blossoming, living—full and abundant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">My grandmother was a lover of algebra, a crafter, a baker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was well past doing these things during my lifetime; but I think we would have enjoyed one another, because these are all things I have enjoyed too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From stories my mom has shared my grandma had a servant’s heart; and reading between the lines I think she must have been rather feisty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think of my mother and my sister—these women are like her also.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">When I was very little my grandmother lived at home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a few memories of that time—the one I remember most clearly, Grandma got sick when we were out on an errand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many more memories after Grandma was moved to a nearby nursing home where we visited on the weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday, my mother would wet and wind up Grandma’s hair in thin loops, before putting it in bobby-pins to curl overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a time of cartoons, hide-and-seek, visiting and exploration of the nursing home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday, we would return to brush out Grandma’s curls, feed her lunch, and watch American Gladiators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of time has passed since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The grass withers, the flower fades</i>—and so do we, some quickly and others over a long period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alzheimer’s disease being a neurodegenerative disorder took its toll over years on Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">But this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As her body was failing, as her mind stopped functioning in the here and now, it was God’s word that brought my Grandma peace and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The word of the Lord stands forever.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Forever, breaking through to Grandma’s heart, holding firm when memories faded and life was confusing and lonely and not the way she remembered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people cared for her and did all the things she once did for herself and was humbled to let them do for her.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ, The Word, who lives—a sure hope that one day all things will be made new, including her mind and body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the word lived out in the lives of His people, led by the Holy Spirit—serving her out of love.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">The word of the Lord stands forever.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I take courage from this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I delight in this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give thanks for this bedrock truth that a life can stand upon when life itself is so very different from all one has ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The word of the Lord stands forever…</i>bringing peace and life and hope even at the end.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we trust that the word of the Lord stands forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we steep in it and find that we are like the tree planted by streams of water yielding fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we find that whatever rains and floods come we are firmly set on a foundation that will last.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-6733005824353052292014-02-14T09:35:00.001-05:002014-04-25T10:19:15.326-04:00Heavenly Valentine<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Happy Valentine’s Day!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Receive God’s great love for you today by giving thanks for His most precious gift.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203%3A16&version=NLT"><span style="color: #e69138;">- John 3:16 </span></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Will you be mine?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A Heavenly Valentine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">What a lovely way </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">To spend such a day</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Wrapped up in the embrace</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Of the one who took my disgrace</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">And calls me beloved.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I am Yours.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">You are mine.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song+of+Songs+2%3A4&version=NIV"><span style="color: black;">And Your banner over me is LOVE.</span></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we celebrate God’s great love for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we enjoy Him and respond by loving as God has loved us in Christ.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-59141839286823365722014-02-07T14:35:00.000-05:002014-02-07T14:35:29.098-05:00Just One of Those Days<span style="color: black;">I have been working on a post today, but it will have to wait until next week. It has been put on hold while I have been <i>becoming</i> adept at learning about jumping a car. Mine to be exact. Twice to be specific. Yes, it appears that you have to let the vehicle run for 30 minutes after it is started. My poor husband pushed my car out into the street twice, blocking traffic and being an all around wonderfully patient man.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">See you next week!</span><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance when the day doesn't go as we planned. May we receive it with a laugh and words of thanks for the people who help us through all that comes.</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-32545906941326528512014-01-31T20:59:00.000-05:002014-01-31T20:59:22.522-05:00Boundaries with Kids: A Book Review<span style="color: black;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black;">It was nearly four years ago that I first read </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454"><span style="color: orange;">Boundaries</span></a><span style="color: black;"> by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I can honestly say that it was one of the most practical and useful books I have ever read about relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that what I read impacted the way I encouraged leaders in ministry, communicated with my family, and saw the way I engaged in conflict with Jason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">For a long time afterwards, I could be found running about town saying over and over again in different situations, “I have boundary issues” or “That sounds like a boundary issue to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m like this when it comes to things I have enjoyed, find stretching, and want to put into practice—moving information from my head to my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So when my Little Love arrived late last spring, one of the books I knew I wanted to read was</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Children-Control-Their-Lives/dp/B002V6N5T4/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391217800&sr=1-4&keywords=boundaries+with+kids"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="color: orange;">Boundaries with Kids</span></span></a><span style="color: black;">.*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I borrowed it from the library and finished it this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a book I plan to order and keep on my shelf so I am able to return to it again and again and again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The guiding principles of this book are 10 Biblical boundaries that help us live healthy lives in relationship with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the same boundaries as in the </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454">Boundaries</a></span><span style="color: black;"> book; however, the focus in this book is how parents help their children to develop boundaries as they grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this way, they begin to take control of their lives in ways that are appropriate for their stage of development—from infancy all the way through adolescence and beyond.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">As I read, I found myself thinking about my boundary issues once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good reminder that I <i>still</i> have boundary issues and I <i>still </i>need to work on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about how some of my boundary issues developed as I considered my parents and their own boundary issues, alongside their parenting challenges with me and my siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fascinating and left me feeling compassionate toward them as I realized that many of their own boundary issues have much to do with their own upbringing as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of this, I thought a lot about the many years ahead of me with my Little Love and parenting with boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t recommend a book more highly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There were many concepts that I found interesting, but there are two that I want to take hold of and begin to put into practice as I parent my baby right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">First,<u> <b><i>it is a child’s job to test boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my job, as the parent, to keep them in place.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b><i> </i></b> </span></u>This may seem very obvious, but I can already tell that this will be difficult to practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In reflecting, I realize that I have lived and still often live trying to have others like me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That mode of operation does not really work here all of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have to deal with disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have to deal with anger and frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will have to remind myself that this is okay, because sometimes doing the right thing will not be what my Little Love wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In the midst of this, I will be helping her to learn to deal with the emotions that we all feel sometimes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Still being an infant, most of my parenting up to this point has involved creating a safe and loving home and redirecting my baby, not dealing with boundary issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have seen this principle at play with nap time over the last three months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has taken time to train her, but now my Little Love goes down awake for most of her naps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey to get to this point was painfully hard, trying to decide if her fussing was crying and if she was crying because she wanted me to come back into the room or because she really needed something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Persevering has been worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she fusses and sometimes cries a little when it takes her a little while to fall asleep, but then she sleeps well and wakes up happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I want to remember this small success when we have moved on to more difficult types of boundary issues!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The second thing I want to hang onto is <b><i>the need to be surrounded with community.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S<i>ometimes putting boundaries into action is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sticking to boundaries can be hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be really hard and still be the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Community is there to encourage me when I need to vent, to cry, to be frustrated with and still love my child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I have some wonderful friends who have done life with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have been a source of much needed wisdom and encouragement when I have needed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am reminded<b><i> <u>I need to be intentional</u></i> </b>in this season of life where our paths do not cross as often anymore<i><b> <u>to seek out support so that my parenting is not done in a vacuum.</u></b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b> </b></i> </span><i>I need to be surrounded by other moms who want to seek Christ as they parent and lift one another and our children up before Him and give thanks and plead for mercy as we walk through the trials of the moment.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I thought of all this when I heard two young girls pushing their mama’s buttons at Kroger yesterday in the checkout lane next to mine, I listened as she tried to juggle their energy and a conveyor of groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched them leave the store knocking one another about, one falling in front of my cart, and I saw this mama get frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart went out to her as I remembered being that child to my own mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I also may have just begun talking about this book on boundaries and how it is the kids job to test them with the person was walking nearby as I wheeled my own Little Love to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that she was so glad her kids were grown and I hoped as I was putting groceries into the back seat that at the end of this season with my baby girl that I will be glad I embraced the challenge of raising her with boundaries.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be yours in abundance as you pursue healthy relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God guide you in the midst of frustration to a place of health in the midst of the loving encouragement of community.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">*I discovered that there is an updated version of the book as I was writing this post. It was put out three years after the version I read. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is as I write out a card for his special day that I begin to think of the many memories we have made in the last 10 years. I am so thankful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I begin to feel it surging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is in the thoughts of driving back and forth becoming friends, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">of falling in love, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">of adventures together </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">the awareness grows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is in the thoughts of how blessed I am to have someone beside me who is not afraid to speak truth in love, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">to push me toward growth, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">to encourage me,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">to point me once again toward Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">It is in the thoughts of his character and the way he lives daily <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+5%3A21-33&version=NIV">an example of Christ’s love</a> that I become aware that my heart is so full of love.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5cJOhFluCXajoKD8XcQy6JC6A5uMQU4TAWPPeCdlVZm6CbG3xQhIRX_yV9scMBrf6lF4RAQJfmQCoGAyJwPlUIVj48xJ-lFqXZ4SQMFVK0DrPUhfdIeCFNiw_MSpdeIUbUUAnhA0rRxb/s1600/IMG_0681+by+J+Holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5cJOhFluCXajoKD8XcQy6JC6A5uMQU4TAWPPeCdlVZm6CbG3xQhIRX_yV9scMBrf6lF4RAQJfmQCoGAyJwPlUIVj48xJ-lFqXZ4SQMFVK0DrPUhfdIeCFNiw_MSpdeIUbUUAnhA0rRxb/s1600/IMG_0681+by+J+Holmes.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">A heart full of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I stop to consider it, I wonder how I can bear it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">I think about it a minute and wonder if any of us were ever meant to bear a heart so full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;">What if hearts are made to fill to bursting so that we must share our love with others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I think of this and smile, letting my heart burst.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”</span></span></b></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+thessalonians+3%3A12&version=NIV"><span class="text"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-1 Thessalonians 3:12</span></a></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as the love for our dear ones grows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we find that it increases to overflowing, spilling out over everyone else we meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All because He first loved us.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text" style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16864748121099034261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2732460046567129600.post-19765959937395937142014-01-17T20:50:00.002-05:002014-01-24T10:40:59.551-05:00Blessed are the Poor<span style="color: black;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="color: black;">It was as I was driving back from a trip to the store for a few baby items that I saw her sitting on a bench holding out her cardboard sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was bundled in a coat and scarf, with bare hands holding the words “Anything Helps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temperature was chilly, but not terribly cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it a bit odd as the only people I had seen there before were waiting for the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I looked at her,<i> <a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-i-do-have.html">really</a></i><a href="http://abecominglife.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-i-do-have.html"> looked</a> and got all knotted up inside as I recalled that I did not have any food packs in my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had recently finished making up the latest batch, but they were sitting inside the front room at my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A year or two ago, I would have run home and circled back, but life with an infant makes it a bit harder to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I offered her a smile, lifted up a prayer, and when I got home I moved the packs to just inside the front door so I would see them next time I left the house.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ74lXzDNlh0h53ke2x5NoLNPkJu1luVevVqum2Pd5D7CeyEOKOXtnnges8GTc-GvYe3HPpGQ1i1WWjuW9HyiFHlLBpaAfTgC709yE_9gOPSdX4n_KuFsboTYXz8iJu5p6tpOIrLN_j4f/s1600/IMG_2127+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ74lXzDNlh0h53ke2x5NoLNPkJu1luVevVqum2Pd5D7CeyEOKOXtnnges8GTc-GvYe3HPpGQ1i1WWjuW9HyiFHlLBpaAfTgC709yE_9gOPSdX4n_KuFsboTYXz8iJu5p6tpOIrLN_j4f/s1600/IMG_2127+by+jessica+holmes.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I think of this as I listen to <a href="http://www.crossroads.net/my/media/playVideo.php&idMedia=2349">the story of Bartimaeus</a> again.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.</span> <span id="en-NIV-24636"><span class="text"><sup> </sup>When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span id="en-NIV-24637"><span class="text">Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">Jesus stopped and said, </span><span class="woj">“Call him.”</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”</span> <span id="en-NIV-24639"><span class="text"><sup> </sup>Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.</span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="woj">“What do you want me to do for you?”</span><span class="text"> Jesus asked him.</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text">The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="woj">“Go,”</span><span class="text"> said Jesus, </span><span class="woj">“your faith has healed you.”</span><span class="text"> Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A46-52&version=NIV"><span class="text">Mark 10:46-52 NIV</span></a></span></div>
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<b><i><span class="text" style="color: black;">Bartimaeus calls out and will not be quieted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the face of opposition he is persistent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus stops.</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">In her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Along-Journey-Intimate-Faith/dp/1400073529">Come Along</a>, Jane Rubietta writes of this moment:</span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">“He throws away his cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were blind, you would never do this, because if you let go of your cloak, you lose your primary possession, the one thing that keeps you warm on a cold night, cushions your seat, pillows your head, perhaps even collects the fruit of your beggings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">No hesitation: he scrambles to his feet with the nimbleness born of desperation and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not begging for crumbs or coins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is asking for what only one person can give him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man who just walked down the road.</span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Bartimaeus moves carefully to where Jesus’s voice sounded and halts in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks.</span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">What a world-opening, eye-opening question.</span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">Bartimaeus sucks in a huge breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all or nothing. And he leaps into that chasm called faith: “Rabbi, I want to see.”</span></div>
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<span class="text" style="color: black;">There it is, out in the open, for everyone else to see too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What gall!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What temerity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What gumption for this beggar, this street person, to call out to the very Messiah, the miracle worker who walked the streets and talked with anyone, so different from a regular king or other royalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ask for a miracle, to ask to see.” (p.49-50, 2008, used with permission)</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCgmuKHBHghZ6554j7fVSv8rD2e2An5FahZ_PVGhBHavcltKNLlB321mDqRehC1pH1tE7GUEoZ97y1gnGtHgf7Dr4D-zwKra9d2VY_C9J9zDbJhhyewIurBDbVEWe4fJB83KF0D5GSTCb/s1600/IMG_2203+by+jessica+holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCgmuKHBHghZ6554j7fVSv8rD2e2An5FahZ_PVGhBHavcltKNLlB321mDqRehC1pH1tE7GUEoZ97y1gnGtHgf7Dr4D-zwKra9d2VY_C9J9zDbJhhyewIurBDbVEWe4fJB83KF0D5GSTCb/s1600/IMG_2203+by+jessica+holmes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Download the template for my food pack cards <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3RGLAQPnJyzZFJSTnNZc1dNcDg/edit">here</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">I think of the woman on the bench again, with her desire right out there on a cardboard sign for all to see.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black;">“Anything helps.”</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In baring her heart, is she being brave?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manipulative?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honest?</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">Is it desperation that brings her here to this place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black;">Could it be that she, too, wants a miracle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></i><span style="color: black;">I wonder.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black;">Could it be that she is calling out in the only way she knows how in this busy world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I wonder at her poverty and think of Jesus’ words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A20&version=NIV">Luke 6:20</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">I wonder about Jesus’ words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;"><i>I wonder about my own poverty.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i> </i></span><i>Where am I poor in spirit?</i></span><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: black;">What would my cardboard sign say on it today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">Could it be this woman with the sign is more in touch with her own poverty than I am right now?</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows what she wants.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;">Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u><i><span style="color: black;">Am I desperate enough to reveal the desire of my heart for all to see and bring it to the Messiah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I even know what it is? </span></i></u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><i>Blessing waits on the other side of this revelation. Healing waits.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Do I want it?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: black;">Will I receive what Jesus gives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;">If I do, might it be that he will open my eyes to the signs written by hand on cardboard and others written on the hearts of the people I encounter each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jEzckF9SEV6r3TgBkCrvm_yrEShLpN-ChHV-UnIzpMnIfq9neawmjrtTsYaktJEZYbZsC8RG1jCrRu-jllguqosATfmniiHT5pbhBNIKbBxksiHjnJtP1UA-gccQrs0gYLsIdVOhZQHP/s1600/IMG+by+Missi+Kershner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jEzckF9SEV6r3TgBkCrvm_yrEShLpN-ChHV-UnIzpMnIfq9neawmjrtTsYaktJEZYbZsC8RG1jCrRu-jllguqosATfmniiHT5pbhBNIKbBxksiHjnJtP1UA-gccQrs0gYLsIdVOhZQHP/s1600/IMG+by+Missi+Kershner.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Missi Kershner, used with permission.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Do I want to bless others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”</span></b> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A12-14&version=NIV">John 14:12-14 TNIV </a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Perhaps the woman with the sign is waiting for the blessing that will come as I identify my own poverty, receive the miracle of the heart, and allow the Spirit to work in me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I consider this and bring to Jesus a longing to be fully present in the moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">I receive and along with Bartimaeus, I follow Jesus down the road.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we bring our desires to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we receive the miracle and find that in our poverty, He gives us the kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we live changed--following Jesus, allowing His Spirit to work in us, making us a blessing to everyone we meet.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy a free download of the insert that I created for food packs <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3RGLAQPnJyzZFJSTnNZc1dNcDg/edit?usp=sharing">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can print them on cardstock, color them (or let your kids color them) and cut them down to size or be a little more creative than that as time allows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food packs are put together in a quart size bag include a fruit cup, a can of Vienna sausages, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, a mint, a utensil pack, and a card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We keep bottles of water on hand to go with them. </span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>“When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel, and settle them in their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The peoples will take them along and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them as an inheritance in the land of the Lord as male and female servants; and they will take their captors captive and will rule over their oppressors.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Isaiah 14:1-2</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I have been reading<b> </b>Isaiah lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of prophesied trouble I have been gripped by the promises of the Lord and His heart for all people. As I was reading the passage above, this poem was the song God wrote on my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let us laugh with gaiety in the Promised Land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let us sing praise with our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let us work with purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let us open our arms wide </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all who want to join </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we enjoy our inheritance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">We the chosen ones </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who move with compassion</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward the poor and captive and blind and oppressed</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bringing favor and freedom</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sealed with the kiss of mercy and a humble Love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let it be.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Let it be.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YdIZYEKCvB46VXcHNuJZ-4rHEClOobu-E0dBV35EzCekb82Rncgva0Kc2_WmenH5-eG9RBZezWXAC9T-rw_lOcjFlMFNjv4tO5v5iCcgElUAqIfQ21OOpvNqQita5ueWYnsGyUqOOvua/s1600/IMG_3193+by+J+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YdIZYEKCvB46VXcHNuJZ-4rHEClOobu-E0dBV35EzCekb82Rncgva0Kc2_WmenH5-eG9RBZezWXAC9T-rw_lOcjFlMFNjv4tO5v5iCcgElUAqIfQ21OOpvNqQita5ueWYnsGyUqOOvua/s1600/IMG_3193+by+J+Holmes.jpg" height="514" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;">Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we dance to the movements of the Holy Spirit who leads us in ways of compassion and love towards all he puts in our path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we be the hands and feet of Jesus bringing favor and freedom to each one.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Jessica :)</span></div>
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