tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88108846458415480432024-03-13T03:02:39.424-07:00Blessed LifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.comBlogger504125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-49283682275466314092016-06-28T08:16:00.001-07:002016-06-28T08:17:34.225-07:00Flying Under The Radar...Is this Good?<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want to soar high above the clouds...leaving a legacy of leadership </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of us would like to go through our lives "under the radar". We would like to be called on for the fun stuff, a seat filler, a warm body and if we are truly interested in something, we might consider putting ourselves out there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What does it mean to "fly under the radar"? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Under the radar means that no one detects our presence, therefore, no one expects anything from us. No one can count on you to show up or volunteer to help. So if or when you show up, it's a party and everyone is happy to see you. You possess no phone numbers so you are not responsible to even make a phone call. You can pass the buck because it would be impossible for you to even pick the buck up. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB7AvAIms0A/V3KRANJ2FcI/AAAAAAAAQGU/grmydyFl-Vczl9RKpFSFYdiDb_k7-a2QQCLcB/s1600/_DSC3313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LB7AvAIms0A/V3KRANJ2FcI/AAAAAAAAQGU/grmydyFl-Vczl9RKpFSFYdiDb_k7-a2QQCLcB/s400/_DSC3313.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to say, sometimes, "under the radar" sounds wonderful!! I will just sneak in the back 1/2 hour late and sneak out 5 minutes early. I can say I showed up...that's the important thing, right??!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But how can we build relationships if we are not engaged? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living this life...Mother teaching daughter...daughter teaching daughter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> How can we learn from each other if we don't communicate? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9O83OxDW0-8/V3KRfwnn1II/AAAAAAAAQGg/bnF-dDaJJ3cHBJJWAong5MKkUgWwO56GACLcB/s1600/_DSC3074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9O83OxDW0-8/V3KRfwnn1II/AAAAAAAAQGg/bnF-dDaJJ3cHBJJWAong5MKkUgWwO56GACLcB/s400/_DSC3074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They climbed to the top together...sharing experience</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> How can we love without touch, life sharing sacrifice? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son learns from Father when the Father reaches out</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 1 John 3:18 NLT </span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">Dear Children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 1 Thessalonians 2:8,12 NLT</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.</span><span style="font-size: large;">12. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are called to live this life together. Learning from each other, imitating each other, growing in God's grace together. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on each other till everyone makes it to the top</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are responsible for each other. We can no longer fly under the radar when lives are at stake. When others need us to show up and impart our wisdom and love. It's a burden but it's not too heavy. For we have such good examples in scripture and in others. We all have someone who showed up and loved us through it. We need to be that for someone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 2 Corinthians 3:12 NLT</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be the leader that you are called to be. This isn't just for bosses, pastors, church leaders...this is for all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't really want to fly under the radar. I want to soar, bringing others with me, knowing I will one day leave a legacy of leadership for those I leave behind.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-42721928373012129202016-06-27T18:30:00.001-07:002016-06-27T18:30:20.578-07:00Creativity Sparks<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning time at the beach house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May and June 2016 = BUSY!!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic view of Hatteras beach...X-Large so you can see...it overflows into the margins...sorry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took our annual trip to Hatteras Island and had a blast. Two weeks of resting and relaxing even though we had "Bonnie" the storm to contend with. It was still a great vacation. Since I haven't written for a while, I thought I would share some of our vacation pics today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had a lot of fun with my camera but didn't take as many photos as I usually do. But every photo is 100% mine. I set every setting and had so much fun seeing what this camera can do. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband and our friend Kim by the Hatteras Landing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IPhone pic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally found an intact sand dollar...this was taken with my IPhone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bo loving the beach...my youngest grandson</td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;">These are just a few of what I took. The other photos are on my laptop. Photography has been my creative outlet lately. I haven't had a thought that I was willing to write down in the last month. I have been blocked with no ambition for writing. Then I read something today that put a little spark in my mind and heart. </span><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ME</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Pray for creative ideas, believe that you can accomplish them, and GO!" Dr. Clifton Clarke</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have found something today that sparks creativity in you. I mean we do serve the most creative, imaginative, mind blowing, inspiring God...He created us, what other proof do you need?</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-yXBFV3T4k/V3HRM1k2aHI/AAAAAAAAQF0/Mjy8fTSL2_gsvYVA4PcWQQsOIIpD00lAACLcB/s1600/IMG_6594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-yXBFV3T4k/V3HRM1k2aHI/AAAAAAAAQF0/Mjy8fTSL2_gsvYVA4PcWQQsOIIpD00lAACLcB/s400/IMG_6594.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My magnolia tree in the back yard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka8bpXUPVdE/V3HRNgsoTjI/AAAAAAAAQF8/AZ01iUczH5E6Cy938gxp9Kc2hkzKKrIeACLcB/s1600/_DSC3235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka8bpXUPVdE/V3HRNgsoTjI/AAAAAAAAQF8/AZ01iUczH5E6Cy938gxp9Kc2hkzKKrIeACLcB/s400/_DSC3235.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love it's blooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yffHjJ9QcE8/V3HRMiAtX0I/AAAAAAAAQFw/tO27LI_MtO8TmhLj_484C1isN_Oz9y1pQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yffHjJ9QcE8/V3HRMiAtX0I/AAAAAAAAQFw/tO27LI_MtO8TmhLj_484C1isN_Oz9y1pQCLcB/s400/IMG_6593.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a hearty flower but still so delicate that it only lasts maybe two days.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look around your life and know that you are BLESSED!!!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YdwZrP8MCQ/V3HRMVnlo_I/AAAAAAAAQFs/YH3qA0eUEJsdvsyBdagBm6Yx7t6aphkPQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9YdwZrP8MCQ/V3HRMVnlo_I/AAAAAAAAQFs/YH3qA0eUEJsdvsyBdagBm6Yx7t6aphkPQCLcB/s400/IMG_6139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim having a wee nap in the sun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZddKCNzCDgc/V3HRLpki5bI/AAAAAAAAQFg/0M8sUxkmmVUGqaYJr0x5lS6wwbSeCzCdgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZddKCNzCDgc/V3HRLpki5bI/AAAAAAAAQFg/0M8sUxkmmVUGqaYJr0x5lS6wwbSeCzCdgCLcB/s400/IMG_6195.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bo at the Hatteras Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR-ilVpLBak/V3HRLqvtCDI/AAAAAAAAQFc/j7EQQGYkKho_-tzOonzUiakWqVOhqhh2ACLcB/s1600/IMG_6218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oR-ilVpLBak/V3HRLqvtCDI/AAAAAAAAQFc/j7EQQGYkKho_-tzOonzUiakWqVOhqhh2ACLcB/s400/IMG_6218.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pop and Baby Bo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELbZrSr5Sks/V3HRMFiiLfI/AAAAAAAAQFk/WJigRBFETJcFl67NRoGKFNdClVdceIhIACLcB/s1600/IMG_6220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELbZrSr5Sks/V3HRMFiiLfI/AAAAAAAAQFk/WJigRBFETJcFl67NRoGKFNdClVdceIhIACLcB/s400/IMG_6220.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pop and Baby Bo going for a walk on the beach...this<br />fills my heart UP!!!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-8448286831364488352016-05-18T08:22:00.002-07:002016-05-18T08:22:39.405-07:00Child of the Church<div class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mind keeps rolling this phrase around..."I am a child of the church". </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oGgR1dcaWI/VzyEJo1ZKkI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/XU6uMTDl62UipYzOD0ZFmMJ8JqA4psn-gCLcB/s1600/Apr%2B2012%2BPhoto%2BStream%2B-%2B0443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oGgR1dcaWI/VzyEJo1ZKkI/AAAAAAAAQDQ/XU6uMTDl62UipYzOD0ZFmMJ8JqA4psn-gCLcB/s400/Apr%2B2012%2BPhoto%2BStream%2B-%2B0443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A child of the church...what does that mean, how did and does that impact who I am today and tomorrow, is it significant, positive or negative?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a Christian parent I know the scripture from Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."(KJV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the way the Amplified Bible says it, "Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God's wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it."</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFAaOYon8vI/VzyEI8WLUFI/AAAAAAAAQC8/SGWHuRUveXgeCLRjs1ZJGJFO7qxcpg7DQCKgB/s1600/406349_3038481327429_1341280580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFAaOYon8vI/VzyEI8WLUFI/AAAAAAAAQC8/SGWHuRUveXgeCLRjs1ZJGJFO7qxcpg7DQCKgB/s400/406349_3038481327429_1341280580_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took this scripture to heart every day when I was raising my children...it was my anthem, my hope, my driving force to make sure I taught them right, leading by example and not just sending them to learn but taking them, teaching them, sacrificing for them, pouring myself out so they could learn how to seek God, know God, understand God's will for each one of them. It was my great joy to be so involved in feeding them Spiritually and Physically. You know a Mom loves to feed her children.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MkW8P-ZV0U/Ue6Cd8oqzHI/AAAAAAAAKsg/5szkg-Ygx0AXbb9i7ZbXNcy4m7NqYF6bQCKgB/s1600/193602_1664513784827_1596722321_31421248_1012334_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9MkW8P-ZV0U/Ue6Cd8oqzHI/AAAAAAAAKsg/5szkg-Ygx0AXbb9i7ZbXNcy4m7NqYF6bQCKgB/s400/193602_1664513784827_1596722321_31421248_1012334_o.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandmother fed us physically and spiritually...<br />her desire is for all her family to know Jesus</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But now my children are raised, raising children of their own, working in this world. I still feel the same draw for my grandsons. To make sure they are children of the church. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPVGaY-tdRI/UZrijUt0RxI/AAAAAAAAIZY/YH8EYdphC1QgwmLT9g3yIQ6XiZ-FLCtrgCKgB/s1600/_DSC0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JPVGaY-tdRI/UZrijUt0RxI/AAAAAAAAIZY/YH8EYdphC1QgwmLT9g3yIQ6XiZ-FLCtrgCKgB/s400/_DSC0275.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There it is again, "A child of the church". What is that? Being raised in church...yes. Being involved...yes. Being a member of the family...yes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRE4QOxcX_I/VzyEMWMWD4I/AAAAAAAAQD0/sWhHSOd-hmQBn_r-3ouORO7_A7360vFMwCKgB/s1600/_DSC0186%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RRE4QOxcX_I/VzyEMWMWD4I/AAAAAAAAQD0/sWhHSOd-hmQBn_r-3ouORO7_A7360vFMwCKgB/s400/_DSC0186%2B3.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many positives about being raised in church. I could sit here and write till my fingers bleed on how being raised in church has positively impacted my life in all areas from marriage to parenting to friendships to work ethic to career, etc. But I want to speak about something that only a Child of the church can understand (a Pentecostal view). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMsEB9jCNE/UfphRxfEFMI/AAAAAAAAK2c/tMcKXxVCAoYExbbtrU13au0do8lC6QWrACKgB/s1600/IMG_6978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMsEB9jCNE/UfphRxfEFMI/AAAAAAAAK2c/tMcKXxVCAoYExbbtrU13au0do8lC6QWrACKgB/s400/IMG_6978.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than just preaching...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greatness over Servanthood...Me over Thee...My Calling is Greater Than Yours...Use Me and Not Them (or at least more than them). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have this over inflated view of our calling, thinking it is going to make us famous. We are going to be the next Holy Ghost filled big shot, filling the churches with our followers, disciples, fans, groupies...WHAT? We get a Word from God about being used greatly and think it means..."I'M GONNA BE FAMOUS!!!" Watch out world, here comes Kimi the greatest Christian who ever lived...lol. </span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSmEOQkkAnM/VzyELECnW6I/AAAAAAAAQDo/Z22QKTU3wwEAesDpKlbIKeQImY79piDhQCKgB/s1600/_DSC0153%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSmEOQkkAnM/VzyELECnW6I/AAAAAAAAQDo/Z22QKTU3wwEAesDpKlbIKeQImY79piDhQCKgB/s400/_DSC0153%2B3.JPG" width="317" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We forget to look at those who taught us, poured into us, girded us up with prayer, fasting, prayer, fasting...fought spiritual battles for us...sacrificed for our benefit. We look at them as failures because they don't have a name of influence, they are on a back street teaching children and not on main street with their names in lights. Our lips speak only of what they required of us and not of what they gave us. We expect them to be our servants while we are not willing to serve anyone, because we are going to be used GREATLY! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alkG_VXsyVE/UjHBfMY5wwI/AAAAAAAALS4/9c6yUg6RCs0qeeP3KaJHWy72QnLfiGpAwCKgB/s1600/11242_1288046367649_1424895391_30820047_7088424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alkG_VXsyVE/UjHBfMY5wwI/AAAAAAAALS4/9c6yUg6RCs0qeeP3KaJHWy72QnLfiGpAwCKgB/s400/11242_1288046367649_1424895391_30820047_7088424_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a throne for ya...bahahahaha</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a trap. It is a deception of perspective. It is a lazy view of our responsibilities. It is the "Why doesn't the church do this or that?" and God is saying, "Why don't you?" I have heard with my own ears, "that is not my calling and I will when I am ordained." If you don't do it now, you won't do it when you get ordained and truly you should never be ordained if you aren't willing to serve others. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fweJBB0NiHE/VzyEKKvwNoI/AAAAAAAAQDY/PuufC_3HpCYlHryPhXrWn-OCZOGUZ-0hwCKgB/s1600/April%2B2011%2B-%2B00172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fweJBB0NiHE/VzyEKKvwNoI/AAAAAAAAQDY/PuufC_3HpCYlHryPhXrWn-OCZOGUZ-0hwCKgB/s400/April%2B2011%2B-%2B00172.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite pics...Presley giving Jacob the mic...preferring her cousin<br />A servants heart right there.</td></tr>
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<blockquote style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Mark 9:34-36</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">Amplified Bible (AMP)</span><span class="text Mark-9-34" id="en-AMP-24573" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">34 </span>But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">and</i> debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest.</span> <span class="text Mark-9-35" id="en-AMP-24574" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">35 </span>Sitting down [to teach], He called the twelve [disciples] and said to them, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all</span> [in importance] <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">and a servant of all.”</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the calling. I love to see those moving and living within the calling on their lives. I love it when I see young people step up to be chosen for the work of God. But I have to warn you, it is work. It's very rare for someone to become famous doing the work. But as a young man told us the other day, "With all the lives touched by this church and Bishop...the teaching and disciplining that has come from here...this church is all over the world. It's like a big church with a bunch of little churches inside." (my paraphrase) He is right. It's not about the big crusades as much as it is about the daily grind. The investing of ourselves into the lives of others. Giving till it's uncomfortable.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEteGTEY7X4/VzyEK6uXGhI/AAAAAAAAQDg/39T3EjTRgIcsEGg6sNYQNZXpNe6KHoMMwCKgB/s1600/_DSC0012%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEteGTEY7X4/VzyEK6uXGhI/AAAAAAAAQDg/39T3EjTRgIcsEGg6sNYQNZXpNe6KHoMMwCKgB/s400/_DSC0012%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great work being done right here...prayer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a child of the church I have to remind myself to be a servant. When we grow up in something, it can lose it's uniqueness, allure, beauty in our eyes. We no longer see what is so special about church, the church family, the work of the church. We don't see the person sitting next to us, we only see their imperfections. Our perspective has become altered through our own desires and ambitions. They become a number and not a sheep or a stepping stone for our Glorious Calling. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_9hpTg02W8/VzyEMacAM5I/AAAAAAAAQDs/jydt_Jbuqigp3Nhw1wcB-GvlSpHl57diACKgB/s1600/_DSC0158%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_9hpTg02W8/VzyEMacAM5I/AAAAAAAAQDs/jydt_Jbuqigp3Nhw1wcB-GvlSpHl57diACKgB/s400/_DSC0158%2B3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't tell me church isn't unique...embracing all kinds...lol</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not trying to be a downer, but to encourage you to embrace the call, show up to be chosen, look for ways to serve...LIVE INTENTIONALLY, SERVE INTENTIONALLY!!! Remember it's a daily thing. Really it starts with LOVE. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love God, Love Others, Love the Work.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-76353777179423157952016-05-09T07:03:00.001-07:002016-05-09T07:03:27.498-07:00How Is Your Ripple?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Nrduwo02s/VzCXQjH2M_I/AAAAAAAAQCc/xC3YQWLprakk7CA3BURCVc03xIMeFyd0QCLcB/s1600/Davis%2BDunes%2BII%2BHatteras%2B%2B-%2B1804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f4Nrduwo02s/VzCXQjH2M_I/AAAAAAAAQCc/xC3YQWLprakk7CA3BURCVc03xIMeFyd0QCLcB/s400/Davis%2BDunes%2BII%2BHatteras%2B%2B-%2B1804.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is following in your footsteps</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my life no matter where I have worked or volunteered, I always take a leadership role of some sort. I don't know how it happens but 99% of the time I end up leading in some way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now as a Pastors wife of a small local church, I find myself wanting to lead with intentional purpose. Asking myself, "what is the vision and how do we get there?" I don't want to lead our precious people down a wrong path, just winging it as I go along. My desire is to constantly point them to Jesus. As Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ"-1 Corinthians 1:11.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a hard time with people who profess themselves as leaders but never show up for the job. You can't lead from the rear...my husbands favorite saying in business. You have to show up with your gear ready, prepared for the job at hand. If you are always late, guess what, your employees will imitate your leadership. If you always tear down your boss, your team will do the same, except, you are the one they will tear down. Your effectiveness as a leader will be ruined and your job will be in jeopardy. You will be no longer be an asset to your employer and the people you were training will be impaired. Your splash of ineffective leadership will ripple through the ranks (so to speak). This is in the business world, in your home life and in the church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In your home life, if a mother is constantly putting down the father, the children will live their lives disrespecting their father. The father will never have the voice in their lives that he is suppose to have. Their relationship will be impaired and it will effect the relationship the children will have with other men throughout the rest of their lives. It goes the other way to...if the father is abusive physically, mentally or emotionally to the mother...the ripple is seen throughout generations (as a rule) without the intervention of Christ. When Christ enters into the relationship, things change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intentional leadership is relational. As I build relationships with those souls that God has entrusted me with, I began to desire to see them grow and flourish, mature, become leaders, fishers of men, Spiritual adults. So they start reproducing new leaders and become Intentional Leaders. If I don't have relationship with them, then I won't be intentional on the way I conduct myself, showing up won't be a priority, living like Christ won't be my goal. I won't see the importance of my attitude, preparation, showing up. I will lead by bullying or complacency, leaving those I have been entrusted with, scarred, broken, impaired, abandoned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intentional leadership alters my speech, my conduct, my attitude, my emotions, my gait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always told my kids that good or bad they are witnessing to someone. The same goes with leadership...good or bad, you are leading someone. No matter if you want to or not, someone is watching you, imitating you, learning from you. It is a great responsibility but just think, what if you lead someone to Christ just by them "Following you as you follow Christ!" What a legacy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my devotion this morning the question was asked..."How's your ripple?" I ask you, "How's your ripple?" Our leadership today is our splash, but the ripple will continue, good or bad...again, "How's your ripple?" <a href="http://www.bible.com/" target="_blank">link</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-69073628681103278772016-04-07T07:37:00.001-07:002016-04-07T07:37:16.906-07:00Is it the way I talk or the way I walk?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is the way I am living my life giving honor to God or is it taking the name of the Lord in vain? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a question or my take on a question from the devotional I read this morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To take the name of the Lord in vain is so much more than our speech...it's how we take His name as a way of life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I became a Christian, I made the decision to be Christ-like...taking on His identity...His ways become my ways...His thoughts, my thoughts...His sufficiency...His qualifications. His gift to me is His identity. How am I using, taking care, appreciating this precious, life altering gift from God?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up I never gave this commandment much thought. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain= NO CUSSING!!! No saying, "Oh My God" or shouting out "Jesus Christ" in anger or amazement...(still a good rule of thumb). I never thought it went much deeper than that. It was a pretty easy commandment to keep since I knew that saying such things would lead to a pop on my behind or soap in my mouth (also a good rule of thumb for parents).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But now I must dig deeper. This commandment is directly connected to how I view myself. <a href="https://www.bible.com/users/Kimi29/reading-plans/2402-unqualified?initial=true" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You Version Unqualified</span></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do I truly see? Do I truly know this Christ, this Lord that I am to be like? Do I know what His identity entails? Do I choose to take it and live it out or will I take it in vain...not living in a way that brings honor and lines up with the Lord my God?</span><br />
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<span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EXO.20.7" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We see how the Amplified Bible says in brackets "profanely". In the dictionary it goes way beyond our speech. It says, "to treat (a holy place or object) with great disrespect." That takes it to a whole new level beyond just our speech.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EXO.20.7" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content" style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess my challenge today is, how am I taking the name of the Lord my God? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">God wants to give you His name in your situation, in your weakness, and in your need. But you have to choose to take it. </i><a href="http://www.bible.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">youversion quote</span></a></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite photos I have taken of my back yard. Love it!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is post 500!!! Thank you to all who have been reading this blog...all 500 posts. It is a way that I dance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite songs is I Hope You Dance and this blog is part of my dance. Thank you for being my dance partner and I hope the dance continues. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-75755763478488451572016-03-22T07:31:00.001-07:002016-03-22T07:31:15.124-07:00Favor Is Costly<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to tell you that Mary, the mother of Jesus has been on my mind since Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little girl, knowing what others would think of her, knowing that it could end her life and would end the life she knew...willingly accepted the call to carry the Son of God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truthfully, my thoughts of Mary began in January when Bishop Estep (my father) spoke about favor. How Mary found favor...but favor doesn't mean obstacle, pain free living-just the opposite. </span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-2-34" id="en-NLT-24976" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><b><i>Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.</i></b></span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><span class="text Luke-2-35" id="en-NLT-24977" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. </i><u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">And a sword will pierce your very soul.”</u><i style="font-weight: bold;"> - Luke 2: 34-35 NLT </i>emphasis mine</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simeon told her that a sword will pierce your very soul...how many times did that happen throughout the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry, but this is Me, Bo and Jake (1 year)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am the mother of one son. I had him at the ripe old age of 18! I tell him that we grew up together. I thought I was very mature. I thought when I found out I was pregnant with him at 17 years old, that I knew everything there was to know about being a good mom. I was 100% wrong! Because of my youthful faith I didn't see my shortcomings. Sometimes our ignorance works in our favor. I didn't know to be scared by my lack of wisdom...I was gonna be a Mommy and I loved my baby. That is all that mattered to me. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Jake when he was 6 mths old.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My whole adult life, I have been the mother of Jake. Mary's whole adult life, she was the mother of Jesus. Never knowing a moment when her heart wasn't occupied by this intense, all consuming love for her son. Now, unlike me (sorry Jake), Mary knew that her Son was the Son of God. That the life He was to lead, was full of obstacles because of others sins, problems, prejudices, unjust lives. Every time someone spoke out against her Son, her heart was pierced. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday Night, Bo and I watched The Passion Live on TV. I loved it. When Trisha Yearwood (portraying Mary), stood next to the cross, with her hand placed on the spot where her Son gave His life...I couldn't help but feel a little of what Mary had to be feeling. As a mother, the pain would be too much to bear. With tears streaming down my face, I heard my father's words, as he preached to us, "And a sword will pierce your very soul." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told Bo that I couldn't imagine what she had to endure that day when Jesus was crucified. Listening to everyone scream, "Crucify Him!". All the venom and hate for her son, her little boy, her heart...knowing that He loved everyone who was screaming for His life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bo told me that she went through so much after the angel came to her, she had experienced hate before. My response was, "No, as a mother, I can take someone throwing rocks at me...talking about me...wanting my head on a platter but I can't handle when someone attacks my child." The agony I feel inside is so deep when I see my child in pain. It is unlike anything else. To see hurt in their eyes, my heart is pierced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So yes, Mary was favored but favor is costly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Holy Week, I am drawn not only to Jesus but to His Mama. I know she would have willingly taken his place if should could have. Not that the Bible says this but as a Mom, I would beg for them to take me instead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thankful for the sacrifice of this women who became a Mom as a child. Giving her whole life so that the world would be saved...even the ones who crucified her reputation on the cross of gossip and hate. Jesus even died for them. This love has no beginning and no end.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWuS-6Op9OI/VvFWwk7OlsI/AAAAAAAAP8U/T0JInynXqMEOBrxgtRguh98zAmQ_m9o-g/s1600/IMG_5539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWuS-6Op9OI/VvFWwk7OlsI/AAAAAAAAP8U/T0JInynXqMEOBrxgtRguh98zAmQ_m9o-g/s400/IMG_5539.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake with his son Bo...the cross in the background reminds me<br />that the cross is always present in our lives.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-69955781964149323312016-03-14T08:58:00.001-07:002016-03-14T08:58:09.330-07:00Blessed Life: How I See It...<a href="http://blessedlife21911.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-i-see-it.html?spref=bl">Blessed Life: How I See It...</a>: In the chaos all around us...riots, police shootings, discord all around, I am encouraged. I see God's hand working through it all. I ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-79168909799219606012016-03-14T08:55:00.000-07:002016-03-14T08:56:33.510-07:00How I See It...<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the chaos all around us...riots, police shootings, discord all around, I am encouraged. I see God's hand working through it all. I am saddened by the division and lack of discipline in our wonderful country but I know these things are common to man and have been since sin entered into the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let me share with you what I see...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yup, this is my eye...lol</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see people answering the call to put aside their lives and become shepherds of God's children. Saying yes to stepping into huge shoes and taking on the mantle of Pastor-ship. Saturday night, I was in a church in Elkton Maryland as a young couple said, Yes, I will take on this enormous responsibility that will change my life and the life of my family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KofmEyAax8/VubdrN18ghI/AAAAAAAAP70/1hfEt-dX1l4aJ8s3AatQrfGzdnHFwAcPg/s1600/_DSC1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KofmEyAax8/VubdrN18ghI/AAAAAAAAP70/1hfEt-dX1l4aJ8s3AatQrfGzdnHFwAcPg/s400/_DSC1351.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pastor and husband...LOVE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I sat in a meeting Saturday morning in Havre de Grace Maryland as a group of wonderful people sat around a table, discussing and putting themselves out there to reach a community for Christ. Sacrificing their time and effort for the cause of Christ. Desiring to give more of themselves so that someone might know who Jesus is. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ8MaPXESEk/VubdolV5N5I/AAAAAAAAP7Y/X_HC68tkfyIm3ue3mVcnD09Vsj5VyPDFA/s1600/IMG_4599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ8MaPXESEk/VubdolV5N5I/AAAAAAAAP7Y/X_HC68tkfyIm3ue3mVcnD09Vsj5VyPDFA/s320/IMG_4599.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the hungry at Thanksgiving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYIPAO_ZZrA/Vubdo3GqzYI/AAAAAAAAP7c/46QnkXnA6dQMv9d2u0VPfcD4gIKPB-T7A/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYIPAO_ZZrA/Vubdo3GqzYI/AAAAAAAAP7c/46QnkXnA6dQMv9d2u0VPfcD4gIKPB-T7A/s320/IMG_4600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of our people working for others</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKHqVTAm7Ts/Vubdo8dMO2I/AAAAAAAAP7g/zGT-DeKyjPgxDYCnY9_I3zDiR8tZiCG7w/s1600/IMG_4602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKHqVTAm7Ts/Vubdo8dMO2I/AAAAAAAAP7g/zGT-DeKyjPgxDYCnY9_I3zDiR8tZiCG7w/s320/IMG_4602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A community reaching a community...LOVE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I see men and women giving their lives to travel across the seas to share Jesus with others. To bring THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD to the world. Walking out this message beyond their home towns and their families. Stepping out of their comfort zones, allowing God to dictate their walk and not their comforts to have control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEaTf7eCJ_g/Vubdp6jsaMI/AAAAAAAAP7s/adYKGLv1GvEVQwoUTCxrQ4QE2UWtel3_A/s1600/IMG_5106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aEaTf7eCJ_g/Vubdp6jsaMI/AAAAAAAAP7s/adYKGLv1GvEVQwoUTCxrQ4QE2UWtel3_A/s400/IMG_5106.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be a light to the WORLD...even a small light breaks the darkness</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I witnessed Sunday Morning young adults praying and speaking life and comfort into each others lives. Seeking the LORD for each other and then having the confidence to speak what the LORD is saying. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWEdKjuIvdI/VubdpxPlBII/AAAAAAAAP7k/pKHhpQzP_rQ0EP9H-pmDMCrFHS643YJqQ/s1600/IMG_5125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWEdKjuIvdI/VubdpxPlBII/AAAAAAAAP7k/pKHhpQzP_rQ0EP9H-pmDMCrFHS643YJqQ/s400/IMG_5125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speak Words of Life</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know the world seems to be in total chaos. I know that we look at TV and there seems to be a lack of peace. I know that we have people in our lives that are going through real hardships and life altering challenges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkX5EXYWviU/VubdqHz-DGI/AAAAAAAAP7o/maudMzWYm_0ji4oh6YiYhNfqFXepCabjA/s1600/IMG_5271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkX5EXYWviU/VubdqHz-DGI/AAAAAAAAP7o/maudMzWYm_0ji4oh6YiYhNfqFXepCabjA/s400/IMG_5271.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH How He Loves Us!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BUT...I know that as a child of the living God, Peace is available for me and for you! He spoke peace in the middle of the raging storm...and peace reigned. When the world says you should be afraid, God will give you peace. Peace doesn't mean the storm is over, it just means that you can look at it for what it is...temporary. Everything in this life is temporary...jobs, childhood, youth, good looks, money, life, death (a shadow), fear, your twenties, trials, etc...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BUT God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. He has always been and always will be. His peace is available to you. Just ask!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Matthew 14:28-31</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bid me come unto thee on the water.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And he said, Come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And when Peter was come down out of the ship,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lord, save me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and caught him, and said unto him,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some may focus on the fact that Peter walked on the water or that he doubted and began to sink. Let us focus on the parts that I love...Peter called out and asked the LORD to bid him to come...Jesus answered him and Peter got out of the boat, then when Peter began to sink...he called out to Jesus to save him and IMMEDIATELY Jesus caught him!!! WHEW!!!! That gives me such hope and peace in my life. Even when I am trying to do the right thing but my eye catches a glimpse of the storm around me...taking my eyes off Jesus, His ear is still inclined to my cries. Even when I mess up...he still hears me and saves me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, we can have peace in the midst of Election season in the amazing USA!!! We can have peace in the midst of unrest and protests and riots. We can have peace to know that no President, King, Tyrant, Governor, Business Man, Socialist, Republican, Democrat, Senator can change us or save us...ONLY JESUS CAN!!!(Still vote) And He always has our best interest at heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-986VY21Ajh4/Vubdqqv1KKI/AAAAAAAAP7w/G2PoLW6PGXQL8hguaMvNl3XYOP3nciwdw/s1600/IMG_5579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-986VY21Ajh4/Vubdqqv1KKI/AAAAAAAAP7w/G2PoLW6PGXQL8hguaMvNl3XYOP3nciwdw/s400/IMG_5579.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I speak PEACE to you today. Let's start this week off right...PEACE!!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-21866276048517229492016-03-09T08:59:00.002-08:002016-03-09T08:59:33.287-08:00Hit The Mute Button<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvytrJFz0Ek/VuBV_Wnky_I/AAAAAAAAP64/TzQLol8PTQI/s1600/IMG_4886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvytrJFz0Ek/VuBV_Wnky_I/AAAAAAAAP64/TzQLol8PTQI/s400/IMG_4886.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband asked me two days ago, "New blog anytime soon?". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I responded with, "I have felt muted." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Muted by who? To that I cannot really say a particular someone or maybe it is truly muted by the Holy Spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more I read on social media or news media, the more I see hatred, discontentment, bigotry, lies, unrest, distasteful rubbish. I began to question each thing I write, think, say, feel...it's very troubling in my Spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why would the Holy Spirit mute me? I didn't have to deal with this question until my wonderful husband asked me about my blog. It was easy just to keep myself busy with being a Pastor, mother, business owner, daughter, sister, friend...putting my blog on the back burner. But then, Bo asked me about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why would the Holy Spirit mute me? Why? Was I full of what I was reading and He would rather me not put that out there and grieve Him? That question has bothered me. So I began a heart search...mind search...motive search...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began to pray, "Show me all the hidden, nasty areas of my life." I know I have some (I like to keep them hidden, they bother me, embarrass me, reveal my total dependence on God). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what I believe to be the purpose of my silence:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was not time to write. Sometimes we have to be quiet to allow God time to speak. Putting aside our words to hear His. Reading His Word, spending time in His presence, studying, praying, seeking His face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will tell you this...Oh how I long to write about art, photography, decorating, parties, my grandsons, my children, my family, my life...and sometimes I do but most of the time it's about what God has put on my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of writing my own words, I have been writing the Word of God. I have a notebook, well really lots of them now, full of the scriptures. It's my morning ritual before I do anything else, I write the Word of God. Why? Because He silenced me for a season. His words are more important than mine. So when I read all the hate on social media or I read the hate texts from people who don't like us anymore, I won't use my own words to respond. I will have a new language and my heart will be full of God's words. My arsenal for the battle that lies ahead is stocked. I can communicate with the One who goes before me and with the One who has my back...because I am learning His language. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really don't know how much I will be writing in the near future. It could start again several times a week or maybe not much at all...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to write even if only a few read it. I vow that I will only use this blog to uplift and bring the Love of God to you. I will not use it to condemn and discourage. God is LOVE. God is LOVE. God is LOVE. So to be like Him, I MUST be love too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-16844654753004898032016-01-29T07:03:00.001-08:002016-01-29T07:03:19.105-08:00Blessed Life: Because of LOVE<a href="http://blessedlife21911.blogspot.com/2016/01/because-of-love.html?spref=bl">Blessed Life: Because of LOVE</a>: My Friday Morning, January 29, 2016 prayer... Lord, let the words from my mouth uplift and show others You. That love will flow. C...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-9860754449103537922016-01-29T07:01:00.000-08:002016-01-29T07:01:42.308-08:00Because of LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymOVCzxL4fU/Vqt9iypqb6I/AAAAAAAAP5g/QmCZvzjog-s/s1600/_DSC0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymOVCzxL4fU/Vqt9iypqb6I/AAAAAAAAP5g/QmCZvzjog-s/s400/_DSC0272.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Friday Morning, January 29, 2016 prayer...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord, let the words from my mouth uplift and show others You.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That love will flow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Compassion, understanding, grace and mercy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is so important that as an ambassador of You, I am loving and gracious, kind and generous-Speaking truth in love...at all times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strength with Humility</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guidance with Compassion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowledge with Understanding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vision with Wisdom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instruction with Grace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discipline with Mercy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the LORD, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together in peace.</div>
</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So many times in my hurt, angry, selfishness, I want to lash out. I have had to type out my blog only to delete it all because my words were nothing but angry, hurtful, pointless dribble. I can't put that stuff out there. Do nothing in anger. This has to be drilled into me, day after day. It is a lesson that I have had to learn over and over again. So I pray the prayer above...many different ways but the desire is the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPBt7NENrq4/Vqt9hjnVzHI/AAAAAAAAP5U/HD8tDHw3FcY/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bPBt7NENrq4/Vqt9hjnVzHI/AAAAAAAAP5U/HD8tDHw3FcY/s400/IMG_5271.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let the Your vision/mission for me and those around me be greater than my selfish desires. Ignite this passion in me for others. Let it drive me to get up in the morning, dressed and out the door. Let my love for You, Father, compel me to reach out and love better than the day before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not about how people treat us. It's about how we love God. It's all for Him and He is so gracious that He allows us to reap the blessings. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-66329102450124321362016-01-18T09:18:00.001-08:002016-01-18T09:20:02.609-08:00It Is Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isn't Hope a good thing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am thankful for the gift of Hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lamentations 3:22-23 says:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.</b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What great Hope is that!!! Each morning we can awake to a new Hope that God is in control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So many I know are going through such difficult days. But each day is a new opportunity to see God's hand move and a new joy to be birthed in us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pains being felt are real and deep. From emotions to physical sickness to loss of loved ones...real, deep pain. But we are not without hope of a new day...a new morning...healing, renewal, new life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Jeremiah 32:40 </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>James 1:17 </b></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. </b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love this video and song by Kristene DiMarco and Bethel Music. I hope it blesses you. You can only see it when you go onto the computer. At least it doesn't work for me on my cell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I pray you have a renewed hope that God is with you each day. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-59437922471435907562016-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:002016-01-14T08:33:07.450-08:00Love The Art of God<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some days I just have a desire to get away with my camera and take photos of what I see. Nothing spectacular but to spend time with my husband or daughter(s) and walk in nature, snapping pictures. I think it is a desire to be present in God's beautiful creation, enjoying each season that I get to be a part of. It is one thing I love about living in Maryland, each season is unique and set apart (usually).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocracoke Island, NC<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mother told me that she likes pictures with people in them...not just nature. I can take hundreds of photos with just nature and play with the light and colors. To me that is fun and exciting. To feel like I have captured a fraction of the beauty God has so lovingly created...brings me great joy-like I am a part of the creation process. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatteras, NC<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to a day off when Bo and I can go out with my camera in hand. Either to the city or country, it doesn't matter to me. Each has it's own uniqueness and draw. For right now, I will enjoy some old photos I have taken over the years. I hope you enjoy them too. Each has a story, a place in my history. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A barn in Lancaster, PA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am amazed by God's creative side. From the oceans to the mountains to the acorn on the tree...He amazes me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the sun began to set at CeCe's sprinkle...the sky gave us a beautiful painting </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you have a way to enjoy God's goodness today. Looking beyond where you are to where He was, is and always will be. He fingerprint is all around us. He has left His DNA on every area of creation...including YOU!! Man can only mimic the creative genius of God. Every artist and aspiring artist at their best can only imitate God. Even the creative, off balance, abstract artists who feel like they have done something new and exciting is still just an imitator of what God has already done. Blows my mind just thinking about it. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatteras</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatteras, NC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjo9b5FMX5k/UigOwehYZbI/AAAAAAAALN4/zMgIz6NCJPE/s1600/Cheryl%2B41%2BBday%2B25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjo9b5FMX5k/UigOwehYZbI/AAAAAAAALN4/zMgIz6NCJPE/s400/Cheryl%2B41%2BBday%2B25.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheryl's birthday party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Sunday...VanDyke's (some)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park in Belair, MD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-63MQoyLDuls/UpWLMXdK8mI/AAAAAAAALto/gCaKEV_tByY/s1600/October%2B2011%2B-%2B0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-63MQoyLDuls/UpWLMXdK8mI/AAAAAAAALto/gCaKEV_tByY/s400/October%2B2011%2B-%2B0410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral in Uganda where Jake and Scovia were married</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter from our window</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just think this is cool...took this on a surprise winter storm </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I love Hatteras??</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob and Pete in the waves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEPh-xofw-c/U40-warBVTI/AAAAAAAAMzA/BKgQ_qGyYUA/s1600/_DSC4704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEPh-xofw-c/U40-warBVTI/AAAAAAAAMzA/BKgQ_qGyYUA/s400/_DSC4704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lead me to the ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like Henry is flying...his shadow looks like a cat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our window in Cortona, Italy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby girl on one of our Photo Days in 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYXg4OzIk_E/VeWuqHCvIeI/AAAAAAAAPRU/HuDm8k22Kt0/s1600/_DSC9503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYXg4OzIk_E/VeWuqHCvIeI/AAAAAAAAPRU/HuDm8k22Kt0/s400/_DSC9503.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the sky here...my baby Julie, my sister Cheryl and our CeCe<br />it was her baby sprinkle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2gfnx1YKKw/VeWurb8b0MI/AAAAAAAAPSI/kvmf2pFszPs/s1600/_DSC9527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2gfnx1YKKw/VeWurb8b0MI/AAAAAAAAPSI/kvmf2pFszPs/s400/_DSC9527.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the colors in this photo of my big sis, Christian</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j64btgOFv4M/Vfg3jhUN7-I/AAAAAAAAPeU/AQt9ctdPB0Q/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j64btgOFv4M/Vfg3jhUN7-I/AAAAAAAAPeU/AQt9ctdPB0Q/s400/IMG_3817.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Promenade in Havre de Grace, MD</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-50140803530849083232016-01-13T07:41:00.000-08:002016-01-13T07:41:28.587-08:00It's In My Worship<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is so many I know right now who are going through some very difficult days. Some are sick in body...some are sick emotionally...some are sick spiritually. As I sat down this morning to pray over them, to spend some time with God, sharing my heart, I just kept thinking, "Lord, make everything okay right now!!". I want the people I love to be okay, right now! I don't want to wait, I don't want them to go through any pain or discomfort at all. I just want everyone to be A-Okay!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But as all of us know, life doesn't work that way. Pain comes...heartache comes...difficult days arise out of the blue. That's life in this world. We can not escape it. Some say that they just try to get by during these days of turmoil. Some try and escape the uncomfortable with drugs, alcohol, habits that only hurt in the long run and really are not an escape but a different prison. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To tell the truth, I don't want to just get by. I want relief and freedom from the pain, heartache and difficulties. Can I find joy, peace, love during these times? Is there peace and fulfillment even in the wars going on around me? Is there a moment to regroup and find a little refreshment for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my war battled body? </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3jRe6zs-UI/VpZtSrNKIWI/AAAAAAAAP4Q/WgQdVzqBctU/s1600/_DSC0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3jRe6zs-UI/VpZtSrNKIWI/AAAAAAAAP4Q/WgQdVzqBctU/s400/_DSC0357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can only tell you and remind myself of what to do during this time...WORSHIP! I must worship. I must remember who God is. I must remind myself that through it all...God is God. He has not changed. Circumstances change, people change, needs and wants change, goals change, lives change but GOD DOES NOT CHANGE!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only does He not change but all good things come from Him. Every good thing was birthed in the goodness of God's heart. <b>God does not corrupt</b>...sin does. <b>Love is of God</b>...fear is not. <b>Peace is of God</b>...hate is not. <b>Patience is of God</b>...anxiety is not. <b>Healing is of God</b>...sickness is not. It is not God who needs to change, it is me.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et0zTBoeWHY/VpZtRlmd1tI/AAAAAAAAP4A/sv8KhhOETxU/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et0zTBoeWHY/VpZtRlmd1tI/AAAAAAAAP4A/sv8KhhOETxU/s400/IMG_5125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I will praise Him...I will worship Him through it all. Worship will transform you. <b>Change will happen through worship. </b> Worship may not change your situation but it will change you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Living Worship, the author said, "Change could be called the fruit of worship." He also said, "Something will happen because the heart of worship is less of me and more of God."</span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Igqec4go4Jw/VpZtRvvZ4QI/AAAAAAAAP38/nqJ0MZS142U/s1600/IMG_5106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Igqec4go4Jw/VpZtRvvZ4QI/AAAAAAAAP38/nqJ0MZS142U/s400/IMG_5106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I may not know what you are going through, I do not need to know. I do know who can get you through to the other side, GOD CAN!! As you worship, truly worship Him, you will see light come into your life again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Jeremiah 29:13</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you look for me wholeheartedly,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>you will find me.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is a great promise. When I worship, I truly expect God to show up. He never lets me down. There is my port in the storm, my moment of rest, my refreshment and renewal...it's in my worship.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-43229837209640099722016-01-06T08:58:00.001-08:002016-01-06T08:58:02.666-08:00Angels of 2015<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did anyone touch your life in 2015? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did anyone take time out of their day to show you an act of kindness?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did anyone say something that sparked a new idea, new desire, new vision, new hope in your life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was thinking about what to write this morning, I went to where my photos are stored for my blog, the ones I have used and the ones I just put in there, just in case I wanted to use them later. So many faces looked back at me. So many moments in a year. There were some from many years ago, like when my children were little...their beautiful smiles and fresh faces...yes, I always get caught up in these pics.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_iCidopAsQ/UfZuXyvBziI/AAAAAAAAKy8/Ut5bW5QnU9w/s1600/Recovered%2BPhotos%2B-%2B06707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_iCidopAsQ/UfZuXyvBziI/AAAAAAAAKy8/Ut5bW5QnU9w/s400/Recovered%2BPhotos%2B-%2B06707.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren and Jake</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOK_4vi0BRo/UfZuVwEzGDI/AAAAAAAAKyk/A4drDtCqgXM/s1600/Sep%2B2012%2BPhoto%2BStream%2B-%2B0732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOK_4vi0BRo/UfZuVwEzGDI/AAAAAAAAKyk/A4drDtCqgXM/s400/Sep%2B2012%2BPhoto%2BStream%2B-%2B0732.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juliana and Kelcie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photos of people I haven't seen for a while, that I miss so very much.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fl18LNDEg0A/UfZ3HZuGNDI/AAAAAAAAKzk/PQ9HyJ64bbg/s1600/_DSC0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fl18LNDEg0A/UfZ3HZuGNDI/AAAAAAAAKzk/PQ9HyJ64bbg/s400/_DSC0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tori</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJjGy-8NigI/UfkTbo1kG4I/AAAAAAAAK1k/bhmKJKOGYeI/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJjGy-8NigI/UfkTbo1kG4I/AAAAAAAAK1k/bhmKJKOGYeI/s400/IMG_7027.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirt</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxVuQBTgO8A/U0VOhfsm5bI/AAAAAAAAMXY/--o8bSz1fOc/s1600/IMG_8678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxVuQBTgO8A/U0VOhfsm5bI/AAAAAAAAMXY/--o8bSz1fOc/s400/IMG_8678.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minda</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mind began to think of all who have touched my life in 2015. Some who are always there for me and the new ones that God brought to me this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thankful that I was shown grace and love by so many in 2015. It wasn't just another year for me. It was a year that I had to be BRAVE. God blessed me abundantly more than I ever deserved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of always focusing on what is wrong or needs to be done in our lives...maybe just today, we can focus on what goodness, grace, love we already have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you to all my angels of 2015!!! I pray that I was an angel for someone!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7kUt4sbOEo/ViU3NwWf3HI/AAAAAAAAPpc/bRJqB9P4w70/s1600/IMG_4066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7kUt4sbOEo/ViU3NwWf3HI/AAAAAAAAPpc/bRJqB9P4w70/s400/IMG_4066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julia Courts and Helen Bledsoe...my spiritual Mamas</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxnlw0BmOfo/ViU3RG4du_I/AAAAAAAAPqI/1M-mQf-ktL8/s1600/_DSC9833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxnlw0BmOfo/ViU3RG4du_I/AAAAAAAAPqI/1M-mQf-ktL8/s400/_DSC9833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gina Crandall...there is a special anointing on her that I am just drawn to.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-oEN-gsYao/Vo1BaFmBh9I/AAAAAAAAP3M/7Bnd_CXu4pQ/s1600/_DSC9845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-oEN-gsYao/Vo1BaFmBh9I/AAAAAAAAP3M/7Bnd_CXu4pQ/s400/_DSC9845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our ladies from the BRAVE conference...CTK Ladies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78UFJt36oCI/Vo1BaKJZoGI/AAAAAAAAP3E/pyzZ1zQxMG8/s1600/_DSC9853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78UFJt36oCI/Vo1BaKJZoGI/AAAAAAAAP3E/pyzZ1zQxMG8/s320/_DSC9853.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Lori Willey...You Rock Lady</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBozY_zliS4/Vo1BUey0VII/AAAAAAAAP2Q/V01laue6DI4/s1600/DSC_0508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBozY_zliS4/Vo1BUey0VII/AAAAAAAAP2Q/V01laue6DI4/s400/DSC_0508.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VanDyke Family...missing our Juliana...she was already in the car</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPXea9A3RZc/Vo1BUPoZtfI/AAAAAAAAP2I/IzAiIgRTCj8/s1600/DSC_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UPXea9A3RZc/Vo1BUPoZtfI/AAAAAAAAP2I/IzAiIgRTCj8/s400/DSC_0516.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Estep Family...a small portion of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YuC5rM2WEg/Vo1BUBnigBI/AAAAAAAAP2A/0vcqi8SwMkU/s1600/IMG_4051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YuC5rM2WEg/Vo1BUBnigBI/AAAAAAAAP2A/0vcqi8SwMkU/s400/IMG_4051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy Collins...her wisdom and stories are still blessing me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fq_BwHpfSQ0/Vo1BVw41WSI/AAAAAAAAP2U/9J3OY-P8MHA/s1600/IMG_4287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fq_BwHpfSQ0/Vo1BVw41WSI/AAAAAAAAP2U/9J3OY-P8MHA/s400/IMG_4287.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Hilton...quiet grace, amazing preacher</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3htIAlsL_kY/Vo1BWp_QnxI/AAAAAAAAP2k/68GRmErr21g/s1600/IMG_4295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3htIAlsL_kY/Vo1BWp_QnxI/AAAAAAAAP2k/68GRmErr21g/s400/IMG_4295.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Daddy & Mama...BO (in the back)...Theresa Hilton...a joy and kindred spirit<br />some dude in Philly who wanted to be in the picture...lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2P7PA7qG5I/U30DRqCxJJI/AAAAAAAAMs8/UCqIXkRxQDg/s1600/IMG_9096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2P7PA7qG5I/U30DRqCxJJI/AAAAAAAAMs8/UCqIXkRxQDg/s400/IMG_9096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this photo...Shelia Malone...She just gets me!!! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some don't even realize that they have spoken into your life, so it is good to let them know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have any photos of Pastor Walter & Michelle Donnelly and their kids but they have such a special place in our hearts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this is a sappy post but I am so thankful for all those who take special care of others. Who don't just look at their own circumstance but intentionally reach into the lives of others...they make a difference. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could fill pages and pages with photos of those I love and appreciate. My church is full of men and women who reach out daily. My family has a heart that is always looking for someone to bless. But, today, I wanted to just say </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You to these special people. You are a blessing to me and so many others. You have made a difference in my life.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-80901857240097557112016-01-04T08:20:00.001-08:002016-01-04T08:20:40.397-08:00HAPPY 2016!!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year blog-land!!! I started my new year off with a dose of sickness that had me on the couch/chair for four days. But, today is a new day and I am so glad to be feeling better and able to move around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each year, I pray and seek the LORD with the WORD He has specifically for me. What word will play a huge part in my life for the upcoming year? It is such a cool thing to think and pray about. I love it when a new year starts and my WORD changes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year is not different. I started giving it some thought a couple of weeks into December. What will be my Word of the year?? Some may think it a ridiculous process but it has been prophetic in the past. Last year my word was Brave. It became the theme to our Women's Conference at CtK. It was amazing how God used my word to become a word for so many women. I think God is just fabulous. How He can take something/someone so obscure and use it/her to touch so many. Who knew at the beginning of 2015, when God spoke BRAVE to me that He was going to use it for women in North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida, Delaware, Maryland? Isn't God just cool?!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to my Word of the Year for 2016....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>OVERFLOW</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what I wrote in my notes when God spoke this word to me.</span></div>
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God spoke this to me while sitting in Bo's chapel/office just talking. </div>
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This year will be a year of overflow. </div>
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We have been so poured into that we are beginning to overflow. </div>
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We will reach those who God has placed in our overflow. </div>
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The church will grow in the overflow. </div>
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Our bank accounts will grow in the overflow. </div>
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Our families will grow in the overflow. </div>
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Our love will grow in the overflow. </div>
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The overflow will reach the hidden areas no one can see or even knows exists. </div>
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The overflow of the Holy Spirit will be so powerful, </div>
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He will call and draw</div>
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them in just with the strike of a chord. </div>
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OVERFLOW OVERFLOW OVERFLOW </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe this will be a year of testimonies of how God is moving in the lives of those around us. We will see Him everywhere we look. I want to be caught in the overflow. I want to be used and poured out so He can keep filling me up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this WORD goes way deeper than I can even perceive right now. I know that He will bring me into the fullness of this WORD throughout 2016. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wait with anticipation to see what God has in store for me and Christ the King Church in 2016. It's going to be a great year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"He's leaning, in my direction...I said He's leaning, in my direction"</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-28049144474643973582015-12-23T07:25:00.002-08:002015-12-23T07:25:53.395-08:00A Sacred Day Before Our LORD<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas!!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNCTgQkCFnE/Vnq7f6XWF5I/AAAAAAAAP0c/T52KACUqGwg/s1600/_DSC1419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNCTgQkCFnE/Vnq7f6XWF5I/AAAAAAAAP0c/T52KACUqGwg/s400/_DSC1419.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my love, BO BO Baby</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I have been MIA for a while. No excuses just absent from blog land. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Christmas season has been very busy. We even had 5 days in Florida to see my daughter graduate college right in the middle of December. We took the grandparents, kids, grands and the graduate plus boyfriend to Disney several days while in Florida. It was an amazing time. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHMzHZUIsJo/Vnq7N_U0IxI/AAAAAAAAP0Q/k6B72RY0edA/s1600/_DSC1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HHMzHZUIsJo/Vnq7N_U0IxI/AAAAAAAAP0Q/k6B72RY0edA/s400/_DSC1101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole Maryland crew with the Graduate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6S5zmJmjR4/Vnq7PPFWMkI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/gGqp1thIPUs/s1600/_DSC1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6S5zmJmjR4/Vnq7PPFWMkI/AAAAAAAAP0Y/gGqp1thIPUs/s400/_DSC1111.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kids</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning, I get up, fix my coffee and sit down in my quiet kitchen to do my daily devotions and prayer. Today, I am filled with so much joy after what I read...</span><br />
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" id="en-NLT-12480" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>And Nehemiah<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NLT-12480a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NLT-12480a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah+8%3A10&version=NLT#fen-NLT-12480a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> continued, </i></b></span></div>
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<b><i>“Go and celebrate </i></b></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>with a feast of rich foods </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>and sweet drinks, </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>and share gifts of food </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>with people who have nothing prepared. </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>This is a sacred day before our Lord. </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>Don’t be dejected and sad, </i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>for the joy of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is your strength!”</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i>-Nehemiah 8:10 NLT</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="text Zeph-3-14" id="en-NLT-22811" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;">Sing, O daughter of Zion;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">shout aloud, O Israel!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Zeph-3-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;">Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">O daughter of Jerusalem!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Zeph-3-15" id="en-NLT-22812" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will remove his hand of judgment</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and will disperse the armies of your enemy.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;">And the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> himself, the King of Israel,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">will live among you!</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative; text-align: start;">At last your troubles will be over,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and you will never again fear disaster.</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">-Zephaniah 3:14-15</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Neh-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><span class="text Zeph-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have such a promise and reason to celebrate today. So many say that we over indulge at Christmas...and they are probably right...BUT I believe this day is sacred unto the LORD. This is the day we have set aside to celebrate the greatest gift this world has ever been give, JESUS. I love what Nehemiah wrote to give gifts of food to those who have nothing prepared...I have seen so many churches and families give and give and give this year. I am in awe of the capacity of some to love without boundaries. To give without strings. Doing just as the scripture says. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been reminded in many ways that so many face depression and feelings of being rejected but I love what it says in Nehemiah..."the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Don't let others put that on you. Zephaniah...Sing, O daughter of Zion!!! We have a reason to sing this day. Christmastime is here. The Christ child is here. Our promise has come. Oh what a day of rejoicing, celebrating with family and friends, eating our sweets and drinking our sweet drinks. This day is sacred to the LORD. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!! </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X08amQX6nUM/Vnq8tU4XjWI/AAAAAAAAP0o/osEGVZvOR2s/s1600/_DSC0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X08amQX6nUM/Vnq8tU4XjWI/AAAAAAAAP0o/osEGVZvOR2s/s400/_DSC0408.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE VANDYKE FAMILY 2015</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-74494526557221476382015-11-24T06:37:00.002-08:002015-11-24T06:37:38.192-08:00Awake With A Purpose<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SVw-J-TGAkg/VlR1KHpI_1I/AAAAAAAAPzI/XmP5O7Ew-wU/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SVw-J-TGAkg/VlR1KHpI_1I/AAAAAAAAPzI/XmP5O7Ew-wU/s400/IMG_4542.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bo with Uncle Patricks wig...lol</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The LORD has been calling me deeper and deeper into His Word lately. It's like an appetite that cannot be satisfied. My heart ever longs to be connected to His. My ears anxiously await to hear His voice. Tears, emotions fill me as I enter into His presence. I awake with the purpose to read, hear, feel Jesus in my home, heart and mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At times I feel like the little teapot...tip me over and pour me out. I gotta tell the world who Jesus is. How much he loves us and desires to be intimate with us. Sharing his heart and love everyday with his creation...his most prized possession...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>James 1:17-18</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Whatever is good and perfect </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>is a gift coming down to us</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>from God our Father, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>who created all the lights </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>in the heavens.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>He never changes or casts</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>a shifting shadow.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>He chose to give birth</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>to us by giving us his true word.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And we, out of all creation,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>became his prized possession.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this week of Thanksgiving...I am thankful for the WORD of God. I am thankful for the freedom I so often take for granted. I am free to study, share and live this life that I am called too. I can proclaim who Jesus is and what He has done for me. I can speak the WORD and not be afraid of punishment or death. I can tell others that there is no one like Jesus. He is the Only Way...He is Truth...He is Life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please LORD, keep calling me deeper and deeper into your WORD. Fill my home, my life, my town, my city, my state, my country with your Holy presence. Anoint our Government leaders with Holy Wisdom and Discernment to guide us and protect us. Anoint our Pastors, Bishops, Teachers, Churches to declare your WORD in the pulpits, streets, homes, parks...where ever you open the door. We have so much to be thankful for...so much to give. Keep us focused on giving and not so much on receiving. Give us a heart for others. We acknowledge Who you are and that you are the Creator of it all. In the Name of Jesus...Amen!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm calling you deeper to the unknown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm calling you to the impossible</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be undone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For I desire to do </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A new work within you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm calling you deeper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deeper still...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsm2pdXoK70/VlR1O9WIoZI/AAAAAAAAPzc/SPr6Es-F8-Y/s1600/_DSC0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsm2pdXoK70/VlR1O9WIoZI/AAAAAAAAPzc/SPr6Es-F8-Y/s400/_DSC0238.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Thanksgiving!!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-33007830960700980222015-11-19T07:01:00.001-08:002015-11-19T07:01:10.502-08:00It's Where We Get Our Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCfOwB7oZMs/Vk3ifOsa_jI/AAAAAAAAPyY/_HNjbFFBFz0/s1600/_DSC0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCfOwB7oZMs/Vk3ifOsa_jI/AAAAAAAAPyY/_HNjbFFBFz0/s400/_DSC0158.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you do in the in between time? It's what we call "the waiting". When you have prayed and asked God for guidance, healing, open doors, a job, deliverance...etc. When you haven't received the answer you want or think you need...what do you do? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting is so hard. I am not a patient person. I like to feel acknowledged when I talk to someone. I like an immediate answer so I can move on. I hate the word NO. I will actually hide from it. I will frame my question in a way that I will not hear it. In sales they say, "ask open ended questions so you don't hear the word no." I hate to hear, "let's wait and see." That one drives me nuts. I like a clear cut path to where I am going. I like to pray for something and have an immediate response. Unfortunately, God very seldom works like that for me. He keeps me in the waiting mode for what to me, seems like a lifetime. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do I do in the waiting? What do I do when the answer is nowhere in sight or the provision seems impossible? Do I take matters into my own hands? Do I give up on God? Do I fall into the pattern of discontentment, complaints, jealousy, strife, separating myself from His church and His people. Go into my own home and hide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The waiting is a dangerous and telling place. In the waiting, if I don't continue to put on my spiritual work boots, I allow a place, a crack in my armor for the enemy of my soul, the world, the flesh and the devil to seep in. In my pattern of discontentment I see everything through altered vision. My spiritual glasses have been broken and now The Truth that I once saw clearly is blurry and shadows of a once strong faith. The calling on my life, I now look at with disdain. The Church I once loved is a rock around my neck, dragging me under, putting demands on me that I am no longer willing to meet or try to meet. Fellowship is not what it used to be so it I am not interested in keeping up relationships. I have become a lazy Christian putting on my spiritual PJ's and throwing out my work boots. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are my spiritual work boots for? Serving others...how?</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serving in the church</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serving the poor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serving the community</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teaching children how to live this life</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teaching/showing others that God is love</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Putting the needs of others first</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cleaning the house of God</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making connections, friends, fellowship with other Christians</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going to Church</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proclaiming His Word</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Studying His Word</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayer for others</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prayer for ourselves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Willingness to go</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Readiness to go where He sends us</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fasting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bringing our children to church</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WORSHIP</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our spiritual work boots are for others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we serve others in the waiting time...we get our eyes off of ourselves and time goes by quicker. We are moving instead of becoming stagnant, stinking, unfruitful, unprofitable servants of the the Master, Creator. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As my dad says, "It's where you get your stories." </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwEpuEFh9q8/Vk3ie25WQsI/AAAAAAAAPyU/4bKsdEpQZ5Y/s1600/_DSC0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwEpuEFh9q8/Vk3ie25WQsI/AAAAAAAAPyU/4bKsdEpQZ5Y/s400/_DSC0166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great things can happen in the waiting. Things can get done. We can ready ourselves for the task. We can be strengthened during this time. We can use our waiting time to be productive, faithful servants and see God's hand move. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting is hard and uncomfortable...I don't like to be told to wait. My flesh rises up and tries to change the mind of God. But I have step back and realize that He is God and I am not and sometimes the answer is No. Not a fan of that one.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARh2yQsgQr4/Vk3icYuG81I/AAAAAAAAPyM/FGtQpEREPzA/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARh2yQsgQr4/Vk3icYuG81I/AAAAAAAAPyM/FGtQpEREPzA/s400/IMG_4413.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hannah cried such sorrowful tears and suffered such ridicule in her waiting time. But she never doubted the authority of God to say yes or no or maybe, not yet. And look what the Lord did for her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you are in the waiting today...put on your work boots and put your PJ's in the drawer for another day. It's time to get to serve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Praise the LORD!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For he has heard my cry for mercy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The LORD is </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>my strength and shield.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I trust in him with all my heart.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>He helps me, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>and my heart is filled with joy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>-Psalms 28:6-7 NLT</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-12876869449220996682015-11-16T07:21:00.000-08:002015-11-16T07:21:59.301-08:00Tapestry of Love<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I am home after being gone for 5 days. Bo and I had a great trip to Virginia. We visited Colonial Williamsburg. Stayed at the beautiful Williamsburg Inn. This was our first trip to this amazing place. The weather just added to the awesomeness of the 2 days there. We were able to participate in a court scene...I was a justice (not legal in Colonial times, being a woman and all) and Bo was a man asking for permission to start holding Presbyterian services in the town. It was all great fun. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxgkC42Kdzw/Vknyj4U468I/AAAAAAAAPxA/2R3_bevM4yo/s1600/IMG_4442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxgkC42Kdzw/Vknyj4U468I/AAAAAAAAPxA/2R3_bevM4yo/s400/IMG_4442.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Williamsburg Inn</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Williamsburg also has great outlets...right off Richmond Road. We had a blast there on our way to Virginia Beach. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZgJNKKP26s/VknymdDhQPI/AAAAAAAAPxM/D6JNA2zmGSc/s1600/IMG_4472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZgJNKKP26s/VknymdDhQPI/AAAAAAAAPxM/D6JNA2zmGSc/s400/IMG_4472.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We met some wonderful people at Regent University in Virginia Beach. We had a great time there. The campus is beautiful. The architecture is amazing. The professors of the MDIV department were outstanding. It was a long day but everywhere you stepped, you could feel the presence of God. Even sitting around the dinner table with other potential students, God showed up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pNW6FUEzWA/VknymijCXoI/AAAAAAAAPxQ/YKhAq5RiIvA/s1600/IMG_4466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pNW6FUEzWA/VknymijCXoI/AAAAAAAAPxQ/YKhAq5RiIvA/s400/IMG_4466.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As good as it is to get away and be with my love...there is no place like home. The comfort of your own home, seeing my kids and grand babies...that is my life dance. I love this dance I call life. Not always easy but always full of love.</span><br />
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW6hOpRV6LA/Vknyn0PLKuI/AAAAAAAAPxc/UYYLGNV0a9o/s1600/IMG_4510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW6hOpRV6LA/Vknyn0PLKuI/AAAAAAAAPxc/UYYLGNV0a9o/s400/IMG_4510.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulling into the garage at home!!! Woo Hoo!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I want you woven </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">into a </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">tapestry</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">of</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">love</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">, </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>in touch with everything </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">there is to know </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">of</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> God.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Colossians 2:2 MSG</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merriam Webster dictionary says as one of its definitions of Tapestry:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something made up of different things, people, colors, etc. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want you woven into a tapestry...different things...God made all things...every good and perfect gift comes from the Father...people...we are created in the image of God...everyone...even those we have a hard time liking...of Love. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLNfkxQSfyo/VknymSP8F4I/AAAAAAAAPxI/SItlwo_-uMY/s1600/IMG_4491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eLNfkxQSfyo/VknymSP8F4I/AAAAAAAAPxI/SItlwo_-uMY/s400/IMG_4491.JPG" width="345" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">As humans, we are not one dimensional. Many things make up our lives. Family, Faith, Friends, Experiences, Enemies...all these make up the tapestries of our lives. But, we must have one thing in common...God, and God is love. That is the common thread throughout all the tapestries of everyone who was, is and is to come. It's the red thread of his death/blood that cleanses us all and makes us clean, able to commune with Him...reconnecting us to Him...reordering our nature to line up with the nature of Christ. We were actually created for this but sin has altered our nature, separating us from Christ. But his body and blood...Communion...reconnects us...realigns us...reorders us to our original purpose. So that we can be in touch with everything there is to know of God, as the scripture states. Tapestry of LOVE...I love that. That is a beautiful phrase. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I am thankful for the Tapestry that is my life. I am thankful that my tapestry is not finished yet and I have a chance today to love and learn all there is to know of God. What is your Tapestry made of today? </span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-73247077996477587432015-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:002015-11-09T09:14:36.000-08:00My Real Life<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't talked about my word of the year in a while. BRAVE. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xCBIoJ4Pt8/VO389NZ4WwI/AAAAAAAAODg/72GMhxJ9HT4/s1600/_DSC7386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xCBIoJ4Pt8/VO389NZ4WwI/AAAAAAAAODg/72GMhxJ9HT4/s320/_DSC7386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still trying to walk out this word every day this year. BRAVE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the physical to the spiritual to the emotional. BRAVE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do I walk this path BRAVE and not lose who I am and what makes me, me?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kh--PK2JerA/VUDwN_FNHLI/AAAAAAAAOno/knvHNXOtqz4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-29%2Bat%2B10.52.07%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kh--PK2JerA/VUDwN_FNHLI/AAAAAAAAOno/knvHNXOtqz4/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-29%2Bat%2B10.52.07%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was reading in Colossians 3 this morning and boy was I encouraged.</span><br />
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1-2 So if you’re serious about living </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">this new resurrection life with Christ, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="it" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">act</span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> like it. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 1em 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pursue the things over which Christ presides. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Don’t shuffle along, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">eyes to the ground, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">absorbed with the things right in front of you. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Look up, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and be alert to what is going on around Christ—</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that’s where the action is. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="COL.3.1+COL.3.2" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">See things from </span><span class="it" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his</span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> perspective.</span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; margin: 0.9em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">3-4</span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Your old life is dead. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Your new life, </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">which is your </span><span class="it" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">real</span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">life—</span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">even though invisible to spectators—</span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">is with Christ in God. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="it" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He</span></span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is your life. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When Christ (your real life, remember) </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shows up again on this earth, </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">you’ll show up, too—</span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the real you, the glorious you. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.-MSG</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v3 v4" data-usfm="COL.3.3+COL.3.4" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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When I am walking, living this new life...the life BRAVE...I am living my REAL LIFE.</div>
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I am living the life that I was created to live. My old, unnatural, dreamless life is dead. I am a new creation, a new creature. Looking up, walking with purposeful posture. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRvslR_VBsc/VRG0gUIwNmI/AAAAAAAAOfk/o42lMxNEVPo/s1600/B203B5B7-9B73-4C9A-A515-43271E31C88F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRvslR_VBsc/VRG0gUIwNmI/AAAAAAAAOfk/o42lMxNEVPo/s400/B203B5B7-9B73-4C9A-A515-43271E31C88F.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian in black, I'm in the blue (red head)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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I remember in high school a guy told me that when me and my older sister Christian walked in the school, we always looked like we were on a mission. Backs straight, looking forward...like, "don't mess with me, cause I can take you." This bothered me at first because it sounded like we were bullies or ready for a fight. The truth is, I was scared and very insecure. But because we had the posture of purpose...(getting to class without being noticed), we were noticed. He said that some were even afraid to approach us.</div>
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Now, that's the way I want the enemy to see me. I don't want to be a passive, insecure Christian. Living my life in fear and without purpose. I have to bravely know who I am in Christ and who He is, period. I want to be the REAL Me. </div>
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It's much easier to walk this BRAVE path when I know who I am and whose on my side. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vsE5Jrxo40/VkDUFPUUU_I/AAAAAAAAPwo/-kiCQMpdL6E/s1600/IMG_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vsE5Jrxo40/VkDUFPUUU_I/AAAAAAAAPwo/-kiCQMpdL6E/s400/IMG_4309.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Henry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 1em;">
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; margin: 0.9em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">12-14</span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So, <b><i><u>chosen by God for this new life of love</u></i></b>, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><i><u>compassion, kindness, humility, </u></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><i><u>quiet strength, discipline</u></i></b>. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Be even-tempered, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Forgive as quickly and completely </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">as the Master forgave you. </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And regardless of what else you put on, </span></span></div>
<div class="p" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; line-height: 2em; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 1em;">
<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><i><u>wear love.</u></i></b> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v12 v13 v14" data-usfm="COL.3.12+COL.3.13+COL.3.14" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Never be without it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="label" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1; margin: 0.9em 4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">15-17</span><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Let the peace of Christ </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">keep you in tune with each other, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">in step with each other. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">None of this going off and doing your own thing. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><i><u>And cultivate thankfulness.</u></i></b> </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Let the Word of Christ—</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the Message—have the run of the house. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Give it plenty of room in your lives. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And sing, sing your hearts out to God! </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Let every detail in your lives—</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">words, actions, whatever—</span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">be done in the name of the </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Master, Jesus, </span></span></div>
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<span class="verse v15 v16 v17" data-usfm="COL.3.15+COL.3.16+COL.3.17" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="content" style="-webkit-background-clip: padding; background-clip: padding-box; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">thanking God the Father every step of the way.-MSG</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-71043330523385550022015-11-05T21:05:00.001-08:002015-11-05T21:05:42.787-08:00Please, Like What I Like<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was sitting here thinking tonight as I was watching a show on TV that my husband doesn't care for..."Why do I feel the need to make him like what I like?" As I tried to get him to like my show, I noticed a couple of things.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsImLqCfBAE/UcRz5TO3vyI/AAAAAAAAJuY/_4UcJxe-Joo/s1600/DSC_1482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tsImLqCfBAE/UcRz5TO3vyI/AAAAAAAAJuY/_4UcJxe-Joo/s400/DSC_1482.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. If it's a comedy...I laugh a little harder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I look at him a lot to see if he is engaged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I keep pointing out what I like about the show</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am trying so hard to force him to like my sitcom and want to watch it with me. Why do I do this??? It is an exercise in futility. I just cannot wrap my mind around the fact that we don't like the same things 100% of the time. It actually drives me crazy...if I'm not already there. LOL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess it's human nature when you share most things with a specific person, you try and get them interested in what interests you. One more thing to connect you. One more thing that knits your lives together. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ofmjs2b9v4/Uc-QCFn9s1I/AAAAAAAAKFU/_BhoSDeCGw4/s1600/5691_1195934784917_2490030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ofmjs2b9v4/Uc-QCFn9s1I/AAAAAAAAKFU/_BhoSDeCGw4/s400/5691_1195934784917_2490030_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first got married over 26 years ago, I thought our lives were intertwined but I could have never imagined this. I never thought that just having him in the bed with me, I would sleep better. That we would prefer cooking together than apart. Our favorite naps are wrapped up in a blanket on the couch snuggled up together, I have a pillow and I am his pillow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess over the last 26 years, we are still "becoming" One. When you hear those words at your wedding, you don't realize that it is a process. I heard those words and thought it would be instant. But...here it is...I was wrong (enjoy this statement family). </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKBAoBZuxys/UjHCQFhpOYI/AAAAAAAALVo/5JsR3WatfuU/s1600/38095_1532103108915_1424895391_31408199_1979714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KKBAoBZuxys/UjHCQFhpOYI/AAAAAAAALVo/5JsR3WatfuU/s400/38095_1532103108915_1424895391_31408199_1979714_n.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's an amazing process full of disappointments, struggles, broken hearts, reality, fusses, making up, loving each other through it, laughter, mistakes, late nights, all nighters, dates, kisses, holding hands, staring into each others eyes, learning each others dreams, making dreams come true, preferring one another, raising children, becoming grandparents...LIFE. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEqzcSJweh0/UjHCREv47EI/AAAAAAAALVw/Hw5k7XiA0YA/s1600/38095_1532103188917_1424895391_31408201_6860837_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEqzcSJweh0/UjHCREv47EI/AAAAAAAALVw/Hw5k7XiA0YA/s400/38095_1532103188917_1424895391_31408201_6860837_n.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me say this, he stayed down in the family room with me so I didn't have to watch it alone, for one and a half episodes. That's love and sacrifice. That is LIFE. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwfZvG43LQ4/UlgJAqIosnI/AAAAAAAALiY/LF6g7zjJJmI/s1600/1382386_10202177176497274_110153148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwfZvG43LQ4/UlgJAqIosnI/AAAAAAAALiY/LF6g7zjJJmI/s400/1382386_10202177176497274_110153148_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am enjoying this process of Becoming One. I did not succeed in winning him over into my sitcom world. And I came to the realization that it is not necessary. I just like him around...while I laugh at my guys on TV...hopefully not quite as loud. We don't have to change our spouses, we just need to enjoy their presence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bo VanDyke, I'm thankful for you!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-72098124437022208112015-10-31T08:30:00.003-07:002015-10-31T08:30:50.709-07:00Art...It's a God Thing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have read my blogs before, you know how much I love art. The art of photography is one of my favorites. I love music, paintings, sculpture, abstract, writing, poetry...I am drawn to it all. My husband asked me one time if we had to stop in every gallery we passed. My answer was, "Yes, I love it all".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My nephew, son, husband and I were talking about art and artists last night on our way to church. How so many young artists that we know turn away from the church and things of God because they want the "Free spirit" artists life. In turn they separate themselves from the very One who is the most creative. I mean, He is the Creator of all things. Every color, every shape, every thought, every leaf, flower, cloud, raindrop, rainbow, light, shadow...all things were created by Him. When I look at the landscape that takes my breath away, I say, Thank You for this. When I look at the tiny toes of my babies or the wrinkles in their fat little sausage fingers, I say, Thank You for this. When I taste the sweetness of a bright red strawberry, I say, Thank You for this. This is Art. It's where art comes from. As artists we are trying to create, invent, relay our heart in an object, song, writing...it only took a word from God. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln8tzKAP4hM/VjTddjEcadI/AAAAAAAAPwI/40Sh1B-BBlw/s1600/IMG_3229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ln8tzKAP4hM/VjTddjEcadI/AAAAAAAAPwI/40Sh1B-BBlw/s400/IMG_3229.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the ancient days, artists in the church built, painted, sculpted the most beautiful objects in honor of their love for the LORD. Go into Italy and visit these monuments that were created as mans tribute to God. A way to honor Him and show how much they loved Him. It took years, decades, an incredible amount of time to complete but it was their hearts greatest desire. Leaving fortunes to their children for the completion of churches, cathedrals that would last for as long as the earth lives...telling generations to come that they loved God and honored Him above all else. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhu0mWb0dI/VjTcoznV0RI/AAAAAAAAPvo/iXsUrBsugfQ/s1600/_DSC5993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhu0mWb0dI/VjTcoznV0RI/AAAAAAAAPvo/iXsUrBsugfQ/s400/_DSC5993.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">most beautiful ceilings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96ZLQTvSCWQ/VjTcpDHO1PI/AAAAAAAAPvs/bW9PVfNFNe8/s1600/_DSC6010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-96ZLQTvSCWQ/VjTcpDHO1PI/AAAAAAAAPvs/bW9PVfNFNe8/s400/_DSC6010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tapestry...sorry its blurry</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSDTjQhAvsQ/VjTcpY4XQxI/AAAAAAAAPvw/QZ1Cy_hmXGA/s1600/_DSC6056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSDTjQhAvsQ/VjTcpY4XQxI/AAAAAAAAPvw/QZ1Cy_hmXGA/s400/_DSC6056.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told the boys (men) in my car last night that the Church needs to get back to the arts. It's not an evil...it's a God given gift that can be used to glorify the greatest creative mind ever...GOD!!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L9x727cAqQ/VjTdd4RdnhI/AAAAAAAAPwM/S9pYA9tZ29k/s1600/_DSC8848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2L9x727cAqQ/VjTdd4RdnhI/AAAAAAAAPwM/S9pYA9tZ29k/s400/_DSC8848.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Artists see things that most don't see. They see the shadows, the light, they hear the harmonies, the beat, the flow, the rhythm. Their senses are attuned to the details of life that the rest of the world does not or can not comprehend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are in doubt of God's amazing creative ability, read Genesis 1 & 2. At 44 years old, I am constantly amazed by Him. I still want to be just like Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-14183559512785961022015-10-30T06:29:00.001-07:002015-10-30T06:29:26.308-07:00Fall...It's An Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NDUJr_pm6M/VjNu83LeBQI/AAAAAAAAPu0/i5HV6kxrLww/s1600/_DSC9902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NDUJr_pm6M/VjNu83LeBQI/AAAAAAAAPu0/i5HV6kxrLww/s400/_DSC9902.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the last Friday in October. The woods behind my house have big holes where the leaves have already fallen. No longer do I see green when I look out the sliding glass doors in my kitchen...It's a sea of yellow and orange and a little bit of red. Some trees have leaves hanging on by a thread and yet others are still full of beautiful robust color. The storm on Wednesday night sped up the process of trees dropping their leaves. I love the colors of fall. The splendor of God's unlimited imagination. His creativity is one of my favorite things to experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that is why fall is so amazing to me. </span><br />
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<u><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is an experience.</span></b></i></u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><i><b>Fall has it's own style.</b></i></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fall has it's own smell...crisp in the nostrils...like eating a peppermint patty...lol. The days can be warm or cool, the nights are chilly enough for a hoodie or pretty coat but no need to overdress. Fall has it's own light. It dances through the trees and makes bland things look amazing. Fall has it's own hum. You can hear the humming of heaters kicking on in the neighborhood, the harvesters in the fields, the leaves falling from the trees, the crackling of fire pits. Fall has its own flavor...apple pie, apple cider, apple butter, pumpkin desserts and coffees...the harvest is ready and plentiful. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--08TdgiS-7c/VjNu7rmNFbI/AAAAAAAAPvU/Xm6nSk66ymY/s1600/IMG_4120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--08TdgiS-7c/VjNu7rmNFbI/AAAAAAAAPvU/Xm6nSk66ymY/s400/IMG_4120.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I began to write the paragraph above, by the time I got to the humming of the heaters, I realized something...Fall is a party for the senses. Sight, Smell, Touch, Hearing, Taste...Oh Yeah!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I like to inhale the senses of fall...reminds me of the song we sing at church...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I breathe you in, God...You are there all around me. I breathe you in, God...You are there all around...by </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Katie Torwalt</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgciDdRmyrU/VjNvZ4PbFlI/AAAAAAAAPvY/bJ0plTzDa0M/s1600/_DSC0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hgciDdRmyrU/VjNvZ4PbFlI/AAAAAAAAPvY/bJ0plTzDa0M/s400/_DSC0113.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this of Autumn...looks like she is breathing God in</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, on Sunday morning, November 1st, we will start our month of Thanksgiving. Focusing on what we are Thankful for. Yes, many will say, (as we write and post on Facebook our Thankful lists) we should be thankful all year...that is true but it doesn't hurt to take a month or two and focus on it. It is a wonderful thing that we allow ourselves this time to daily thank God for all He has provided. It's good to go into the winter months...Thankful. Winter would be harder without a thankful heart. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSF3UHN52a8/UkBAxhE_wrI/AAAAAAAALao/AUcJHWzyPeg/s1600/DSC_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSF3UHN52a8/UkBAxhE_wrI/AAAAAAAALao/AUcJHWzyPeg/s400/DSC_2211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this old pic of Henry...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSpjoLyb1U/UmXjYBU6UlI/AAAAAAAALpA/kvA_V6dQH5c/s1600/DSC_2615_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSpjoLyb1U/UmXjYBU6UlI/AAAAAAAALpA/kvA_V6dQH5c/s400/DSC_2615_2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light in this photo is amazing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjCC4iECpGA/UncPFpVofGI/AAAAAAAALl8/X8XuAWUJM-M/s1600/DSC_2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjCC4iECpGA/UncPFpVofGI/AAAAAAAALl8/X8XuAWUJM-M/s400/DSC_2659.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The splendor of God's imagination...Glorious</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810884645841548043.post-43473323638380135682015-10-27T12:50:00.001-07:002015-10-27T12:50:09.623-07:00Autumn in Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got to do something two weeks ago that I haven't had a chance to do in a long time. I spent a couple of hours with my niece, Autumn. We took her graduation pictures and had a blast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When her mom asked me to take the pics, I started with the disclaimer that I am not a professional. I am a hack at best, sometimes, I take good photos but sometimes, not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so happy to spend that time with her. We got into my car and went a couple of places and had a chats and laughs on the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here she is, the only daughter of my brother, Autumn Elizabeth Estep.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60e9LbLz2hE/Vi_TrBvUaAI/AAAAAAAAPsA/ljdVSzzDZUw/s1600/_DSC9962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60e9LbLz2hE/Vi_TrBvUaAI/AAAAAAAAPsA/ljdVSzzDZUw/s400/_DSC9962.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her smile here looks like her smile when she was little</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVRhJtzzjAw/Vi_TvYQqT-I/AAAAAAAAPsg/_6LGUVfH5hg/s1600/_DSC9965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVRhJtzzjAw/Vi_TvYQqT-I/AAAAAAAAPsg/_6LGUVfH5hg/s400/_DSC9965.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this out of focus one...it's just cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGeprhDGmSA/Vi_ThgU15dI/AAAAAAAAPrA/6IyS99h53r0/s1600/_DSC0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wGeprhDGmSA/Vi_ThgU15dI/AAAAAAAAPrA/6IyS99h53r0/s400/_DSC0028.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun on the tire swing at Aunt Chris'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMEa29NI878/Vi_TfeLVPVI/AAAAAAAAPqw/l9QmthVqyiw/s1600/_DSC0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMEa29NI878/Vi_TfeLVPVI/AAAAAAAAPqw/l9QmthVqyiw/s400/_DSC0013.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Ma...no eyes. Love this, pure joy!!</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is nice to spend time with the ones you love. And boy do I love this girl right here.</span><br /><div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12815577358115566543noreply@blogger.com0