tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85136575851821126682024-02-07T02:38:22.400-08:00BookmarksNotes of life's lessons, reflections, and praise.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-35513840905054864202016-05-27T12:59:00.003-07:002016-05-27T16:43:29.903-07:00Germany, '15-'16<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://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12244796_10153046777251504_151409946818849663_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12244796_10153046777251504_151409946818849663_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Friedrichshafen, where I live! This was taken on a cloudy day; it's normally much more beautiful and bright looking!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“How was Germany?”</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That question reminds me of another short, complex question that gets asked a lot: “How are you?” </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The short answer is, good. To both of those. God is good, and I’m a recipient of His goodness. So I am doing well. And Germany was a good experience; still continues to be. It was good because God is good and He never leaves me or forsakes me.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Truth be told, I’m sort of afraid to try to write a post about how Germany was because I’m afraid of taking WAY too long to explain it, or perhaps boring you, or taking a ton of your time with my many words. It’s easier to listen than to read, I find – and even sometimes I feel like listening is hard, if you’re like me and the sound of your own thoughts is like a major highway going through your head while you try to concentrate.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ah, well. I have been asked how Germany was, so I’ll try to answer. Feel free to pretend you’re having coffee with me (because this is a coffee kind of conversation). For accuracy, you can imagine me to be distracted, focused, content, and discontent all at once (you can ask my why I say that another time). When I’m full of thought (which I am right now), it will take me forever to finish my coffee, which is very unusual for me (if there is a beverage in front of me, I generally finish it in record time). I’ll mostly be looking at the walls and ceilings, squinting as I search for the right words and probably using my hands a lot to gesture what I can’t express. I might seem like I’m trying to look through the walls into some distant world. Occasionally, I’ll make good eye contact with you and say, “Do you know what I mean??” I might seem kind of agitated when I do that.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Regardless, here goes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why have I been in Germany? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, I’m working at a Bible school there.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What is my job?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m an R.A. Well, I’m on the Bible school team. Which means I’m an R.A. and I just help with the general smooth running of Bible school. Everything from paperwork to errands to relationships/mentoring, to organizing school trips and making sure that people vacuum when and where they’re supposed to.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What have I learned?</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">BOOM. Wow, how can I even…? There are a lot of things, some of which I probably don’t even know yet. But here are the ones that stick out to me:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span lang="EN-CA">I’ve learned that I need to set my eyes ahead, above, and before me. </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">“It is difficult to move forward when you’re looking behind you.” That came to me one day as I was stressing about my life. I’ve learned that I need to not look at the present, or the past, for the promises of my future – But to recognize that the Lord is good, and He is always ahead of me. I always have some good to look forward to because, well, He’s always in front of me, and He’s always good. Simple as that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span lang="EN-CA">I have been humbled to learn that familiar truths aren’t limited to familiar packages. </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">It is hard to even explain in what ways. It’s like I was unplugged from the “outlet” of my home, culture, and family, and I was running on “Battery power” for the first little while of being there. I felt the drain of being away from constant familiarity, yet trying to be strong, I kept reminding myself to trust that the power inside of me is strong enough; it is Christ, who never runs out. (Which is true.) However… It’s been a good learning curve for me to realize that an outlet as a power source (if I may continue with that analogy) is just a means of conveying energy. The outlet isn’t, in and of itself, electricity. It’s just the means by which I get connected to it. Being in Europe, the outlets are different; the people are different. I need an adapter to plug my computer in over there – and similarly, I have had to adapt to new people. I’m learning that I don’t have to run on battery power to survive; in fact, it’s best if I don’t. I have been learning to adapt to being a good student in a new place, willing to learn from a new sort of outlet. And in so doing, I’ve learned that Jesus is the same through both – Though they are different shapes and sizes, it is the same power that comes through them. That has been so good for me. Jesus doesn’t always look the same on the outside, but He IS the same on the inside. I can’t put Jesus into a box and say that “The Lord and his work are always going to look like this.” I can, however, put Him into my life, and that changes, empowers, and strengthens me – in a powerful sort of way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span lang="EN-CA">I’ve been challenged, and encouraged, to be reminded that Love isn’t passive. </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">God isn’t passive. He doesn’t just let me do what I want to my own destruction, but He challenges and corrects me because He loves me and He wants me to make choices and live life in a way that will lead to my greater blessing. I’ve been challenged that I need to learn to love like that. That I can’t be passive. I can’t just, when it is my privilege and responsibility to speak up, let people do what hurts them without saying something- even though, I know, most of the time I am sure I will not be met with gratitude. No one likes to be corrected or challenged. But we all need it. I have learned that there is a time to be silent… But there is also a time to speak. When a word is empowered by Love, light breaks out. Light exposes the truth. It’s challenging for me to recognize this – In some ways, I know that learning to love like this is a way to sign myself up for losing friends or not being very popular. But I’m praying that God give me love that cannot be silent when it ought to speak. To speak a word of judgment is <b><u>never</u></b> my place; but to speak a word of love, for the betterment of its hearer, is the best thing I can do. I must learn to speak with love, lest my tongue be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Cor. 13); I need to learn to love like Jesus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Other than that- I've traveled. I've seen new places, met new people, and been BLOWN AWAY by the miracle of these privileges in my life. God has better plans for me than I ever could have had for myself! And being overseas has shown me that big time. </span><br />
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I've made friends, and I've been befriended. What a blessing. I'm so thankful for those who chose to befriend me over there- you guys, if you're reading this, have been one of the biggest experiences of joy and grace in my life.</div>
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I've been discipled. The staff at Bodenseehof have taken me underwing and have been the hands, feet, and words of Christ to me.</div>
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And... Well, I've been challenged. Challenged to think differently, challenged to confront and resolve rather than run away and wait for things to disappear. I've been challenged in practical ways; I've driven a car in Germany and I have had to run errands, using EXTREMELY broken German to (try to) communicate... hehe.<br />
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All of these thing are an expression of God's grace to me; may I continue and ever more learn to be thankful for them!</div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">…I guess that’s the gist of it. I’ve met so many great people that I could tell you about, and I’ve had a lot of great adventures. But none of those things carry the value of walking with the Lord, and the things He’s taught me through that. I’m excited to go back to Germany. I’m excited to learn more from Jesus in that setting, through those outlets. I’m excited to see how he’s going to change me further. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanks for listening, and for asking. I appreciate your interest in my life. :)</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love,</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--Naomi</span></div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-8365555145993433792016-02-03T06:31:00.000-08:002016-04-14T20:13:07.755-07:00Yet the Lord Takes Thought for Me<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-40-16" id="en-ESV-14542" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">"</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for me, I am</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14543B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14543B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">poor and needy,</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-14543C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14543C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the Lord takes thought for me.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-40-17" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; position: relative;"><b>You are my help and my deliverer;</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">do not delay, O my God!" - Psalm 40:17</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Yesterday was my day off, and as is typical on my days off, I took a walk to the Wilsons'. Walking to the Wilsons' is beautiful. </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">First</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> you cross the busy, busy street in front of our building, and walk back past the old church on a cobblestone road, past that through the little village of Fischbach, and then past that through farm land... farm houses... creeks, abandoned train tracks, and winding, small country roads.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">After about 45 minutes of that, you get to the Wilsons' - Which is an old German farm house, situated just where a tiny country road starts to head up onto a hill, topped with forest area and covered with other old farm houses and vineyards. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">As I walked, I started to think. People are all so </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">different</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">. We all have different gifts, interests, ways of thinking and behaving. Any topic that can be thought about by anyone is known by God. Every interest that could be discovered, learned, or explored is known by God. Everything we have in the way of gifts, talents, abilities - these are all gifts of God. And all of this </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">beauty around me - is created by and tended by God, who puts it all to rest every winter and brings it back to life every spring.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">...Wow.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">Thinking further, I considered that if the entire world were represented only as *I* am able to see it, it wouldn't be very big, and there wouldn't be much to explore. There wouldn't even be much to think about because my mind is limited in how far it can go. There is so much to learn, see, and think about in this world - as we can see when we look at our differences! So much more than can ever be discovered by one person. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">The world is so much bigger than my mind or my ability to comprehend. If the limit of my imagination was the limit of the earth's splendour, well, it wouldn't really be that great, would it? </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> It's far beyond that! And God knows and made it all. That, and... In a whole new sphere of understanding, he knows the spiritual realm. All of it is understood by him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Sometimes I have wondered why God ever bothers to think about me. Why *does* he care about me exactly, when there are so much more important things to do and </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">think about? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">And even if he does take thought for me, does he really care about all of my little </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">troubles</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> and trials? Why should he?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Well, looking at the grass made me realize - it's not hard for him. He who tends the grass and brings it to life every spring - who takes the time to make sure that every individual blade is unique, green, living, and ready to grace the part of the </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">earth</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> on which it stands is a testimony of the fact that, you and I are not too small to be noticed by the Lord of the universe.</span></span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><span class="text Matt-6-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">".<span style="line-height: 22px;">..</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-28" id="en-ESV-23311" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-29" id="en-ESV-23312" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">yet I tell you, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23312AU" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23312AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-30" id="en-ESV-23313" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23313AV" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23313AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>O you of little faith?</span><span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span><span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-ESV-23315" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23315AW" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the Gentiles seek after all these things, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23315AX" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-ESV-23316" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316AY" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>seek first <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316AZ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the kingdom of God and his righteousness, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316BA" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>and all these things will be added to you.</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">" - Matthew 6:28b-33</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Somehow, his big-ness is bigger than I can even begin to imagine. And somehow, encompassed in that, is a love and compassion for little people like me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I can't get my head around it. But that's ok. He can. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thank you, Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">--Naomi</span></div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-65297130993804128952015-07-15T12:43:00.000-07:002015-07-15T17:55:50.745-07:00She is Very Beautiful<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n2mY-OsHS2eIxDsoQBcR-a48tyGkqKaEwWhyphenhyphen3Ou9WYg392tMn-YHBK52CPHFjDfCyJrBRCZWNGft-T7CQhFSeTMVtLSTCd4-ibuXl8ZrXJkyLhDlZF6WCGqfZXymfe0bGvn7n6uLy_g/s1600/debshower-103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n2mY-OsHS2eIxDsoQBcR-a48tyGkqKaEwWhyphenhyphen3Ou9WYg392tMn-YHBK52CPHFjDfCyJrBRCZWNGft-T7CQhFSeTMVtLSTCd4-ibuXl8ZrXJkyLhDlZF6WCGqfZXymfe0bGvn7n6uLy_g/s640/debshower-103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I was just telling this to a friend the other day, and I wanted to write it down. So, dear blog that very few read (if any), I will write it down on you, for you are my space on the internet to do such things.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My mother is a beautiful person. She is beautiful to look at, but that is not what I mean when I say she's beautiful. That's kind of a side-note. What makes my mother beautiful is not her looks; my mom shines with the brightness of a beautiful heart. And well - When people tell me that I look like her, I am flattered... But when people tell me that I *am* like her, that is a compliment that my heart craves, and it is an honour. A dream come true. Because she *is* a beautiful person.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Perhaps you can relate to this: I find that the <i>most beautiful</i> people I know are thought of that way in my mind for their actions and their attitudes. My heart overflows with love for them, and I am so blessed to be around them, because they are just... well, beautiful people. Beautiful for who they are; not what they are.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I guess that's what Peter meant when he said, <i>"...Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious," (1 Peter 3:4)</i> and what Proverbs means when it says, <i>"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i> </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Prov. 31:30)</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I know many beautiful women, and I want to be like them. I want to have a heart so full of Jesus that when people look at me, they see Him. I want to have a heart that blesses the people around me by its love, kindness, joy, peace, patience, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Perhaps beauty was designed by the Creator to be a picture of His grace living inside of people. True beauty shines from the inside out - It is what's inside of the package that matters, not the wrapping paper on the outside. The </span>paper<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> might look pretty, but it is not the substance of the gift within.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We are all meant to be beautiful. To every girl who desires this, I say (</span>myself<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> included)-- Beauty is a gift that's given to us from heaven, as long as we'll accept the person and work of Christ. You're not just meant to look it - You're meant to </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">be</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> it. Just like a princess, a daughter of the King of kings. You can be a person of whom, when you're wrinkled with age, others will think about and say - "She is very beautiful." Because true beauty never fades; and that which flows from your heart comes out in your actions. Actions that you can see on the outside- which do look very beautiful indeed.</span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-15212500765795025652014-10-23T08:35:00.001-07:002014-10-23T08:35:54.108-07:00My Life in Germany, Part 1<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’ve been meaning for some time to sit down and and write about my time here, but… Well, it’s hard to find the time to dedicate to this purpose, but it’s also hard to know what to say. It’s been just over 6 weeks since I left home, and so much has happened! I guess I find myself slightly overwhelmed by the task of updating you on all of the details of my life in these last 6 weeks, on the one hand, and on the other I find myself wanting to go all melancholy on you and tell you all of my little joys, struggles, and the lessons I’ve been learning. It’s only been 6 weeks, yes; but a lot can happen in that time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">…Whatever, I’m just going to wing it. We’ll see how I do. :-D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">First, I’ll tell you about life here. I live in a little town called Fischbach, just outside of Friedrichshafen, Germany. My school is located in a large building connected to a dorm building, where I currently make my residence… I just realized today that I’ve been living in my room in “Suitcase” mode (my closet being the suitcase), kind of living there like I’m about to leave at any moment. That needs to change; I generally like my “House” to feel like a home, and it can’t really when you don’t… you know… decorate. Or something. :-P Anyway, I’d like to work on that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Regardless, the school building has a large common room used for lectures, church services, and a dining room, all in one. The one half of the room is set up for lectures throughout the week, and the other half is set up for meals every day. As the room is needed for other events or services, we move things around as needed to make it work for other purposes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Also at the school, we have “The Honeycomb,” a little cafe type room, where we can buy coffee and snacks when they are open, play board games, or just go sit in there to read. There is also a beautiful wooden patio off of the Honeycomb overlooking the orchard in the back, which is quite lovely, and I very much enjoy sitting out there when it is not too cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We also have a book shop/internet room, a computer room, a games room, a library, workout room, sauna, prayer room, laundry room etc… There’s always lots to do! We can also borrow bikes, canoes, and kayaks anytime we want; which is pretty sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Currently, I am sitting in one of the many little cafes in the area to write about this; I wanted to go for coffee with Jesus, so I did. He paid, and it’s lovely. :) We also have, in addition to lots of cafes, lots of shops to visit in Friedrichshafen (including H&M, which is extremely tempting when you didn’t bring that many clothes, btw…), and there is a large Superstore-esq. grocery store about a 20-30 minute walk from here as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Other than all of that, there are lots of beautiful buildings, orchards, and the lake nearby which all make for lovely walks. I have a favourite walking spot, even - which I will post pictures of…. soon. Later. Eh he. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My daily schedule looks something like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Around 7am, I get up and get ready for breakfast, which starts at 7:30 and is mandatory that we attend (not that I wouldn’t anyway, but yeah). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - After breakfast, most of the students scatter to do their daily duties (my previous duty was supper dishes, so I couldn’t do it in the morning, obviously). My current duty is table setting, so I am responsible to help about 5 other students wipe tables and chairs, and the set the tables for the next meal at the end of each meal every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Once your duty is done in the morning, you have until 9:20 to do whatever you like - At which point we have our first lecture of the day for about an hour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - After that, we have a 15 minute coffee break together, and then back to lectures for 2 more hours with a 5 minute break in between.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Then, lunch! (And setting tables…)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - After lunch, we have free time until supper. During this time, you can go into town, study, take a walk, or go to a cafe, which is what I decided to do today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - Supper is at 6, so we all meet there, and then we have free time again (unless we have duties) until 7:30, when we have 2 evening lectures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - The evening is then free, usually, to do whatever you like - there is a sauna offered for either guys or girls almost every night, and lockup is at 10:30pm, at which point you have to be out of the main building and in the dorm, headed for bed preferably. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">That is my day-by-day. We often have other events planned in the evenings instead of lectures, or special outreaches to attend instead of lectures, in which case we get the audio given to us so that we are able to catch up. We have had one test on lectures so far, and there is one more tonight - So we’ll see how that goes! We have also had one book report to hand in already, 2 memory verses every week, and now we have 2 more large writing projects and one more book report due before Christmas at various times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hm, what else can I tell you about daily life… It is interesting living with 105 other people every day, that’s for sure. And the food here is fantastic. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Other than that, you might be interested to know… </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - We hiked in the Swiss Alps (BEAUTIFUL - And hard.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - We went to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s castle at Disney World. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> - We have had an “International Night” (each country represented by the student body prepares and shows a presentation of their country), a pumpkin carving contest, a </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Film Festival Night” (we divided into groups and made videos for a movie night - so fun!), and “K-Group Olympics,” which was all of the school small groups (Or K-Groups, “K” standing for Koinonia) working together to compete in a series of games… This was a lot of fun as well, and I enjoyed it very much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Annnd… I’m sure that doesn’t even begin to cover it. But that’s all I’m going to say for now. If you have questions, feel free to post them in the comments, or send me an email. Short emails get answers faster, FYI. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thanks to all who take an interest, and especially for your prayers. I appreciate it so much. I am a little sad about how quickly the time is slipping through my fingers, but I’m excited to feel that I am exactly where God would have me be… it is so good to walk with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Love you all and bye for now,</span></div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-42170617998895879912014-09-23T12:27:00.001-07:002014-09-23T12:27:23.037-07:00Spread Your Wings, Little Bird<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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On September 10, 2014, Mom, Becky, Deborah, and Micaiah dropped me off at the Windsor airport, where I met up with Grace Bauer, my travel companion and now, good friend. Sitting there, it kind of felt like standing on the edge of a proverbial cliff, arms spread wide, taking a deep breath. Time to fly. I’ve never left home like this before, and though I’d been planning this flight for about 2 years, I could hardly believe it was here. 6 months on my own. Wow.</div>
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Grace and I arrived in Munich in the morning of September 11, 2014, where our luggage took a very long time to find us, and then we were picked up by Achim’s friend Thomas, who flagged us down with the Canadian flag that my family had given him when he came for Leah and Achim’s wedding last summer. It was pretty great. :)</div>
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From the airport, we went to Dinzler (an AMMMMAAAAZING coffee shop), which if you’ve ever talked to me before, you’ve probably heard me mention… with a lot of exclamation points. I love that place! I took a couple of pictures, but not enough.</div>
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Then, on to Austria. Thomas dropped us off at Nike and Manfred’s house, where we spent the next 8 days; 8 of the most magical days of my life. Seriously, we were so spoiled, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the time, money, and love that those people poured into us. Every minute of it will be a treasured memory to me. </div>
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To go into all of the details, well, you’ll have to ask me in person when I come home. In the meantime, however, here are some pictures from Austria!<br />
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(Note: I was going to post most of my pictures on here, but I have decided, Facebook is faster and easier. And in the interest of staying away from my computer as much as possible, Facebook wins.)<br />
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Love and bye for now,</div>
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—Naomi</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-40785954366553653732014-09-15T10:53:00.000-07:002014-09-15T11:13:39.091-07:00Step 1 - Austria!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post is mostly a test to see how my pictures look on the blog. Here's one I took today, sitting on the top of the mountain, from a hike we took in the alps!<br />
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My first stop on this trip, as I mentioned before, is visiting Austria. So - Beautiful. And the people are so wonderful; I'm being treated like gold, and I hardly know what to do with myself. Every day is like Christmas, except that it's sunny (or raining... which is also beautiful) and you can go outside in a sweater... and also, everything is gorgeous and green, and and and... there aren't words to describe how wonderful it is to be here.<br />
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God is good - and GREAT. This place is so majestic - and to think it's just a part of his creativity (a small part) playing out in his creation. Not to mention all of the wonderful individuals we are meeting and spending time with.<br />
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Ahh! :D Happy.<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-39023850573182182352014-09-08T10:33:00.004-07:002014-09-08T10:33:52.605-07:00Germany, Here I ComeYou may have heard, I am going to Germany. Leaving in 2 days, headed to Austria for a week, and then off to school at Bodenseehof, a Bible school Friedrichshafen Germany.<br />
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Wow. This is happening.<br />
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I don't have time to write a whole lot right now, but I did want to say a couple of things.<br />
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First, thank you. Thank you to all who have supported me financially, and in prayer. I so appreciate it, and your prayers are so needed especially! <br />
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Second, I wanted to make an "Announcement" (if you will) to say, I am not going to be online a whole lot while I'm away. I'm taking some time to distance myself from that... I need to focus. I am going away to "Sit at the feet of Jesus," to listen to him.<br />
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I will be updating on here occasionally (at least that is the plan), and I do want to put some pictures on the blog as well... So you can keep an eye out for that.<br />
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If you need to reach me while I am away, you can send me an email - I will be checking that occasionally, though again, I may take a while to respond... If you have to reach me quickly, please send me word through my family. <br />
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And finally, goodbye (for now). 6 months really isn't that long, so maybe by the time you notice my absence, I'll be coming home - But if I didn't get to say goodbye to you, this is my opportunity, and I'm taking it! I am so thankful for all of the people who pour so much into me. And truly, if you're reading this, I consider you one of them - I feel special that you're taking the time to keep up with me and read this.<br />
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Love and bye for now, Canada. Lord willing, I will be home soon!<br />
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--Naomi<br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-34111258361230711012014-08-23T22:30:00.000-07:002014-08-23T22:30:08.549-07:00Still Loved [Poem]<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
Sometimes when I'm struggling, I write poems... they aren't great poetry, perhaps, but for some reason I almost find it easier to express my thoughts when I write them in verses, like this. </div>
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This one was written a few weeks ago, when I was struggling... comparing myself to other people, feeling like I'm falling short, like God was disappointed in me, irritated with me, not loving me as much as some other people around me... This struggle continues, to a point... I'd be lying to say I've come through completely. But God is faithful, and I will cling to his Truth.</div>
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I know that regardless of what I say, do, or accomplish, I am still loved. My Lord knew every thought, word, and action before they ever took place, and he still died for me. </div>
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I am his.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Psalm 139:1-6</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">"O Lord, you have searched me and known me!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">You know when I sit down and when I rise up;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> you discern my thoughts from afar.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">You search out my path and my lying down</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> and are acquainted with all my ways.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Even before a word is on my tongue,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">You hem me in, behind and before,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> and lay your hand upon me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> it is high; I cannot attain it."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 8:38-39</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"For </i><i>I</i><i> </i><i>am</i><i> sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else </i><i>i</i><i>n all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God </i><i>i</i><i>n Christ Jesus our Lord."</i></span></div>
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<b><u>Still Loved</u></b></div>
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By Naomi Thomson</div>
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Confusion, selfishness, pride, envy</div>
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whirling through my mind…</div>
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Playing a game of comparisons, </div>
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of every shape and kind.</div>
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Thoughts that tell me honestly,</div>
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or so I seem to link,</div>
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that what makes a person valuable </div>
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is what other people think.</div>
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What gives me that idea,</div>
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I really am not sure.</div>
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I know my Saviour loves me,</div>
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with a love alive and pure.</div>
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Yet I tell myself I don’t deserve</div>
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a good man to love me someday…</div>
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When Christ the Lord died for me,</div>
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and “You are loved,” I hear him say.</div>
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I measure myself strictly</div>
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against what others might see of me.</div>
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And then I measure other people</div>
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against what I think I can see.</div>
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All this while, Jesus looks at our hearts,</div>
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he knows what is inside;</div>
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and “You are loved” he says to us,</div>
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though our hearts are filled with pride.</div>
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Why do I think I am not loved,</div>
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when Jesus Christ can see</div>
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all the things I’ve said and done</div>
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which nailed him to a tree?</div>
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Why do I think that I won’t get</div>
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that love I don’t deserve?</div>
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When I know that I have it already;</div>
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Jesus came to love and serve.</div>
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Forgive me Lord, please change me;</div>
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make me new from the inside out.</div>
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I don’t want to believe these lies anymore,</div>
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I want to be free, without a doubt.</div>
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Make my heart to know and feel</div>
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the Truth that sets me free.</div>
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Make my life to mirror you Jesus,</div>
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let “You are loved,” be seen in me.</div>
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May the comparison I make no longer be </div>
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about my effort to arrive;</div>
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but let it be about Jesus; </div>
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how I was dead, and now I’m alive.</div>
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There was death, now there is life,</div>
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and this life is available to me.</div>
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There was confusion, there was selfishness,</div>
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but now Jesus has set us <i>all</i> free.</div>
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Joy, O my soul! Delight in your God,</div>
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he loves to hear your voice.</div>
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Though you don’t deserve his love,</div>
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you can receive it, it’s your choice.</div>
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Follow Jesus, loved one! </div>
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He wants you to be free.</div>
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Let go of the thoughts inside you,</div>
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that ask, “What do they think of me?”</div>
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It doesn’t matter what they think,</div>
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the Truth will always stand;</div>
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Jesus loves and lives for you,</div>
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and he offers you his hand.</div>
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It’s not about what you deserve,</div>
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or what your efforts can achieve.</div>
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It’s all about what he’s done for you,</div>
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what he gives you to receive.</div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-6460594489073388472014-07-11T09:49:00.002-07:002014-07-11T09:50:22.345-07:00Faith Comes By Hearing<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Sometimes I feel like I need to see something. Yes, I ask the Lord to speak to me and teach me… But sometimes, I feel like I need to see a miracle, see Jesus walking among us, see a revival in order for my faith to grow. Like, seeing is the source of faith - And that’s how it ought to grow… And so, I pray for sight. “Lord, let me see you!" "Lord, will you please heal and cause my faith to grow?" "Lord, will you please give me _____?" "Lord, please bring revival, and grow our faith!" "Lord, help me to believe - please give me the thing I’m asking for.”</div>
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Yet, the Bible says that faith doesn’t come by sight; it comes by hearing the Word of God.</div>
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<i>Romans 10:17</i></div>
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<i>“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”</i></div>
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Thomas wanted to see. And Jesus said to him in John 20:29,</div>
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<i>“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”</i></div>
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Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7,</div>
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<i>“For we walk by faith, not by sight”.</i></div>
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I suppose I write all of this to say, I think I’m learning that my prayers need to be more directed toward, “Lord, let me hear you!” than “Lord let me see you.” And from a heart that longs to hear, may my prayers be, “Lord, let me believe you.”</div>
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We read time and time again, Jesus healed people in the New Testament with the saying, “Your faith has made you well.” I think I have sometimes felt, my faith is not strong enough because I can pray for healing and sometimes, nothing happens. I’ve typically either chalked that up to being rooted in the fact that my faith isn’t strong enough, or that perhaps my request was outside of the will of God. Perhaps one, or both, of these things are true. </div>
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Yet, when I pray, do I pray out in faith? In a sense, yes. Asking at all is believing that it could happen - that is faith. Yet, do I believe it <i>will</i> happen? Not usually… I don’t know the will of God all the time. How could I have that kind of faith, a faith that knows his will and can ask for it accordingly?</div>
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I suppose I’ve been realizing, there are opportunities for me to exercise faith in the Lord every day. Not just by listening and asking him to speak directly to me individually, but through what he’s already said to all of us in his Word. He’s already said it, and he is truth. </div>
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<i>John 14:6</i></div>
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<i>“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”</i></div>
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Faith isn’t something we have because of what we have seen… We believe that God is true, and when he says something, faith is taking what he says as just that - Truth.</div>
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He says he will supply your needs. (Phil. 4:19)</div>
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Do we believe it all the time? Do our hearts rest in that? When we can’t see how he will provide, do we still believe that he will?</div>
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That’s one example of many - God tells us a lot of things about how he will work in us and through us. Do we believe him? When we ask him for something, even though we can’t see how or why or where or when or whatever, if he said it, it is true. Do we believe it when we can’t see it?</div>
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<i>Hebrews 11:1</i></div>
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<i>“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”</i></div>
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When God promised Abraham a son at 75 years of age, and it didn’t happen for 25 more years (longer than the span of my entire life so far), Abraham kept trusting God all through those 25 years of nothing happening… Him getting older… His wife getting older… He kept trusting God as being true. And he was right to do so. God is true, and God keeps, and kept, his promises. </div>
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And so I ask myself: The LORD has promised good to me. Will I believe him, though I may endure seasons, even LONG seasons of not seeing what he has spoken? Will I hold fast to what is true?</div>
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<i>Proverbs 3:5 says,</i></div>
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<i>“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,<br />
</i><span style="font-family: Courier;"><i> </i></span><i>and do not lean on your own understanding.”</i></div>
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Perhaps in the New Testament, the faith that made people well was not so much a trust in Jesus’ ability to heal them, but in the absolute truth of his Word. His Word is powerful, and when he said, “Get up and walk,” perhaps rather than feeling a sensation of healing and responding to that physical sign, people heard the WORD OF GOD and responded to his spiritual authority. “He said walk, so I can walk.” “He told me I am well, so I am well.” When he said it, they believed it - and believing it, they received it.</div>
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<i>Mark 11:24</i></div>
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<i>"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Therefore I tell </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">, whatever </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> ask in prayer, </span><b><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">believe</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> that </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">have</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">received</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b> it</b>, and it will be </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">you</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">rs."</span></i> [Emphasis mine]</div>
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He tells us a lot of things about ourselves, about himself, and about how we you ought to live in His Word, the Bible. He has SPOKEN. Do we believe what he has said? Do we live in the fear of what he says, the joy of what he proclaims, and the hope of what he promises? </div>
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Do you hear the Word of the Lord? Or are you even listening?</div>
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Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. </div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-65354719784304366102014-05-08T14:27:00.003-07:002014-05-08T14:27:28.599-07:00Thinking, Singing, Thinking, Praying...So I've been asked to be a guest author on a young lady's ministry blog, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uniquleyyours">Uniquely Yours</a>. Sweet. :) <br />
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Time to start pondering and praying about what to share. Any thoughts?<br />
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In the meantime, whilst I think and pray, I'm listening to this song, again. I love it. <br />
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Favorite part is the opening: "You've come to seek and to save those who lost their way. So seek me or I won't be found! You've come to keep and sustain those who you have named. So keep me, oh keep me now!"</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-75398425927676514942014-05-04T18:09:00.000-07:002014-05-08T14:27:55.799-07:00He Anoints My Head With Oil<i>(Scripture quotes are taken from memory and may not be exact.)</i><br />
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Had a cool thought this evening at prayer meeting. On Sunday nights at our church, we anoint people who are sick with oil (as we are instructed in James 5) and pray for them. Anointing with oil was the thing that they did when God chose who would be king - "The Lord's anointed." We are chosen by God. Psalm 23 says, "He anoints my head with oil, my cup runs over." To me, I read that and think, "I am his chosen one (anointed with oil), and he causes many blessings, much FRUIT to come of my life, to the point where I am overflowing with it - overflowing with gladness (my cup runs over)." <br />
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Then, in John 15 Jesus says he is the vine, and we the branches, and that fruit in our lives is a result of his work. Olives are a fruit of the vine (or tree, as the kingdom of heaven is also metaphorically described), and olives produce oil. When we pray over people, we (the branches) lay our hands on them, anoint them with oil (the fruit), and pray in the name of Jesus (the vine). <br />
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The Bible also says that "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous man runs into it and is safe."<br />
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Jesus is the vine, the source of power, life, healing. Jesus is our strong tower, and when we trust in his name, we are safe. Jesus produces fruit. And we, as we draw our life from him and anoint each other with a sign of being HIS, we ask the Lord to produce fruit through our prayers, through the branches that are our lives, in each other. For, if there will be fruit, it will come from the life that is in the vine. It will come from Jesus.<br />
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Standing around people laying our hands on them and praying this evening, I had a strong visual of this tree of life... We are all depending on Jesus for life. We are all connected to each other by him. And, as many arms were stretched out to lay hands on the person on whose head we put this oil (the fruit), the picture I was getting was that of living, breathing BRANCHES, reaching out, connecting ourselves to another branch of the tree, asking our STRONG tower, trunk, vine, LORD, to send his power through us and produce fruit in the life of the individual we were praying over.<br />
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Cool. :)Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-89120750667198551912014-05-03T15:17:00.004-07:002014-05-08T14:28:11.649-07:00Note To Self:<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I would like to make a habit of spending the first part of my day in prayer, committing my day and my ways to the Lord. I would like to make a habit of acknowledging him in all my ways, and at the end of every day, rather than focusing on my setbacks and “Failures,” or the lies that tell me I’ve been a failure, I want to thank the Lord for being with me and being faithful. Even when I can’t see very well, and when I am discouraged. He IS still there, and He IS still my provider, my leader, my teacher, and protector. I need to trust in him. I need to develop an attitude of gratitude that replaces my fears completely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">HE is in me. And HE is not a failure; I am his, and he is mine. And I am HIS success. He has saved me. And there is NOTHING I have to do to make that any more valid. It is truth. It stands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Time to claim some truth over my life. Time to pray with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, which tells me that I am His and that He is my leader who loves and protects and defends me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The TRUTH will set me free!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will trust in the LORD! </span></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-82893958500831737652014-04-23T15:05:00.000-07:002014-04-23T18:16:53.912-07:00Living Selfless in a Selfish WorldI was out with a friend the other day, telling her...<br />
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If you think about it, if everyone in the world were completely selfless, we'd all have all of our needs met all the time because everyone else would always be looking out for us, and we'd be looking out for them. Yet no one does live like that, so we can't depend on each other. We live in self-defence mode. Carrying our own struggles because no one else is free enough of their own burdens to carry them for us.<br />
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Then, last night, I was thinking about this again. It is so easy to become self-focused and self-absorbed in our minds... because we are the only ones that live inside of our own heads, so we are the only ones who know what's going on in there. When we're hurt, we know it. No one else does, unless we tell them... and even then, they can't feel what we feel. When we're happy, we feel it. When we're sad, we feel it. Whatever we're going through, other people are limited in their understanding of where we're at based on how we can communicate it to them, and then how they can relate based on their own experience. You are the only one who *really* knows what it's like to be you. And the same is true of everyone else you know; they are the only ones who *really* know what it's like to be them. <br />
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Often, when we're hurting, or feeling particularly selfish, it's because we feel the weight of our own emotions and struggles, and we can't seem to get out of them. You are you, and you're the only one who knows what it is to be you. <br />
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So, this selfish condition of ours... it seems a little helpless... You're stuck being you forever, and as much as you would love to think about other people, and feel for THEM even more than you feel for yourself, you just don't know what it's like to be them, because you're not them. And you are limited in your understanding of their hearts based on how much they are able to communicate it to you, and then based on your own level of experience and ability to relate. Your greatest depth of understanding of anyone's heart would be your understanding of your own. <br />
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...It makes sense that you would think about yourself a lot then, doesn't it?<br />
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Yet... There is One who also knows your heart. In fact, he knows it better than you do, and he cares about you more than you care about yourself. He cares about you more than anyone ever has, could, or would. He knows and loves you like this, AND... he knows and loves everyone else the same way.<br />
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He is our God. And he inspired the Bible to be written in order to adjust your focus. To take your eyes off of you, and put them on him. It teaches us that his heart... is full... Of you. Of others. Full of people he loves, who break his heart on a consistent basis. <br />
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So... If you can't know other people's hearts like you know your own, why not stop focusing on yours, and start focusing on the One that made and knows both yours and everyone else's?<br />
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If you could really stop looking inward, and start looking upward, you might learn that there is a heart that overflows with love for you and meets your every need, and that this heart is full of love for other people, just like it is for you. So if you focus on THAT... You find yourself, and others, in the centre of his heart. You find yourself loved and cared for in a way that the people around you cannot do. And you learn to see others as loved and cared for in the same way.<br />
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You learn that to live selflessly in a selfish world, you have to take your eyes off of yourself... To find that you are fully loved in the heart of someone else. And that this powerful, gracious, kind love also exists for everyone around you.<br />
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Gives you a bit of new perspective, does it not? You don't need to learn to stop thinking about yourself to be a selfless person; you need to start thinking about yourself through the heart of the One who made you, in which place you are not the only one present. <br />
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The dictionary defines "Selfless" as "Having no concern for self." You don't need to be concerned about yourself. You have to learn to know the heart of the Father, who knows the depths of all of our hearts equally, and is, in and of himself, fully sufficient to satisfy ALL of our needs. <br />
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Turn your eyes upon Jesus, self. Your cares are not overlooked or misunderstood in his presence. Cast them on him. He cares for you. <br />
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Look at others with the heart of Jesus, self. Their cares are not overlooked or misunderstood in his presence. Carry their burdens to him with them. He cares for them. <br />
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Focus your thoughts on the heart of Jesus, self. He'll teach you how to dwell on it. And through it, will teach you how to live and love like he does.<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-52905746244766649172014-04-21T08:14:00.001-07:002014-04-21T08:46:12.012-07:00I Believe in Fairy TalesI was thinking the other day... I don't think I believe in fairy tales. Looking forward to love, romance, and marriage... One tends to think about fairy tales, and imagines that life might be that magical, that special. But then there's a "Real-life-reality-check" that kicks in at the same time and tells me, "It's not true. Don't believe in fairy tales."<br />
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Yet still, somewhere deep inside of me, underneath all of that "I don't think they are real," lies a little princess who desperately hopes that she's wrong. She wants life to surprise her; to show her that fairy tales are real after all. She wants them to be so badly.<br />
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That was me. I didn't believe in fairy tales. I hoped I was wrong, that life would surprise me and show me that fairy tales happen after all, but honestly I didn't think it could ever be true...<br />
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...Until yesterday, when I realized something. It is true.<br />
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This is my story:<br />
- I am a princess. My father is the King of kings.<br />
- I am sought out by a Prince. His name is Jesus.<br />
- My Prince pursued me to the death - He fought the treasure-hoarding dragon, the serpent, my enemy captor, to save me.<br />
- He values me like a precious gem. He fights for me, leads me, defends me, blesses me, and wins my heart and my love. He is my Lord, my Saviour, my King.<br />
- I am a blessing to Him because He has loved me, because He has blessed me, because He has won my heart and my passion. I didn't do anything to make Him want me. But because He wanted me, I adore Him... and that love will bless Him as long as I continue to allow His pursuit of me to draw my heart to His own. <br />
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I do believe in fairy tales. I live one every day. "Happily Ever After" is the end of my story; and when He comes to carry me off to His kingdom, what a beautiful day that will be!Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-42277432066915163672014-04-15T20:48:00.000-07:002014-04-15T20:48:13.626-07:00Prayer and FastingOur church just went through a week of prayer and fasting. And this is what I have learned. So far...<br />
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First, I had a picture. A vision, I suppose.</div>
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I was thinking about my burdens, and what it means to cast them on the Lord... and then after that, about taking his yoke upon me.</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>1 Peter 5:7</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text 1Pet-5-7" id="en-ESV-30456" style="background-color: white;">"Casting all your anxieties on him, because <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30456C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>he cares for you."</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-11-29" id="en-ESV-23489" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Matthew 11:29-30</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text Matt-11-29" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">"Take my yoke upon you, and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23489A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>learn from me, for I am <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23489B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>gentle and lowly in heart, and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23489C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>you will find rest for your souls.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-ESV-23490" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">For <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23490D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”</span></span></i></span></div>
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And then this image came to my mind:</div>
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I imagined myself, or a person whose pain I could feel, standing there. They were cringing, awaiting the slap of a heavy burden, about to fall on their back. It was one of those pre-pain crying moments.... ready for the weight that would fall. I was ready to receive what was my own. It was coming to me. Yet, just before the burden hits my back, Jesus steps in, spreads his arms over me, and catches my burden on his own back - A heavy wooden cross. </div>
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I find this image so powerful. That burden, that cross, was meant for me. I earned that. It was my cross to bear. Yet, he took it. And his banner over me is love.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Psalm 91:1</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"He who dwells in </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> shelter </span><span style="background-color: white;">of</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Most High will abide in </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">shadow</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">of</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Almighty</span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I will say</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">to the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">, “My</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15398C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">refuge and my</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15398D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">fortress, </span><span style="background-color: white;">my God, in whom I</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-15398E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">trust.”"</span></i></span></div>
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Then, the next thing I got this week was this passage... </div>
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<i>Colossians 1:9-12</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text Col-1-9" id="en-ESV-29458" style="background-color: white;">"And so, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29458T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span>from the day we heard, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29458U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></span>we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29458V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span>you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29458W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span>spiritual wisdom and understanding,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Col-1-10" id="en-ESV-29459" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>so as <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29459X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span>to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29459Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span>fully pleasing to him, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29459Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span>bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.<b> </b></span><span class="text Col-1-11" id="en-ESV-29460" style="background-color: white;">May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29460AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></span>all endurance and patience <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29460AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></span>with joy,</span><span class="text Col-1-12" id="en-ESV-29461" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29461AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></span>giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29461AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></span>the inheritance of the saints in light."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been praying</span> this now for myself, and for others. That he would teach us all the knowledge of his will through the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. This passage is so much what I want... To know his will, to walk in a manner worthy of him, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. I want to be strengthened with his power, by his glorious might, so that I may have endurance and patience with joy, giving him thanks all the while. He has qualified me to share in the inheritance of his saints... in light. His light. </div>
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Then, the last thing I learned was this:</div>
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I was teaching Sunday school this week, and the lesson was about Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33). And wow... talk about powerful. I was convicted... because I was able to enter into this story in a way I hadn't before. It was like I was there. </div>
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No, I'll say that again: It is like I am there. Only my story looks more like this...</div>
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The wind the waves are swirling around me in the form of fears and lies. I am terrified. Yet, there, in the midst of my storm, I see Jesus - And he is walking on the water, untouched, unafraid, unaffected by fear. It does not swallow him; it cannot hurt him; it cannot touch him. And I say to him, "Is that you Lord?" And he says, "It is I. <b>Do not be afraid</b>." I respond, "If it is really you, tell me to come to you." He says, "Come." I step out - reaching toward him - yet I still see and feel the wind and the waves around me, and they still frighten me. In that moment, rather than focus on Jesus and his command of "Do not be afraid," I begin to look at the wind and waves, and I begin to sink in my fears. </div>
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Yet, he is gracious to catch me. He is gracious to save me. And he says to me, "Why did you doubt, oh you of little faith?" His strong arms lift me up out of my fears, and then he steps into my boat, my heart (the very thing these fears are surrounding)... And all of a sudden, my fears are gone. The storm ceases. The wind stops. Perfect love casts out fear. </div>
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Forgive me, Father. I have been afraid. I have been sinking. Thank you for saving me. But thank you that it is not too late to learn to walk on the water with you. Teach me to trust in your voice above the sound of my fear crying, howling, raging around me. YOU are strong enough to save me. You and you alone. And even the wind, even my fears, must obey you. Truly, Jesus, you are the Son of God.</div>
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Amen.</div>
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<span class="text Prov-18-10" id="en-ESV-16912" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Proverbs 18:10</span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">"The name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16912C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>a strong tower; </span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" style="position: relative;">the righteous man runs into it and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-16912D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>is safe."</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" style="position: relative;">_____________________</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text 1Pet-5-6" id="en-ESV-30455" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>1 Peter 5:6-11</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text 1Pet-5-6" style="background-color: white;">"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-7" id="en-ESV-30456" style="background-color: white;">casting all your anxieties on him, because <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30456O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span>he cares for you.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-8" id="en-ESV-30457" style="background-color: white;">Be sober-minded; <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30457Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span>be watchful. Your <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30457R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span>adversary the devil <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30457S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></span>prowls around <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30457T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span>like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-9" id="en-ESV-30458" style="background-color: white;">Resist him, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30458V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span>firm in your faith, knowing that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30458W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span>the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" id="en-ESV-30459" style="background-color: white;">And <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30459X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span>after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30459Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span>who has called you to his <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30459Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span>eternal glory in Christ, will himself <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30459AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></span>restore, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30459AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></span>confirm, strengthen, and establish you.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 1Pet-5-11" id="en-ESV-30460" style="background-color: white;">To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" style="position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-30859336237305804492014-04-14T21:16:00.001-07:002014-04-14T21:16:49.675-07:00Learning.Feeling small today. But good. God is good. And he is with me.<br />
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I am so thankful.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-76906976343157491832014-04-03T22:10:00.000-07:002014-04-04T08:31:03.639-07:00He is Enough<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a thought. Perhaps this is a little out of context, perhaps not...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">___________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<i>Philippians 4:19 - "<span class="text Phil-4-19" id="en-ESV-29445" style="background-color: white;">And my God <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29445D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>will supply every need of yours <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29445E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.</span><span style="background-color: white;">"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">My God... will supply your needs. He doesn't say, "God will give you water to quench your thirst, he will give you money to pay your bills, he will give you food to satisfy your hunger, he will give you STUFF to meet your needs..."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Rather, he says, God will meet your needs. Just, HIM. He is enough. Yes, he meets our needs in tangible, practical ways; but yes too, he is more than </span>enough. Our needs are met in his presence, and there is nothing we need besides him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>"According to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus..."</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Riches in glory... How is he glorified?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white;">John 15:8 - "</span><span style="background-color: white;">By this my Father is </span><span style="background-color: white;">glorified</span><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span style="background-color: white;">that</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">you</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">bear</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">much</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">fruit</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and so prove to be my disciples."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">How do we bear fruit?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span class="text John-15-5" id="en-ESV-26693" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><i>John 15:5 - "I am the vine; <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26693J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span>you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26693K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span>bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">So basically, to have our needs met...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">All we can do is abide with him. God meets our needs because he comes to us, and he invites us to come to him. We need him, and he is available to us. He is rich in glory through Christ Jesus, and as we dwell in him and he in us, we produce fruit because he is there (and only because he is there), and the Father is glorified in <i>that</i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">So, to summarize, he'll meet our needs because he IS OUR NEED MET. He meets our needs by his riches in his own work and glory. He is great. And he is our greatest need.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pretty amazing, I say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white;">Matthew 6:31-33 - "</span><span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-ESV-23315" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">For <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></span>the Gentiles seek after all these things, and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></span>your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-ESV-23316" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">But <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)"></span>seek first <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)"></span>the kingdom of God and his righteousness, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)"></span>and all these things will be added to you."</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-1031652202857576242014-04-02T20:48:00.001-07:002014-04-02T20:48:41.817-07:00Home.Just got back from a few days away. Happy to be home. Happy to see the world with fresh eyes in a way... God is good. I feel that I have been learning the obvious. Things that were right in front of me, things that I "Knew"- Are suddenly clear. It's like I've seen things all my life that I can finally SEE. I've heard things all my life the I can finally HEAR. <div>
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...There are many more things that I have to learn, but God is loving, kind, and patient. I am thankful.</div>
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I'll write more later, likely, about my recent lessons. They're things maybe you've heard too. But wow, when the Lord applies a learned lesson to your heart, it speaks volumes of truth into your life... and it is transforming. </div>
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The truth will set us free!</div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-58148214583753215622014-03-24T07:17:00.000-07:002014-03-26T12:34:48.087-07:00Holy Fire [Part 2]<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just thinking, a little more on the same topic as the other day. I wrote a couple of days ago in a post titled, "<a href="http://naomi-bookmarks.blogspot.ca/2014/03/holy-fire.html">Holy Fire</a>," as I was thinking about how the Bible tells us that "Our God is a consuming fire," in so many places, and uses language to describe him as our refiner, etc. It was pretty mind blowing and amazing.</span><br />
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Then, yesterday I believe it was, I was thinking on this again. </span><br />
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Jesus said, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i><span class="text John-15-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">John 15:1-6 - "I am the <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26689A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>true vine, and my Father is <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26689B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>the vinedresser.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-15-2" id="en-ESV-26690" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Every branch in me that does not bear fruit <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26690D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26690E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>that it may bear more fruit.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-15-3" id="en-ESV-26691" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Already <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26691F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span>you are clean <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26691G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span>because of the word that I have spoken to you.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-15-4" id="en-ESV-26692" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Abide <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26692I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span>in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-15-5" id="en-ESV-26693" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">I am the vine; <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26693J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span>you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26693K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span>bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-15-6" id="en-ESV-26694" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">If anyone does not abide in me <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26694L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span>he is thrown away like a branch and withers; <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26694M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span>and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Many times in Scripture, the Lord refers to us as being a part of a plant, like this vine, or a great tree. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...Yet... He's a consuming fire? Plants and fire... together... usually produces ash, does it not? Kinda like the unfruitful branches that are gathered and thrown into the fire, as Jesus says in that analogy.</span><br />
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Well look at this:</span><br />
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<i>Exodus 3:2-4 - "<span class="text Exod-3-2" id="en-ESV-1582" style="background-color: white;">And <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-1582C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>the angel of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Exod-3-3" id="en-ESV-1583" style="background-color: white;">And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.'</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Exod-3-4" id="en-ESV-1584" style="background-color: white;">When the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> saw that he turned aside to see, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-1584D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>God called to him <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-1584E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'</span><span style="background-color: white;">"</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I dunno... Does that strike anyone else as AMAZING? That our holy God, a consuming fire, appears to Moses in a burning bush, and <b>the bush is not consumed</b>. This plant does not turn to ash. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Makes me think, if we're abiding in HIM, as the branches abide in the bush, we're safe. He is a consuming fire; yet his flame does not consume his live-giving and life-preserving self, or those who belong to him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Pretty cool stuff, this. :) I love how God uses creation to explain himself to us. And how he appears to us in ways that we can </span>understand "Fire is powerful. Our God is like that." "The vine gives life to the branches. Our God is like that." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He shows himself in creation... in so many different ways. He truly is above, in, and through all things. (Romans 11:36)</span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-88306987974216564232014-03-24T06:48:00.000-07:002014-03-24T06:48:29.151-07:00The Truth Will Set You Free<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text John-8-31" style="background-color: white;">John 8:31-32 - "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, <span class="woj"><span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26401A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>“If you abide <b>in my word</b>, you are truly my disciples,</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-8-32" id="en-ESV-26402" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">and you will <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26402B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>know the <b>truth</b>, and <b>the truth <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26402C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>will set you free</b>.”</span></span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">John 14:6 - "</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Jesus said to him, “</span><b>I<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>am</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>the<span style="background-color: white;"> </span>way<span style="background-color: white;">, and</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b>the</b><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>truth</b><span style="background-color: white;">, and</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>the<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">life. No one comes to</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>the<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">Father except through me."</span></i></span><br />
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I'm learning: <b>Jesus is the truth</b>. And he, exposing lies by the light of his truth, has been setting me free from so much bondage in my life. Bondage like insecurity. Pride. Envy. Chains that have bound me, he has broken. PRAISE THE LORD!</span><br />
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I am still a work in progress; I always will be. This freedom I have been granted is in Christ alone, and in the light of the presence of the Lord my tendency to fall back into these traps is exposed, and by his grace, I am able to continually surrender them to him and allow him to remove them from my life. It is a cycle of grace. It is beautiful. In it, there is freedom and joy. I am so thankful!</span><br />
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Yet, there are still areas that come up that need to be exposed, still chains that need to be broken. Through prayer, this one came to my attention the other day, when I was at a near-breaking point, crying out to the Lord for help:</span><br />
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<b>The stronghold of lies.</b></span><br />
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I have been lied to much of my life. Lies that come at me in the form of statements, or sometimes, questions. Much like the serpent with Eve in the garden... There are questions in my mind that begin with, "Did God really say...?"</span><br />
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Jesus described the devil this way...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>John 8:44 - "...<span style="background-color: white;">He was a murderer from the beginning, and </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26414CB" title="See cross-reference CB">CB</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">does not stand in <b>the truth</b>, because there is <b>no truth in him</b>. </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26414CC" title="See cross-reference CC">CC</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."</span></i></span><br />
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Some of the lies that I've been hearing and believing much of my life sound much like this:</span><br />
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"You're failing. You're a failure."</span><br />
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"You are a problem."</span><br />
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"This is your fault."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
"You can't do anything very well."</span><br />
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"What is wrong with you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
"You are unstable."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
"You're not amounting to much of anything, nor can you."</span><br />
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"You have no self-control; you need get a grip and learn to control yourself."</span><br />
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Etc, etc, etc...</span><br />
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Sound familiar? Perhaps you've heard similar things.</span><br />
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Yet, I am learning some stuff. God wouldn't say anything like that to me. In fact, he says the opposite. He tells me I'm loved and valued. He tells me that he does everything well, and I am the result of his good work. He tells me that there is nothing wrong with me that he hasn't been able to fix. He tells me that he is my stability, my rock. He tells me that I'm his child, and that I don't have to earn that place. He tells me that self-control is not a reflection of my effort but a result of his Spirit living and working inside of me.</span><br />
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And he... Is <b>truth</b>. </span><br />
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He also tells me that he is my <b>righteousness</b>, and that I can be strong in <b>his might</b>. He tells me there is a battle, and it's spiritual... But all I need to do to win is STAND... with HIM. Armed with his presence, his words, his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">2 Corinthians 5:21 - "</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">For our sake he made him to be sin </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28882D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">who knew no sin, so that <b>in him we might become </b></span><b><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28882E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"><b>the righteousness of God.</b>"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Ephesians 6:10-17 - "</span></span><span class="text Eph-6-10" style="background-color: white;">Finally, <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29331M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span>be strong in the Lord and in <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29331N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span>the strength of <b>his might</b>.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-ESV-29332" style="background-color: white;">Put on <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29332P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></span>the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29332Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></span>the schemes of the devil.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-ESV-29333" style="background-color: white;">For <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span>we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></span>the rulers, against the authorities, against <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span>the cosmic powers over <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></span>this present darkness, against <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span>the spiritual forces of evil <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29333W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span>in the heavenly places.</span><span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-ESV-29334" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </span>Therefore <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29334X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span>take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29334Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span>the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-14" id="en-ESV-29335" style="background-color: white;"><b>Stand therefore</b>, <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29335Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span>having fastened on the belt of <b>truth</b>, and <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29335AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></span>having put on the breastplate of <b>righteousness</b>,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-15" id="en-ESV-29336" style="background-color: white;">and, <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29336AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></span>as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-ESV-29337" style="background-color: white;">In all circumstances take up <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29337AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></span>the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29337AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></span>the flaming darts of <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29337AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></span>the evil one;</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Eph-6-17" id="en-ESV-29338" style="background-color: white;">and take <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29338AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></span>the helmet of salvation, and <span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29338AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></span>the sword of the Spirit, which is the <b>word of God</b>.</span><span style="background-color: white;">"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white;">John 15:7 - </span><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">If </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26695C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">you abide in me, and <b>my words</b> abide in you, </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26695D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="text 2Cor-10-4" id="en-ESV-28959" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">2 Corinthians 10:4-6 - "For the <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28959E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>weapons of <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28959F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span>our warfare are not of the flesh but have <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28959G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span>divine power <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28959H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></span>to <b>destroy strongholds.</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-10-5" id="en-ESV-28960" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">We destroy arguments and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28960I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span>every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28960J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span>obey Christ,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-10-6" id="en-ESV-28961" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;">being ready to punish every disobedience, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28961L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span>when your obedience is complete."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
By God's grace, I am experiencing the joy of his presence and the power of <b>his might</b>. I am learning remind myself of <b>truth</b> in my life. When lies come into my head, I'm learning to pick up "The sword of the Spirit, which is the <b>word of God</b>." God's words speak LIFE and over me. God's words cover me with <b>truth</b>... with Christ. And this truth can destroy strongholds and set me free.</span><br />
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<span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="woj"></span></i></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white;">Galations 5:1 - "</span><b><span style="background-color: white;">For </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29147A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"><b>freedom Christ has </b></span><b><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29147B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></b><span style="background-color: white;"><b>set us free</b>; </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29147C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29147D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">a yoke of </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29147E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;">slavery."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">Proverbs 18:10 - "</span></span><b><span style="background-color: white;">The </span><span style="background-color: white;">name</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">of</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">is</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">a</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">strong</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">tower</span><span style="background-color: white;">; </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b>righteous</b> man runs into it </span><span style="background-color: white;">a</span><span style="background-color: white;">nd </span><span style="background-color: white;">is</span><span style="background-color: white;"> safe."</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white;">I will not submit to these lies, this yoke of slavery. I will run into the name of the Lord, my rock and my strong tower. I will run into the name of Jesus, who is truth and whose true words defeat the enemy and his lies, lifting me up from the pit of destruction. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Psalm 40:1-5</i></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Ps-40-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">"I <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14527A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>waited patiently for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-1" style="position: relative;">he inclined to me and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14527B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>heard my cry.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-2" id="en-ESV-14528" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">He drew me up from <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14528C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>the pit of destruction,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-2" style="position: relative;">out of <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14528D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>the miry bog,</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-2" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14528E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>set my feet upon a rock,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-2" style="position: relative;"><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14528F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span>making my steps secure.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-3" id="en-ESV-14529" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">He put <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14529G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span>a new song in my mouth,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-3" style="position: relative;">a song of praise to our God.</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-3" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">Many will <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14529H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></span>see and fear,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-3" style="position: relative;">and put their trust in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-4" id="en-ESV-14530" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">Blessed is the man who <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14530I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span>makes</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-4" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> his trust,</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-4" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">who does not turn to the proud,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-4" style="position: relative;">to those who <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14530J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span>go astray after a lie!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-5" id="en-ESV-14531" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">You have multiplied, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> my God,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5" style="position: relative;">your <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14531K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span>wondrous deeds and your <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14531L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span>thoughts toward us;</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5" style="position: relative;">none can compare with you!</span></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="text Ps-40-5" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; position: relative;">I will proclaim and tell of them,</span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-40-5" style="position: relative;">yet they are <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-14531M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span>more than can be told."</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></i>
<i><span class="text John-8-32" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">John 8:36 - "</span></span><span style="background-color: white;">So if the Son sets you free, <b>you will be free indeed.</b>"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
I am free indeed! GOD IS GOOD!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i>[Bold emphasis throughout this post is mine.]</i></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-10999661390005092302014-03-20T14:15:00.000-07:002014-03-20T14:15:06.345-07:00I Am the Rain [A Poem]<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I originally wrote this poem when I was 17, and stumbled across it again the other day. Thinking "First day of spring" thoughts</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> today, I thought I'd share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">_________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I Am the Rain</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By Naomi Thomson </span></i></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My feet are shod with silver and my head is bent to hear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sound of thunder's rolling call</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And my comrades riotous cheers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sky is darkened with the breath of need; and I flood in to fill it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The world is thirsting, I feel it now</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I must fall to feed it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's then that people here and there begin to hear my voice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As I march from heaven in the strength of the wind,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> And these thirsty lands rejoice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My feet are strong against the ground, as I march to thunder's clap;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the ground responds in grateful cheer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With the scent of sweetened sap.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The taste of moisture upon the tongue of our green earth is sure</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To bring a sense of sweet serenity; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Her thirst has found its cure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I'm nearly finished now, upon this earth today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The ground is soft and contented again,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the sky is no longer grey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And so I reach up to the sky where thunder’s voice is failing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So that the wind may take me there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And catch me in her sailing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then a vapour, a sweetened mist, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on the wind will ride</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To catch me in her arms of grace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'Till next the world has cried.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am the rain.</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; min-height: 11px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-30112072550444664382014-03-16T17:41:00.000-07:002014-03-20T14:16:42.601-07:00Heavy Hearted<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I wrote this to myself, as a status on Facebook, for the sake of my own heavy heart:</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #37404e; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dance little one, and hide your tears in the rain. Splash in the puddles and twirl to the waltz of heaven's music. Drown your tears in the abundance of blessings, pouring down from above. Feel the beat of the thunder... and learn to sing along, praising the Lord of lightning, even in the midst of your storms."</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #37404e;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will praise Him in this storm. </span></div>
<div style="min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #37404e; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm 61:1-2</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #37404e;"><i>"</i></span><i>Hear my cry, O God,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i><i>listen to my prayer;</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">from the end of the earth I call to you</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i><i>when my heart is faint.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lead me to the rock</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i><i>that is higher than I."</i></span></div>
<div style="min-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm 34:18</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-58755629373675138602014-03-15T09:45:00.001-07:002014-03-15T09:45:42.216-07:00Holy Fire<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a collection of passages that have been coming to my mind and attention as I've pondered these truths: Our God is a consuming fire, and Christ is our life. The words in bold are my comments... And truly... This topic is too big for me. But I will leave you with some of my thoughts (keeping them brief), a bunch of Scripture, and an exhortation to read the Word. Learn more about the incredible might of this God whose holiness consumes sin from before His presence like fire, and whose love, when accepted, covers a multitude of sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">-------</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Our God is a consuming fire.</span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br />
</b><i>Deuteronomy 4:24 - "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Isaiah 33:13-16 "Hear, you who are far off, what I have done;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> and you who are near, acknowledge my might.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The sinners in Zion are afraid;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> trembling has seized the godless:</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> who despises the gain of oppressions,</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe,</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">he will dwell on the heights;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> his bread will be given him; his water will be sure."</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Exodus 24:17 - "Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel."</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Psalm 104:31-32 - "May the glory of the Lord endure forever;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>may the Lord rejoice in his works,</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>who looks on the earth and it trembles,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>who touches the mountains and they smoke!"</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hebrews 12:29 - "For our God is a consuming fire."</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Our God is a refining fire.</span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />
Malachai 3:1-3</i><b><i> </i></b><i>“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Matthew 3:10-12 - "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i> </i></b></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #fafbfb; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><i><br />
</i></span><i>Proverbs 17:3 - "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts." </i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><i><br />
</i></span><i>Zechariah 13:9 - "And I will put this third into the fire,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>and refine them as one refines silver,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>and test them as gold is tested.<br />
They will call upon my name,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>and I will answer them.<br />
I will say, ‘They are my people’;<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.'"</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><i><br />
John 15:5-6 - "</i></span><i>I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.</i><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i> </i></b></span><i>If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Righteousness alone will survive the fire of God's judgment. Jesus Christ is our righteousness, the one who makes it possible for us to stand before the presence of a holy God, a consuming fire, and not be destroyed. He is also our life, our freedom, our strength. He is our Lord, and our glory. </span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>1 Corinthians 3:11-15 - "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.</i><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><i>"</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><i>2 Corinthians 17:-21 - "T</i></span><i>herefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.</i><b><i> </i></b><i>The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.</i><b><i> </i></b><i>All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;</i><b><i> </i></b><i>that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. </i><b><i> </i></b><i>Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.</i><b><i> </i></b><i>For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />
1 John 3:2-3 - "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.</i><b><i> </i></b><i>And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Corinthians 3:17-18 - "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />
</i><b>Our God will purge and burn sin out of our lives with the refining fire of His presence; but He can make beauty from ashes.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />
Isaiah 61:3 - "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,<br />
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;<br />
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,<br />
</i><span style="font-size: 7px;"><i> </i></span><i>the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ; gird yourself with the armour, the strength, and the protection of his presence.</span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><i>Romans 13:14 - </i></span><b><i> "</i></b><i>But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Ephesians 6:10-11 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." </span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Philippians 1:21 - "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. "</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Galations 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let us boast in the Lord, to whom belong wisdom and power and might! </span></b></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Daniel 2:21-22 - "...Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> to whom belong wisdom and might.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He changes times and seasons;<br />
he removes kings and sets up kings;<br />
he gives wisdom to the wise<br />
and knowledge to those who have understanding;</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">he reveals deep and hidden things;<br />
he knows what is in the darkness,<br />
and the light dwells with him."</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Corinthians 1:30-31 - "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Revelation 5:12 - "...'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!'"</span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Revelation 7:12 - "...'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.'"</span></i></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-54177784993276134932014-03-12T18:36:00.000-07:002014-03-12T18:36:37.233-07:00Be Strong in the LORD<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I post things on Facebook, and then I am sad that they will get lost in the shuffle of new posts, and I'll never see them again. So, here's my latest bit of encouragement, copy and pasted from my Facebook status.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">_________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">Why does the obvious take a LONG time to sink in sometimes? Here's what popped out at me tonight... (Emphasis mine, in capital letters.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">Ephesians 6:10-17</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">"Finally, be strong IN THE LORD and in the strength of HIS MIGHT. Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"> authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of TRUTH, and having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the GOSPEL OF PEACE. In all circumstances take up the shield of FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD."<br /><br />Be strong in HIM. Arm yourself WITH HIM. STAND, having put on TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION, and the WORD OF GOD. Jesus told us that HE is truth, we can be righteous because of HIM, HIS is the gospel of peace, in HIM we have faith, BY HIM we have salvation, and IN HIS WORDS there is POWER.<br /><br />You can be strong because HE IS STRONG. Arm yourself, not with things to make YOU stronger - But arm yourself with HIS PRESENCE, in which, there is strength. It is the armour OF GOD that we are to wear - Not just "From God" but OF HIM. It IS HIM. Be strong in the power of... HIS MIGHT. All you have to do is put on CHRIST... And then, stand. HE is strong enough to save you.</span></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8513657585182112668.post-90062721683458928202014-03-06T17:02:00.003-08:002014-03-06T17:27:44.015-08:00So Precious <div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-decoration: underline;"><b>So Precious</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">A poem by Naomi Thomson</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From the balcony she watches</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the people far below.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rushing here and there</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in the fallen winter snow.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Warm hats and mittens, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">frost bitten toes,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Impressions of life bursting</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">with joy that ever grows.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lacey hats and rosey cheeks</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and stylish winter minks</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look something like a fairy tale,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"So pretty," she often thinks.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy couples ice skate,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">or at least, they always try.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He looks at her and seems to say</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"So pretty," with his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some days from in that balcony,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">watching life below,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She thinks how nice it could be</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to be down there in the snow.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To be a girl with rosey cheeks</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">who those from windows say</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That every time she passes by,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"So pretty she looks today."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The thought makes her smile,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">she looks forward to that day.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Patience me," she tells herself,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Patience is the way."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Months go by, the seasons change,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and still the thoughts remain.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"So pretty," they all still seem to be</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet, still, she stays the same.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope still lingers in her heart, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and still she always says,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Patience is a virtue,"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and "I can wait, these long long days. "</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet somehow, she begins to doubt</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">that she can live down there.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who would say those words of her,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">or would they even dare?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A tear begins to form in her eye, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"What would they see of me?"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When suddenly a voice, from up above, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">says, "So precious you are to me."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A gentle Voice, it was that day</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">which told her she was lovely.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">'Twas the Voice of He who made her,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the one who created beauty.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Come to me," He said to her,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Walk, skate, dance, and see;</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That from above, I look down and say,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<i>So</i> precious you are to me."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15417259025956315369noreply@blogger.com0