tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47825810985482056652024-02-07T07:57:06.233-08:00The Gill Family TimesRenea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-71253286090946116062017-01-08T18:58:00.000-08:002017-01-08T18:58:21.366-08:00Valley of Dry Bones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes when I am worshiping at church, God will drop something into my spirit. Most often, it is something for me, a word of encouragement that He sees me and that He is there, an exhortation to change something that is hurting me or my family or His heart, things like this happen pretty often.</div>
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Then sometimes something drops in and I know it isn't just for me, though sometimes it is for me as well. It is something he wants me to share publicly. <b>Many people might call it a prophetic word or inclination.</b> Sometimes it is meant to be shared before the church body and sometimes it is meant to be shared here on my blog with all of you.<br />
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About a month ago, I was worshiping at our local church (<b>Tri-County Worship Center</b> in Seneca, SC, <a href="http://www.tcwc.net/">www.tcwc.net</a>) The worship team was singing the bridge of the song "Great are You Lord." We were singing....<br />
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Our hearts will cry.</div>
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These bones will sing.</div>
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Great are You Lord.<br />
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"Great are You Lord" by All Sons and Daughters</div>
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As we sang, the Holy Spirit quickened the story of the Valley of Dry Bones from Ezekiel. So I pulled out my phone with the handy little Bible App to read the story. Isn't technology convenient? You can read the story <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2037&version=ESV" target="_blank">here</a> or use your own Bible to go to Ezekiel 37.<br />
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I quietly read through the words of Ezekiel's vision. As I read, I thought of how the story applied to my own life and realized that it is very likely that many of the people in my church and friends in my life may be having a similar experience where their life feels like a valley of dry bones.<br />
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<b>What I saw in my mind was a valley of scattered bones...broken, picked apart by vultures, scattered everywhere, and just left there as a memorial of destruction and desolation.</b> I felt great sadness in my heart, for my own life and for others who may be feeling that they have also been broken by life, broken by others, or even broken by God and left out to rot and decay. <b> I began to grieve for those of us who feel like we have been picked apart by vultures, torn to pieces, and scattered all over a valley of death and destruction.</b><br />
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The music played on...</div>
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"These bones will sing. </div>
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Great are You Lord!"</div>
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And I am crying out to God and thinking even though these bones are battered and shattered and though it feels like Habakkuk 3:17-18, I must still sing "Great are You Lord"?</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/habakkuk/3-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>17</b></a></span>the fig tree does not bud</div>
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and there are no grapes on the vines,</div>
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though the olive crop fails</div>
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and the fields produce no food,</div>
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though there are no sheep in the pen</div>
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and no cattle in the stalls,</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/habakkuk/3-18.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>18</b></a></span>yet I will rejoice in the <span class="name" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,</div>
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I will be joyful in God my Savior. (<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/habakkuk/3-17.htm" target="_blank">Habakkuk 3:17-18</a>)</div>
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In my spirit, I was overwhelmed and overcome with a newfound resolution to rejoice and be joyful in God in spite of my current circumstances. <b>My spirit just wanted to shout out, "Come on church, I know your bones feel scattered and dry, but He is great. </b>Let us praise Him!"</div>
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I went back and read the Ezekiel story again. God asked Ezekiel, "Can these dry bones live?" When we are in the Valley of Dry Bones....when we are the dry bones, we feel like we can't live. We feel hopeless just like Israel, "our bones are dried up and our hope is lost, we are indeed cut off."</div>
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<b>Thankfully, like Israel in this story, God doesn't leave us there hopeless and dried up. </b> He said to Israel and is saying to you and me, "I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves...I will put my spirit within you and you shall live and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, I have spoken, and I will do it."</div>
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There is nothing in this world like being raised from the dead. I have never been physically dead, but I have certainly felt spiritually and emotionally dead many times. Losing a loved one, changes in life, jobs, marriage troubles, wayward children, parenting challenges, addictions, troubled relationships can all leave us feeling dead and dry, but <b>when Jesus comes and tells your dry bones to live (or asks you to tell your dry bones to live,) something changes inside.</b></div>
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God told Ezekial to prophesy to the bones. Sometimes, we have to speak to ourselves like David did in<a href="http://biblehub.com/psalms/43-5.htm" target="_blank"> Psalm 43:5</a>.</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/psalms/43-5.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>5</b></a></span><span class="ln-group" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Why are you cast down, O my soul,</span></div>
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<span class="ln-group" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,</span><br />
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We have to tell the broken, scattered, dry bones to come together and function again. <b> Hard times in life knock us down, but it is never God's intention to leave us broken and useless in a wasteland.</b> If you find yourself in a place where you feel like those bones, prophesy to your life and tell your bones to live.<br />
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Ezekiel spoke to the bones and there was a rattling and the bones came together bone to its bone. I would have freaked out. Rattling bones coming together before my eyes and joining together by my words! (Well God's words spoken through me I guess, but still!) Those desolate bones came together. <b>At least now, those bones could function, right? </b> They were not just lying around in waste.<br />
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I must confess that in my life at the moment, my dry bones might be pretty content to be out of the wasteland and to just function. Functioning would be a welcome improvement and would be good enough for me.</div>
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A functioning skeleton can walk I guess, but in this Ezekiel story, God did not stop there. Ezekiel said sinews formed on the bones and flesh came on them. That's a lot better than a funky looking skeleton walking. These bones in Ezekiel even started looking normal, whole, healed even. All the bones gathered and assembled, muscles working, skin formed. Hallelujah! It's a miracle. <br />
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I've experienced this. Have you? It is a miracle and most of us would be content and happy to stop there, but God isn't finished with just functioning. He isn't even finished with us looking whole. He wants to breathe His breath into us.</div>
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God wants better than to just see us functioning. <b>He wants to heal us completely and that means more than just functioning and looking normal on the outside. </b>He wants us whole and restored on the inside.</div>
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In Ezekiel's experience, the bones rattled and came together with sinews and flesh, but there was no breath in them. Our lives can sometimes feel this way. <b>We function, we look normal to everyone around us, but inside we find it difficult to breathe. </b> We feel like life has knocked the breath out of us.</div>
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<b>Have you ever fallen or been hit and had the wind knocked out of you? </b><br />
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I remember a middle school basketball game years ago. Yes, this short little mama played basketball, and I think I was pretty good. Not a star, but a pretty decent guard and an even better defender. The other team had a player who, compared to me at the time, was a giant. I know memory tends to exaggerate (and realize I'm still only 5'2" full grown) but she was close to 6 foot tall and weighed at least 150 pounds (probably more). I maybe weighed 85 soaking wet and holding a bag of bricks. Our team shot the ball. She was in the middle of the paint and went up to get the rebound. I was behind her, ready to steal as soon as she turned around.<br />
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Well, she turned around with her elbows out. Her elbows were right at the level of my throat and that is exactly where her elbow landed. It hurt, but I thought it was no big deal. I turned around to shake it off and get down court. I quickly turned around....took a breath....but no air came into my lungs. I tried...nothing. Cue the throat grabbing followed by falling to my knees followed by coaches (and probably my mom) running out to check on me.</div>
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Fortunately, the breathless trauma passed quickly. I don't think I passed out. I remember being told to stay calm and relax. I remember trying, but <b>it is hard not to panic when you can't catch your breath. </b></div>
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After a few minutes, my breathing returned to normal and I was able, after a rest, to get back in the game and life went on as normal. <b> Sometimes, life knocks you hard...so hard you can't breathe.</b> Usually, we can pause for a few, wait a while, and then get back in the game. Other times, <b>life takes your breath away completely and you end up dead in the Valley of Dry Bones</b>. Thankfully, you don't have to stay there.<br />
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Ezekiel 37:9<br />
Then He (God) said to Ezekiel, "Prophesy to the Breath. Say to the breath, "Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds o breath and breathe on these slain that they may live."<br />
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<b>Sometimes we have to use our mouths and speak life to ourselves or those we love. </b> We can't settle nor let the ones we love settle with living life breathless. We have to let God's breath, His life, His hope, come from the four winds and breathe on us. There are many times you may not feel it, but you have to speak out in faith and command life to come...not just functional life, but abundant life. <b>I think there are times we say we are waiting for God to come and fix something when He is waiting for us to open our mouths and command life to come forth.</b><br />
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Look what happened when Ezekiel spoke! Breath came into the bones along with the sinew and flesh, and the dry bones lived...not functioned...not looked ok...they LIVED! They stood on their feet an exceeding great army.<br />
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"To Our God" by Bethel</div>
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"An army of dry bones is starting to rise."</div>
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<b>There is an army God wants to raise up.</b> Too many of His soldiers are in the grave or living as skeletons, barely functioning, or looking OK on the outside but feeling lifeless on the inside. God wants to put His Spirit within His people and raise them from their graves. <b>When God raises you from a place of brokenness, dead and rotting, picked apart, and scattered by vultures, you know beyond a doubt that He is LORD. </b>When we have experienced His resurrection and we know in a new way who He is, we become His army ready to push back the kingdom of darkness in not only our own lives but in the lives of others. <b>When we finally grasp this revelation, He will place us in places and situations where can make a difference by sharing what we have learned with others.</b><br />
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Here is the catch, we have to start opening our mouths and start speaking life. <b>Do you feel like you are the dry bones in Ezekiel's valley? Do you know someone who is in their own Valley of Death? </b> Maybe a child, a co-worker, a relative or friend or perhaps there is a situation that feels dead, lifeless, and hopeless? Perhaps the situation you are in feels hopeless-- a sickness, a broken relationship, financial difficulties?<br />
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<b>Are you ready to look at those dead, dry bones and tell them to live? </b>Don't just tell them to come together and function or to look good, but tell them to rattle and come to life, whole and filled with the breath of God!<br />
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<b>Are you ready to raise the dead and build an army for Christ? </b> You may be the prophetic voice God wants to use in someone's life or someone's situation. My voice may be the prophetic voice calling you to raise up from the grave!<b> I don't have to stay the way I am. You don't have to stay the way you are!</b> We do not have to stay broken and scattered. We can be gathered, mended and whole and full of the breath of God. (Yes those are song lyrics...shocker!)<br />
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"Broken Vessels" by Hillsong</div>
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I might have ignored this message on that Sunday morning. I might have let it go, but then, the following Sunday at church, all of the songs were about God breathing on us. <b> I'm convinced that God is wanting to breathe His breath into our dry bones and fully restore us.</b> As I sat there listening to the songs, I asked God about my own dry bones.<br />
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Personally, many times, the year 2016 left me feeling broken, dry, scattered, abandoned, and breathless. My family and I left a ministry position that we loved in a city that we loved with people that we loved. In fact, we left vocational ministry completely. It's a long story that I won't go into here, but we lived in two different cities for almost 6 months because financially it was our only choice. I had a miscarriage. When we all moved back in together, it was strange. The new town we now live in is small. The culture is different. The people are different. The new church we are in is different from the Every Nation family that I have been apart of for 21 years. Not bad, just different. <b>I've felt out of place. My heart has been broken. I have at times felt abandoned and left out to rot and be picked apart by vultures of loneliness, depression, contempt, anger, and unforgiveness...just to name a few.</b><br />
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I feel God is telling me that it's time to speak to my dry bones and tell them to live again. Even though I often feel dry and like hope is lost, <b>I am making the choice to open my mouth and command these bones to LIVE. Not to function, not to look ok to the world but feel lifeless inside, but to truly LIVE.</b><br />
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I hear the bones rattling. I see them coming together and sinews and flesh coming on them, and I feel the breath of God coming into my lungs and giving me new hope and new life.<br />
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PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO....SO POWERFUL IT GAVE ME CHILLS! IT'S AN ANIMATION OF THIS STORY IN EZEKIAL THAT WON'T DISAPPOINT!</div>
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And now, I'm speaking to the bones I see around me. To the people around me and to the situations I see around me that seem hopeless. I'm not leaving any bones in a valley of desolation and destruction. I'm commanding them to LIVE.<br />
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<b>I'm challenging you to LIVE and to speak out to the dry bones around you as well. </b> I'm commanding you to LIVE and know that God is the Lord! <b>He raises the dead from their graves and He can raise you and any hopeless situations you are facing.</b> He wants your dry bones to LIVE. You may just need to open up your mouth and speak it forth!<br />
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Can we do it together? Can we be whole and filled with the breath of God? Can we raise up an army of dry bones that have been fully restored and are ready to change the world for Christ? <b>Can we call out to dry bones, "Come Alive"? </b> We can! In fact, this is God's heart and His desire for us. We just need to agree with Him and speak it forth! I'm up for the challenge, are you?<br />
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"Come Alive" by Lauren Daigle</div>
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I hope reading this encourages you to know God more. If I can pray for you in any way, please feel free to contact me at reachteachgrow1@gmail.com.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Renea</i></b></span><br />
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<br />Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-25974593225460616922016-11-02T05:46:00.001-07:002016-11-02T10:45:02.489-07:00Life in the ShadowIf you grew up or live in my hometown, you probably know my brother. Billy Jack's the guy that everyone knows and everyone loves. As a teenager, he was larger than life and well known for other reasons I suppose, but as an adult, (and please never tell him I said this) he continues to be a genuinely great guy. He has a huge heart and deeply cares for his friends and family...even strangers.<br />
<b>It was sometimes hard to be the little sister living in that huge, larger than life shadow.</b> He was way more popular. (Thankfully I was smarter!) ;-) Sometimes though, I didn't mind being Billy Jack's little sister. He was only one year ahead of me in school, so I guess being his sister helped. I wasn't invited to his parties or anything, but I did always know <b>I was protected.</b> If something bad were to come up (even though we were not super close at the time,) I knew my brother would stand up for me. <b>There was safety in his shadow.</b><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">My brother Billy and I at prom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">No, we did not go together!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Yes, we were this awesome!</span></div>
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A few years ago, I was walking with my kids. It was a hot summer day, the kind that sucks the very life from you. I don't know why (perhaps my 5 & 3 year olds were driving me nuts, and I needed out of the house,) but I decided that we would get out and take a walk. Brilliant!</div>
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It would be fun, a nice break in the monotony of the day...WRONG!<br />
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<span style="color: purple;">This would have been a better idea!</span><br />
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<b>Have you ever walked a small child in the blistering heat of summer? </b> It was fun for about 5 minutes...and then the complaining began. In my mind, I know my son was there, probably in the stroller, but he fades in the background at this point because Baby Girl who often is the center of her own universe was determined to be the center of everyone's universe that day.</div>
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"Mommy, it's so hot. Mommy, carry me. Mommy, it's too bright." Translation: <b> #Imgoingtodie!</b><br />
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We were not too far from home, but it seemed a million miles away. I might have picked her up and just carried her (that is what she really wanted;) but as I said, I was already pushing Baby Brother in the stroller, so that wasn't an option.</div>
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<b><br /></b> <b>Then, I looked down and saw my shadow. </b><br />
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There it was. The solution to our problem, a shade from the brightness and cooler shelter from the heat of the sun. <b> "Samantha," I said gently </b>(though I wanted to scream,) "<b>Walk in my shadow.</b>"<br />
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Cue bewildered toddler stare and....wait for it...."why?"<br />
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"<b>Because there is shade. If you walk in my shadow, the sun will not be so bright and you will be a bit cooler too." I knew she would be sheltered from the heat and brightness of the sun if she would only walk in my shadow.</b> I gave myself a mental pat on the back for my genius problem solving skills. "Well done, Mommy," I silently congratulated myself.<br />
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For a moment (a very brief moment) she tried it. Then stopped and loudly proclaimed in all her five year old glory, <b>"NO! I don't want to. It's too hard"</b> and it was back to complaining and utter misery.<br />
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Ah the joy that floods your soul when your sweet little one (whom you labored with for what seemed like forever and pushed for 3 1/2 hours to birth into the universe) looks at you with that defiant determination and tells you NO!<br />
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<b>In the midst of my frustration, I felt a gentle, unexpected nudge. </b> Not the nudge of a sweet little one saying, "I'm so sorry for being a stubborn tyrant dictator!" though that would have been very welcome. It was a different kind of nudge, but one just as familiar as the tug of a toddler. It was the nudge that comes when you know the Holy Spirit is trying to grab your attention.<br />
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In my wisdom, I knew that if Samantha would only walk in my shadow, her life would be easier. She wouldn't be as hot and the light would not be hurting her eyes, so what was the stinking problem?<br />
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<b>The problem was that walking in my shadow (from her limited perspective) was a chore</b>. She had to stop when I stopped, go wherever I went, and follow wherever I led...and she just didn't want to go the way that I was going. <b>She did not want to be in my shadow.</b><br />
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As God continued to move upon my heart, I felt those familiar tears begin to well up in my eyes and burn my face as they rolled down my cheeks (and not just because there was sunburn though surely there was.) <b>The Holy Spirit was speaking directly to my heart. </b> The truth was piercing me like a two edged sword...dividing soul and spirit...judging the thoughts and attitudes of my heart (<span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 4:12</span>) not to condemn me (<span style="color: blue;">Romans 8:1</span>); because he understands and empathizes with my weakness (<span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 4:15</span>), but to set me free (<span style="color: blue;">John 8:32</span>).<br />
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I don't remember exactly what was going on in my life at the time. I remember we had moved back to North Carolina after eight years in Europe with a dream to plant a church in Pittsburgh, and I remember that it wasn't going the way that we had planned. (In fact, that's not where we ended up at all....maybe one day?)<br />
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<b>Spiritually and emotionally, I was frustrated, hot, the sun was hurting my eyes too.</b> I wasn't happy at all. I missed my friends, my life felt upside down. I was unhappy and everyone around me sure knew it.<br />
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God was clearly speaking to me in the heat of that extremely frustrating day...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Psalm 91:1(emphasis mine)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will REST in the SHADOW of the almighty.</span><br />
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<b>The Holy Spirit whispered, "You need to walk in my shadow. There is shelter from the heat for you. There is comfort for you. The heat of this trial doesn't have to scorch you."</b><br />
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<b>"But God, I'm tired. It's too hard." I argued. </b>(Sound familiar?) "I don't want to go where you are leading. I want to go somewhere else. I don't want to stop here. I don't want to go there?" <b>But did I dare to stare up at heaven and loudly proclaim "NO! I don't want to!"</b><br />
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What choice did I really have? Walk on my own, sweat, let my eyes squint and cause a migraine all because I was just as stubborn as my five year old and thought I knew more than God!<br />
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There's a song (Yeah, it's me, of course there is a song...)<br />
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<b>Where you go, I'll go.</b></div>
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<b>Where you stay, I'll stay.</b></div>
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<b>When you move, I'll move.</b></div>
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<b>I will follow.</b></div>
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In that moment, God was offering me shelter. He was saying,<b> "You don't have to brave the heat on your own. You can abide in my shadow. </b> All you have to do is go where I go. Stay when I stay, and move when I move."<br />
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It seems so simple. Why did I want to fight it? Why on that hot summer day was my daughter failing to see I was trying to help? Why was I failing to see and accept my Father's gentle solution to my misery?<br />
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<b>As I walked down the street that day I surrendered.</b> I said, "OK God, I get it. I'm going to stop trying to do it all on my own in my own stubborn way. I'm ready to get out of the heat and rest in Your shade. I'm ready to cool off."<br />
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I'm writing this three years later and it still in many ways seems like it was yesterday. I'm writing this now because I find myself once again in need of shelter and refuge. I'm having trouble going, staying, and moving when and where He does, and I need to abide in the shadow of the most High and realize He has a plan and is looking out for my best interests even if I can't understand what is happening right now.<br />
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<b>I need to let God hide me in the shadow of his wings</b> (<span style="color: blue;">Psalm 17:8</span>). This is a season in my life where I feel like God has just stopped moving for a minute. <b> I want to go forwards or run back, but the shelter is in the resting shadow of God</b> who, in His infinite wisdom, knows that I need to stop for a minute.<br />
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I'm frustrated. I tend to still think I know better, but I have to trust Him. Just like I needed my daughter to trust me that day and to walk in my shadow, God needs me to trust Him and abide in his shadow because He sees the end from the beginning (<span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 46:10</span>) and knows what is best for me. I need to listen and be still and know that He is God (<span style="color: blue;">Psalm 46:10</span>). I need to find a way to sing for joy in the <b>shadow</b> of His wings (<span style="color: blue;">Psalm 63:7</span>)!<br />
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You see God is like my big brother. (Oh my, did I really just say that?...Please NEVER tell him!) Well, at least in this one respect, He has my back. When I need Him (even when I think I don't need Him,) He is and will always be there for me. <b> Living in His shadow may not always be easy, but it certainly does have it's advantages.</b> <b> There is safety in His shadow. We are protected and sheltered. </b>May we all learn to abide in the shadow of the Almighty. <b>There's no better place to be than living life in His shadow.</b><br />
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Are you struggling between walking on your own or walking in His shadow? May I encourage you that you don't have to take the heat. Life is better when we choose to trust Him even in the most difficult situations. If I can pray for you in any way, please let me know! Pray for me as well!<br />
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Trusting Him Always,<br />
Renea<br />
<br />Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-1851237480721687942016-07-06T17:37:00.002-07:002016-07-06T18:03:59.768-07:007 Layer Chocolate Cake - Life Lessons We Should Learn from Grandma<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary Frances Grimes, my grandmother, went to be with Jesus on Saturday. Today we had her funeral. This is my tribute to her. Rest in Peace Grandma! Well done good and faithful servant. Enter in to your Master's joy!<br />
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<span style="color: red;">A 7 Layer Chocolate Cake - Life Lessons We Can Learn From Grandma</span></div>
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Chances are if you are in this room, then you are familiar
with the fact that one of Grandma’s favorite things to do was cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also likely that at some point in time
you have eaten some of her famous 7 Layer Chocolate Cake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like the layers in the cake she always brought to reunions
and holiday gatherings, there were many layers of lessons that we can all take
away from my Grandma’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The 1<sup>st</sup> layer is the one that was most important
to Grandma and has also become the most important to me as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>The foundation of everything she was and the
life she lived was her love for God.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember going to stay with Grandma as a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I remember her reading her Bible. It was marked and highlighted with
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was worn from use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>The words went from the pages into her heart
and made her the woman that we all knew and loved.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw her pray beside her bed every night
before we would go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
always hear or understand the words that she was saying, but there is no doubt
in my mind that many were for me…and many were for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>We will all do better if we make God our
foundational layer as well.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The 2<sup>nd</sup> layer we can take away from Grandma’s
life is to love our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Passionately, boldly, unwaveringly.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b>
</span>Grandma loved each of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
different as we are, as many mistakes as we have all made (some more than
others though I won’t name names), never once have we doubted that Grandma
loved us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has always been there for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting at a dance recital, a
graduation ceremony, a wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Grandma
was present</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b> </b></span><b>In today’s world, someone
can be at a particular place or time, but still not be present.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>Today we get distracted with smart phones and
TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were with Grandma, she was
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There in the moment with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made you feel important and
loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is something I’d like to learn
from and make sure in my life and with my family and friends, I’m there…100%
and that they know they are important. This is how we should love our family.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The 3<sup>rd</sup> layer we can take away from Grandma’s
life is her love for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I drove
from SC on Saturday, I was thinking about legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess for some that means something grand
like solving the problems of the world or becoming famous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma’s legacy was different.<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think possibly the most profound legacy
that she left this world spawned from her love for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone needed help, Grandma was
there.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was the kind of person who
would do anything for anyone she could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I look at our family, each of us inherited this compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom and Aunt Barbara have always helped
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of us in the family have
watched this from our birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I
sat and thought about it, we are all helpers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We go out of our way to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b>In a world where this is becoming more and more rare, I’m glad that we
learned from Grandma the importance of loving our neighbor as ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I’m glad that this legacy is a part of our
heritage, and I hope we can continue to pass this legacy down to our children
as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The 4<sup>th</sup> layer we can learn from Grandma’s life <b>is
to be content.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>Grandma’s life was not
extravagant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lived simply. I never
heard her complain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had one box of
toys in the back of her home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
all different ages at different stages in life, and there were a lot of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow we all were content with
that same old box of toys….for years! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I feel like I always have to have
more, get more, do more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I can
learn, that we all can and should learn to just be content and thankful for
what we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b> </b></span><b>We are so blessed and if we
are not careful, we will be too busy looking for the next thing in our lives and
our happiness will pass us by.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The 5<sup>th</sup> Layer would be to find something you love
and do it…with joy, with excellence, with others if you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma loved cooking, playing games, plastic
canvas, quilting, singing, and gardening among many other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she found time to do the things that
brought her joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know where she
found the time, but she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I think we
do well when we pursue the things we love and make time for them instead of
letting the tyranny of the urgent make us slaves to what we must do at the
expense of doing what we love with the ones we love.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The 6<sup>th</sup> layer I want to take away from Grandma’s
life is to have the ability to exude peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is hard for me to explain because I’m not sure how she did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever I was with Grandma, I just felt
peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that is why I loved to be
with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have to be playing
something or doing anything together. When I was at Grandma’s I just felt at
peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an adult, I now realize that
even Grandma surely had problems of her own. <b>I know she faced trials, yet
somehow whenever I was in her home, I felt a supernatural peace and calm</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandma’s house was a safe place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My home was also safe of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great, but<b> Grandma’s house was special
because Grandma’s love was special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
in her love, my heart felt peace.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
to be able to bring that peace to others as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People need peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b> </b></span><b>I hope we can learn from Grandma that even
though we have troubles in this world, our hearts can still find peace in God,
and our homes can still be a place of peace for others.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Seventh layer and the icing on the cake, is Faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a faithful Christian, a faithful
wife, a faithful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great
grandmother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her later years, she was
a faithful caretaker to Granddaddy James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You could always trust her word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If she said she would be there, she was there and on time. (God help
me.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was dependable, someone you
could count on and not worry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>God
help us all to be so faithful.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thank
God that when she left her earthly body behind, she finally got to hear God’s
words affirm her faithfulness as He surely said to Grandma, well done thou good
and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord and that is where she
is right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Grandma’s cakes were made of just the right ingredients.
They were frosted with love and prayer, and baked with perfect timing.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span>I’m thankful for the legacy she has given to
all of us and thankful that one day, if we have learned from her life, we can
all be with her again in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
would surely be her greatest joy!<br />
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Rest in Peace Grandma…until we meet again!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-1587720927527439752016-03-26T10:11:00.002-07:002016-04-07T04:34:04.445-07:00Out of These Ashes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning was difficult. My back was in pain. I did something to my back last Saturday and have had to deal with the pain all week. The doctors are not sure, but it is either a sprained or pulled muscle or a problem with a disc in my back. I'm on steroids and Aleve and taking painkillers and muscle relaxers as needed.<br />
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<b>I find my family once again in a chapter of transition where God is asking us to let go of one thing before really telling us what it is we should grab a hold of next.</b> Chris, my husband, has taken a job in another city, and without long explanation, the kids and I are living with my parents (7 hours away) for a few months as we try to see how <b>God will put the pieces of our broken hearts and lives back together in a story of redemption like only He can write.</b> We were all set to visit him in the town that will likely be our new home during our Spring Break from school when this back fiasco came along and has now completely ruined our plans.<br />
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<b>With all of this weighing heavy on my mind, I awoke this morning with my body in pain and my mind clouded and overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair.</b><br />
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I have fought all of these mental battles before but never with a sense of physical helplessness and pain that is leaving me dependent upon others and unable to literally get up and out. There is nowhere to run but to my Lord.<br />
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As I laid in bed, I felt the sense that I was being overwhelmed and something rose within me that thought: though I can't push back all of the physical pain in this moment, I have to fight in the Spirit to push back the mental anguish because it is crushing me. (Side note: Yes, I do believe and pray for physical healing, it was just not my focus this morning.)<br />
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So I began to pray in the Spirit and tried to push back against the anguish, these are the things I felt and sensed God showing me as I prayed....<br />
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<b>I felt some space begin to lift between the darkness and my mind. I asked God to fill in that space with His hope, love, and joy...Hope for the feelings of hopelessness, joy for the feelings of despair and comfort for the helplessness I was feeling.</b><br />
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I felt as I prayed that God was speaking to me the words from a Stephen Curtis Chapman song...<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">"Out of these ashes, beauty will rise</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">You will dance among the ruins.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">You will see it with your own eyes."</span></div>
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"Beauty Will Rise" by Stephen Curtis Chapman</div>
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A glimmer of life and hope awakened inside, but even still, I felt like despair was trying to overtake me. So I began praying and asking, "God, what is the opposite of despair?" because I knew that is what I needed and is what I need right now. <br />
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The only thing I could think is that the opposite of despair must be joy, and I remembered these words from another song.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"> I am pressed but not crushed,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Persecuted not abandoned,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Struck down but not destroyed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">That His joy is gonna be my strength.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Though the sorrow May last for the night, His joy comes in the morning.</span></div>
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"Trading My Sorrows" by Darrell Evans</div>
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It's not just a song, it is a promise in God's word.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">2 Corinthians 4:7<br />7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed</span><br />
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So I prayed (and continue praying now... For me and for you..)<br />
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"God help me not be crushed by the disappointment and despair I feel. Help me have understanding where I am absolutely baffled and perplexed in the midst of what you are doing in my life. <span style="color: red;">You see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10)<span style="color: black;"> but</span></span> I can't, and I need understanding and peace in this storm. Though I feel struck down, let me know that I am not destroyed!"<br />
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"God please give me joy in the midst of pain and despair, the secret treasures hidden in darkness that you speak of in your Word."<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Isaiah 45:3<br />3I will give you hidden treasures,<br />riches stored in secret places,<br />so that you may know that I am the Lord,<br />the God of Israel, who summons you by name.</span><br />
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"God give me The secret treasures of Your hope, Your life, Your peace, Your comfort, Your Presence, Your Strengthening, Your freedom."<br />
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"Go before me and as <span style="color: red;">Isaiah 45:3</span> says <span style="color: red;">level the mountains I face and break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron that</span> are imprisoning me in my own hopeless and despairing thoughts."<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Isaiah 45:5-7</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I am the Lord, and there is no other;<br />apart from me there is no God.<br />I will strengthen you...<br />6so that from the rising of the sun<br />to the place of its setting<br />people may know there is none besides me.<br />I am the Lord, and there is no other.<br />7I form the light and create darkness,<br />I bring prosperity and create disaster;<br />I, the Lord, do all these things.</span><br />
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Friends,<b> I am choosing to cry out to the one and only God </b>who forms the light and brings prosperity and disaster, so that He may strengthen me that I may know Him and His treasures hidden in darkness and that others may see His light and glory being worked in and through my life. That the world may know and see that<b> He is real, true, and completely with us in the midst of our grief, pain, sorrows, joys, highest moments, victories...<span style="color: red;">God is with us, Immanuel, </span>in every time, season, and chapter of our lives <span style="color: red;">(Matthew 1:23).</span></b><br />
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As I continued to pray, I felt God comforting me with the words from another song....<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I am not alone, I am not alone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">You will go before me, </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">you will never leave me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> I Am Not Alone - Kari Jobe</span></div>
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<u>Verse 1</u><br />
When I walk through deep waters<br />
I know that you will be with me<br />
When I'm standing in the fire<br />
I will not be overcome<br />
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Through the valley of the shadow<br />
Oh I will not fear</div>
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<u>Chorus</u><br />
I am not alone<br />
I am not alone<br />
You will go before me<br />
You will never leave me</div>
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<u>Verse 2</u><br />
In the midst of deep sorrow<br />
I see your light is breaking through<br />
The dark night will not over take me<br />
I am pressing into you<br />
Lord you fight my every battle<br />
And I will not fear</div>
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<u>Bridge </u></div>
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You amaze me<br />
Redeem me<br />
You call me as your own</div>
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You're my strength<br />
You're my defender<br />
You're my refuge in the storm</div>
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Through these trials<br />
You have always been faithful<br />
You bring healing to my soul</div>
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Read more: <a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-am-not-alone-lyrics-kari-jobe.html#ixzz441lzHrGA" style="color: #003399;">Kari Jobe - I Am Not Alone Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a> </div>
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<b>I know God is with me walking through this chapter, as He has in every chapter of my life. I am not alone. He has not left me. He goes before me. He never leaves me. He never will. </b><br />
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His word also promises this truth. Nothing can separate me from His love.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />Romans 8:37-39<br /><br />37In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,kneither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><br />
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Nothing can separate me from God, and all of this momentary light affliction is working in me something eternal for Your glory .<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />2 Corinthians 4:<br />16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<br /><br />Romans 8:18<br />18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.</span><br />
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So in light of his Truth and promises in the Bible, I pray God will help me as I wait to keep perspective and that He will help me know that this chapter will not last forever. <br />
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Another song awakened in my Spirit, a song for me to treasure in my heart....a hope that God will give me<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Beauty for these ashes,</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A garment of praise, for my heaviness.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Beauty for ashes,</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Take this heart of stone and make it yours.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I delight myself in the richest of fair,</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Trading all that I have, </span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">for all that is better.</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A garment of praise for my heaviness</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">You are the greatest taste,</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Your the richest of fair.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">"Beauty for Ashes" - Shane and Shane</span></div>
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Again it's not just a song but a promise from His Sovereign word...<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Isaiah 61<br />The Year of the Lord’s Favor<br /><br />1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,<br />because the Lord has anointed me<br />to proclaim good news to the poor.<br />He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,<br />to proclaim freedom for the captives<br />and release from darkness for the prisoners,a<br />2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor<br />and the day of vengeance of our God,<br />to comfort all who mourn,<br />3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—<br />to bestow on them a crown of beauty<br />instead of ashes,<br />the oil of joy<br />instead of mourning,<br />and a garment of praise<br />instead of a spirit of despair.<br />They will be called oaks of righteousness,<br />a planting of the Lord<br />for the display of his splendor.<br />4They will rebuild the ancient ruins<br />and restore the places long devastated;<br />they will renew the ruined cities<br />that have been devastated for generations.</span><br />
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<b><br />This is what I am realizing, I</b>n order ....<br />
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...for me to To be an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor....<br />
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....for God to rebuild ancient ruins and restore places long devastated for generations in my life...<br />
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....For me to bind up the broken-hearted and proclaim freedom to the captives...<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Right now ....</b><br />
<b><br /></b>In this season and in this moment,<br />
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...I have to allow God to bestow upon me a crown of beauty instead of ashes<br />
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...the oil of joy instead of morning<br />
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...and the garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair that I have felt weighing me down.<br />
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<b><br />This isn't easy for me. </b><br />
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Why?<br />
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<b>Because it requires faith that as I surrender my pain, grief, suffering, disappointment, He will actually take it and give me something better. Somewhere deep inside my heart, I struggle to put all that trust in Him because I fear disappointment.<br /> </b><br />
<b>But from somewhere deeper inside my heart, I have to remind myself...I have to remember that God is a </b><span style="color: blue;"><b>good, good Father</b> </span>(yes that's yet another song...)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"> Good, Good Father - Chris Tomlin</span></div>
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and<span style="color: red;"> When I ask for bread, He will not give me a stone. (Matthew 7:9) </span>It is <span style="color: red;">His desire to work in my life for His will and good pleasure, </span>and mine too <span style="color: red;">(Philippians 2:13)</span>. <span style="color: red;">His promise is to prosper and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).</span><br />
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So this morning, God once again as always, has come to me in my place of despair and encouraged me to fight for the promises and hope that the <span style="color: red;">devil, is trying to devour, steal, kill, and destroy. (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10).</span> I must remember that <span style="color: red;">Jesus has come to give me life, and to have it to the full. (John 10:10).</span><br />
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Though I can't say I feel the glory of heaven, I can say that I do feel lighter and that the darkness has been pushed back and God is filling in those places of darkness with the light of His love.<br />
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<b>This I know, I will continue to press into God and fight back against the despair...</b><br />
<b><br />....Until the hope in me is secure and I become that oak of righteousness for the display of His splendor, <br /><br />...until the ancient ruins and places long devastated in my heart are rebuilt and renewed. <br /><br />....Until I am restored and able to with newfound boldness and the freedom that comes from one who has overcome, bind up the broken-hearted and proclaim freedom to the captives, to comfort those who mourn and help them to also receive the oil of joy and a garment of praise. </b><br />
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I resolve to fight, not just for me, not just for my family, but for those that God will use me to reach in the future.<br />
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<b>Easy? Not really. But I have nothing to lose. So I chose to press on. Will you?</b><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Philippians 3:12-14<br />12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.</span><br />
<br />Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-8621112522228321472014-12-24T19:52:00.000-08:002014-12-24T20:03:21.355-08:00Peace on Earth<div class="p1">
by Chris Gill</div>
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Associate Pastor, Every Nation NYC, East Side</div>
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<span class="s1">Peace on earth. These are words that I can barely fathom, especially in light of recent events in our nation but particularly here in our city. From the racial tensions among whites and blacks to the strained relations between the public and law enforcement, it has been an unsettling autumn. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Trust has been broken, families have been torn apart, and lives have been unnecessarily taken from us. “Peace on earth” seem like words uttered in a fairy tale, and carry no weight.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Jesus was also no stranger to tragedy. His life started out as a toddler avoiding an assassination attempt that included him fleeing to another country. Later his cousin’s life was cut short when a little girl asked that John’s head be given to her on a food serving tray. Another time, He was betrayed by one of his closest friends through an unjustly arrest that eventually led Jesus down a path that resulted in his execution. Where was the peace then? Where is it now?</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Complete peace will never exist on earth among humanity as long as sin is present. Peace and sin are like oil and water, they can’t coexist. Yet on that night, above a field full of mangy sheep and a few shepherds, the sky lit up with tons of angels and they announced:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">14 “Glory to God in the highest,</span></div>
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<span class="s1"> and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span>-Luke 2:14 ESV</span></div>
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<span class="s1">When we accept Christ to be the Lord and Savior of our lives and He dwells within us, then peace also exists within us. That doesn’t mean that bad things no longer happen to us or that we’re immune to fear, but rather we have a foundational truth in our minds and hearts that we stand upon in times of great peril. We understand three things as Christians:</span></div>
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<span class="s1">1) God is ultimately in control despite the presence & action of sin around us.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">2) He is a God of justice and will not let sin escape judgement.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">3) Despite our circumstances, He works all things together for the good in our lives as we love, trust, and follow His ways. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Peace on earth will not exist until Jesus Christ comes again and brings the final judgement in which the presence of sin, the devil, and all of his fallen angels are expelled and confined to a supernatural eternal prison. Then and only then will peace on earth exist as a whole. For now, the peace within us as Christians is merely a sufficient taste of what is to come. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Join with me as we pray for all the families out there who have lost loved ones this year. Let’s pray that God’s peace will dwell among them. And as always, let’s lift up our city and #PrayForNYC.</span></div>
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Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-57946155782565346192013-04-08T17:46:00.002-07:002013-04-08T17:46:43.740-07:00Grief, Healing, and Reward...The Story of Eli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Baby dedications can mean different things to different people. For Chris and I, it is about declaring our intentions to raise our children in a way that honors God. It is our way of saying to the world that we are committing them to God's grace and guidance, and we are praying for God's help and wisdom to help mold and shape their hearts towards God.<br />
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To some, it may seem strange that on Sunday we dedicated our youngest son, Eli to the Lord at our church in Greenville. It's not strange that there was a baby dedication and that we would want to do this, what's strange is that Eli is two years old. Most children at baby dedications are in fact...babies, usually quite small ones as you can see in this photo.<br />
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We had scheduled to do a baby dedication for him in Edinburgh, but there was a huge marathon that day, and we were unable to make it to church on time because a 10 minute drive took us 1 1/2 hours. Then we just had to park and walk another 30 minutes to get to church. Of course, by the time we had arrived, we were just too late for it to work out.</div>
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After that, time just flew by, God was calling us back to the USA, and it just never happened. I had almost decided that we'd just let this go. God knows our heart after all. This wee lad had been dedicated to God long before he ever made his way into our loving arms.</div>
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Then I thought of Hannah, Samuel's mom. And I remembered how much like Hannah I felt in the year before God gave us Eli.<br />
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<b>2009 was by far the most difficult year of my life.</b> The year began with us finding we were very unexpectedly pregnant followed closely by a<b> miscarriage</b>. Then we returned to our home in Budapest, Hungary to find that the church we were working with was basically closing it's doors, so our world was thrown into further chaos as we began to try and figure out where God was sending us. We moved back to the USA to await visas before moving to Scotland. While we were waiting, <b>my brother died suddenly from a brain aneurysm.</b><br />
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My brother James and his wife Beth</div>
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<b>So I moved to Scotland in September, and all that loss hit me in a wave of grief so strong that it was hard to breathe.</b> Depression sank in, and I began to fight with the Almighty in a myriad of questions about how He could allow all of these things to happen to me when I had given up everything to serve Him and follow His plan for my life? Tears burned my face almost daily, and it was all I could do to get out of bed and keep moving forward. All of this swarmed in my mind while I was also trying to learn a new culture, make new friends, and minister the love of God to the lost, and....oh yeah....chase my toddler around and try to be a good mom!<br />
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Somehow in the midst of all this loss, I began to believe that there was one thing that would redeem all of the hurt and all of the loss...looking back it was crazy, but at the time it seemed so logical. <b>In my mind, I began to believe that having a baby would heal the hurt in my soul.</b><br />
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Like Hannah, in deep anguish, I prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly and saying that if He would look upon me and give me a child, I would give Him to the Lord for all the days of His life. I was deeply troubled and pouring out my soul to the Lord. I was praying out of my great anguish and grief.<br />
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(If you don't know Hannah's story, you can read it <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+1&version=NIV">here</a>.)<br />
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Month after month, I waited. Month after month, my waiting was met by disappointment. Each month the grief intensified, and I began to realize how angry and bitter I was with the Lord.<b> How could he hurt me so deeply? How could He take everything away from me? How could he deny me the one thing that (in my mind) would redeem it all?</b><br />
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Why?<br />
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After months of wrestling with God in all of its ugliness, God began to show me the reason He was not allowing me to become pregnant. I was looking for a baby to redeem all of that loss and fill the hurting places in my soul. In retrospect, how could I have ever put so much responsibility on such a tiny wee soul. A baby was/is never meant to carry such a great weight. <b>A child should not be expected to heal a mother's wounded soul....well, at least not any normal child.</b><br />
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<b>But there was one child who was born for such a purpose.</b> Jesus, the son of God, born of a virgin, living a perfect life, dying a gruesome death, rising victoriously from the grave. A child was my Redeemer, but the child that was meant to redeem me was not a child that I would bear. My Redeemer was a child born 2000+ years ago to another mother who came to know grief all to well and in a deeper way than I could ever imagine.<br />
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God did not want to give me a child of my own to be my redeemer. He did not want to give me a bandage or something to replace what I had lost. He wanted to give me Himself. <b><u><i>He</i></u></b> wanted to be my Redeemer, my Restorer. He wanted to heal my hurt and make me whole.<br />
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That way, when He did give me a child, it would not be a replacement for the child I lost or a redeemer of the all the loss I had experienced. <b>He wanted to give me a child as a blessing, an addition to an already whole and fully redeemed me.</b><br />
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It was hard. I spent months in anguish. My husband encouraged me to seek help and a dear friend held my hand and prayed with me and counseled me to allow God to do a deep work of healing in my soul. She told me that this was not His time for me to have a baby. That in my life, this was His time. Tough words to hear. In fact her words made me so angry at the time, but they were so true. <b>God wanted my whole-hearted, undistracted devotion. He wanted my eyes on Him.</b><br />
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I had to repent of all of that anger I had towards God. <b>I had to grieve the loss of a child, a home, a ministry, and a brother. It hurt more deeply than anything I had ever experienced. </b> I had to let go of the hope that having a baby would heal me. I had to let God be my healer and come to the place where I accepted that God may never give me another child, and that this would be ok because I had the promise that He was with me, and He was more than enough.<br />
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It took months before I finally surrendered and fully repented. It took time before I could say like Job, "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." <a href="http://bible.cc/job/1-21.htm">(Job 1:21)</a> I had to get to the place where I said, <b>"God I want you more than anything."</b><br />
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It hurt. My soul felt like it was being ripped into shreds, but God was near and very real to me...more real than any other time in my life. He took me into His arms as I wept. <b> He was there bringing the healing that no child could have ever given to me because what I needed only He could give.</b><br />
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Finally, I reconciled in my soul that we would probably never have another child. It was well with my soul. Then, one month after I fully surrendered all of it to Jesus, we were surprised by joy, and in November, Eli was born.<br />
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So maybe it is fitting that Eli is a bit older for his baby dedication. If you remember, Hannah waited until Samuel was weaned before presenting him before the Lord. Maybe he was around two years old as well, I'm not sure. It does say that "she took the boy with her."<br />
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So this week as we presented Eli to the Lord, I was able to pray as Hannah did when she brought Samuel to the house of the Lord....<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+1&version=NIV">1 Samuel 1:27-28</a>)</span><br />
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<b>What loss have you experienced? Where are you going to find healing? Are you looking for God to be your Redeemer or are you trying to fill the void with something or someone else? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Might I encourage you to go to Jesus? </b><br />
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I challenge you to trust His goodness even in the midst of great loss. I don't say this because it is easy, far from it. It may be the hardest thing you ever do. <br />
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May I also encourage you to reach out to a friend in the faith or a mentor who will stand with you and hold your hand? Find someone who will pray for you and drive you to the foot of the cross straight into the arms of the only one who can heal you. <br />
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You can be mad at God, but it is very hard to find healing when you are separating yourself from the only one who truly knows your hurt and truly has the power to heal.<br />
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This one is hard to say, but don't forget that when you are running away from God, there is an enemy who waits to destroy you. When you remove yourself farther from your Protector, Satan gains a foothold into your life that you do not want him to have. (This was one of the hardest parts for me to grasp. The enemy was having his way with not only me, but also my family. This realization hurt, but it helped me find my way home.)<br />
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He is here. <b> He is waiting with arms wide open to envelop you in His loving arms. He longs to pour out His healing into the deepest part of your heart. </b> He wants to show you that He bore all of your sin and paid the price for you to be healed, made whole, and set free. <br />
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There is a scripture that was hard for me during this season in my life, but it also gave me hope. I share it with you because God's truth is what you need more than good advice or man's wisdom.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://bible.cc/hebrews/10-35.htm">Hebrews 10:35-36</a> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (NLT)</span></div>
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<b>Be confident of his unfailing, steadfast, unwavering love for you even in the midst of your pain and uncertainty.</b> Persevere and follow Him even if you feel He is leading you straight into the heart of the valley of death. He will not leave you. I promise this fight and journey has great reward. Maybe not the one you think, but the reward will always be that you will come out of the valley knowing Him in a deeper way than you could have ever imagined. <b> It is worth the pain to receive this promise!</b></div>
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<b>Would you dare to trust Him again?</b> It may take time, but I promise, my dear friend, He will not disappoint. He will draw nearer to you than you could ever imagine if you will allow Him to do His work, His way...and His ways are always for your good.<br />
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Father God would you take this message and use it to minister to my friends, your children. May those who hurt find healing in the shadow of your wings. May those who are experiencing grief find the comfort and healing that only You can give. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>God I pray that every thing that they are wanting to fill that void or loss would be stripped away.</b> I know that sounds harsh, but I know that those things will disappoint them, and You never will. Father give them Yourself. Be their Redeemer, Restorer, and Healer. <br />
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I pray that they would reach out for help and find Godly friends who will pray for them and remind them that You are good. May there be no condemnation for any person who is walking through loss and/or questioning Your goodness. May there only be healing and turning to You alone. <br />
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<b>God draw near to every hurting, angry person and envelop them so strongly in Your love that they can no longer run away from You.</b> May these words help bring the same comfort to others that You have given to me...the comfort of Your presence and Your healing power...In Jesus name.<br />
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_____________________________</div>
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If I can pray for you in any way, please don't hesitate to let me know. You can send me a personal message at european_missions@yahoo.com. May you find God's rest, peace, and healing in your time of need!<br />
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Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-71543627100066485882013-02-14T01:50:00.002-08:002013-02-14T01:50:44.680-08:00The God Loves Me Project<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of mine has been collecting encouraging scriptures and letters from women about God's love in order to send them to a teenager who is just about to graduate from high school. This is what God gave me to share with her. I wanted to share it here on my blog as well. I think Valentine's Day is the perfect time! I feel there are many people who need to hear this message. I know how much I needed to hear it again myself. Enjoy.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnMwd-RWjfC-7gcUMjvCwP6Ms0a7wv3gYE4U4ULltJWIsGYFPcANBsAp4ddXTtLFYsq3LJMIRvo8O3LKwKO78KxzwbR70cQk53WqGs1id4chswX4sDmJ3kz5hvUPSsJdjQugkliLWkD0I/s1600/images-5+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnMwd-RWjfC-7gcUMjvCwP6Ms0a7wv3gYE4U4ULltJWIsGYFPcANBsAp4ddXTtLFYsq3LJMIRvo8O3LKwKO78KxzwbR70cQk53WqGs1id4chswX4sDmJ3kz5hvUPSsJdjQugkliLWkD0I/s1600/images-5+copy.jpeg" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of last year, I was having some trouble
with my self-image. A lot of things had
happened, and I was in a pretty dark place in my soul. During that time, a friend
and mentor in the Lord challenged me to begin to meditate on how God sees
me. She challenged me to stop looking to
what others think of me and stop looking at all my failures, and begin to place
my eyes on what Jesus thinks of me. <b>She challenged me to search the scriptures
and make a list answering the question, “How does God see me?”</b></div>
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There were a lot of things that I found. I am the apple of
His eye (<a href="http://bible.cc/deuteronomy/32-10.htm">Deuteronomy 32:9-10</a>, <a href="http://bible.cc/zechariah/2-8.htm">Zachariah 2:8</a>, and <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/17-8.htm">Psalm 17:8</a>). He delights in me
(<a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/18-19.htm">Psalm 18:19</a>). He was pleased to make me His own (<a href="http://bible.cc/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1Samuel 12:22</a>). He chose me
(<a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/1-11.htm">Ephesians 1:11</a>). He takes pleasure in me and has adopted me as His daughter
(<a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/1-5.htm">Ephesians 1:5</a>). He has plans for my good and to give me a hope and a future
(<a href="http://bible.cc/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a>).<o:p></o:p></div>
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But out of all the scriptures I read and all the things I
learned about how God sees me, one nugget of truth resonated the most. God began to show me that I am His treasured
possession.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><a href="http://bible.cc/deuteronomy/14-2.htm">Deuteronomy14:2 </a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be His treasured possession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUH_ZasOSlyHey6TIPsVI5glLUjvc1R2gDA2ywpwOzUxqci-FSDBLPNuedFMgKjqk6oehgy96sza4k87XdJ-VD8KrNYA9_yL8SUCj1gd4xf2VpzWjVuEyjiXgHvZJ5lal5VFs1BvOZE2A/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUH_ZasOSlyHey6TIPsVI5glLUjvc1R2gDA2ywpwOzUxqci-FSDBLPNuedFMgKjqk6oehgy96sza4k87XdJ-VD8KrNYA9_yL8SUCj1gd4xf2VpzWjVuEyjiXgHvZJ5lal5VFs1BvOZE2A/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Somehow
meditating on this verse helped me begin to realize that I was chosen and
treasured. <b>Even when other people did
not treasure me, even when I felt my own family was treating me like rubbish,
even when I felt like rubbish myself, the Maker of Heaven and Earth treasured,
chose, and valued me</b>. He saw that I was
a treasure even when I couldn’t see it. Even when others around me didn’t see
it, He saw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And He
was waiting quietly in the wings for me to come to Him and listen to Him speak
words of life to me. <b>He wanted me to
hear that everything I was looking to others to provide for me was meant to be
given by Him. </b> He was continuously
longing to poor these words of life into my soul, but I was too busy looking
around and within to hear Him speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">I
learned during this time that I had to stop looking to the world and others
(even Christian people, even my husband and my family) to provide what only He
can. <b>He is my source of sufficiency. He is the giver of hope and life and
esteem. I have self-esteem because God
esteems me. For me to look on what he
calls treasure and say it’s rubbish is just sin. </b>I could write for hours to tell the whole
story and all God brought me through and showed me. There was an intense time of repentance for
believing the lies that Satan was shouting at me over the truth that Jesus paid
the price for me to know. I am His treasure. You are too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfl4kqIbW1a8EHVnUjd4EfFAcM6gZlG5TNcfsWtEZ45P5hVyuH22VsGZp9NAdNjlM97_nJ8rMzZC-yv2YSoYkZTz_6T9dGjaGZaBQIF3xCMtUceIlkwW-b41E37I1Qh-FR55cEwpUNAEg/s1600/BIG-Q-amy-liu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfl4kqIbW1a8EHVnUjd4EfFAcM6gZlG5TNcfsWtEZ45P5hVyuH22VsGZp9NAdNjlM97_nJ8rMzZC-yv2YSoYkZTz_6T9dGjaGZaBQIF3xCMtUceIlkwW-b41E37I1Qh-FR55cEwpUNAEg/s320/BIG-Q-amy-liu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">In
<a href="http://bible.cc/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5, </a>God says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">If you
will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured
possession among all peoples, for all the Earth is mine; and you shall be to me
a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Again
God is echoing that we are His treasured possession, but in these verses there seems
to be more to it. There is also the
command to obey His voice and keep His covenant. Now this was the Old Testament and the
covenant was a bit different, but I think the words hold true today. We are under a new covenant, bought with the
blood of Jesus shed for our sins to bring us into right standing before
God. There is grace, but grace is not an excuse to sin. <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/romans/6-1.htm">(See Romans 6:1-4)</a> God still wants us to obey Him, to follow Him
and keep a heart of repentance that bends our heart towards Him and away from
sin. He wants us to be holy. When we fall victim to the
lies of Satan that tell us we are worthless or no good…when those thoughts race
through our mind that we are a failure, we have to remember that Satan roams
about like a roaring lion seeking whom He may devour (<a href="http://bible.cc/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>). He comes to steal, kill, and destroy (<a href="http://bible.cc/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>). He wants to take us out. He doesn’t want us believing in God’s truth
about us. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkjoaGPYSOS7k8hpYAQsz-VoU3OlqwPytWE6eFyIQp1GqN31_rNLyXDLAu21PAo2WaSg8dRtVHuB1d1lLpcSR3PzY-SMqFdIsinfBXakPpgSbVdBmAgDX134DIA7dudmUszyUn82q3sq6/s1600/images+copy+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkjoaGPYSOS7k8hpYAQsz-VoU3OlqwPytWE6eFyIQp1GqN31_rNLyXDLAu21PAo2WaSg8dRtVHuB1d1lLpcSR3PzY-SMqFdIsinfBXakPpgSbVdBmAgDX134DIA7dudmUszyUn82q3sq6/s1600/images+copy+2.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Why? Because
if we truly believe we are treasured and we see that we are more than
conquerors through Jesus (<a href="http://bible.cc/romans/8-37.htm">Romans 8:37</a>)…if we know that Jesus has already made (past tense) us
victorious (<a href="http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">2 Corinthians 2:14</a>), we will live our lives with purpose and passion. Not only that, but we will also persuade
others to live by the truth as well.
That makes hell shake in fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">In
<a href="http://bible.cc/deuteronomy/26-18.htm">Deuteronomy 26:18</a>, the Bible states:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">And the
LORD has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as
He promised, and that you are to keep all His commands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b>You are
treasured, beloved, valued, esteemed! </b>The
Lord of Heaven and Earth has declared it. The enemy does comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came so you could have life and have it to the full (<a href="http://bible.cc/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>). The greatest part is that it’s not because of how good you’ve been or
what you have or haven’t done. It’s just
all because of Jesus and what he has already done on the cross. When you fail, it’s ok. Repent and move forward. There is therefore now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus (<a href="http://bible.cc/romans/8-1.htm">Romans 8:1</a>).
You don’t have to lie their wallowing in your sin or self-pity. Jesus forgives. That’s why He died and rose again. He’s not surprised. He loves infinitely and completely. His mercies are new every morning (<a href="http://bible.cc/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a>). Those are His promises. <b> God has declared it, so why don’t you declare it
too?</b> I dare you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><a href="http://bible.cc/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> says…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">But you
are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to
God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
into His wonderful light.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Don’t
stay in the darkness of Satan’s lies.
You’ve been called out of that.
You belong to God. You were made
to declare His praise. You are chosen
royalty my friend. You have been set
apart, so live differently. Look to Jesus. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of your faith (<a href="http://bible.cc/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a>). When times are hard, know it’s ok. He’s with you and still treasures you…that’s
right YOU! He cries with you and for
you. <b>He just wants your heart…all of it...to believe and trust His truth. </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">W<b>ould
you be willing to do that? Would you
take a minute and meditate on the fact that you are His treasured possession
and let that change the way you think and the way you act?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Dear
God, please help those who read this find a new revelation of the truth that
they are your treasured possession. May
they look to you as their source of encouragement and esteem. May they fully trust Your love for them. May they know that of all the people on the
face of the Earth, You have chosen them to be Your treasured possession. All of heaven and earth is Yours, but You
treasure them more than anything else. There
is a saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. <b>I thank you God
that we are not rubbish…we are not trash…not even close…no matter what anyone
might try to say…no matter how loud the devil may be screaming it at us...no matter how hard our own soul seems to condemn us.</b> We are
worth so much that You sent Your Son to redeem us from our sins. You paid the highest price so that we could
be brought near to You. Let us realize
our true value. Let us see ourselves as
Your treasure and live our lives in such a way that others will see it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Friend,
I truly believe that when we begin to see that we are a treasure, we will act
differently. And you know what…speaking
from experience, now that my life has been changed by this truth, I have
noticed that people do seem to value me more.
I’m not sure if it’s just my perspective or reality, but I truly believe
that God’s transformed my life so miraculously that others around have taken
notice. My prayer is that this life
changing revelation would transform them too, and I pray it will transform you!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)</a></span><br />
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.<br />
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<span style="color: #020f18; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><b>You are His treasure, His masterpiece for the world to see.</b> Now go forth and do the good things He has planned for you. It will be an adventure, not always an easy one, but He will be with you always (<a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a>). <b>Believe His promises, rest in His truth, trust His ways. </b>I dare you!</span><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-1487991293967631822012-11-15T14:43:00.001-08:002012-11-15T14:43:09.433-08:00Surrender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Surrender.<br />
<br />
Hands up, full on, all out, unconditional, no holds barred surrender.<br />
<br />
Why is it so hard?<br />
<br />
On Sunday, our pastor preached "that sermon." Do you know the one I mean? The one that's ever so true and ever so good for you, but oh so hard to actually live out because it requires so much that it hurts. The one where he reminds you that God wants it all, everything, no holding back.<br />
<br />
Before the sermon, I had that feeling. The one I get sometimes when God is speaking something to my heart and I feel like I must share it, but I don't quite want to, but I can't get around it. I don't know if you have ever experienced it. There are different names for it I suppose, but I had it and it could not be ignored.<br />
<br />
It was this scripture,<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+33&version=NIV">Jeremiah 33:2-3</a><br />"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed and established it--the LORD is his name. 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'"</span></span><br />
<br />
At the time, I didn't realize it would connect with the sermon so profoundly, but by the end I saw the full picture. God asks so much, requires my everything, and that's tough and hard to give. What I have to realize is that when I surrender, and I give Him whatever that thing is that seems so hard to let go of, what He gives in return is worth the sacrifice. When I surrender in obedience, the LORD who formed and fashioned the Earth says for me to call to Him and He will show me great and unsearchable things I don't know. <b> I can't know them because what I'm holding onto prevents me from knowing them.</b><br />
<br />
What is it that He intends to show me? What are these great and unsearchable things? I don't think my natural mind can comprehend this because that which He wants to show me may not come in the form that I want or wish. <b>What He will always show me...is Himself.</b> He shows me more of who He is, more of Jesus. I experience and get to see in a new way more of His love, more of His peace, more of His unconditional steadfast grace and more of His mercies that are new every morning.<br />
<br />
He's my Father who knows better than I what is good for me and what I truly <i>need</i>, even if that isn't what I truly <i>want</i> at the moment. He sees the end. He sees down the road. He sees my blind spots, and He wants to help and to cover me. He knows that holding onto whatever I cling to is not what's best. That's why He's asking for it.<br />
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Not because He's mean and wants to spoil my fun. Not because He's greedy and on a power trip to make me submit to His reign.<br />
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My little princess would love to eat candy every moment of the day. Last night, she wanted a lolly that a friend had given her, but it was almost time for dinner. Rational mother that I am, I said not until after dinner which sent her into a myriad of tears and whines. She said, "Mommy you don't like it when I say no to you, and I don't like it when you say no to me either." How profound my little mirror. The logic was so pristine that I think her dad might have given her the lolly just for her masterful philosophical effort, I know I almost did.<br />
<br />
However, the truth is I can't always give her what she wants. I can't always say yes because that wouldn't be good for her. I can't let her eat candy all the time. I can't let her keep a lolly in her mouth and run around because she could fall and get hurt. I can't let her play with knives because she could cut herself. I can't let her have <i>everything</i> she wants because that would make me....well....it would make me a horrible mom.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you think that perhaps, God as a loving Father, knows what is best for us just a bit better than we do? Does He maybe understand that what it is that we are clinging to is something that is already hurting us or will hurt us in the future? </b> He can't let us keep everything we want (or do everything we want either) without coming to us and saying, "You have to let that go, put it down, it can hurt you." He has to because if He didn't, that would make Him....well.... it would make Him a horrible dad.<br />
<br />
So God was knocking on the door of my heart as I ran and hid myself in distractions. (Do you ever do that? Are you doing it now?) He patiently waited a few days for me to stop what I was doing and allow the Holy Spirit into these places in my heart that I find hard to surrender. I did well trying to ignore it and tune it out with Facebook and television and whatever else I could find to distract myself, but I couldn't fight Him any longer. I had to stop and do some business with my Dad. There were some things that He was wanting me to surrender. I couldn't fight Him any longer.<br />
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It was difficult (and still is.) I cried the tears and the sobs of a broken heart struggling to listen to what's best for me. I admit I found it difficult to breathe as all the questions and all the "what ifs' and "but Daddys" and rationalizations as to why I should keep holding onto these things surfaced in my heart and past my lips. A lesser father might have given in, but thankfully, my good Daddy knew (and knows) He can't always give in. He knows and wants what's best for me. He wants me to trust Him.<br />
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Guess what? He wants you to trust Him too.<br />
<br />
I read this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer today. It's from <i>The Cost of Discipleship</i>.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“No one should be surprised at the difficulty of faith, if there is some part of his life where he is consciously resisting or disobeying the commandment of Jesus. Is there some part of your life which you are refusing to surrender at his behest, some sinful passion, maybe, or some animosity, some hope, perhaps your ambition or your reason? ... How can you hope to enter into communion with him when at some point in your life you are running away from him?” </span><br />
<br />
How like us to run away from Him, yet He is always pursuing. We can't hide from Him. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A7-12&version=NIV">(Psalm 139:7-12)</a> He won't give up. <b> </b>He will keep pursuing and keep asking for whatever it is that is hindering us from fully submitting our lives to Him and fully trusting Him.<b> </b>It's just a matter of time really. <b>We will have to chose if we want what we want, or if we want what's best, Him.</b><br />
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Wow. That's really hard isn't it?<br />
<br />
In these moments with God, I began to see just how badly I needed to surrender to Him. In my own strength, I began thinking <u><b>I</b></u> have to do this. <b><u>I</u> </b>have to surrender, but I only found that <b><u>I</u></b> just didn't (and don't) have the strength or power to do it. <b><u>I</u></b> couldn't (and can't) just give to Him what He is asking on my own. Do you see the problem here? I share this without fully understanding it, but read this from <i>Mere Christianity </i>by C.S. Lewis. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“In one sense, the road back to God is a road of moral effort, of trying harder and harder. But in another sense it is not trying that is ever going to bring us home. All this trying leads up to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, "You must do this. I can't.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> </span><br />
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So there it is, <b>"God must do this. I can't."</b> It has to be a supernatural thing. A change on the inside that happens when I give into God, give up my own strength, and say, "God it's Yours. Everything I have, everything I've got."<br />
<br />
<b>Whether you replace it with something that's better or give me nothing at all in return, I surrender because what I want is YOU. </b> I realize that Your ways are higher than mine. You know what's best for me, and You love me too much to let me hang on to things that I don't need in my life.<br />
<br />
And the reality of this scripture hits me as I have to once again make it my own.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:8&version=NIV">Philippians 3:8</a><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/philippians/3-7.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><b>7</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/philippians/3-8.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><b>8</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/philippians/3-9.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><b>9</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ</span></span><br />
<br />
It's all rubbish. It's all loss compared to knowing Him. That I may gain Him and be found in Him...Is that not much better than the things I cling too? <br />
<br />
When one of my nephews had just learned to walk, I remember very vividly him walking out to the dock with his dad and his older brother. Of course the older brother was running anxiously to get out to the dock, but the little guy just couldn't keep up. He started crying and lifted his wee hands into the sky. My brother, hearing the cries of His son, stopped, turned around and came back, and scooped him up in his arms and carried him out to the dock.<br />
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That was about 20 years ago and that picture is still burned into my mind. Why? Because in that moment, God showed me a glimpse of Himself and His love for me. Sometimes I can't keep up. But, when I stop and cry out to Him, when I raise my hands and say "Daddy, I can't do it on my own. Come and get me," He stops and turns to me. He scoops me up into His arms and carries me. <b>Why? </b> <b>Because He's a good Daddy and He loves me and doesn't expect me to do what I'm unable to do on my own.</b><br />
<br />
So tonight, I have to once again tell my Dad that I can't do it on my own. I can't give these things on my own. I need Your help. Help me to trust Your love for me. Help me to let go and to surrender.<br />
<br />
<b>And Daddy picks me up, places me on His shoulders and says, "Let's do it together."</b><br />
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<b>Will you surrender too?</b></div>
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Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-47950057922106667062012-09-25T04:24:00.000-07:002012-09-25T04:24:55.561-07:00Perfection's Reward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It never ceases to amaze me when my kids become a mirror to my soul. In my last post, I wrote about my struggle with the need to be perfect and how God was working that out in my life. (Click <a href="http://thegillfamilytimes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/i-must-admit-im-recovering-perfectionist.html">here</a> to read.) The journey has been hard, but nowhere near as hard as trusting God to work that out in my child.<br />
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I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that the daughter of two perfectionists would herself be just that. I didn't really see it before, but now that she has started school, it is becoming clear that our wee princess wants to get everything right, the first time, with no tolerance for mistakes.<br />
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I sat with her yesterday morning to work on a paper where she needed to trace some wavy lines. Such focus and concentration from a 4 year old at first made me proud; but, the moment she went ever so slightly off the line, she became a gush of tears and sobs. Seriously, it was just a minute flaw. Nothing to even worry with, but she was devastated. I said, "Honey, it's ok. It doesn't have to be perfect. You're just learning and this is just practicing." Her response..."Yes it does. I want to get a golden leaf."<br />
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"What? What's a golden leaf?" I asked as my teacher brain questioned all my motivational tactics from the past.<br />
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"You get it for doing good. It has to be right." More tears.<br />
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She was quite upset because she's been doing her best and being good and still hasn't attained this magical "golden leaf." (Does this remind you of the gold stars I talked about <a href="http://thegillfamilytimes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/i-must-admit-im-recovering-perfectionist.html">here</a>?) Before you go nuts, we asked the teacher that afternoon and a golden leaf has nothing to do with work performance, but it is a reward for outstanding behavior and manners, the kind where kids go out of their way to be extra good.<br />
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Now I'm sure in my child's mind, she deserves a golden leaf. In fact, she told me so. She just hasn't been noticed yet. So I watch her striving and wrestling with this big girl world, and my heart breaks at her tears and her striving. I tell her that she doesn't have to be perfect and she doesn't have to have a golden leaf. She just needs to be nice and kind and do her best work and that's good enough. <br />
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How do I impart to her that God sees it all and His reward is what matters. How do I unlock the truth of <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/6-4.htm">Matthew 6:4</a>? "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." How do I work into the heart of a 4 year old to lay up treasures in heaven? <a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/6-20.htm">(Matthew 6:19-20)</a><i style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> </i><br />
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I cry with her and tell her that no matter what she does or no matter if she gets all the answers right or wrong, we will always love her. That she's loved so much, and I would give her a thousand Golden Leafs just because she's that wonderful. I wish I could just give this sense of priceless value to her, but it hasn't sunk into her spirit. She hasn't received it yet, so she strives onward unable to rest and just be secure in the amazing little person that she is.<br />
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Friend, do you feel the Father's heart towards us? I cry at my daughter's striving. I want to fix it and wipe her tears away and impart to her the security of my love and my belief in her, of the Father's love and belief in her, but she has to chose to accept it. <br />
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Do you see in this how Father God feels about His kids? He doesn't want us to strive and work tirelessly to the point of frustration to earn His "golden leaf" or anyone else's. He's already given us His everything. He will never love us more than at this moment. We can never be more accepted. We can waste tears and effort striving, or we can chose to rest in His love.<br />
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In our striving, He is saying to us the same thing I said to Samantha. We don't have to be perfect; We're just learning and this is just practice. He is saying that no matter what we do or if we get it all right or wrong, He will always love us. He wants to impart this sense of priceless value to us, but we continue to strive and refuse to let the truth sink into our spirits. We struggle and refuse to receive it as His free gift bought with the precious blood of Jesus.<br />
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He loves us so much He's given us way more than a golden leaf. He's given His love, acceptance, peace that passes understanding, joy unspeakable and full of glory, His presence, His approval. Beloved, He's given us everything. Why do we seek it elsewhere?<br />
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I'm sure that just as much as I want to press all this truth into the Princess's heart, Father God wants to impress this truth into my heart, into your heart. I wish I could just put it inside her, but at some point, she will have to receive it and make it her own. So I wait and pray for her to get it.<br />
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And Father waits too. He waits for us to accept and receive what He already knows is true. I'm sure it breaks His heart to see His children suffering. I'm sure He cries too, but the choice is ours to make. Will we continue striving or rest in the Father's love and peace?<br />
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Father help us to receive all that You've given to us. Help us learn of Your love and acceptance. Help us be still and know that You are God. Help us cease striving and be affirmed in Your love for us. <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/46-10.htm">(Psalm 46:10)</a> Help your love and affirmation be more than enough...so much that we don't need a "golden leaf" from someone else to know that we are amazing. We are amazing just being who you've made us. <br />
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Thank you that we don't have to be perfect because Your strength is perfected in our weakness. (<a href="http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Cor 12:9</a>). Write this on the tablets of our heart. <a href="http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/3-3.htm">(2 Corinthians 3:3, ) </a><a href="http://bible.cc/proverbs/7-3.htm">(Proverbs 7:3)</a> Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake us; let us bind them around our neck and write them on the tablets of our hearts. So we will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/proverbs/3.htm">(Provers 3:3-4).</a><br />
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Help us not seek treasure and approval on this earth, but know and trust that our greatest treasure is in heaven. That you reward what the world doesn't see because You see, You smile, and Your reward is far greater than the reward of this world and far beyond anything we could ever imagine! (<a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6:4, Matthew 6:19-20</a>,<a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/3-20.htm"> Ephesians 3:20</a>)<br />
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Work this in our hearts Lord. Help us receive Your words of truth and rest in the Father's love. Amen<br />
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<br />Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-80660117342667324272012-09-20T06:54:00.001-07:002012-09-20T11:17:11.245-07:00Perfection<div aria-label="Message Body" class="msg-body inner undoreset" role="main" style="background-color: white; margin: 25px 24px 22px 29px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: hidden; word-wrap: break-word;">
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I must admit, I'm a recovering perfectionist. I like things being done right and having things the best they can be. I used to find it quite easy to live this way as the world affirmed and encouraged my pursuit of perfection. An A student, successful career, fruitful ministry, all useful golden stars on the chart of my life.<br />
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I got married (to another perfectionist, God help us both.) Then we had our first child and she was an angel. My little princess slept from an early age and was easy going, obedient, and bright. Ahhh, the pride inside my heart welled up at yet another gold star.<b> </b>How wonderful!<br />
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Then something happened...child number two arrived, and boy was there something special about this one. The young prince was God's instrument to help me stay humble and realize a thing or two about myself. <br />
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He cried...a lot. In fact, if he was awake, it seemed he was crying. I tried all my perfect motherly tricks that had worked with the Princess, but fell short. <b>My world began to unravel because I was not in control and things were nowhere near the perfection that I sought to keep my world in motion.</b><br />
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It took some really hard days and severely long nights amidst other personal struggles that I began to see how much I fell short in so many areas of my life. I was sinking<b>. Depression was knocking on my door. I was weak, tired, and even physically ill, so I did what most of us tend to do...I opened the door and allowed it in.</b><br />
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Not wanting me to stay there, God also came to visit me. I admitted to him that I felt so insignificant and inadequate. I told Him that I felt like I was falling short in every way from this standard of perfection that I wanted to attain. And you know what? God loved me even in that place and began to teach me that my standard was not His standard. He began to show me that the way I was measuring myself was nowhere near the way He did. He taught me that when He looks at me, He sees His daughter redeemed by His Son's finished work on the cross. <b>I began to learn that the cross is the only standard that matters</b>. My Father in Heaven lovingly reminded me during that difficult time that He doesn't see my inadequacies and imperfections though He knows they are there. He sees the completed work of the cross, Jesus's precious blood spilled to cover it all.<br />
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So <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">I began to thank Jesus for His strength. A friend of mine had told me during that time that one of the meanings for the word grace is "</span><u style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">filling the hole."</u><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"> Do you know the hole I mean? <b>It's the great chasm where I fall short of my own expectations and standards of perfection. It's the gap between my sin and His holy perfection. His grace fills in the hole between my sins and shortcomings and God's love and perfection.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">All of this</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"> led me to 2 Cor 12:9....</span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">But He said to me, "My GRACE is sufficient for you, for MY power is made PERFECT in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me.</span></li>
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The words were straight from heaven. I had certainly fallen so short of my standard of perfection, but His power was being made PERFECT in my weakness.</div>
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When I was searching for the verse, I found another verse about God giving Daniel strength in Daniel 10.</div>
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So I began reading Daniel 10:12-21</div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me 21 days...</span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">I said to the one standing before me, I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my Lord, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you my Lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." </span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak my Lord since you have given me strength." So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you?....I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth."</span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">I was struck by this so profoundly...here's the best I can try to describe it. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Some of us have been praying and seeking understanding from God, but feel like He is silent. The truth is He has heard and responded. Help and understanding was on the way to Daniel when he prayed, it was just delayed.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Like Daniel, we feel overcome with anguish and feel helpless, maybe we even feel like we can't even talk to the Lord because our strength is gone, and we can hardly breathe.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">We have to know that God has heard, and in the proper time, He will respond. We must also know there is an enemy resisting us. He hates Us and would desire nothing more than for us to be overcome with anguish. He wants us to feel helpless, weak, and to feel so heavy we can hardly breathe.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">But there is hope, the angel touched Daniel and gave him strength. He told Daniel how God felt about him. <b>That he was highly esteemed (esteemed, respected, admired, appreciated, prized, regarded...better than admired, it implies the admiration is to the highest degree.)</b> <b>That is how GOD feels about us</b>. How we need to hear and receive that! </span><br />
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">The angel spoke peace over him and told him twice to be strong. And when God spoke to him and touched him, Daniel was strengthened.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">The angel then asked him, do you know why I have come? And He says I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">You see, Satan would have us believe lies. That God hasn't heard or that God hears, but He just doesn't care. That even though we know God has helped and does help others, He just won't help me. And we feel so weak, we fall for the lies and believe them. Then we begin to feel trapped and it's hard to breathe or see anything other than the lies. It gets harder to believe God cares. Then we feel we can't even go to God and talk to him...just like Daniel we say, "How can I talk with you my Lord?"</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">But God comes now to tell us what is written in His Book of Truth! That He loves us, He hears when we pray, and He is working ALL things for our good. He will not forsake His children. He will come and surely speak. Though the answer tarry, wait for it, it will surely come.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><b>Do not be overwhelmed; do not believe the lies! </b> Look to His Word of Truth! Believe His promises, not the lies of Satan. May we let God come and touch us and strengthen us as He did Daniel. Let Him speak His Words of Truth to us. Because when He touches us and when He speaks to us, we will be strengthened, and He will give us peace.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Our problems may still be there facing us, but we will be strengthened and have peace to wait on the Lord's answer and to fight whatever battles we are facing.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Jesus help us be strengthened and touched by Your presence and Your Words of Truth. Let our problems and the lies of Satan not overwhelm us and drive us from You and make us feel helpless. May they drive us to trust You in a deeper way.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">Let us see how much You esteem us and admire and love us. You respond to the cries of your children. You desire to give us peace and strength to stand and fight there battles before us or to wait patiently for You to move.</span></div>
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<span class="yiv1971390348Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;">God help me find Your peace and strength. To know You are already at work. Let me not be overwhelmed. Let me not believe the lies of the enemy. Let me embrace your Words of Truth for my life. I receive Your strength and Your peace. May others I know do the same.</span></div>
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Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-67309269872056247502012-07-02T06:43:00.000-07:002012-07-02T06:43:36.053-07:00God of the Past, Present, and Future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The pitter patter of the Princess prancing into my room awakened me this morning. I was awakened from a dream in which King Daddy was practicing a sermon about God being the God of the past, God of the present, and God of the future.<br />
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Somewhat disappointed that I didn't get to hear it all, I could not go back to sleep. (Even though I had talked Princess into playing for a while in her room.) I laid in bed, my mind exploring this truth.</div>
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Does the word not tell us that God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last? Are we not told He is the same yesterday, today, and forever? <a href="http://bible.cc/revelation/22-13.htm">(Revelation 22:13</a>, <a href="http://bible.cc/hebrews/13-8.htm">Hebrews 13:8</a>)</div>
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<u>He is the God of our Past...</u></div>
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So I remember all that God has done for me. How he has been with me, in every triumph and every failure, every victory and every defeat. I remember how he has never left me, never forsaken me, His child.</div>
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Even in the rough times when I ran from Him, times when I tried to hide. Times when wounds were so deep it felt like I would never be able to take a deep breath again. <br />
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Have you felt that way? Can you understand?</div>
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And yet in those times, He held me. It was just a matter of time before I felt the warmth of His presence and Him coming down and wrapping those strong arms of love around me. Father has picked me up more than once and held me while the tears flowed. He has listened as I hurled accusations at him and beat my fist against his chest screaming Why? He has comforted me when no person and no words could make the hurt go away. He was there.</div>
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And He loved me.</div>
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<u>He is the God of our Present....</u></div>
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If I am honest, this may be where I struggle most. I know His love for me is constant,<a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/bible-verses-gods-unfailing-love-5924030.html"> unfailing</a>, and unchanging. I know how He has always carried me through, always provided, always met me where I needed him most. (Click the link above on the word unfailing for some great verses...better to read than this if you're short on time!) </div>
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I know that my future is certain and He is always working things for my good. <a href="http://bible.cc/romans/8-28.htm">(Romans 8:28) </a>I know the end of the story, that He wins, that I win. I know that I get to spend eternity in heaven. I know His plans are to give me hope and a future. <a href="http://bible.cc/jeremiah/29-11.htm">(Jeremiah 29:11)</a> I know.</div>
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But in the here in now, I must confess, I struggle. <br />
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When the Young Prince screams and kicks as I carry him all the way to nursery (pre-school) to pick up the Princess, and I feel the gaze of everyone else watching the show, and I pray all I know to pray and try all I know to try. I cry out, "God please help him calm down, help me do the right thing to snap him out of this fit." And he cries on.</div>
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When the nights are too short and filled with cries of hurting, sick, or fearful children. When my mind wonders about how we are going to make ends meet and where will we get the money to pay for....</div>
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When the Precious Princess who is normally so compliant looks me in the eyes and tells me, "NO!" or just has a meltdown of tears over nothing that would warrant a flood of emotion. (Ahhhh.....how God must smile at my mirror.)</div>
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When they are fighting over a toy. When I didn't make it to the store to get dinner supplies and now the kids are screaming for food and I still have to go to the store. The moments I need Him NOW are endless.</div>
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The mom's who have been there before tell me "It's a phase; it will pass. These years are sacrificial." But while those words bring some comfort, that is still about the future. Where do I find help in the here and now?</div>
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In those moments I cry out, "God my need is now. My time of distress is now! HELP!"</div>
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Friends, the truth is, He <u><i>IS</i></u> the God of the right now. He is what I need RIGHT NOW. No matter what circumstance I am facing, no matter what circumstance you are facing.<br />
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When the righteous cry out, He hears and delivers them from all their troubles (<a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/psalms/34.htm">Psalm 34:17.</a>) Those are God's words, not mine. It's not always an immediate deliverance, but He is with me in every fire. Again in every triumph and failure (and it seems there can be a thousand of each in a day.) He is right here.</div>
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And when there is triumph...I give thanks and rejoice!</div>
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But when failure, an unwanted guest, bangs at my door, I needn't beat myself up. God understands the frustrations of the moment, and He uses each moment to build me up, to teach me, to keep me humble. (You too!)</div>
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His grace is sufficient. Confess, repent, and receive the forgiveness for which He has already made provision. He bore my failures on the cross. He died to atone. He walks with me. He holds my hand. He understands.</div>
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And He loves me.</div>
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<u>He is the God of the Future.</u><br />
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Yes, I get to go to heaven. There are no words I could say to put that into perspective. No more tears, eternity with the Lover of my soul. Worshipping with saints past, present, and future. Worshipping with angels and things that will utterly blow my mind....forever, wow!</div>
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But that is not my only future.</div>
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My future is also here on Earth. He is God of my future. If my future brings wealth and fortune and every good thing I can imagine. He will be there rejoicing with me in the victory.</div>
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Or if my future takes me down dark paths into poverty or sickness. Even if my future brings the things I fear most....</div>
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He will still be God. He is the God of my future! If suffering or pain find there way to my door, I have to rest assured that my God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever will be there walking me through. Carrying me through the pain. Showing me His love, pouring out His comfort, wiping away my every tear.</div>
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He does not <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071023173518AAUwORE">change</a>. (<a href="http://bible.cc/malachi/3-6.htm">Malachi 3:6</a>, <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/102-27.htm">Psalm 102:27</a>, <a href="http://bible.cc/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>)</div>
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He will be there no matter what. It's who He is. He will see me. He will help me. He will guide me. He will encourage me. He will correct me. He will teach me.</div>
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But most importantly....</div>
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He will love me.</div>
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My day has come to an end today. The Princess and Prince are sleeping away, even King Daddy has made his way to bed. All day I have pondered the God of my past, present, and future and waited to see what would unfold as I sat down to write tonight. </div>
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I am thankful for this love, so deep, so incomprehensible. "Love so amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my all." <br />
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How can I withhold anything from Him? How can I let my past overwhelm me? How can I quit in the present whilst knowing He will bring me through? How can I worry about the future when I know He will be there no matter what comes?</div>
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I know His love. I know it never changes. I know it will always be true. I know in my head, but that's not where God wants to leave the knowledge. He wants it in my heart, and He stops at nothing to reveal this truth and make it real to me. </div>
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And friend, He wants it in your heart too. Why?</div>
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Because He wants you whole. He wants you restored from every hurt in your past. He wants you to overcome challenges you are facing in your present. He wants you to know that you needn't fret about what your future holds because His plans are always for your good. Because He thinks precious thoughts towards you, more than the sands of the seashore. <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/psalms/139.htm">(Psalm 139: 17-18)</a> Because He wants you mature and complete lacking nothing. <a href="http://bible.cc/james/1-4.htm">(James 1:4)</a></div>
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But most of all....</div>
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Because He has loved you, He loves you, and He will always love you. <br />
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He is love. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A8&version=NIV">(1 John 4:8)</a></div>
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Lord help us to grab hold of this truth. To know Your unfailing, undying, unrelenting, passionate love for us. In every victory and in every defeat. In every triumph and in every failure. You are God. You are love. Yesterday, today, and forever. Reveal it to our hearts, and help us to trust you more. Amen</div>
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<u><br /></u></div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-74490420288681086922012-06-04T02:55:00.001-07:002012-06-04T02:55:36.095-07:00Between a Rock and a Hard Place<br />
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Between a Rock and A Hard Place</div>
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As I walked a familiar path last week, I noticed something new. There was a wall made of stones, not so special I suppose; but what intrigued me was that in these stones, beautiful flowers grew. Not from the ground, but up on the wall; not from dirt, but out of the stone.</div>
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How is that possible? I don't know, but as I took a moment to stop and marvel at its beauty, I chucked inside and thought,<b> "Isn't that just like God? To grow something beautiful between a rock and a hard place?"</b></div>
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Have you ever noticed this truth? Have you experienced it? The number of times this has been proven true in my walk with the Lord is beyond counting.</div>
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I don't like being in the hard places of life. I'm not fond of hardships nor of having a stoney heart. Times when financial pressures weigh heavily tend to overwhelm me. Times when loss hurts beyond expression shatter my heart into a million tiny pieces.</div>
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I don't think anyone likes pain. I doubt any of us wake in the morning and cry out, "Dear God, please bring on the suffering."</div>
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And yet, I have found that during the darkest moments in my life - the hardest places I have been - somehow in the sovereignty of the Almighty, I have found something beautiful and unusual, like a flower growing in a wall of rock.</div>
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I'm not sure I can name it with words, but it is the beauty of a deeper trust in my Saviour. It is the comfort of a friend who throws His arms around me and lets me cry on His shoulder...tears that burn and sobs of anguish, anger, guilt, blame, and everything that comes with real pain.</div>
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And this friend just listens and loves. And even more, He understands and waits to heal my broken heart. <b> He just wants my honesty, not my religious duty</b>. He sees all my human ugliness and just seems to say, "I know, you're going to be OK. I will bring you through this. I will carry you." <b>And all along He knows that He is going to take all of this awfulness and birth something beautiful.</b> He thinks, "Just hang in there, watch and see. I can't wait to show you. You can trust Me."</div>
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I am reminded of Peter in Matthew 16.</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-13.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>13</b></a></span>Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, <span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-14.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>14</b></a></span>And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-15.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>15</b></a></span>He said to them, <span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">“But who do you say that I am?”</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>16</b></a></span>Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>17</b></a></span>And Jesus answered him, <span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-18.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>18</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock<span class="footnote" style="color: #0066aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; text-decoration: none;"><sup><a href="http://esv.scripturetext.com/matthew/16.htm#footnotesb" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">b</a></sup></span> I will build my church, and the gates of hell<span class="footnote" style="color: #0066aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; text-decoration: none;"><sup><a href="http://esv.scripturetext.com/matthew/16.htm#footnotesc" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">c</a></sup></span> shall not prevail against it.</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/16-19.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>19</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed<span class="footnote" style="color: #0066aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; text-decoration: none;"><sup><a href="http://esv.scripturetext.com/matthew/16.htm#footnotesd" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">d</a></sup></span> in heaven.”</span></div>
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Jesus said that flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Then He says upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The "rock" was not Peter himself. The rock was the revelation that Peter had of who Jesus really was. <b>When we truly get a revelation of who He really is, no power of hell will be able to overcome us, no matter how difficult a situation we face.</b></div>
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For me, and I'd say it's true for most, if not all believers, the greatest revelations of who Jesus really is does not generally come in the green, grassy meadows where it is tranquil and the provision is lush (though it can sometimes.) Nor does it often come on the mountaintop where we are on top of the world (though it may.) I humbly suggest from my own experience, that most often, my greatest revelations of who God is have come in the moments where life was its hardest and its darkest. The big revelations of who Jesus is have come when my back was against the wall and there was nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to except Jesus.</div>
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And in those moments, He holds us, and He loves us. <b>He accepts us where we are</b>, no matter what we've done or not done. No matter how far we have fallen away. He is there, and He cares.</div>
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In Matthew 7, Jesus said that the wise man should build His house upon the rock.</div>
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<span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/7-24.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>24</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/7-25.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>25</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/7-26.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>26</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.</span> <span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/matthew/7-27.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>27</b></a></span><span class="woc" style="font-size: 15px;">And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”</span></div>
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To me, this means building on those revelations of who He is, those truths revealed to me during the hard times. <b>Those are the truths that no rain can wash away, no flood can overcome, and no wind can ever blow away. They are steadfast and immovable.</b> I will not build on shifting sands or things I think I know, or things I've just heard from others. I will build upon the revelations that I have learned between the rock and the hard places in my life...the loss of loved ones, miscarriages, bankruptcy, failures, sicknesses, family struggles, the list of opportunities for God to reveal Himself are too many to name.</div>
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Don't misunderstand, God can and does reveal Himself in the good times. I do think, however, that there is something tried, tested, and true...something deep and profound, that only comes in the heat of the fire, only in the hardest of moments.</div>
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<b>This I know for sure, in every difficult place we find ourselves, if we allow Him, God is going to give us something beautiful.</b> Not an easy fix, nor money to relieve our debt, or a miraculous healing (though He sometimes does this and it's wonderful!) <b>What He ALWAYS desires is to give us is the revelation of Himself, of who He really is to us,</b> even during the most difficult moments of our lives. This is the rock He wants us to build our house on. Somethings steadfast and immovable. Something beautiful and unique that defies the sensible and natural way of the world.</div>
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I pray that you and I will have the courage and patience to trust and learn in the hard places of life. May we allow God to make beauty from ashes. May we allow Him to reveal Himself and His beauty in unexpected ways, even in the rockiest of places.</div>
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<br /></div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-85792398527369967172012-05-30T08:44:00.002-07:002012-05-30T08:44:45.305-07:00Anything<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">April 28, 2012</span></div>
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Last night as I was reading, I came across a blog linked to a book called <em>Anything</em> by Jennie Allen. The basic thought is that if we believe in a God who freely gave His everything for us, then how can we hold "anything" back from Him. I haven't read the book, but the concept from what I read on the site is to simply pray the one word prayer to God, "anything."</div>
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Lord, I'll give you anything. I'll do anything.</div>
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What a challenge. There is a website link for the book (www.whatisyouranything.com) that asks for people to post what their "anything" is. I read a few stories ranging from people who struggle with comparisons, are praying for a spouse, needing direction, or facing physical moves away from home; to people who have lost a child or a loved one and struggle to let go and continue to believe God is good. I cried as I read the story of one pregnant mom who had previously had a miscarriage and was struggling with fear and worry that this might happen to the baby she now carries. I too have felt that pain. It is not easy to give that to Jesus.</div>
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What is it that you have trouble giving to Him? What might happen if you truly released your "anything" and gave it to God? What would the result be?</div>
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So I was convicted, by the concept, and by reading the testimonies of these people who were daring to pray this prayer and give God their all.</div>
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I took a deep breath, and I asked the Lord, "What is my anything? Is there anything in my heart that I have not given to You? Am I withholding anything? What is my "anything?" What do you want from me?"</div>
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There are times in my life where I've truly felt totally surrendered, withholding nothing. Honestly, when I first prayed, I felt the answer from heaven would be nothing. I thought, "I'm good here."</div>
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But, it was only minutes later when I felt the gentle thumbprint of the Lord pressing firmly down upon my heart, and I knew what my "anything" was.</div>
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Failure, more specifically, the fear of failure.</div>
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I can't say this is something new for me. My fear of failure goes back longer than I can remember. I can think of no reason or cause for it. No sad story from childhood or bad event in life to blame it on. It's just sort of always been around.</div>
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It drove me to achieve, even over-achieve (I won't bother to list the ways, though I could.) It drove me to be the best I could be. Wait, I hear you say. Those are good things, right?</div>
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Achievements are great. They make us feel successful and good about ourselves. We can gain a sense of value, even an identity from them, so what's the problem with that?</div>
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Here's the rub. <em> God never meant for our sense of value or identity or even our success to be measured by what we have (or have not) achieved.</em></div>
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He means for our value, identity, sense of achievement, and our success to be tied up in one thing alone...Knowing Him.</div>
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In fact, Paul writes to us about this in Philippians.</div>
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<span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV)</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of KNOWING CHRIST JESUS my Lord. For His sake, I have suffered the loss of ALL THINGS and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law </strong>[what I've done or not done]<strong>but that which comes from faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-that I may KNOW HIM and the power of His ressurection.</strong></div>
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Paul tells us to count everything as loss for the worth of knowing Christ. For Him we are to suffer the loss of ALL THINGS and count them as rubbish to gain Him.</div>
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Which brings me back to my anything, that fear of failure.</div>
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This fear permeates so many areas of my life, but none so much as my fear of failing to be a good mother to my children. Motherhood is full of loads of successes and failures, not just over the lives of our children, but in a single day, sometimes in a single hour! At the end of the day, I just find myself hoping the victories outweigh the defeats; but, I don't think that God is in heaven watching my day and hoping that I measure up to some standard He has set for me to attain.</div>
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He just wants me to KNOW HIM. To TRUST HIM. To know and to trust that He is big enough to cover my failures with His precious blood poured out on the cross to cover all my sin and failures. To trust Him to cover my children and lead them to a relationship with Him.</div>
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<em>The truth is that in the chasm of my failures, God's grace fills in the hole. He makes up for my weaknesses and deficits.</em></div>
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<span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)</strong></span></div>
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<strong>But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.</strong></div>
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<span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2 Corinthians 11:30 (ESV)</strong></span></div>
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<strong>If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.</strong></div>
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So I guess like Paul, let me boast in my weakness! Because when I feel like the biggest failure, when I am at my weakest moments, God's grace is filling the void, and His strength bares the weight that I cannot bear alone.</div>
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My achievements (or lack thereof) do not give me my value or identity. God showed my worth and value when He sent His son to die for me. Jesus gave His all, His very life for my sins, weaknesses, and yes, even my failures.</div>
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He freely gave His all, how can I hold back anything?</div>
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Fear of failure, as a mom, a wife, a missionary, a Christian, the list goes on and on (And I'm sure you have your own areas in which you struggle,) I think it's time for you to go.</div>
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<span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>1 John 4:18 (ESV)</strong></span></div>
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<strong>There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.</strong></div>
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Dear God,</div>
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Please let your perfect love cast away this fear of failure in our lives. Your love is unchanging and constant <strong>(Micah 7:18, Lamentations 3:22.)</strong> Let our identity and value be in You and what You did on the cross and not on our own achievements. Our achievements don't make us great or worthy (or horrible or unworthy!) You stoop down to make us great!<strong>(2 Samuel 22:36, Psalm 18:35.)</strong></div>
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Thank you that Your grace fills in the holes left by our failures. You cover us fully <strong>(Psalm 139:5.)</strong> You are strong when we are weak. In our weakest moments, may we remember Your strength is there for us, and takes over when we fail. (<strong>2 Corinthians 12:9-10)</strong></div>
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Lord, may we give these things to You. Count them all as rubbish, in order to gain Christ and to KNOW HIM.</div>
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And now, may we press on to make You our own. <span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>(Philippians 3:12-13)</strong></span> Let us forget the fears and failures that lie behind and strain forward to what lies ahead...Your perfect love, Your all sufficient grace that is perfected in our every weakness.</div>
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In Jesus Name, Amen</div>
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Paul says in Philippians 3:15, "Let those who are mature think this way and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to You."</div>
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Perhaps in reading this, God may reveal to you that there is an "anything" in Your life that you have yet to give Him. </div>
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May I challenge you to give it to Him now. Pray, ask Him to reveal your "anything." Then pray for Him to give you the strength to let it go. </div>
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I know it may seem impossible. It may seem too big. I've been there. But, if you will make this step of faith, I know He will heal, deliver, and restore You. He will touch You. I know it because I KNOW HIM, and He wants YOU to KNOW HIM too. He will never leave you or forsake you. <strong>(Hebrews 13:5)</strong> His promises are true.<strong> (2 Corinthians 1:20) </strong>Even when we are faithless, He is faithful, He cannot deny Himself. <strong>(2 Timothy 2:13)</strong></div>
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Beloved, You are HIS. He will take what you are holding and transform it into something beautiful.</div>
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Will you take the risk? Will you give Him your "anything?"</div>
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Post-thought....</div>
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I would love to pray for you if this message is touching something in your life. You can share your "anything" in a comment below or send me a private message if you would like. You can be specific if you, but that is not necessary. </div>
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Pray for me too. We are all in this race together and surely can all benefit from prayer!</div>
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Renea</div>
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<br /></div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-10718651235338858052012-05-30T08:43:00.002-07:002012-05-30T08:43:41.141-07:00The View from the Top<br />
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I wrote this on 28 September 2011 after climbing up to the top of the Salisbury Crags, part of Holyrood Park near Arthur's Seat.</div>
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I've spent the last 30 minutes climbing atop the Salisbury Crags. My intent this morning was to just go a bit up and sit, relax, and enjoy the sun and the view. Yet I found, at each place I could stop, I just looked up and saw a higher spot and thought, "Surely the view from there will be a bit better," and so I climbed on. Reaching that spot, I thought, "well maybe just a bit more. I can surely get a better perspective from there." And on and on I went until I found I just couldn't stop. I had to reach the top, the highest point I could get to or I would not be satisfied. After all, I had come this far already. </div>
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Sure I could call it quits and just go back, but I would always wonder about the view from the top. What might I have seen, felt, heard? What kind of knowledge might I have gained? What fresh revelation might have awaited me should I have endured the journey? And so I trekked on for curiosity's sake, sheer determination, or perhaps lack of common sense...</div>
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At any rate, I now sit at the highest point I can find, and I feel good about myself. I have a feeling of accomplishment, and I'm proud that I endured the climb and the breathlessness, for the breathtaking view was totally worth it. </div>
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I suppose, however, that the spiritual lesson for me is much more meaningful...</div>
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Amazing how this physical journey today very much mirrors the spiritual journey that I find myself facing. I feel like I am scaling a mountain, much higher than Arthur's Seat, though not as high as the Everest that some people find themselves facing. But, I would imagine that what keeps us all climbing onward is the hope that at the top, the view will be beautiful, the sense of achievement profound, the perspective insightful. That we would have a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from conquering hindreances along the way and overcoming the desire to quit, go back, or even worse, to settle for something less than God's best.</div>
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I find myself often wanting to quit, turn back, or settle, but I hear the voice of the Lord continually calling me higher. Telling me not to give up because at the top of this mountain, He has something better for me. Something I've never seen, heard, or even thought about, and better than I could ever ask, think, or imagine. </div>
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And so I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. I won't turn back, surrender, or succomb to the pressure to settle and be satisfied. I want more! I want to go higher, to feel the winds of His Spirit blowing over my life. To feel the warmth of the Son, to see the view from the mountaintop, to sense the closeness of His presence, and the accomplishment that comes from following His lead regardless of the cost.</div>
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Lord, help me to never be satisfied, to never quit or settle for less than the highest ground. I don't want to miss the beauty of chasing after You!</div>
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Was the climb today worth the time and effort? Absolutely. And I'm quite sure that at the top of the spiritual mountain God has me climbing, the view that I'm looking at now will pale in comparison.</div>
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Don't quit, it's worth the journey. Don't settle and forever wonder what it would have been like had you reached the top. Keep journeying onward with Him, and don't stop until you conquer and reach the top! </div>
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</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-7263156947710623532012-05-30T08:43:00.000-07:002012-05-30T08:43:02.562-07:00When Overcome by Chaos and Clutter<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">August 13, 2011</span></div>
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Reading this really blessed me this morning....I'm sure many of you can relate!</div>
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Meditation on Psalm 57 by Pamela J. Kennedy from the book <span class="fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline;">Songs from a Mother's Heart</span></div>
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Have mercy on me, O God,</div>
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have mercy on me,</div>
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for in You I am safe and protected.</div>
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I need to get away to a quiet place,</div>
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to find some moments of solitude.</div>
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I feel like I am singking in a sea of needs,</div>
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overwhelmed by the demands on my time.</div>
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Crying babies, messy rooms</div>
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runny noses and dirty diapers</div>
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meals and dishes and dust</div>
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fill my minutes, hours, and days.</div>
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Somewhere in the middle of it all,</div>
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I think I lost myself.</div>
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I can't escape all the demands,</div>
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but I can't meet them either.</div>
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Could you show me Yourself in the midst of my mess, Jesus?</div>
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Would you illuminate me with Your love and faithfulness?</div>
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I know You are higher than the piles of laundry,</div>
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deeper than the ground-in dirt.</div>
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Your song is louder than a baby's cry,</div>
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and Your love more insistent than a whining child.</div>
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I just feel trapped right now, caught</div>
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in mind and body of motherhood's unbreakable nets.</div>
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Fix my heart on You, my Lord.</div>
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Open my ears to the music of Your Spirit within me.</div>
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Strengthen my grip on Your vision for my life</div>
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so I can see the mundane</div>
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through the lens of eternity.</div>
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This hectic time will pass</div>
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and children will too soon be gone,</div>
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and quiet, peacefull days will fill my weeks.</div>
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I will thank You even in the chaos of my world today</div>
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and sing Your praises louder than the din around me.</div>
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Your love cannot be covered up with clutter, God,</div>
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for You are greater than whatever hems me in.</div>
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Change my focus to Your focus</div>
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and set my mind on finding joy in little things.</div>
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Help me search for times when You and I can talk</div>
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even if it's over sinks of dirty pans.</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-76743208277751548462012-05-30T08:42:00.002-07:002012-05-30T08:42:21.424-07:00Tune My Heart<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">July 21, 2011</span></div>
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I've been hearing the words "Tune my heart to sing Thy praise" from the song Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing for quite a few days. They have resonated in my spirit. As I have prayed and thought about it, God has been revealing something to me about how he tunes our hearts.</div>
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On a guitar, tuning is all about the stretching and relaxing of the strings. (Also true for all stringed instruments including violins, cellos, and I even believe pianos as well.) Here are a few nuggets I have gleaned from heaven about the process of tuning that God is always doing to help his children sound their best.</div>
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1. Some strings are too lose and need to be tightened. When a string is lose, there is really very little sound that comes from it or the sound that does come is just flat and sounds awful. Some strings even get so lose they are useless at making music; they are falling off the instrument making it incapable of producing any kind of sound that might bring God glory. God needs to tighten up some areas of our lives; but take caution, if the string is tightened too much, the string will snap. Fear not though, the Bible assures us that God will not snap us into. A bruised reed God will never break. You can't just tighten yourself up, you have to go to God and allow the master tuner to do the work.</div>
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2. Some strings are already wound so tight they are about to snap. These strings are sharp. Ever met someone who is like a sharp string about to snap. Perhaps one of these strings has snapped at you? This sound too is very unpleasant to the ear. It just throws off what could be a beautiful sound and a beautiful testimony played from a wonderfully created instrument. Some of us need to loosen up and relax. Allow God to unwind us. He is after all the master tuner, right?</div>
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3. Some strings can be perfectly in tune while others are completely out of tune. There are always areas God is working on and fine tuning, but be aware when one string or part of your life is out of tune, the sound that comes forth from your life can become a cacophony, an unpleasant noise. Even a string slightly out of tune makes the sound of the instrument muddy and distorted. Some people (who are probably a little out of tune themselves,) might say oh it sounds fine. Don't be fooled! When something is just a bit off, there are many around who hear it, and they don't like the sound of the tune you are playing. Thankfully, as you allow God to tune in all parts of your life, it's a beautiful blend of harmony and melody that reflects and represents the glory of God. I want the tune that comes from my life to be pleasing to God's ear and pleasing and pleasant to the ears of all those around me. God please tune my heart!</div>
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4. Sometimes the strings break...it's ok because God can give us new ones. We all make mistakes and get too lose or too tight. Let God replace your broken stings. He is the one that can give beauty for ashes, new strings for broken ones.</div>
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5. Sometimes the strings just go dead over time, and they need an all out replacement. A new set of strings brings new life to an instrument. The sound becomes crisp and clear. You can of course continue playing on old, dead strings, but it just doesn't sound as good. Maybe God needs to completely restring some of us, so that we can feel the freshness of his presence as he gently writes and plays his music upon our hearts. It's not an easy process. There is winding and spinning, pushing, pulling, and threading. But my it is so worth it because the sound that comes forth when the strings are in place and in tune is beautiful. Would you be open to allowing God to restring and replace the old dead strings in your life?</div>
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6. Sometimes the tuning is gentle and easy, but sometimes it's stretching to the max and you feel sure that the string is going to snap. Be assured, Jesus knows just how much torque and pressure you need. He will be as gentle as a lamb or as aggressive as a lion hunting prey according to what you need, so trust Him to tune you just right. He is after all the one who designed and created you. I really think he is the one who knows how to make your life sound amazing.</div>
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7. All strings fall out of tune and need a regular tune up. This is why it's so important to spend time in God's word and in prayer and worship. Not just on a Sunday morning, but each day. If I only tuned my guitar once a week, it might sound ok, but it won't sound it's best. When was the last time you allowed God to tune your heart?</div>
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8. A sudden knock or change in temperature will knock the strings out of tune and require lots of time and twisting to return to the right place. Sometimes life hits us hard. I know I've had my share of that, and I'm sure you have too. Circumstances heat up and we feel we are in the fire or getting shaken or beaten. Have you ever been here? These are times when God; if we will allow him, spends more time adjusting, tightening, loosening, or even completely changing out our strings, so that the message that people hear after we are restored is precise, effective, and clear. After we are restored, we will sound our best. And just maybe, another instrument that has received a hard knock can listen and receive hope and realize that God restores the brokenhearted and can redeem all things for His glory.</div>
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One thing is certain, the only way to be completely in tune is to allow Jesus to tune you. He has perfect pitch. Sure we have instrumental tuners, like the Bible, and pastors, and other believers to help us get there on our own, but there is nothing like being tuned by the one who made the instrument, the one who knows exactly how it has been created to sound, the one who knows its exact purpose and fullest potential. </div>
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Why not let Jesus come right now and begin to tune your heart?</div>
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No matter how much time and effort you spend trying to tune yourself and make your life sound so wonderful, your life will never sound as great as it could until you let your Maker come in and tune it just right--tune you into your destiny--into peace--into victory--into holiness--into His image. What better sound can we offer to the world than the very sound of whom God has made us to be.</div>
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And as we all stand in the world, perfectly tuned by our maker, what a grand symphony all our instruments make together as we reflect and reveal our maker's Magnum Opus to the world around us. Oh to be part of that glorious sound as all the pieces come together in one purpose and design to reveal and reflect His glory. </div>
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Don't you want to be part of this grand composition? A part of His masterpiece? I sure do. Dear God in heaven, please tune our hearts to sing Your praise!</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-59989657583986011262012-05-30T08:41:00.002-07:002012-05-30T08:41:23.191-07:00Resting in His Arms<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">June 18, 2011 </span></div>
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My favourite time with my 7 month old son is the last feed of the night. You see my daughter was a big cuddly baby and was happy to snuggle with me all the time, but Eli is just a different story. He is an absolute joy and loves to laugh, but cuddling is just not his thing. So I find myself treasuring the small moments when he just rests in my arms and lets his head fall upon my shoulder. It's honestly the best feeling in the world. To hold something so precious and priceless, well there's just no real words to describe it.</div>
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The last feeding of the night is the one where I wake him up, feed him, and he quickly goes right back to sleep (well hopefully and usually anyhow.) So after he is fed, he is just a big cuddle bug and places his wee head right down on my shoulder. This is the one time in my day when I just get to hold him close and treasure the fleeting moments that are all too quickly passing by as he grows. He doesn't need anything. He makes no demands. He just rests his head on my shoulder in the quiet confidence that Mommy is going to take care of him. He is not worried or anxious. No wiggling and squirming...he is just still, and I just get to be with him.</div>
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And you know what, as a parent, this blesses me beyond words because there is very little time in my day when someone isn't needing or wanting something from me. Life with young children can be stressful because they are always demanding something more. As a parent, you give and give and give. You try to make the moments memorable and to bless your children. And sometimes it's just downright frustrating because the moments when they are just thankful and content and at rest can sometimes seem few and far between.</div>
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And tonight as I was holding my baby boy in my arms. I just remembered how blessed I am to have Him. I was blessed in his resting in my arms, no demands, no worries. He was just at peace.</div>
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And I began to thank God for my little boy and the blessing He is and the blessing he will be to not only me but to the world.</div>
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And I felt God's gentle voice nudging me and saying, "You know, it blesses me when you just rest in me. When you come to me with no demands, no anxieties, no squirming and wiggling. You just trust that Daddy is going to take care of you. You are even more priceless and precious to me, and I love it when I just get to be with you."</div>
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And I remembered how many times today I prayed, Lord could you just....please....help.....I just need....And I realized the times that I have just been thankful and content and at rest have been few and far between. Father forgive me....</div>
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Don't get me wrong, God is concerned with our needs, and He knows them and has already worked a way to meet them. But how much could we bless His heart if we could just lay them down and trust that He is in control. If we could just rest and be at peace. In doing that, not only does it give us peace, but I truly believe that it blesses God's heart even more than my evening snuggle with my little man.</div>
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So right now, if only for a moment, can you just rest in Him. Lay down your worries and stop demanding anything of God and rest your tired head on the Father's strong shoulders and find peace and contentment in His arms. I promise it will bless His heart, and you'll be blessed too.</div>
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Psalm 46:10 -Be still, and know that I am God.</div>
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<br /></div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-48593563344506735982012-05-30T08:39:00.005-07:002012-05-30T08:40:41.267-07:00Inappropriate McDonalds Toy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">May 6, 2011</span><br />
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Dear McDonalds,</div>
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I am writing concerning the toy my 3 year old received with her happy meal today. It is a small music box with a recorded song by Chipmunk.</div>
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After bringing it home and listening to it and looking up the lyrics, I am absolutely appalled that a company as large and international as McDonalds would include such a thing as a "toy" inside a happy meal. I would think you would be able to find a better suited toy for children!</div>
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Have you seen the lyrics? I will include them below if I have space. The song Oopsy Daisy is inappropriate for young children. The content of love and relationships is well beyond their understanding. And are you aware that the song has a profane word *shit* in it. I'm not sure if it's on the recording b/c I didn't listen all the way through because I looked up the lyrics first. The lyrics for the song say why led a bird shit on me. Do you really think that's ok for my 3 year old to hear. Even if the word is beeped out of the song, it's still just PLAIN WRONG.</div>
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I am deeply offended and now have to explain to my 3 year old daughter why I'm throwing her toy in the rubbish bin.</div>
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I would hope in the future you would put more consideration into your happy meal toys. Otherwise we will not be eating in your chain in the future. There is a Burger King just around the corner after all.</div>
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Song Lyrics....</div>
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http://www.metrolyrics.com/oopsy-daisy-lyrics-chipmunk.html</div>
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I would love to hear your response to this concern and look forward to hearing from you soon.</div>
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Renea Gill</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-23071830171991152142012-05-30T08:39:00.003-07:002012-05-30T08:40:11.893-07:00Nightmare Flights<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">January 19, 2011</span></div>
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A copy of my letter to American Airlines...it's a long story of how they seriously messed up our travel plans. I couldn't make this up if I tried. It's like a bad movie... </div>
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Dear Customer Relations,</div>
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I am writing to you regarding our recent flights from Edinburgh, Scotland to Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina on the 22 Dec 2010. The story is a nightmare, but first let me start by introducing you to my family so that you might perhaps see us as people and not numbers and dollar signs.</div>
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I was flying with my husband, Christopher, and our two children, Samantha (2 years old) and Eli (a 5 week old infant.) If you have children, perhaps you can understand the difficulty of traveling with children. We were flying home for Christmas so that we could enjoy family and everyone could meet the new addition.</div>
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With this in mind, please consider how your company and it's errors completely devastated our traveling agenda.</div>
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To start our journey, our original flight from Edinburgh was supposed to give us two and a half hours or so to make our connection. It was canceled due to weather....fair enough, you can't help bad weather and snow. Fortunately we were booked on a flight leaving an hour later, so we still had time to arrive in London and make our connection.</div>
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So we arrive in London on time. As we come up the jet bridge, there is a man standing with a sign for RDU, our final destination. We stop and check in with him. He has our names on his clipboard and a walkie talkie radio. We inform him that we are there. He gives us Express Connection passes to clear security quickly. One would assume the radio was for him to inform someone that we are in the airport, but as you will read, that did not happen.</div>
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So we rush on through the airport. We hop on the bus immediately leaving for the next terminal. No wait at all. We clear security with no wait at all. So we are very relieved when we arrive to our gate 25 minutes before our flight is to take off.</div>
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We get to the counter to board the plane and we are informed that our seats were given away. What? Given away? How? We had boarding passes. We checked in with the man from our last flight. How is it possible that our seats were given away?</div>
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We were told it was because we did not check in at this particular airport. We had boarding passes where we checked in online for your convenience and ours. We checked in with the man at the airport when we left the flight. So there was no need for us to check in with anyone else because we were going to make our connection.</div>
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And yet we were not allowed to board the plane. There were no seats left on the flight. The most unbelievable thing is that we stood there and watched another 15 people board the flight after our seats had been given away. The only explanation is that they checked in downstairs. How were we supposed to know that we needed to check in downstairs? Why was this a need when we had boarding passes and had already checked in with an airline employee from our last flight and told we would make our connection.</div>
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The employees working were not able to get any one of us on that flight, so we were stranded. I was in absolute tears holding my 5 week old son. My daughter was exausted and crying and my husband angry. No one could help us. We were sent to wait in line.</div>
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It might have been forgivable if it were just this, but the saga continued like a bad movie. The next flight to Raleigh was the next day. But we could not be booked on that flight because your company had already oversold that flight by 20+ people, plus there was a waiting list a mile long due to the snow in London and flight cancellations.</div>
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Now mind you, we're stranded, as a family with children, with thousands of others, and now no one cares because they think we are stranded due to weather. In fact, it was not due to weather at all. It was because someone just decided to give our seats away, even though we were in the airport. ((I might add that our BA flight (which your company booked us on)arrived to London on time.))</div>
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So now we are informed we will have to fly standby...along with hundreds of others. So we wait for a connection to Cincinnati. We were not able to make that flight, but can I tell you that my daughter who should have been safely resting on our flight to Raleigh, gets tired, and when she gets tired, she gets clumsy. She fell into a set of chairs and busted her two front teeth. Bloody and dazed, we called for a paremedic. It took about an hour for him to show up, but there was nothing he could do except give us some paracetomol/tylenol. Can I also let you know (although this is not directly your fault) that those teeth have now turned grey and are likely to fall out, so she will be without them for the next 5 years. I tell you this to help you understand that you should in fact be more careful in how you treat your customers and how you communicate within airports. We are people, not numbers and dollar signs.</div>
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Of course, now we are shelling out money to pay for food because we have to eat and are waiting hours hoping to catch a flight home. The next flight for us to standby for is leaving 10 hours after we were supposed to fly out....we would have been home in Raleigh before this flight is leaving.</div>
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Might I also add, that no consideration was given to the fact we are flying with 2 small children. No one seemed to care and our position on the standby list was only based on amount of time traveled. What kind of screwed up thinking is that? If it had just been my hubby and I, we could make the most of it and get over it. But children cannot adapt to such things so easily, especially young children. This policy seriously needs to be rethought.</div>
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So by miracle, we are able to get on the flight to New York/JFK. Then we would have to change airports to La Guardia (a cab ride) to fly standby the next day and hopefully get to Raleigh. We would have to spend the night in New York (a hotel cost).</div>
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We get to JFK and recheck with a ticket agent to hopefully get something confirmed to get home the next day. She rebooks us on a confirmed Delta flight the next day. She gives us a voucher for a cab to change airports.</div>
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The saga continues....</div>
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The cab agency that they called and gave us a voucher for was Avenis (or something like that I don't exactly remember the name.) What I do know, is that when this company shows to pick us up, it is in a Jeep Cherokee with no cab company markings. There is no car seat for my 5 week old or 2 year old. There are no working seatbelts in the back seat at all. No signs marking taxi anywhere in the car, but because an AA supervisor called the taxi for us, we thought it would be ok. The driver was nice enough, but his driving was absolutely scary. He weaved in and out of lanes (not traffick mind you as it is after 10pm in New York.) Forutnately we arrived to the airport with no accidents.</div>
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Of course, our flights were not until the next day. And since AA did not offer us a hotel (which would have seemed fair for a family of 4 traveling with small children and stranded due to the inefficiency of your company,) we had to spend the night, with our children, in the cold airport. We went down to the luggage collection area, found a luggage cart where my husband tried to sleep with our two year old and our baby while I slept in a chair. It was absolutely freezing. Thank God we kept our jackets with us and did not put them in our checked bags.</div>
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The next day we finally arrived in Raleigh over 40 hours of travel with little sleep and little to eat as we could not afford a hotel or a lot of airport food. (We booked with you because it was cheaper at the time...big mistake.)</div>
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But the saga still continues...</div>
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We get to Raleigh, but our luggage did not. We filled out a report. It was about 5 days later when we received a call from a lady who found our bag in New York. The air travel sticker had been removed and she found our number on our luggage tag and called. The bag was brought to our home, fair enough.</div>
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The second bag arrived to us about 7 days later, but our third bag has still not arrived. No one can seem to find it. So we are to fill out a claim with Delta for our lost bag. File with delta even though the bags were lost by American Airlines.</div>
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This third bag was the only one of value. It had my clothes and my jewelry (which will not be replaced apparently because lost luggage claims will not cover jewelry.) I firmly believe someone from your company stole the things of value and conveniently lost the bag to cover it up, but who knows.</div>
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So that is all for now, though I just read on the Delta form for lost luggage that it was supposed to be filed within 21 days. I had been giving it time hoping the piece would be found, so they may try to not even cover the loss. So much for my faith in you to recover my bag.</div>
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I want you to know that this flight was purchased and began in Edinburgh, Scotland and I plan to do all that is possible to recover our loss and receive compensation according to the Passenger's Bill of Rights. I intend to even consult with a lawyer should this become necessary. I am also copying this letter to the following places...</div>
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The Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division</div>
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400 7th Street SW, Room 4107</div>
Washington, DC 20590<br />
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AND<br />
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The Aviation Consumer Action Project</div>
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P.O. Box 19029</div>
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529 14th Street NW, Suite 1265</div>
Washington, DC 20045<br />
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Now we are looking towards having to fly back to Edinburgh with American Airlines even though my faith in your company has been completely violated. We can't afford to get a flight with another airline as we spent close to $3000 purchasing these flights. </div>
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We make this flight path about twice a year. Unless something is done regarding this matter, you can be assured that we will no longer be flying with your company for this trip (or any other for that matter.) The incompetence that we encountered is just ridiculous.</div>
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Please carefully review this matter and consider our family and what your company might do to restore our trust in American Airlines.</div>
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I do have the flight numbers and baggage claim ticket. I would include them here, but now we are away from home in Kentucky (where we flew Delta, not AA.) I will send them on to you when we arrive back home on Monday as I am sure you will need this information.</div>
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Sincerely,</div>
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Kathrine Renea Gill</div>
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european_missions@yahoo.com</div>
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</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-62171310949360089502012-05-30T08:38:00.001-07:002012-05-30T08:38:15.066-07:00Baby Gill's Name<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;"> October 12, 2010</span></div>
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We thought we'd entertain you with our top 10 list of names that we will not be naming our son. This is a recap from Chris's status updates from those of you who missed out.</div>
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10. Guppie Gill - When I was pregnant with Samantha, I ran this by my mom as a possibility. She said, "oh, that's nice." So polite mom, but yes it was a joke!</div>
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9. Dilbert Gill</div>
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8. Ichabod Gill-Some people still use that name. Can you believe that?</div>
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7. Finley Gill or "Fin" for short...A fine Scottish name, but a little too fishy when paired with our last name.</div>
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6. Gilbert Gill</div>
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5. Gilligan Gill (that doesn't mean we've disqualified him from being named Skipper or Mr. Howell)</div>
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4. Zaccheaus Gill....sorry Samantha. I know he'll be a wee little man and all. She also thinks Mouse is a good name.</div>
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3. Apple Mac Gill - though that might change if we get a letter from Apple saying we can get a new laptop every 3 years for the rest of our lives if we give our son this name. However, Renea thinks it sounds like a McDonalds special burger. Along with this we considered Mac Gill---very Scottish sounding, eh?</div>
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2. Bill/Will/Jill/Phil/Lil/Neil/Seal/Teal/ or even Zeal! Not that any of those are bad. Of course nothing wrong with Bill except that when you add the surname it sounds like a Quentin Taratino movie.</div>
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And the number 1 name we won't name our son...</div>
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1. BB Q. Gill</div>
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Thanks to everyone for playing.</div>
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And alas, what is Baby Gill's name?</div>
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Eli Timothy Gill....Eli means highest, Timothy means God's honour. We truly believe that having a child is God's highest honour, and we pray that He will grow strong in the Lord and the power of His might.</div>
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Samantha has named him Eli Timothy Gill Mouse. It was quite complex figuring out what exactly that meant. Finally while reading her Dumbo book we realized that the Mouse's name is Timothy Mouse. So whenever Samantha says his name, she adds the mouse. What a nickname for the wee guy. Sorry bub...welcome to being a little brother!</div>
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7 more weeks until his due date. We can hardly wait!</div>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-31466455932896762232012-05-30T08:35:00.001-07:002012-05-30T08:35:17.633-07:00Big Girl Beds and Baby Kicks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">June 13, 2010</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Hey everyone,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">We spend years listening to people say, "They grow up too fast," but not until you are a parent do you really understand it. Last night I tucked our wee lassie into her very first big girl bed. The crib has been dismantled, and in it's place is this strange, wonderful, new bed. Samantha is absolutely thrilled to have her own bed. We've had it for over a week and every day she's been asking for Daddy to put it together. So in his first moment of time off, Chris got out the tools and made the switch. I was out for the morning and came back and my baby girl showed me that she's not so much a baby anymore.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">She took her nap there yesterday and never once jumped out on me. Last night she went right on to bed as if it were no big deal. Of course, she did roll out three times during the night. Don't worry after the first fiasco we put the crib mattress down beside the bed to cushion her fall. The bed is supposed to have a rail, but I think it was missing an attachment, so we couldn't put it up. (We got the bed for free, so we're not complaining!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I have to admit as I knelt beside that wee bed to say our nighttime prayers, I found myself quite misty eyed at how much this precious one has grown. The moments really fly by. I'm just so honored that God has given her to us. What an honor to have her in our lives.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I have posted some photos on my page, so you can all be a part of this special moment.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">In other news, yesterday we watched England play the USA in the world cup. The game was good, but that's not the most interesting part. Apparently Baby Bump got quite inspired from watching the match because he/she decided to have his/her own World Cup (that's soccer by the way) in my belly last night. I've thought I have felt the baby a few times, but thought it could be indigestion. But last night there was no doubt about it. Baby was in full effect and judging from the level of activity, we will surely have our hands full very soon. Samantha was always a big kicker too, but this was pretty amazing. Baby kicked so much even Dad felt it which is very rare this early. It was really amazing to once again be a part of one of God's special miracles! How thankful we are to be chosen as parents!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I hope you enjoyed the little tales from this side of the pond. We love you all and think of you loads and loads. We miss you dearly and hope this letter finds you healthy and happy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Much love,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Renea</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class=""><img alt="" class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/31657_402988052270_5824439_n.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 493px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /> <span class="caption">Samantha in her new bed!</span></span></span><br />
<br />Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-59336924587583409752012-05-30T08:33:00.003-07:002012-05-30T08:33:50.486-07:00Happy Mother's Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">May 7, 2010</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">As Mother's Day is this weekend in the US, I wanted to pass this along. I don't always post forwarded mail...in fact I rarely read it at all, but this one had me in tears, so I chose to share it here. God Bless and help all of us moms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">No author was available to post...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, 'It's okay honey, Mommy's here'.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football , hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mom?' they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and mean it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year. And then read it again. 'Just one more time.'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mom?' in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">What makes a good Mother anyway?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And mature mothers learning to let go.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Single mothers and married mothers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Mothers with money, mothers without.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is for you all. For all of us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">'Home is what catches you when you fall. - and we all fall.'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know.</span>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-20794721820720180002012-05-30T08:33:00.000-07:002012-05-30T08:33:02.586-07:00Holy Desperation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;"> March 5, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Holy Desperation-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Lord that is my prayer for me and Your people. God give us a holy desperation. So many of us are desperate for a job or a mate or a revelation of Your plan for our life. But tonight, I pray You would release in us a Holy Desperation for You and for the things of God. But mostly, just for You.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Make us desperate for You, desperate to see You move in our lives, the lives of our friends, and the lives of people in this city. In the lives of the lost who do not know You.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">God I am desperate for a move of Your Spirit. Desperate people sometimes do crazy things. They cry, they scream, they shout. They don't care what other people think because their desperation is all consuming, it is all they can think about. It is their obsession. Lord, may we be obsessed with You. Consumed by You. May we fix and lock our gaze upon the object of our obsession. May we meet face to face with You, the one we are desperate for. May we let You consume us with Your love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">God in the light of Your presence, all of the other things we are desperate for fade to nothing, and we can realize that You use those things as a tool in Your hand to draw us to a deeper place in You. If we will stop focusing all of our efforts into the things we have been desperate for, and focus them upon You, You will take care of all the other things that have consumed our thoughts, worries, and time.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Lord, I believe You have been using the hardships and circumstances of our lives to release a holy desperation in our hearts for You. You want to be our All Consuming Fire. You want to be the one that consumes our thoughts. You want our thoughts to be consumed with You and Your love for us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">God help us walk this out. Help us walk in holy desperation for You. Completely dependent upon Your speaking to us and moving in our lives. I know the fire has been hard and the circumstances tough, but if it can really produce a true deeper sense of longing and desperation for You, and it will help us draw near to You and know You more intimately, then Lord it is worth it because there is nothing more important in our lives than knowing You. Make us desperate for You. So much that we don't care what others think or say. Whatever emotions we experience or however it may makes us look, we don't care because we just want You!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I pray this not just for me, but also for my friends whom I sense You also bringing to a place of desperation. Lord use the desperate situations in our natural lives to produce a holy desperation in our spiritual lives. And let the spiritual desperation produce fruit in the natural world, and let us begin to see some of the naturally desperate situations begin to be resolved because of Your goodness and lovingkindness towards Your kids whom You love with a holy desperation that is far beyond our wildest imaginations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Make us desperately Yours, In Jesus Name! Amen</span>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-10711028443053641922012-05-30T08:32:00.001-07:002012-05-30T08:32:19.437-07:00Reflection on Psalm 121<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">February 24, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">This is where Psalm 121:1 took me yesterday...I hope you are challenged and enjoy this journey.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ps121:1 - I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and Earth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I remember a friend sending me this scripture in a text a while ago. I read a note from a friend that quoted a guy who wrote about this verse and said "David found the help he was seeking in the Lord, his Creator, not in the protection of the hills, nor in man's power and wisdom."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">It was new for me to think of this verse in the context of the hills of Jerusalem. I remembered a while ago I was studying the scritpture...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ps 125:2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">When I read it months ago, I decided to look up some info on the mountains surrounding Jerusalem as a way of understanding how it is exactly that God surrounds us. What I remember finding was that the mountains were pretty, but also a source of provision,and they provided protection from the attack of enemies. I remember because it was 3 P's.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">So thinking of the verse about lifting my eyes to the hills where my help comes from, I found it neat to consider the verse in the context of the hills of Jerusalem. They were a source of protection and provision in the natural for the people. But the protection needed in this situation could not be found in the hills or people, but only in God.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">So for me, I need to know that God is my provider and protector. I need my eyes to be off myself and off of anything in the hills (i.e. the world, circumstances, and people) and placed upon Him alone.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Then my mind thought of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6:15-17. There was an army surrounding them ready to take Elisha's life. The servant didn't know what to do. And Elisha tells him "Do not fear for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then, he prays for his servants eyes to be open that he may see. Then the Lord opens his eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Sometimes the enemy is attacking and I want to close my eyes in fear. But if I know my help comes from God, and I will open my eyes, I will see that there is strength and power to fight this battle and win because...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 4:4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Romans 8:37</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Then I progressed to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Isaiah 45:22</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Look to me, and be saved, All you ends of the Earth! For I am God and there is no other.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And finally (I think...)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">John 6:68</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">From there I went through a few songs in my mind...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">There is no one else for me, none but Jesus, crucified to set me free, now I live to bring Him praise.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">All I need is You Lord, is You Lord, all I need is You.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And All of You is more than enough for, all of me, for every thirst and every need. You satisfy me with Your love, and all I have in You is more than enough. (Which ironically I had been playing and singing last week and it just had me in tears....)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">When it comes back to the starting point Ps 121:1 - I lift my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord. Where else can I look? What else will protect me, provide for me, and show me such wonderful beauty. It is God alone, there is no other. He surrounds me with songs of deliverance.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ps 32:7 - You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Deliverance will not come from the natural (like the mountains that protected Jerusalem.) It will come through God's supernatural power working in our lives to change us from the inside out. But first, we have to lift up our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and place them upon the only one who can bring us the protection, provision, and freedom that we need. He is the one with the words of life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">So where are you looking for your help? Are you looking at the natural protection and provision of the world and people or are you looking at the supernatural deliverance, protection, provision, and freedom that can only be found in Christ alone? Where does your help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and Earth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782581098548205665.post-89021615542302588672012-05-30T08:31:00.000-07:002012-05-30T08:31:15.779-07:00Love Letter From God<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; line-height: 14px;">February 11, 2010</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I do not know who put this together, but wanted to share it b/c it's beautiful....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">My Child,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I know everything about you, even if you may not know me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I know when you sit down and when you rise up.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am familiar with all your ways.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Matthew 10:29-31</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For you were made in my image.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Genesis 1:27</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">In me you live and move and have your being.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Acts 17:28</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For you are my offspring.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Acts 17:28</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I knew you even before you were conceived.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 1:4-5</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I chose you when I planned creation.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ephesians 1:11-12</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">You were not a mistake,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">for all your days are written in my book.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:15-16</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I determined the exact time of your birth</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">and where you would live.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Acts 17:26</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">You are fearfully and wonderfully made.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:14</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I knit you together in your mother's womb.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 139:13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And brought you forth on the day you were born.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 71:6</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">John 8:41-44</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am not distant and angry,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">but am the complete expression of love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 4:16</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 3:1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Simply because you are my child</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">and I am your Father.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 3:1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Matthew 7:11</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For I am the perfect father.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Matthew 5:48</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">James 1:17</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Matthew 6:31-33</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 29:11</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Because I love you with an everlasting love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 31:3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">My thoughts toward you are countless</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">as the sand on the seashore.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalms 139:17-18</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And I rejoice over you with singing.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Zephaniah 3:17</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I will never stop doing good to you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 32:40</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For you are my treasured possession.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Exodus 19:5</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I desire to establish you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">with all my heart and all my soul.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 32:41</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And I want to show you great and marvelous things.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jeremiah 33:3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">If you seek me with all your heart,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">you will find me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Deuteronomy 4:29</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Delight in me and I will give you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">the desires of your heart.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 37:4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For it is I who gave you those desires.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Philippians 2:13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am able to do more for you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">than you could possibly imagine.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ephesians 3:20</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For I am your greatest encourager.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 Thessalonians 2:16-17</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am also the Father who comforts you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">in all your troubles.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 Corinthians 1:3-4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">When you are brokenhearted,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am close to you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Psalm 34:18</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">As a shepherd carries a lamb,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I have carried you close to my heart.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Isaiah 40:11</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">One day I will wipe away</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">every tear from your eyes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Revelation 21:3-4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And I'll take away all the pain</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">you have suffered on this earth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Revelation 21:3-4</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am your Father, and I love you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">even as I love my son, Jesus.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">John 17:23</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">John 17:26</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">He is the exact representation of my being.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Hebrews 1:3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">He came to demonstrate that I am for you,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">not against you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Romans 8:31</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 Corinthians 5:18-19</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">2 Corinthians 5:18-19</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">His death was the ultimate expression</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">of my love for you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 4:10</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I gave up everything I loved</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">that I might gain your love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Romans 8:31-32</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">you receive me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1 John 2:23</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">And nothing will ever separate you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">from my love again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Romans 8:38-39</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Come home and I'll throw the biggest party</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">heaven has ever seen.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Luke 15:7</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I have always been Father,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">and will always be Father.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Ephesians 3:14-15</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">My question is…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Will you be my child?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">John 1:12-13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">I am waiting for you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Luke 15:11-32</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Love, Your Dad</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Almighty God</span>Renea Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702050783697452687noreply@blogger.com0