tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53805538526033381102024-03-05T16:31:26.056-08:00Cracked PotREJOICING & DELIGHTING IN HIM!To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-77637818203527093752013-05-10T07:54:00.000-07:002013-05-10T08:08:17.096-07:00Yes...far more flawed than I dare can imagine BUT so loved and valued!!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv951805381" id="yiv951805381bodyDrftID" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><tbody>
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<span class="yiv951805381Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks God. </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv951805381Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv951805381Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>no one does good, not even one."</i> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Romans 3:11-12</span></div>
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Glued to my TV over the recent events... unspeakable events. I am horrified...scared. People, ordinary people like me doing the unspeakable. </div>
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It brought to mind a story I heard years ago, and so I looked to find the story... to make sure it was not an "urban legend." It's about a survivor of Auschwitz. His name was Yehiel De-Nur and he testified at the Adolf Eichmann trial. A film clip from that trial showed "Dinur walking into the courtroom, stopping short, seeing Eichmann for the first time since the Nazi had sent him to Auschwitz eighteen years earlier. Dinur began to sob uncontrollably, then fainted, collapsing in a heap on the floor as the presiding judicial officer pounded his gavel for order in the crowded courtroom.</div>
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Was Dinur overcome by hatred? Fear? Horrid memories?</div>
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No; it was none of these. Rather, as Dinur explained to (Mike) Wallace ("60 Minutes" aired February 6, 1983), all at once he realized Eichmann was not the godlike army officer who had sent so many to their deaths. This Eichmann was an ordinary man. '<b>I was afraid about myself</b>,' said Dinur. '. . . <b>I saw that I</b> <b>am capable to do this. I am . . . exactly like he.</b>' He summarized his feelings by saying, '<b>Eichmann is in all of us.'" </b></div>
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<b>Bible says the same thing.... </b></div>
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<i>Romans 3:13-18 ~ "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. </i><i>The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. T</i><i>heir feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. </i><i>There is no fear of God before their eyes." </i></div>
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<i>Romans 3:23 ~ "...for <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">all </span></b>have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."</i> </div>
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<i>Romans 6:23 ~ "For the wages of sin is death..." </i></div>
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Can't get away from that truth, as much as I hate it. All means all ... All includes me. No matter how I try to spin it ... I'm included. Before a Holy and Just God I am condemned<i>.. my sins have earned me death ... hell, separation from God for all eternity. Selah.</i><br />
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<b>Someone said: </b><b> "We are far more flawed and far more sinful than we can dare imagine."</b></div>
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<i><b>BUT</b>... the Bible has more to say....Romans 6:23 .. </i></div>
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<i>"but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."</i></div>
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<i>Ephesians 2:8 ~ "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; </i><i>it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."</i></div>
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<i>"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? </i></div>
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<i>Thanks be to God through Jesu</i><i>s Christ our Lord!" </i></div>
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<i>Romans 7:25</i></div>
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<i>And there is salvation in no one else, </i></div>
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<i>for there is no other name under heaven given among mean by which we must be saved. </i></div>
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<i>Acts 4:12</i></div>
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<i>Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished!" Paid in full! </i></div>
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From horror and fear to flat on my face before the Lord, grateful ... that JESUS, The Creator of everything...the Word became flesh, gave His life for our sins... for <b>my</b> sins....</div>
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...the Just for the unjust </div>
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...that He might bring us -- me! to God.. </div>
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<i>Yes... far more flawed and far more sinful that I can dare imagine BUT </i></div>
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<i>"...I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me." (Timothy Keller)</i></div>
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To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-1822493463438633992012-12-15T12:46:00.001-08:002012-12-16T06:18:13.334-08:00We have been given the message....<i>"Now an angel of the LORD, said to Philip, 'Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' So Philip RAN to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?'</i>" Acts 8:26-31<br />
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I love this story in scripture. An angel of the LORD speaks to Philip. And from what I understand from scripture, angels are pretty amazing. They are God's servants who carry out some of God's plans on earth; bring God's messages to people, carry out some of His judgments; battle demonic forces; protect God's people; and generally patrol the earth (Luke 1:11-19; Acts 12:23; Daniel 10:13; Psalm 91:11-12; Zech. 1:10-11). But it is to be Philip, not the angel who was to go to the Ethiopian in a "desert place" and tell him about Jesus!!! Acts 8:35 "...<i>Philip opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture</i> (scripture the eunuch was reading,Isaiah 53:7,8) <i>and told him the good news about Jesus."</i><br />
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Philip proclaiming the Gospel in Samaria after Stephen's stoning which scattered many believers from Jerusalem, and there was much persecution...and an angel of the LORD interrupts Philip telling him to travel south, to a desolate place. Philip obeys, and once there he sees the Ethiopian eunuch. The Spirit of God then says "<i>Go over and join the chariot</i>." And catch this, <b>Philip RAN</b>!! He runs to him and overheard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, <i>"Do you understand what you are reading?"</i> <br />
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<i>"And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: </i><br />
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<i>'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter </i><br />
<i>and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, </i><br />
<i>so he opens not his mouth. </i><br />
<i>In his humiliation justice was denied him. </i><br />
<i>Who can describe his generation? </i><br />
<i>For his life is taken away from the earth.'</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And the eunuch said to Philip, 'About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture, he told him the good news about <b>Jesus</b>."</i><br />
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Could not the angel have told the Ethiopian about Jesus? The Spirit of God gave that charge to Philip.<br />
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There are people much like the Ethiopian who don't understand the Scripture, and they don't know Jesus -<i> "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be save."</i> (Acts 4:12)." And there is no one else, not the angels, who have been given that charge....that commission, that command to proclaim the good news about Him, other than His people - Christ followers.<br />
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Some say a "godly life" should serve as a witness...but "Without words, what can our actions point to but ourselves? A godly life cannot communicate the incarnation, Jesus' substitution for sinners, or the hope of redemption by grace alone through faith alone. We can't be good news, but we can herald it, sing it, speak it, and preach it to all who listen. In fact, verbal communication of the gospel is the only means by which people are brought into a right relationship with God." (Ed Stetzer <i>Preach the Gospel, and Since it's necessary, Use Words)</i><br />
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<i>The Apostle Paul in Romans said: "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" </i> Romans 10:13-15To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-1784208453510270452012-03-20T08:45:00.001-07:002012-03-20T08:47:46.132-07:00Psalm 39:1 devotional - Charles Spurgeon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; "><p class="passage" id="d0314pm-p2" style="text-indent: 0in; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; text-align: center; "><i>“I will take heed to my ways.”</i></p><a name="d0314pm-p2.1" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(136, 0, 0); "></a><h3 class="scripPassage" id="d0314pm-p2.2" style="margin-bottom: 0em; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0em; margin-left: 0em; "><a class="scripRef" id="d0314pm-p2.3" href="http://www.ccel.org/study/Psalms_39:1" name="_Ps_39_1_0_0" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(224, 0, 0); ">Psalm 39:1</a></h3><p class="normal" id="d0314pm-p3" style="text-indent: 2em; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; ">Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, “I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;” for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God, that <i>he</i> may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. “Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee.” Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways; so shall they always please the Lord. -- Charles Spurgeon Morning & Evening devotional for daily encouragement</p></span>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-89919624351030499722012-03-17T07:34:00.001-07:002012-03-17T09:36:38.371-07:00"JACKHAMMER"<div>Jackhammer.</div><div><br /></div>I hate the sound of the jackhammer - loud, <span style="font-weight:bold;">irritating</span>.<br /><br />Often I feel God deals with me like a jackhammer, but it is not He who is loud or irritating -- but me. As He demolishes the strongholds in my life, sinful cemented habits, wrong thinking, pettiness, evil thoughts, pride, stubbornness, selfishness, defensiveness, unbelief, things hidden within that I don't want others to know about, and those things I am not even aware of - irritating sounds erupt - FROM ME. The LORD Jesus though continues His sanctifying work by His grace.<div><br /><br />He wills to - for He is holy and His will is for His child, to be holy.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."</span><br /><br />Painfully thankful for His way: the Holy Spirit, the Word. Thankful for those who faithfully preach the Word which jackhammers my wicked heart. I must obey...but I struggle. Wretched/stubborn sinner that I am, but praising God for He has set me free and has given me life and power through His Spirit who dwells in me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 12:6 "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground purified seven times."</span><br /><br />Grateful to the LORD for the gift of repentance. God says I can "with confidence draw near" Him and will receive mercy and find grace when I do. Grateful to the LORD for those in the church who love this old jackhammer even when she is at her most <span style="font-weight:bold;">irritating</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-15575146524012338122011-12-15T12:09:00.000-08:002011-12-21T14:23:50.050-08:00Reckless Abandon 2012<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykofW-AFbK7FGJkoXnx2cUQnqe97y6kdBi14buoHl8tEvnuy3QObw_Lkbge12CzPJaM6ssr1oH6zX-nF1ljv5AQ_sylQWFfL-ulP8TLHtTer8IA7bSyZobsUkzSEwD9qfKWNt15kK7uc/s1600/accounts-693-promotion_images-17595-RecklessCity.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykofW-AFbK7FGJkoXnx2cUQnqe97y6kdBi14buoHl8tEvnuy3QObw_Lkbge12CzPJaM6ssr1oH6zX-nF1ljv5AQ_sylQWFfL-ulP8TLHtTer8IA7bSyZobsUkzSEwD9qfKWNt15kK7uc/s320/accounts-693-promotion_images-17595-RecklessCity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686469134729318066" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Reckless Abandon 2012
<br />LifeBridge Church’s Mission Trip to Ethiopia
<br />February 16-26 <span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span>
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<br />In February, I am going on a mission trip to Ethiopia with a group of people from my church <a href="http://www.lifebridgechurchpinellas.com">LifeBridge</a> as well as two terrific gal pals from up north.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">1 Peter 4:10 "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace."</span><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span>
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<br />We will get to serve at an orphanage [or as one of the <a href="http://aheartcalledcrazy.blogspot.com/p/details.html">gal pals</a> wonderfully expressed, “There will be lots of cuddling and playtime!”]. We will also be conducting a vacation Bible school, ministering in a leper colony and training pastors in the area.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">John 12:26 "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span></span>
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<br />Each person on the team has been working hard to raise his or her support. To help raise further funds, T-shirts and sweatshirts are being offered for sale designed by one of the team members <a href="http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/">Erica</a> and daughter, Nichol. The sale begins today, and they are really nice running true to size AND they look and feel GREAT!
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Men/Women T-shirts – Gray/Navy -- $25.
<br />Men/Women Sweatshirts – Gray/Navy -- $40.</span>
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<br />Money raised will be to help the team with expenses like airfare, but also with needs for the people we serve in Ethiopia like clothing, school supplies, health and medical supplies, toys.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FRONT READS: RECKLESS ABANDON</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BACK READS: "...in the same way, faith by itself that does nothing is dead." James 2:17</span>
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<br />If you would like to support us in this way, visit:
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<br /><a href="http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com">LifeBridge Church</a> and click on “give” which will take you to paypal. Make a note that it is for <span style="font-weight:bold;">Reckless Abandon 2012<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> and message me here on FB as to size and color.</a>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Grateful to the LORD! To Him be the Glory!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Ephesians 2: 10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."</span></span>
<br />To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-48562249201709272312011-11-02T09:38:00.000-07:002011-11-02T09:46:20.353-07:00"No Religious Affiliation"Today at Largo HS the 10th grade students in the class where I help out, were doing a standardized test. On page one, they were to give info about themselves including their “religious affiliation”. There were 40 religious choices!!!! Now, I did not see all their papers, but from peeking, I saw several mark #40 – <span style="font-weight:bold;">“No religious affiliation.” </span> The papers I could see, and no marks in the little circle indicating someone knew <span style="font-weight:bold;">“Jesus.” </span><br /><br />Heartbroken and close to tears…until I heard one teen, Jessica say: "I love talking and learning about different religions" to which I smiled and responded, “I love talking and learning about Jesus.” Didn’t give the gospel, but a seed. <br /><br />Please pray for the harvest at Largo HS. Please pray for me as His ambassador.To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-48145457123729013552011-07-14T08:20:00.000-07:002011-07-14T09:09:09.078-07:00PEDAL<span style="font-weight:bold;">"As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> 1 Peter 4:2 <br /><br />God's own are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them [Ephesians 2:10]. That verse in Ephesians is crazy!! The CREATOR of the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the KING of Kings has works -- good works -- for me and others of His own to do. How crazy is that?!! It boggles the mind. Some years ago, I read a quote -- "Watch to see where God is working and join Him in His work." Crazy!! <br /><br />Joining GOD? That is like a 4 year old joining Da Vinci as he painted the Mona Lisa, or a construction worker assisting Dr. DeBakey [the great father of modern cardiovascular surgery] while performing heart surgery. Crazy that God calls us to join Him in kingdom work, and yet He does.<br /><br />Ten years ago, the King brought a young <a href="http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com">Pastor and his wife</a> [<a href="http://www.lovewithabandon.com">Joe & Rachel Walser</a>] to my then church in New Jersey. From the very first moment to use an old idiom, I knew "I was to hitch my horse to that wagon." God was working in and through them to advance His kingdom, and I wanted to join in. God, by His own plan, had it in mind that a then middle aged couple would co-labor with Joe & Rachel. Crazy!! And now as a senior couple, we got to join in planting a church with them here in Florida. Larry and I get to serve in so many ways here ALONG WITH alot of peculiar people (See 1 Peter 2:9) who we are crazy for, and it is CRAZY, absolutely crazy. I like to say, we get to do what angels long to do. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength yet their span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass, and we fly away."<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> Psalm 90:9-10<br /><br />I just turned 60, and God has prepared another work for me in which to join Him [I know, crazy!] - I get to go to <a href="http://crackedpot-barbara.blogspot.com/2011/04/as-result-he-does-not-live-rest-of-his.html">Rwanda</a><br /><br />It takes my breath away. While writing this, I was reminded of a story... posted here which describes, I think, God's plan for His own.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Bike Ride with God - Author Unknown</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-style:italic;"> At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.<br /><br /> I don't know just when it was that He suggested that we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable ... It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, and it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal." I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are You taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we're off again. He said, "Give the gifts away, they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. <br /><br /> I did not trust Him at first, to be in control of my life, I thought He would wreck it; But He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. I'm learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He smiles and says ... "Pedal."<br /></span><br /><br />I love that story.... I love Jesus! So grateful that He does crazy things!<br /><br />This Saturday, July 16th (returning August 2nd), I travel to Africa. I covet your prayers as I serve there. Of late, my mind has been on the times of Noah, before the flood when people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until Noah entered the ark, and the people were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. People busy with life, not expecting that Jesus could come back at any time. (Matthew 24:36ff). Please pray that I take <span style="font-weight:bold;">every</span> opportunity to witness. That God open for me a door(s) while traveling for the word, "to declare the mystery of Christ,...that I may make it clear which is how I ought to speak. That I walk in wisdom ..making the best use of the time. Pray that my speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that I may know how I ought to answer each person." <br /><br />I believe it is God's plan for me to serve, here in Florida with LifeBridge Church and to go and serve in Rwanda at this time with the Rafiki Foundation, and in <span style="font-weight:bold;">every</span> place to take<span style="font-weight:bold;"> every</span> opportunity to witness [Colossians 4:2-6] <br /><br />To God be the Glory!To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-89665927144053740502011-07-05T21:13:00.000-07:002011-07-05T21:13:45.239-07:00The Story (Barbara Hoffman)<a href="http://viewthestory.com/3637">The Story (Barbara Hoffman)</a>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-65534713411743715042011-05-31T09:24:00.000-07:002011-05-31T09:53:45.965-07:00Deuteronomy 13Deuteronomy 13 “<span style="font-style:italic;">If a prophet arises among you … and says ‘Let us go after other gods…and let us serve them’, you shall not listen…. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve HIm and hold fast to Him.”<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Amazing sermon last night, and thinking and praying about all those idols that I think I have to have in order to be satisfied, and I cry. I cry alot. <br /><br />This morning I was reading Deuteronomy 13 and of course it’s about idols!! [more tears]. It’s a warning against false prophets who preach that it is aok to serve idols. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM. God’s people were to walk after the LORD alone with every fiber of their being. God’s chosen people were to listen and obey HIS voice, serve HIM alone, hold fast to HIM. Prophets who preached otherwise, and pointed people to idols, were to be killed for idolatry was rebellion against the LORD.<br /><br />In that same chapter, if even family members entice others in the family towards “idolatry”, drawing the chosen away from the LORD [called “wickedness”], they too would be killed. <br /><br />God has not changed…. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And so I wonder about the “prophets” or pastors in the pulpits today…. those who through their sermons point their flocks to idols [albeit ‘good things’ some of them] but idols. Idols of prosperity, putting family before God, sex, health, financial stability, success, education, religious works devoid of the cross, spiritual experiences etc. Those who preach it is fine to “worship a good thing as a god thing” - are preaching rebellion against God. [btw, back in the OT God’s people were under a pure theocracy, so I am not suggesting stoning today].<br /><br />I think about the leadership here at LBC, and am thankful to the LORD for that leadership. They never waver and faithfully, courageously preach the gospel warning the flock about the idols in our lives and preach repentance, and destruction of those idols. I am reminded of Titus 2:15 “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” <br /><br />As I think on Deut. 13, [causing more tears], I began to wonder if as a “family member” at LifeBridge, “Have I, by my words or actions enticed sisters, brothers to the ‘good things’ — to idolatry?” I grieve if I have. I repent if I have. Had I lived in BIble times, I too would have been worthy of execution. <br /><br />Last night, we sang an old hymn:<br /><br />Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,<br />Weak and wounded, sick and sore;<br />Jesus ready stands to save you,<br />Full of pity, love and power.<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />I will arise and go to Jesus,<br />He will embrace me in His arms;<br />In the arms of my dear Savior,<br />O there are ten thousand charms.<br /><br />Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,<br />God’s free bounty glorify;<br />True belief and true repentance,<br />Every grace that brings you nigh.<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />Come, ye weary, heavy laden,<br />Lost and ruined by the fall;<br />If you tarry till you’re better,<br />You will never come at all.<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">View Him prostrate in the garden;<br />On the ground your Maker lies.<br />On the bloody tree behold Him;<br />Sinner, will this not suffice?</span><br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,<br />Pleads the merit of His blood:<br />Venture on Him, venture wholly,<br />Let no other trust intrude.<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />Let not conscience make you linger,<br />Not of fitness fondly dream;<br />All the fitness He requireth<br />Is to feel your need of Him.<br /><br />Though I should be executed, Jesus was executed on my behalf and Jesus ALONE is my LORD and He will keep me so that I will never perish. He continues to intercede on my behalf. It is in Him that I will love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul. In Him, I shall walk after the Lord my God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice and in Him, I shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. And when I fail which is often, I will repent and He will complete the good work that He began in my life. In Him I will persevere to the end. Thank you LORD Jesus.To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-44653835272889726792011-05-17T09:55:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:04:51.153-07:00The Return of Jesus?My plans this weekend are fishing at Honey Moon Island with some gal pals on Saturday morning [yes women can catch fish] and on Sunday I am going to a shower for my friend Amanda who will be getting married in June. Sunday evening, I am planning on attending church. But I heard judgment is on May 21st which would disrupt any plans, mine and everyone else. There are those who believe Jesus is returning on the 21st.<br /><br />Frankly, I don't believe Jesus is returning this Saturday, and I am not here to debate those who do. I believe it is most likely that I will be worshipping with my LifeBridge Church family on Sunday evening. <span style="font-weight:bold;">But</span> I could not pass up the opportunity to comment on the return of our LORD and KING Jesus <span style="font-weight:bold;">who will</span> return one day. Jesus in Acts 1, we read, said:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority</span> (that is the specific years or dates which some in all ages try to predict of the Second Coming of Christ). <span style="font-style:italic;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" <br /></span><br /><br />Jesus IS coming back. <br />When? <br />I don't know.<br /><br />And though no one knows when - two things for sure: First, He is returning. And secondly, even if He tarries, anyone reading this blog will be dead within the next 50-60 years anyway, "Therefore...be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure...."<br /><br />Until He returns, He has given His followers a mission: to be His witnesses. He has even given us the title of ambassadors and as such we proclaim His gospel message.<br /><br />The Gospel..the Good News:<br /><br />Jesus created you (John 1:1-4). He is Creator, King..owns it all. <br />The Bible tells us that all things are created by Him and for Him and for His good pleasure (Col. 1:16-17; Phil. 2). <br /><br />BUT all of man has rebelled against God choosing instead to live life as our own ruler (Romans 3:23) with tragic results - "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)<br /><br />➢ WAGES - that is earned<br />➢ DEATH in the Bible is not only physical death, but separation from God.<br /><br />THE GOOD NEWS - the GOSPEL (the message we get the privilege to proclaim as followers of Christ) - THOUGH THE JUST DUE WAGES OF OUR SIN IS SEPARATION FROM A HOLY GOD, “... THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE…through our LORD JESUS CHRIST!<br /><br />God became a Man -- the unique God Man of the world - Jesus (Phil. 2:5-11)<br />JESUS – the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” [worthy sacrifice], the Lion of Judah [the rightful Ruler] (Col. 1:15-20; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation; Hebrews; Romans; 2 Cor. 5:21) <br />JESUS – who made atonement [paid ransom for His subjects] <br />JESUS - in so doing conquered death, was raised, and now is seated on His throne ruling His subjects in the heavenlies. <br />JESUS – has reestablished in His subjects His kingdom. <br /><br />Those who have put their faith in Him – (and only able to do so by His grace) - now live out “life” as a witness for our King until His return [2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3; Romans; 1 Cor. 15] <br /><br />And how then shall we live? Read Col. 2:1-15...<br /><br />....and so while fishing, going to wedding showers, attending church but do so as His ambassadors, on mission, seeking the lost - always.<br /><br />Matthew 28:18–20: <span style="font-style:italic;">"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”</span><br /><br />Thank you LORD JESUS that you made it possible, by your death and on our behalf and in our place, to be reconciled to God, and to know and enjoy you forever.To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-41795607639545275262011-04-06T11:36:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:34:23.224-07:00Rafiki Foundation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpts_MHUPhJEYIZI-7W3Vxzp4QxAJQefaKN5ub9_M02MGR78fMGiqc-4ijDdIYiEwNeQJuOMIGY8Q25Hrly8JgtbQU9-E7W8vengagkdvtuSuqNS-lpm8J7BkeZ5qvXLi9XsH4mfGStU/s1600/rwanda_village_01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpts_MHUPhJEYIZI-7W3Vxzp4QxAJQefaKN5ub9_M02MGR78fMGiqc-4ijDdIYiEwNeQJuOMIGY8Q25Hrly8JgtbQU9-E7W8vengagkdvtuSuqNS-lpm8J7BkeZ5qvXLi9XsH4mfGStU/s320/rwanda_village_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592553041656790274" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> 1 Peter 4:2<br /><br />Back in the '80's at a Bible Study Fellowship Retreat (I think it was in March) I heard for the very first time the vision of Rafiki. Rosemary Jensen the Executive Director of BSF at this retreat poured out this amazing plan from God on the care of widows and orphans. I was spellbound. I remember too Janet Pinkney, in charge of the Children's Department at the time (if you don't mind me going down memory lane) was "assisting" Rosemary with her red laser pointer, pointing out the different buildings that would be on site, while Rosemary spoke. Not distracted with the "pointer" poor Janet did not know how to use (we all laughed) my heart was beating. I wept, and I prayed, "How could I be involved? Commit to prayer? For sure. Give? Absolutely...but LORD one day, could I go? Can I go LORD? Send me." <br /> <br />I visited the Rafiki headquarters years later in San Antonio and not to many months ago, I got to visit Rafiki now with headquarters in Florida, my new home state. I will be leaving on July 16, 2011 for two weeks for Rwanda. <span style="font-weight:bold;">I get to go!!</span> I will be a pair of hands to the Rafiki overseas staff [ROS], Mike & Vicky Koch. Vicky was at that same retreat, and she and hubby, Mike have been serving with Rafiki for YEARS now! <br /> <br />This past year, I have been hit like never before by the overwhelming number of widows and orphans. In Africa alone, I read AIDS results in over 45 million orphans in Africa. Countries are losing their civil servants, their doctors, their professionals -- dying due to the disease. In one region, where they lost 300 teachers in one year, 260 of them were due to AIDS. Zambia is losing 2,000 teachers a year, many because of AIDS and they are only able to replace them at a rate of 1000 teachers a year. <br /><br />When asked how he copes with having so few resources to tackle immense suffering of orphans, Dr. Bob Jensen (husband of Rosemary) responded: "Would I stand back and say, "I can't save them all? No. I would save what I can. We must not be overwhelmed by our sorrow for so many, that we don't help the few we can. You save what you can, you reach out for even more, and you encourage others to do the same."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rafikifoundation.org">Rafiki Foundation</a> is on a rescue mission - to rescue at least a few thousand orphans from among the millions. Rafiki has established Rafiki Training Villages in ten African countries...deliberately located in the poorest English-speaking countries in Africa [Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia]. The villages have living facilities for 180 orphans in each village:<br /><br /> --To rescue them from physical death by starvation, disease and neglect. <br /> --To rescue them from spiritual darkness by teaching them to know the God of the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ. <br /> --To give them a quality academic education, life skills and vocational skills and <br /> --To try to motivate them to lead Africa's next generation. <br /><br />...with the hope and prayer of Rafiki they will become Christian leaders in politics, education, business, science and the arts...and to be leaders in their homes and in their churches.<br /><br />I read recently a quote from Richard Stearns, President of World Vision, "THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY I KNOW TO REPLACE A TEACHER, A FARMER, OR A NURSE: YOU MUST START WITH A CHILD AND CAREFULLY NURTURE AND TEACH THEM UNTIL THEY BECOME WHAT GOD HAS GIFTED THEM TO BE. I'M AFRAID WORLD VISION KNOWS NO SECRET SHORTCUTS FOR THAT." <br /><br />That is Rafiki.<br /> <br />Is your heart beating? Would you pray for Rafiki and me too? As in all service for the Lord, the primary need is prayer. <br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br />Rafiki #1963/Barbara E. Hoffman<br />The Rafiki Foundation<br />Attn: Shirley Harbrick, Missions Dept.<br />PO Box 1988<br />Eustis FL 32727<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rafikifoundation.org">www.rafikifoundation.org</a>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-64706698768387977802011-03-27T07:40:00.000-07:002011-03-27T07:40:04.210-07:00Corrie Ten Boom and the Rapture.flv<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YlWr3nSBjAM?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-31582172142241493812011-03-17T10:38:00.000-07:002011-03-17T13:58:14.457-07:00Intimacy<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD4zQ2uw8lBxHeRzYcqa7ueCJwq9ZRg3vytPmRlTsEkeevg3INoR5uogBMo_HqYP2EtDcTTX6VKz1bCdqknifbI0G_7wa2ubgQCguDxgCCc7RhEICJUL2Hjvfwd95B8US6ye5CvtHX38/s1600/Standard_246.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD4zQ2uw8lBxHeRzYcqa7ueCJwq9ZRg3vytPmRlTsEkeevg3INoR5uogBMo_HqYP2EtDcTTX6VKz1bCdqknifbI0G_7wa2ubgQCguDxgCCc7RhEICJUL2Hjvfwd95B8US6ye5CvtHX38/s320/Standard_246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585141952769502354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCr4S4Uh6JcpXrQKq55a2C4KN5HBr0K8xk4ZFuJkhGQD7qnKZyCUyNpmUZaH9SsIQKWZVfwO3FtU2rR61ovxXkYPGRGrjQ9qtkd_0pVb0WGrrFUoCLLgQDjp9P_Wc8SzBalQcZu-j6P0/s1600/Barbara+%2526+Larry+Christmas+2010.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20</span></a></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(70, 70, 70); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There's a precious little girl whose name is </span><a href="http://www.lovewithabandon.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Abby Walse</span></a><a href="http://http://www.lovewithabandon.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">r</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Larry and I love her mom, dad, brothers and sisters whom we have known for about a decade. We love them to the moon and back! </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Abby is the newest member of the Walser family recently adopted from Ethiopia. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">[By the way -- she sure can eat like a Walser too].</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLCYkyMc5rcrvyR5NIG7FaEH0LY3x8BdOEW6fbOGOoTe5Nrx7tZp7Xfnlqm93HpTeFgBloDTJALgbZ49fZAlumwNeQzQSbqqLIL6HTx-p8ZjtWa4wuclhnrQdMMDIxDpeInVzEHi2grE/s320/Ms.+Barbara+and+Abby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585144347256709458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqd3wA7aGUmxJgRlaJhpn_9fHEWvDFetx5RO7M6zvVViBZLa5GfNKvfXQYNlxda_HB5l-_S4BF4THEeDnPRod0YPolluLb0f0aVDgF06ZHWdEBghP3kWJBuVMVHVRfnz_F9Gf7bd8i7Q/s320/Barbara+%2526+Larry+Christmas+2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585143616625510050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD4zQ2uw8lBxHeRzYcqa7ueCJwq9ZRg3vytPmRlTsEkeevg3INoR5uogBMo_HqYP2EtDcTTX6VKz1bCdqknifbI0G_7wa2ubgQCguDxgCCc7RhEICJUL2Hjvfwd95B8US6ye5CvtHX38/s1600/Standard_246.jpg"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD4zQ2uw8lBxHeRzYcqa7ueCJwq9ZRg3vytPmRlTsEkeevg3INoR5uogBMo_HqYP2EtDcTTX6VKz1bCdqknifbI0G_7wa2ubgQCguDxgCCc7RhEICJUL2Hjvfwd95B8US6ye5CvtHX38/s1600/Standard_246.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOD4zQ2uw8lBxHeRzYcqa7ueCJwq9ZRg3vytPmRlTsEkeevg3INoR5uogBMo_HqYP2EtDcTTX6VKz1bCdqknifbI0G_7wa2ubgQCguDxgCCc7RhEICJUL2Hjvfwd95B8US6ye5CvtHX38/s1600/Standard_246.jpg"></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For me, spending some time with Abby has been a delight as I really want to get to know her, and the only way I think to get to know someone is spending time together. So I cherish those times with her. Abby calls me "Ba-ba-raa" [rolling her "r's"]. Her facial expressions, the way she tilts her head, the "Ethiopian nod" make me smile. She is very expressive, and you actually see her thinking! She's also a little bossy, and likes to take the lead not slipping her hand into mine, but rather grabbing my hand with her little hand!!! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Larry while loving the entire Walser family, but feeling disconnected from little Abby having not spent one on one time with her. </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Today though</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> - we spent time together with Abby going to Walsingham Park. We went up and down the slide a gazillion times, pushed her on a swing another gazillion times, rode on a "dinosaur", went to the botanical gardens where we saw tropical fish, cracking up because Abby thought we could </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">eat</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> them [again, food!!] Throughout the morning, Abby was calling [or more like yelling] "Ba-ba-raa" "MrLaarr-ry." But at one point while calling MrLaarr-ry, it sounded more like </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 14px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Laallipop" [lollipop]. We all cracked up, and more so as it showed in her face, Abby's realization that she was calling him "Lollipop" [again -- the food thing]. Well it stuck -- Mr. Larry is now </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lollipop, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and he</span></span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> loved it!! He (and she) feel connected. Larry's heart has been pierced. He loves her to the moon and back!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 14px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 14px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After bringing Abby home....Lollipop, I mean Larry, and I talked about how much fun we had but also how he feels closer with her having spent time together. It brought to mind Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." There are some who suggest this is an evangelistic appeal to non-Christians to open the door of their hearts and invite Jesus in to save and forgive them...but others, one being John Piper who says...</span></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(70, 70, 70); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">...this "i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s addressed to lukewarm Christians who think they have need of nothing more of Christ. It is addressed to churchgoers who do not enjoy the riches of Christ or the garments of Christ or the medicine of Christ because they keep the door shut to the inner room of their lives. All the dealings they have with Christ are businesslike lukewarm dealings with a salesman on the porch.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But Christ did not die to redeem a bride who would keep him on the porch while she watched television in the den. His will for the church is that we open the door, all the doors of our life. He wants to join you in the dining room, spread a meal out for you, and eat with you and talk with you. </span><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The opposite of lukewarmness is the fervor you experience when you enjoy a candlelit dinner with Jesus Christ in the innermost room of your heart</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. And when Jesus Christ, the source of all God's creation, is dining with you in your heart, then you have all the gold, all the garments, and all the medicine in the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">How do you buy gold when you're broke? You </span><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">pray</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, and trust the promise: ‘I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.’ There is an intimate communion and fellowship with Christ which many of us . . . need to seek in earnest prayer. </span><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Because when he dwells in the innermost room of our affections, he brings the power we want more than anything – the power to conquer selfishness and live for others</span></em><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">” (“How to Buy Gold When You’re Broke,” a sermon on Revelation 3:14-22, January 2, 1983, </span><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">http://www.desiringgod.org/</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; line-height: 17px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The tender, loving relationship that Larry and I eagerly desire and want to enjoy with Abby Walser is but a shadow of what the LORD Jesus' desires with His own!! </span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; line-height: 17px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0.5in; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; line-height: 17px; font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(70, 70, 70); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 27px; color: rgb(70, 70, 70); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(70, 70, 70); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJAMYVeVfMrH1n964RzplhPAxa1_SzVgYMgWP9vZN6iEzMswDcUuZO-JB623_ZWtEs-FXOvb8OJpiAWYS5jfBM12yv_W7FUFoDPf8RTutvJ48qmD9Mgp7x0Nnl5atJ6mm8exA2f91iv0/s320/First+Yogurt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585144918360969986" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(70, 70, 70); line-height: 17px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif;color:#464646;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-44122117054786236612011-01-17T08:01:00.000-08:002011-01-17T12:50:26.632-08:00"I Got Nothing?"<p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">[Referring to: Sermon of 01/16/2011 </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"It's Worth It"</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Note: There is an amazing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://http://animoto.com/play/xTT1X1I9vn7crG1hIzWH3A?utm_content=main_link"></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">video </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that ties into his message, that I hope you will watch. Check out my FB page as I could not post it here]. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After last night's message from God through Pastor Joe Walser, I was thinking and initially challenged more along the lines of finances -- as we are making a shift at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><a href="http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LifeBridge Church</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><a href="http://lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span></span></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"What would You have us do, Lord?" I prayed, which led to "How can I repay you for all you have done?"</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ludicrous question as how does one repay the King of kings, Lord of lords, All-Sufficient One for </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">life</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">life eternal</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">joy indescribable</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for unconditional love</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the forgiveness of sins, for redemption</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for ministry</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for being with and serving alongside my husband and the saints</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for Him using this sinful "clay pot" </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for even the pressures, sorrow which btw He uses for His glory and my transformation</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and for so much more</span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?" In and of myself all I can say, using an urban expression, is: </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got nothing</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">!</span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This morning, reading Psalm 116, I was encouraged that the psalmist asked the very same question --</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?" </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">v. 12</span></span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">David wrote:</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "I </span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">will lift up the cup of my salvation"</span></span></b></i></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I thought about that: lifting up the "cup of my salvation", a cup needing to be filled often, always by the LORD Jesus Himself. He is the Living Water, the only One who satisfies spiritual thirst. He will fill me -- not one time but again, and again, and again, and again and again, and again as I lift up the </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">cup</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of my salvation to Him. No longer do I live, but Him...for He fills me with Himself...with </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> goodness for </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got nothing.</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">v. 13</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "Call upon the name of the LORD</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"</span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></i></b></span></div><div><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Finite Barbara calling on infinite LORD again, and again, and again, and again, and again....[not just in my quiet time but all the time, living moment by moment calling upon </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> name]. If I call upon His name in faith -- more of Him, less of me as </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">His</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> goodness will pour out of me. Oh to "shut my pie hole" and first call upon the name of the LORD before I speak or act. Too often foulness pours out of me because I neglect to call on Him...because I don't lift up the cup of my salvation.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Surely that is one reason why it is commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, to "pray without ceasing...this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." His command to me is to call upon the name of the LORD without ceasing because </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got nothing.</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">v. 14</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of His people</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In and of myself, </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got nothing</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, I'm inadequate...BUT the Almighty, the All-Sufficient LORD will fill me as I lift up "the cup of salvation." As I "call on Him", then and only then can I fulfill my vows. In Him, by grace I can pay my vows by faith -- able to obey HIM!! In all matters by lifting up the cup of my salvation, calling on the name of the LORD again and again and again and again.....</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I got nothing</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and He is everything, I can only repay the LORD with His own goodness. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not only then tithe but give generously [my initial question], </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but also</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">submit to my husband, submit to leadership, forgive others, repent of my sins, to love, be kind, be merciful, turn the other cheek,, to shut my pie hole, etc...to reflect Him again, and again, and again, and again, and again...</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></p><p face="'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: left; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></p></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-14943599561525002352010-12-17T07:23:00.000-08:002010-12-17T18:05:19.992-08:00Take my will....Love the old hymns. One of my favorites "Take My Life, and Let it Be"...<div><br /></div><div>I'm singing the words...."Take my life, and let it be consecrated Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, let them flow in ceaseless praise.....</div><div><br /></div><div>...Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love...</div><div>...Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee...</div><div>...Take my silver and my gold....</div><div>...Take my will --- HOLD IT!!!!! SCREECHING HALT!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I sing to be holy...consecrated to the Lord....and fall flat. Rather I should say, I dig in my heels. </div><div><br /></div><div>George Fox wrote "I know Jesus, and He was very precious to my soul; but I found something in me that would not keep sweet and patient and kind. I did what I could to keep it down, but it was there. I besought Jesus to do something for me, and when I gave Him my will. He came to my heart, and took out all that would not be sweet, all that would not be kind, all that would not be patient, and then HE shut the door." Oh, I want those to be my words...</div><div>I am sorry my Lord.... Make this not just a hymn to be sung but my prayer, my heartfelt prayer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take my will, and make it Thine; </div><div>It shall be no longer mine. </div><div>Take my heart; it is Thine own; </div><div>It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take my love; my Lord, I pour</div><div>At Thy feet its treasure store</div><div>Take myself, and I will be</div><div>Ever, only, all for Thee</div><div>Ever, only, all for Thee</div><div><br /></div><div>"So as to live the rest of your earthly life...for the will of God." 1 Peter 4:2</div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-41029474447996202102010-11-20T00:46:00.000-08:002010-11-21T05:43:21.909-08:00"Just do the next thing...."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWOQAxMs11cqy_Uzh_Tnw0hO-cnvJ5ihJ_BPALY9-vzsEjL-mYrmeZ-tOMXd0JEWONbV3Vsm08d_-mVBksFR_oE364jFkD5PrdlfIcJPk_ppXx_GkavhTqloCSn0A2hml8r7mKUqMV9o/s1600/Abby2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWOQAxMs11cqy_Uzh_Tnw0hO-cnvJ5ihJ_BPALY9-vzsEjL-mYrmeZ-tOMXd0JEWONbV3Vsm08d_-mVBksFR_oE364jFkD5PrdlfIcJPk_ppXx_GkavhTqloCSn0A2hml8r7mKUqMV9o/s320/Abby2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541565822589359250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyujj8A4A-haKETPgp03asirJoWfNkEcNPpZZXFmR8wa5ucCeIhgJslY7vTdq8wWBEVhRfhsfN4IlGg1K57HTsf-GKHJCu-4ySAy6fyRd6WO-TD5k_l3HgR-UtkAr61OnrGWMqzh8DPaA/s1600/Abby4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyujj8A4A-haKETPgp03asirJoWfNkEcNPpZZXFmR8wa5ucCeIhgJslY7vTdq8wWBEVhRfhsfN4IlGg1K57HTsf-GKHJCu-4ySAy6fyRd6WO-TD5k_l3HgR-UtkAr61OnrGWMqzh8DPaA/s320/Abby4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541554290123066770" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div>Have you faced a situation that is just too big that you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, helpless not knowing what to do? My friend use to say in times like that, "Just do the next thing."</div><div><br /></div><div>The situation regarding the number of widows and orphans is overwhelming. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In Africa <i>alone</i>, I'm told AIDS results in over </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">45 million orphans</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I personally feel helpless, don't know what to do. Frustrated. But I then remember my friend's comment, "Just do the next thing."</span></span></span></div></span></span><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">In recent months, actually about a year and a half now -- God's people at <a href="http://www.lifebridgechurchpinellas.com/">LifeBridge Church</a> [and all over the country] with feelings of inadequacies, not sure what to do, have been doing "the next thing" -- coming along side the Walser family .. fundraising, praying fervently, encouraging, advocating for orphans, donating time, money, sweat and tears resulting in Abby Lynne Walser being brought into her family. She will be home Christmas night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">What if all God's people "just do the next thing" regarding orphan care? God will even tell us the next thing to do. He says in Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" To some, they will hear His voice say to begin taking that long, difficult journey to adopt? To others: to withdraw some of the retirement money and give to the family who is adopting. Yet to another who is handy, to help a family with a much needed larger bedroom for a new child, or maybe His voice is calling you to go! To go serve orphans and widows...perhaps even in Africa! [Visit <a href="http://www.rafikifoundation.org/">The Rafiki Foundation</a>]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">I love looking at the pictures of Abby with her Mommy and Daddy. I keep looking at them and I keep smiling. They are all so blessed...BUT... so am I, and so too many others for we got to do "the next thing." Many blessed people by doing the next thing in obedience to God's voice got to bring a little girl home to her family, and honor God. That makes me want to do more of "the next thing."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"> </span></div></div></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-81167531583035564172010-09-17T06:37:00.000-07:002010-10-31T09:46:28.214-07:00Thankful to be a Plain - and cracked - CupI am a big Indiana Jones fan. My favorite movie of the series -- "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Indiana Jones is seeking the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. <div><br /></div><div>In one of the final scenes, Indiana Jones' father [played wonderfully by Sean Connery] is seriously wounded by the "bad guy" and thus about to die. But if Indiana, succeeds in finding the Holy Grail, fill it with holy water, and give it to his father to drink -- it would have the power to heal. [We know this because the last Knight of the last Crusade, tells them he has been kept alive for eons with the power of the Grail]. But there's a problem, the Holy Grail is hidden among several other cups, and the last Knight is not disclosing which one is the Grail.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the characters, Elsa [misguided of course] chooses a gilded cup encrusted in jewels. She fills it with water and gives it to the sinister Donovan [the one who shot Indiana's dad...so we are pretty sure what is coming]. Donovan drinks, only to rapidly decay and crumble into dust. Indiana, our hero, on the other hand, recognizing that the Grail would be that of a humble carpenter and not a wealthy king selects a plain wooden cup, fills it with the water and quickly takes it to his father to drink who is then healed. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love the story, love the scene...and my favorite part of the scene: the plain cup. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a nobody, a plain cup. To be honest in my humanity - that is very painful...<b><i>"until I</i></b><b><i> entered the sanctuary of God...</i>"</b> [Psalm 73:17] then I understood for God tells me in His Word that He deliberately chose "nobodies" [me] - He chose <b><i>"what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world even things that are not to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 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.'"</i></b> [1 Corinthians 1:27-28] </div><div><br /></div><div>So...when I begin to feel sorry for myself [confession time -- which is far too often], I will immediately enter the sanctuary of my God who will affirm just how very plain I am i<b>n order that I not boast before Him, but only in the Lord! To God be the Glory!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-90330650252800995792010-08-12T20:15:00.000-07:002010-08-14T19:46:54.353-07:00What was He thinking?<i><b>"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...."</b></i><div><br /></div><div>....I was reading the creation account this morning. The Lord God created a masterpiece of a planet, and what does He do....He gives the care of it to man! What was He thinking? Knowing full well in short order, His created beings were going to screw up the works yet the Lord blessed them choosing the first couple and their heirs the amazing privilege of ruling over what He had beautifully and perfectly created.</div><div><br /></div><div>Using my sanctified imagination while reading Genesis 1, I pictured each breathtaking creation "day" with man in the thoughts of God: <i><b>"And God said.. and it was. And God said...and it was. And God said...and it was,"</b></i> - and then at the pinnacle of creation, <b><i>"Let Us make man in our image."</i></b> I wonder the first couple's thought when Creator God, the Alpha and the Omega, the great I Am proclaimed...... [my paraphrase]: "Not the angels...but you ... YOU - man - are to subdue it, to rule over everything - the fish, the birds, every living creature. I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the earth and every tree. Everything that has breath of life in it - I give to you to care for.." Amazing, humbling to be chosen to care for what He has made! Mankind to have dominion over the earth and everything in it?? Too wonderful!</div><div><br /></div><div>Respectfully I ask, "What was He thinking?"</div><div><br /></div><div>What was the Lord God thinking when He <b>again</b> chose man - His followers [known for screwing up the works] with His Gospel message -- to "Go" tell others of the Gospel, to be witnesses, to make disciples? Creator God, the Alpha and the Omega, the great I Am, Sovereign, Holy God chose not the angels [who long to], but us, the privilege to preach the gospel.</div><div><br /></div><div>What was God thinking? Thank You Jesus...help me not to screw it up by keeping this wonderful news to myself, but in love to preach the gospel leaving the results with you. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; ">"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador...Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20</span></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-40408912081046301322010-07-28T16:09:00.001-07:002011-04-04T20:22:14.387-07:00No Greater Joy .... November 3, 2010<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 4</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I became a follower of Jesus Christ when my youngest child, a son, was 4 months old. One of the very first things I did [and I remember it like yesterday] was to kneel beside him, and give Him back to Jesus. I believed then and to this day that it was God's will that I do so. It was pure and right with no other motive, than that my son would one day serve our King. God gave him to me and I gave him back to God.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Over the years friends had often said that I was like the mother of James and John wanting my son to sit either to the right or left of King Jesus. That is not true. My heart's desire, for Christ planted it there, was that Stephen would serve the King - and not seated to His right or left, but at His feet. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Never</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> in my wildest imagination, as I knelt beside him those thirty years ago, did I ever think my son would not serve God. If anything, I was so very grateful - certain that Christ who opened my eyes to my depravity would do the same for my son. As his mom, I would bring him up [as well as his older sister] in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and one day like Samuel, he too on hearing the voice of God, would say, "Speak, for your servant is listening." My favorite verse -- "There is no greater joy than to hear your child walks in truth!!! " But for many years and to this day, my son does not walk in truth. He does not serve God, but rejects King Jesus.</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Over the years, I have not had </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">that </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">joy [yes joy...but not the greater joy of hearing my own child walks with Jesus] but rather great heartache. The "lost" of my son has been the most difficult trial I have ever had to bear as a mom who loves the Lord Jesus. One particular season my dear husband Larry came home each afternoon, just to hold me in his arms as I wept uncontrollably as my heart pain over my lost child was so unbearable. There were days...weeks when I did not even know where he was. Had he been in a car wreck? Was he lying on the side of the road? Where was he sleeping? Did he have food to eat? I was also angry, hurt, bitter, resentful for how could this happen?!! Was it not God's will that my son would live for Him? What did I do wrong? Did I hear God right? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Looking back -- I did plenty wrong as a parent raising children. I usurped the authority of my husband, was oftentimes harsh and I could go on and on...but that is for another blog. Bottom line I was not "all that." But oh...my heart for Jesus was and still is that my children would serve Him. 3 John 4 says: "to hear" not see. God began a work in my heart that I don't have to </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"see." </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It is enough that I </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">hear</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> that they are His and living for Him -- and so that is my prayer. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I do... I do... I do believe in spite of me and my parenting, God graciously gave me my son and daughter to raise for His glory, for His kingdom purpose. Before the beginning of time sovereign God knew I would mess up and yet He still allowed me to have children to bring them up - for His good pleasure. He is the One who will take my ashes and turn them into beauty. I believe not based on a promise found in the Bible, but a whisper to my heart many years ago that my children, both of them -- would serve the King. I rejoice to see that my daughter walks in truth... and I await to hear that my son does as well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Last night in our Community Group, we were reading the parable of the prodigal son [Luke 15] and a new friend, a bear of a man... a biker...who came for the very first time tearfully told us that his former wife and daughter had been praying for him for 14 years. Six months ago - he repented and turned to Christ at the age of 51. I was so personally encouraged, that of all the nights, for him to visit...it was the night we were talking about the eternal-timeless love of Father God who forgives.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In a separate conversation at the end of the night, my dear friend, Melissa drew me aside as she was under divine compulsion to begin praying everyday for my son. It is my belief that Sovereign God orchestrates everything....places things on our hearts, in our minds...to pray about because He is about to move... He is about to do something. So like the father of the prodigal son, I am anticipating my son's return.... but not to me, but to God and say, "Speak, for your servant is listening."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Someone wrote regarding prayer to "expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He only can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ and expect great things."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">A popular allegory, many have been blessed by is ..</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. "Much Afraid", a young woman journeying to the High Places of the Shepherd is guided by two companions, Sorrow and Sufferin</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">g. One of my favorite parts in the story is whenever the Shepherd.. the Good Shepherd... talks with Much Afraid they always withdrew a little. Sorrow and Suffering always present but also always withdrawing a little when the Good Shepherd is present talking with Much Afraid alone. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Throughout the years, 15 now, sorrow and suffering have been my constant companions over Stephen, but my Good Shepherd is also ever present. I have come to love sorrow and suffering for like Much Afraid they have brought me into a deeper intimacy with the Good Shepherd. Of late, I think I actually hear them laughing. I feel there is something on the horizon...something that suffering and sorrow knows and believing that very soon I will hear.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">November 3, 2010</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-75830453743454829152010-07-19T13:52:00.000-07:002010-07-19T13:52:00.921-07:00Matt Chandler - Jesus Wants the Rose<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o-zR3h2UsR4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o-zR3h2UsR4&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-17924238574606445882010-07-15T20:45:00.000-07:002010-07-15T20:45:18.916-07:00Via Dolorosa (english, spanish (español))<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-v8HJC0Am84&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-v8HJC0Am84&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-70816607240151730792010-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:002010-07-16T19:34:02.450-07:00Orphan Care<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Being confronted with another "imperative" a/k/a command from the Lord Jesus ---- </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> The care of widows and orphans [James 1:27]. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some years ago -- we heard about the exciting work of </span><a href="http://www.rafiki-foundation.org/what/what_we_do.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">The Rafiki Foundation</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. [Rafiki aims to help orphans and widows in Africa become godly contributors in their countries. Their mission is to help Africans know God by caring for and educating orphans, providing materials and training in education and Bible study, and giving economic opportunities to widows]. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In small ways, we began to support the work of The Rafiki Foundation, believing it was good enough and pleasing to God. But the Lord has been, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">dare I say,</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> on us of late - about our definition of "good enough." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This past year, the Lord brought a family into our church who had adopted a beautiful little boy from Ethiopia. That family's story and then dozens more of families who have or are in the process of adopting has been creating an angst in my heart. I wondered, if I miss the boat on something that broke the heart of Jesus! Was supporting Rafiki in small ways really "good enough"? I heard myself asking God [more like whining], "Is not our present involvement with widows and orphans 'good enough' Lord? " Somewhere deep inside, and not in a reproachful way but lovingly, His answer: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">"No... it is not."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you have read my first blog, you will remember I am learning <b>no</b><b>t</b> to say "I will never, ever," to the Lord Almighty. But startled on realizing the Lord was calling for "more," I worried, "What if He wants us to adopt?" I felt, being a 59 year old grandma with a 64 year old husband, that it was perfectly sane to say to God this time, "I will never, ever adopt." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Though I did not verbalize it... in my heart my prayer was "<b><i>Please </i></b>don't say adopt." But I know the Bible...I know the Lord well enough that for anything, anytime He calls a person [even a "senior" person] to something, He will equip, for nothing is too difficult for Him. There is absolutely no excuse for disobedience when the Lord commands.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Lord for His good pleasure brought about three families in our church to adopt [not us]. They are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia [one being the family I mentioned earlier who had previously adopted] while a fourth family is adopting locally, a special needs child. These families have sold possessions, cut back in spending, cut coupons, fundraised [i.e. garage sales, car washes], prayed [always praying] because they have taken seriously and gladly the command to care for orphans and widows. I read posted on their FB pages ...that they don't see adoption as being about "sacrificing....but it being about prioritizing." </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, though it does not appear God has adoption in His plan for us [no comment here], it is clear there is much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we <b><i>are</i></b> to do and <i><b>can</b></i> do. <b>We continue to support Rafiki and pray how God might involve us further in the future, and are and can get behind the families in our community</b>. We too can sell possessions, cut back in spending, cut coupons, fundraise, pray [always pray]. We can contribute money, time, energy, be grandparents, encourage, be a voice [one reason why I'm blogging], help with child care when they travel to Ethiopia to go to their court and "Gotcha" dates. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Good enough? I don't want to ask that anymore...but only to wait and.... trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John Piper said, <b>adoption [being] the heart of the gospel and the cleares</b><b>t</b><b> picture of what God has done for us,</b> so it seems clear to me that my future blogs will include adoption. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am looking forward to sharing a wonderful idea that two of our families are going to present on their blogs to raise funds to bring their children home. Perhaps you might like to participate. Stay tune.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In my blog list are the sites of three of our families who are adopting - Melissa [& Jon] Maser, Erica [& Dave] Shubin, and Rachel [& Joe] Walser. Visit their sites if you would like to know more about them and their journeys. You won't be disappointed. Maybe too, like me, you are an empty nester with heart angst regarding widows and orphans, wondering how God plans to use you in the winter of your years. Those years can bear perhaps more fruit than earlier years. Maybe there is a family or two or three in your own church community to whom you can get behind. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b></div></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-49114881888103435952010-07-13T09:57:00.000-07:002010-07-14T11:26:36.576-07:00Cracked Pot for Jesus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Every time I have said </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"I will never, ever do that"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I am sure I cause my Lord in heaven to smile. For every single time I have said the words: </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"I will never, ever do that"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I end up doing the very thing I said I would never, ever do. The most recent never, ever - "I will never, ever </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">blog</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">," and here I am</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> blogging. </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> [I think I caused my Lord to smile!]</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And so what am I blogging about? Him, My Lord</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> ...no one better to blog about then Jesus :)</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love Jesus ... and loving Him is even only possible because He first loved me. Jesus is my King, the center of the universe. Everything revolves around Him. He created us all for the very purpose of "blogging" about Him. Revelation 4:11 states "...thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." And so my blogs will be about Him!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-family:Times, serif;"><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My Lord Jesus left the earth after his resurrection, entrusting His glorious Gospel message to those He loves [me being one of them]. He said: "Go...and make disciples." It is as if the Lord Jesus said: "You</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> you</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.....[not the angels who are willing, who long to do so], </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but you, Barbara 'Go.' </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> And t</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">o make sure you understand I really mean -- </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">you</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, I state it in the imperative. Don't say 'I will never, ever do that', for it is my wonderful command </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to you</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. I could have commanded the angels, but I chose you." Amazing!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amazing that He put this great "treasure", the message of salvation and the glorious results, in common pots of clay a/k/a cracked pots [2 Corinthians 4:7]. Mere mortals [by the way called His "ambassadors"] get to obey His command. Just call me a "Cracked Pot" for Jesus! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There is another "never, ever" I did not say, but am tempted to say to my Lord Jesus....but that's my next blog.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div></div>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380553852603338110.post-56385377176200542502010-07-13T09:56:00.001-07:002010-07-17T20:48:52.104-07:00Puzzle<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMjhyphenhyphenPYO2M_Antb1nBinvNFHJdmgTaPFIV8zbvo7ueuf9jZoy9GuDbu7mcWMXa6n-cIyjmfdbNa-g-rGzBIjx4XT02Vw63rs7Q9xl_k3OWO-zSEO-FrBqfG30ldRb1SNN7mcZ-ln7txI/s1600/African+Women+Puzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMjhyphenhyphenPYO2M_Antb1nBinvNFHJdmgTaPFIV8zbvo7ueuf9jZoy9GuDbu7mcWMXa6n-cIyjmfdbNa-g-rGzBIjx4XT02Vw63rs7Q9xl_k3OWO-zSEO-FrBqfG30ldRb1SNN7mcZ-ln7txI/s320/African+Women+Puzzle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495027935688425170" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My friend Erica told me about this puzzle idea she came upon to raise funds for her and her family's adoption. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 167, 144); line-height: 25px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's a 500 piece puzzle, and they are inviting people to "sponsor" a piece of the puzzle for $10. </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then she showed me her puzzle! </span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 167, 144); line-height: 25px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><i><b></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Is this not an absolutely beautiful work of art!!? </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 167, 144); line-height: 25px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now not just because it is a beautiful work...but I am very excited about this fundraising idea for so many reasons:</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On the back of each puzzle piece the name of the sponsor will be permanently written.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As each piece is sponsored, the Shubin family [6 of them] will put it together - </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">together</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> :)</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Years from now, the newest Shubin at a time when she might be sorting through some of those existential issues all kiddoes go through [more difficult I think for one who is adopted] -- this puzzle will be a visual reminder to her of those who participated in bringing her home. How wonderful is that?!! She will see over 500 names of individuals, families who gladly did so.</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I had medical insurance when I delivered my children, but there is no "adoption insurance" and this simply is a beautiful God honoring fundraising idea that anyone can do. </span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Once the puzzle is completed, it will be displayed in a frame so that both front [art of Julia Cairns] and back [those who help "defend the cause of the weak and fatherless"] can be seen.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;color:#191919;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://176279A4-FCEF-4A8E-84C6-D655777A9CF2/image.tiff" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Click here to read more about it: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 167, 144); line-height: 25px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://thisshubinclan.blogspot.com/2010/07/many-pieces-together-complete-puzzle.html" style="color: rgb(65, 167, 144); text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Many Pieces Together Complete a Puzzl</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#41A790;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 216, 246); line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 10px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 10px; font-family:Verdana;"><p align="left" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px; font-family:arial, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"A father of the fatherless... is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.." Psalm 68:5a, 6a.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span>To God be the Glory!http://www.blogger.com/profile/16115427619321887191noreply@blogger.com0