tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48817026953850259622023-11-15T23:22:04.191-08:00Adria KingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-71349091147345745262016-08-22T10:01:00.003-07:002016-08-22T10:02:02.575-07:00NEW SITEThank you from the bottom of my heart to all who have been reading my stuff on this little site, but I am excited to say I have upgraded. Head over to my new site.<br />
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<a href="http://adriaking.com/">adriaking.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-72006350906495286632016-08-17T09:48:00.001-07:002016-08-17T09:48:59.160-07:00Taking off the Bulletproof Vest<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 1.75em;">
“You are perfect,” they said.</div>
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A group of high school girls say this looking at me and perceiving this to be who I am, but little do they know I am just a girl who wears waterproof mascara to hide from the world that I have been crying. Because the waterproof hides the tears that would show I am not bulletproof.</div>
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One day I decided to lace up my boots, put on a vest, and go out into the battlefield of life preaching the message, “with Jesus nothing will ever hurt me.” When in reality, under the vest there are some gunshot wounds that might not have killed me, but they still hurt.</div>
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I think life with Jesus is a lot like wearing a bulletproof vest.</div>
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The pain does not kill you, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt</div>
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It hurts.</div>
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I have for so long not been willing to just take off the vest and let people see that the pain that happened so many years ago is still a reoccurring event. It can resurface when it wants. It can stop me in a moment and grab me like a thief. It can roll in one morning and hit me all over again and I see that “time” healing things is nothing but a lie.</div>
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But I have to be bulletproof. The world needs me to be bulletproof.</div>
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But I am not.</div>
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You are not.</div>
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And neither of us have to be.</div>
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The sooner I let this façade be completely torn is the sooner that I can begin. Begin letting my deepest pain be my greatest ministry. The moment we pull out the megaphone and announce to the world that we know all about this monster called pain is the moment people will start pulling up chairs to sit down and listen to what we have to say.</div>
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My Dad died. It is not the white elephant in the room or the awkward part of the conversation with new friends. People know my story. I am open about it. But over the years I have lost the art of storytelling. Somewhere along the way I changed the plot a little. I started dwindling out more and more of the “this sucked” and “this hurt” and replacing it with “God is good.” Which is true, God is good, but I see more now than ever people need to hear the “this sucks” and the “this hurts.” We do not have to change the plot. We do not have to replace the darkest moments of our lives with a lot of cliché church/Christian talk. The darkest moments are the greatest place for the light to shine. Talk about the dark moments.</div>
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The moments when you wonder what you are supposed to do with all things you wish you could say. The moments when driving home consistently turned into screaming into the night because it hurt so bad. The moments when you were paralyzed thinking about the “what ifs.” The moments when you stumbled across a picture that made it hard to breathe. The moments when the morning was your biggest fear because you knew what you were waking up to. The moments when you wished away certain events because thought of the absence is too much to bear. The moments when you realized the sounds of their voice is slipping away from even being a memory. The moments when you just didn’t t know what to do. The moments when reading scripture felt like trying to translate a foreign language because you just cannot understand how a good God could put you where you are.</div>
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Those moments. Those are the moments that burned and I decided I would just extinguish them all. Even to the point of tricking myself to thinking that they did not ever happen. But it has caused me to extinguish a fire that could serve as a signal for someone freshly walking into the dark. A signal that says, “I understand.” A signal that says, “I’ve been there and you are going to make it.” We all have the potential to be the brightest light for someone in their darkest moments, but not if we evacuate those moments and are never willing to go back.</div>
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Going back is hard. Trust me, even now I am fighting taking the the slightest baby step back. Everything in me is telling me to not do it, but this I know: when I go back this time I won’t be walking out alone. I am bringing someone with me. Because someone needs me to go back. Someone needs you to go back.</div>
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David tells us in Psalm 73:21-24</div>
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“When my heart was grieved<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />and my spirit embittered (irritated),<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />I was senseless and ignorant;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />I was a brute beast before you.</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span>Yet I am always with you;<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />you hold me by my right hand.<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />You guide me with your counsel,<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />and afterward you will take me into glory.”</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.7;">You can be grieved.</span></div>
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You can be irritated.</div>
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You can be a beast before Him.</div>
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You can be brutally honest.</div>
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You can be being choked and suffocated by grief.</div>
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You can be mad as hell at God.</div>
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Yet, He is still there, holding you by your hand, leading you.</div>
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I think David tells us this as a way of saying, “you have permission.” But also to say, “you are not going to stay there.” The key word of that verse: afterward.</div>
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You move forward, into glory.</div>
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I have no doubt that the Lord has let me experience the “afterward” over the last thirteen years since losing my dad. But I think I need to stop and remember what the before was like too. I have run for a long time away from those dark moments. I think it is time that I untie the shoe strings for a little while and stop running. I think it is time to stop being Martha and just be Mary, sitting at His feet. Asking Him to give me the courage to go back. Asking for Him to blow the dust off some things and let me see what is all there. Ask Him because there are a lot of hurting people in the world that might never show up if someone doesn’t say they know about this thing called pain. I want people to show up, because if they show up I can ultimately tell them the same thing David told us… the afterward comes. He is still there.</div>
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I was talking to a friend last night about a women’s conference I am speaking at in November and he said, “there is a lot there Adria.” I didn’t really say anything in response but nodded like I agreed, when I was already doubting what he was saying. I told him I could remember everything that happened the day my dad died but the days after were such a blur but that I knew people needed to hear about those days. Driving home last night I prayed the the simplest little prayer: God bring it all back. I want it.</div>
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It terrifies me but the thought of someone not seeing Jesus just because I am unwilling terrifies me even more.</div>
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I think that is the place we have to get to. The place where pain doesn’t serve as the narrator of the story any more, telling us where we will go or not go, but instead is just a character. The place where you see that your wounds could be the healing ointment for someone else. The place where you are willing to go back just so that someone else can see that they are going to experience that “afterward.”</div>
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Pain, yeah its real. But healing, healing is real too.</div>
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The biggest part of going back is just being honest. Do not be afraid to say things you have so longed not dare to mumble. Honesty is attractive.</div>
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Friends, there is a lot there. A lot that you have to offer the world. It might take some work to uncover but I believe it is going to be worth it. Don’t think I am miles ahead of you on this one, I am not. I am just taking step one. But step one is the most important step.</div>
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Write the hard post.</div>
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Talk about the painful things.</div>
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Dig deeper.</div>
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Let your heart be wide open.</div>
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Be honest.</div>
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Take off the bulletproof vest.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am taking off mine.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-82636526026616588512016-08-12T10:26:00.001-07:002016-08-12T10:39:23.603-07:00Redefining Beautyperfection: the thing little girls write about in their journals. they find that one high school girl that passes them in the hallway that they so badly want to be, only to years later have the roles reversed. then they see that perfection looks a whole lot like emptiness and exhaustion. because perfection can never be obtained, it can only be strived for. it's a race that the world tells you to start running, all while the enemy is snickering behind your back because he knows you will never stop running. you never win. you never get to the finish line. perfection is only a silhouette that we endeavor.<br />
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people say, "beauty is pain," but we have misinterpreted those words. it is not starve yourself. it is not sleep with the boy. it is not workout until you are a size zero. it is not hold back the tears because cover girls don't ruin their makeup. but beauty is pain right? i think it is but not in that way.<br />
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it is the painful moments in life that take us like clay in the potters hand, sculpt us and refine us, but maybe leave unwanted scars. it is the doors that slam in our faces that redirect our paths back to him. it is us choosing to sing even when it hurts like hell. it is walking away from the friend group that is leading you astray. it is the imperfections that we have a hankering to get rid of. it is jesus on a cross, enduring pain like we will never know. did anyone watching at calvary think "this is beautiful?" not at all, but three days later beauty got redefined.<br />
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so beauty, it's usually the complete opposite of how we are defining it. we don't see what god sees. what we see is always being woven together for a greater story, proven at the cross. strive not for perfection. because perfection is a desert that never experiences grace raining down. and grace, grace is really beautiful.<br />
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jesus changed the script. maybe we can change the script of the younger girls diary entires. because right now they praise the image and can't see the light that shines deeper than eyes can find. they can't see, and part of it is our fault. we have blinded them with our deception. we don't have to be perfect. they don't have to be perfect. so for all the girls who are hurting and trying, let's point them to the right mirror, to see the real image. because once they see him, they can see themselves. created in his image. all of us.<br />
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[all the grammer mistakes and lack of capital letters is because of this was written on my phone on a bus ride to a volleyball game.]Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-24120201600855803092016-07-28T17:19:00.000-07:002016-07-28T18:20:55.193-07:00Picking up the Sword <style>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";"></span><span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";"></span><span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">She used few words, managing only to say “I don’t know.” But it
was written all over her face, she had a million thoughts running wild through
her mind. I thought to myself that maybe instead of interrupting the silence, I
should just let it linger a while longer, giving her time to realize she
actually knew more than she thought she did. I did this only because the place she
was sitting in is a place I sit a little too often. “I don’t know” is phrase that
has become residency for me. It is safe. Or I thought it was at least. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">The rest of that coffee date I said very little. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">You see, most of the time, “I don’t know” is really just a concealment
for the all the other words we have pushed deep down. The work to uncover
those words or feelings is so uncomfortable that instead of picking up the
shovel and starting to dig, we just add more to hide them. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">This is so applicable in so many areas of life, but sitting
in this little coffee shop on a Wednesday afternoon it was all about lies.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">She told me what was going on in her life and the couple things she was struggling with that she just could not break free from,
mostly self-worth. The first thing I asked her was why she felt the way she did
about herself. That is when she responded with the “I don’t know.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">We sat there for a solid five minutes just looking at each
other. Until a tear found its way down her cheek and then more followed. The
silence created the space for her to hear her own words. The ones she had
pushed so deep down. She picked up the shovel and started digging. She talked
and I just listened. She finally reached a stopping point and I asked another
question.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Are the things you saying
about yourself a lie or are they truth?”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">The thing about lies is you can never identity them in your
life if you do not have a concept of not just what truth is but WHO the Truth
is. [John 14:6] When someone points out the lies that we are believing in our
lives sometimes it is simply because we cannot identify them. If you are one of those
people pointing out the lies do not just tell them to not believe whatever it
is. Show them the truth because they clearly do not see it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">When you get to the point where you can identify the lies it
is solely because you know what the truth is. We have to get to a place where
when those moments come and Satan starts whispering in our ears we can refute
what he is saying with what God says. Jesus shows us the most beautiful example
of this in scripture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthew 4:1-11</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus is tested in the wilderness. Right before this Jesus had just been
baptized. He went straight from the water into the wilderness. He went from
total comfort to total conflict. He went from hearing the voice of heaven to
hearing the voice of hell. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus had just finished fasting for forty days and forty nights. It is
almost like Satan watched and waited for this moment. Do not think that Satan
does not come after good seasons or after spiritual awakenings. Because he
does. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The
approval of heaven does not dismiss you from the attack of hell. However, we
have a sword to fight back with…His Word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Satan asks Jesus a serious of questions and every time Jesus responded
with, “It is written.” He responded with the truth of what God says. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a way, when we are saved, and especially when we are baptized, THE Word
washes over you. In the wilderness, in the testing, the Word has to come out of
you. The Word is your weapon. Jesus responded to what Satan was saying with
truth because He knew what the truth was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">I think sometimes people read these post of mine and think
"she gets it" or "she has her act together." But I fall
into the same traps you do. I relapse just as often as next the person with my
sin. And I absolutely let Satan speak a little louder than he should sometimes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: chalkboard;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: chalkboard;">I've had a testing in the wilderness kind of week. I am
transitioning out of what was the most incredible Summer. I had the flexibility
with my work schedule to pretty much do whatever and whenever. Last minute
hangouts were happening all the time. I also had the space to do so much soul
searching and have grown so much spiritually. But I coach high
school volleyball and this week we started back, hello two-a-days. I am
also finishing up the last of my babysitting commitments. Everyday has been
slammed pack and every night I would get out my bible and my journal to spend
some time with the Lord, but this feeling of "Adria you are going to miss
Him" has taken off and it has consumed me. Life went from 0 mph to 95 mph and
I was terrified that I would not be able to have the same intimate moments with
the Lord that I did this Summer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">I was in the wilderness and Satan was asking me questions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">"You just spent time with the Lord but did you really
meet with Him?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">"You are so exhausted. Is He really going to bring you
rest?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";"></span><span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";"></span><span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At first, I fell right into it. I believed all of it. I did not identify
these lies. But then I went back to scripture and found the truth.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did you really meet with him?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Ask and it will be
given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
[Matthew 7:7]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">Is He really going to bring you rest?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Chancery"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." [Matthew 11:28]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">The lies are real, but
we have a way to identify them. We have a way to refute them. We have way to
fight back. We have truth. But it our choice
whether we want to or not. It is our choice how we will respond when those testing moments
in the wilderness come. Will it be with “It is
written” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'apple chancery'; font-size: 16pt;">A
sword will never do you any good in a battle if you do not pick it up and use
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Brennan Manning says, “when
the gospel of grace lands on us we live in truth and reality.” When we
understand grace, when we taste grace, it has a voice louder than anything
else. When we let grace do the talking we walk in freedom. We walk in truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I saw that to be true in my own life this week. Grace says there are no expectations. Grace says I love
every part of you. Grace says I (Truth) will always welcome you back even when
you go believe the lies. Grace says run free my child. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">But when we do not walk
in grace, those are the moments the lies start creeping in. Those are the
moments we pick up the crutches, our false support systems, and start hobbling
around. We hold ourselves up with the approval of this world, and the applause
of people, but we are barely standing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">It is time to get rid
of the crutches. It is time to stand upright in the freedom that His grace
brings. It is time to start identifying the lies. It is time to start seeking
truth. It is time to start talking back to Satan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Our conversation ended
in the coffee shop that day with her telling me she knew she needed to go back
to scripture to see what God said about her worth. She said to me, “Thank you for
everything.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I laughed a little
because I did not do a thing. I just asked her two questions. She knew more
than she thought she did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">She just needed to pick
up the shovel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Because once she picked
up the shovel she saw that she could pick up the sword too. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-17471137875437392392016-07-18T18:25:00.003-07:002016-07-18T20:38:06.656-07:00Front Porch Moment<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I remember it like it was
yesterday. A Thursday night, I had a math test the next day and had been up
studying. He knocked on the door, or more like banged. Mom had finally changed
the locks. My brother cupped his hands over his eyes as he tried to peer
through the window, thinking it would help, but he could not see. He had
not seen in a long time. He had been looking through a filter of red, that
seemed to be the only color his eyes were those days. There were no other
colors in the world to him anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">My brother was in the thick
of his drug addiction and my mom asked me what she should do. This was the first
night I ever experienced true darkness. I sat at the top of the steps and said
nothing. I was nineteen, I did not know what to tell her. But he knocked,
begged for us to let him in, and my mom looked at him through the window. They
say pictures are worth a thousand words but if someone would have stepped back
and flashed a snapshot of this moment I do not think it would have been a
thousand words. I think it would have just been five words: You are worth
fighting for. Those were the same five words she told my brothers day in and
day out when there were using.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Three years later and a
couple thousand miles away, the tables turned. I stood on a front porch and
knocked on a door. My brother opened the door and that night came back to me in
an instant. I did not realize why at first but as he welcomed us into his home,
I was slow to find words because I did not realize until that moment how much
me and my brother were alike that night all those years ago. I was fresh out of
high school with not a clue what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go:
searching, and so was he. We were just looking in different places. I went to
church and he went to the pawn shop to pawn whatever he had left. Just to get
enough money to pop one more pill. What broke me in that moment was the
realization that from the outside I was the one in the family that always
looked like I had it all together, but I had been just as lost. That night, my
brother knew exactly who he was. He was an addict. But who was I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I was judgmental of him. I
was resentful of him. I was ashamed of him. There was so much sin taking root
and growing in my heart towards the situation/him, but I would not dare admit
that, for that would require me to take a look at myself. That would have
required me to admit that I really was no better than he was, because sin was
running rapid in my life too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Yes, I stood inside the
house and he stood outside of it, but it is very clear to me that we can be
inside the house and still miss it. Still get it wrong. Sometimes the people
outside of the house are way better off than us who are in because they are not
naïve about where they are, who they are. My brother wasn’t but I was. It is
this “holier than thou” mentality we christians are so guilty of taking on but
so oblivious to when we do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I can’t help but think
about this truth in the midst of all that is happening in our nation right now.
Maybe the issue is not just with those outside of the house. Maybe the issue is
also with us inside. Where are we going wrong? Where are we missing it? What is
our part in this? We love to take a step back and point a judgmental finger in
the direction of the protestors and the police men, but we are slow to stop and
ask ourselves how many fruits of the spirit we have been cultivating. Because
in the end, everything the world needs right now is simply the fruits of the
Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness,
faithfulness, and self-control. Scripture makes it very clear we will never
bear the fruits of the Spirit if there is any bit of self or as Paul would say
“flesh.” [Romans 8]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I have been fascinated by
the story in Matthew 8 when Jesus heals the man with leprosy. Oh how we can
learn from this man. He comes to Jesus, kneels down, and says in verse 2,
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This man, the one who was
outcasted, disgusting to see, and looked down upon by everyone is the very one
who got it right when it came to approaching Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">First: he knelt. Our words
show belief, but so do our actions. He postured himself in the manner that he
knew was needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Second: his uses the words
“if you are willing.” The man saw and realized that Jesus did not have to heal
him. He did not approach Him demanding but simply asking. He was bold to ask
for what he wanted but saw that ultimately it came down to if it was something
Jesus wanted to give him or not. His will, His way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Third: he says “you can.”
Before Jesus did anything the man was full of belief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">We can come to Jesus with
the desires of our hearts. We can boldly ask for what it is we want. We can
stand full of belief that He is able to do/give what we pray for, but if we
never reach that point where like the leper we say, “if you are willing,” then
we are missing it. If we never reach that place, it us saying that what we know
that what we ask for is what we need. It is us saying we are entitled to it.
Above all, it is us not submitting to God’s authority. It is us saying we just
want it our way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">I think this story is such
another reminder that those of us who look like we have it all together might
just very well be the ones who are missing it the most. The man with leprosy
got it. My brother, in active addiction, knew exactly where he was/who he was
and his wrongs. But me, I missed it big time that night all those years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Last week, I stood on the
front porch looking into my brother’s eyes. He sees life in color again. Of
course, I cried, but it washed away a perspective that needed to go. It washed
away how I saw people and life. My brother is not the only one who needed a
change of eye sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Church, yes we are inside
the house. But we cannot let ourselves go to the place where we think that the
problem is only with those outside. We cannot let ourselves go to the place
where just because we appear to be the ones who have it all together that we do
not stop to check ourselves. We cannot point fingers at all the wrong in the
world and say “oh God have mercy on them” without individually saying
“God have mercy on me.” Because whether we realize it or not, us insiders
are not doing as great as we think we are. Oh how we need His grace, every
single one of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "chalkboard";">Today, take a step back
from looking at all that is happening outside of where you are and take a hard
look at what is happening inside of you. If I had to guess, you will probably
have a front porch moment like I did. Welcome the moment. It will change you
for the better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-42041271910098714962016-06-17T06:20:00.003-07:002016-06-17T06:38:39.080-07:00Father's Day<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Today was nothing out of the ordinary. I drove to the
city to babysit, something I do 2-3 times a week, if not more. But what is
usually episodes of Curious George and toy trucks turned into “can we do a
craft for Father’s Day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see, I was already struggling. As hard as it is for
me to admit that, I was/am. Every year the week of Father’s Day rolls around
and I go into this funk. I become so unresponsive, unreceptive, and
uninterested in almost anything. I grow numb. It lasts a couple days and then I
am fine, but it happens, and I never say anything to anybody. So when two kids
ask you to help them make a Father’s Day present it is a painful shot to a wound
that has already been wide open this week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I am trying to be as honest. Honest not only to whomever
might read this, but honest with myself. Somewhere along the way I adopted this
visual in my head: I am standing at a stop sign, and to the left is the road named
“I am okay” and to the right is the road “I am not okay”. There is no middle ground;
I have to choose and once I do I tell myself that I have to stay on that road.
I tell myself that it’s a one way, and you can’t ever go the other way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Loss is painful. Father’s Day is the hardest day of the
year for me. When a six-year-old little boy asks me to help him make a card for
his dad it hurts. For too long people have made this bold assertion that “time
heals things.” I do not believe that. Jesus heals things, and the concept of
time does not apply to Jesus, so it is not time that we need, it is just Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">But yet, I find myself starring at the reflection of myself
in the mirror saying, “you have done this before. It has been almost 14 years. Be
okay.” And when I start falling into the thought of “maybe I am not okay” I let
myself believe the lie that since so much time has passed, if I tell people I
am struggling they will think I am just doing it for sympathy, or for
attention. I create these expectations for myself that people need me to talk
about the goodness of the Lord on the days that are obviously hard. Which do
not get me wrong, Jesus is still good. I still believe that, but it does not
negate the fact sometimes you want to wish away where you are at. It does not
negate the fact that no matter how much time has passed, you can wake up in the
morning wishing it could all be undone. It does not negate the fact that although
Jesus so faithfully let drops of healing rain down on you that still have
moments where it hurts like hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I think that’s where I have gotten it all wrong. You do
not have to choose a road. You do not have to be one extreme or the other. You
do not have to be fresh off a loss, whatever form that loss might be, to have
the right to struggle. Loss breaks you, Jesus pieces the broken things back
together, takes the ashes and transforms them into beauty, but loss also leaves
an imprint on you. The things that imprint us affect us not just in that moment
but forever. You can be okay one second and the next not. You can be spiritually
growing, in the word, and actively pursuing the Lord and there is still freedom
for you to stop and just be honest. To say to yourself that it hurts, and to
say to a hurting world that they are allowed to hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I love the story of
Ruth. I love the example she sets for women, but I also love another character
in the story, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, because it addresses this concept of
loss. Naomi loses both of her sons and her husband, and she is brutally honest
with how she feels (Ruth 1:20-21). She states that the grief she has faced is
too great, and she feels forsaken by the Lord. This paints a picture for us
today, a picture that says we can be honest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Ruth 1:14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"…at this they wept aloud again," <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">They wept….
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">It doesn’t
matter if it is year 20 and you find yourself sitting in your car with tears
streaming down your face. It doesn’t matter if it is a normal day and you just
have a moment. You have the complete freedom to weep, and then to weep again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Though
there was weeping, the direction in which they wept is what truly matters. Ruth
and Naomi wept, but they wept forward. You do not have to choose one road
to walk down, you can be not okay, or you can be okay, but you have to keep
putting one foot in front of the other. You cannot let the weeping stop you -
do not let it stop you from continuing to pursue the Lord. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I babysit for the same family every week. I am there so much
that I have caught on and can tell what the baby’s cry means. I know when it’s
a fake cry. I know when it’s a “I want more food’ cry. I know when it’s a “just
pick me up” cry. I think about the fact that a parent knows their child’s cry
way better than a babysitter does. A father knows their child’s cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "apple chancery"; font-size: 24.0pt;">A Father knows their child’s cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">That is
the thought that I am pounding into my heart this Father’s Day. The thought
that I still have a father who hears me. A father who </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">sees my tears and hears them. A father that
knows exactly what they mean and knows exactly what I need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">He will turn your mourning into dancing, but
He allows you step off the dance floor. But just know, He never stops playing
the music. Tune back in when you are ready. So today, cry all the tears, wipe
them, feel them, but don't let them stop you. It is possible to cry and walk at
the same time. Walk straight down whatever road you need to be on today. Jesus
will meet you right where you are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">A girl who took a dance
break today<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-15097836597023654742016-06-14T09:57:00.001-07:002016-06-14T09:58:11.939-07:00Get Up. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">[Mark 2:1-12]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard
that he had come home. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>They gathered in such
large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and
he preached the word to them. <b><sup>3 </sup></b>Some men came,
bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Since
they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in
the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was
lying on. <b><sup>5 </sup></b>When Jesus saw their faith, he said to
the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Now some teachers of the law were sitting
there, thinking to themselves, <b><sup>7 </sup></b>“Why does this
fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">8 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that
this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why
are you thinking these things? <b><sup>9 </sup></b>Which is easier:
to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up,
take your mat and walk’? <b><sup>10 </sup></b>But I want you to know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he
said to the man, <b><sup>11 </sup></b>“I tell you, get up, take your
mat and go home.” <b><sup>12 </sup></b>He got up, took his mat and
walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying,
“We have never seen anything like this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">If I had to guess, you have heard this story before. You
were told how you needed to be a friend that would be willing to carry someone to Jesus, or something along those lines, which is great, but not the angle
I am looking at this story today. I have been reading this passage over and
over lately and wondering how it could be applicable to not just a room full of high
school students, but for those of us who are in an “older” season of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Usually when I write these blog post I take a very personal
angle. I somehow tie in what has been going on in my life with the hopes to
encourage you, but that is not the route I am going today. I want to challenge
you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Here is the layout. Jesus comes into town and goes to a
house, a lot of people believe that this house belonged to Peter. People start
showing up. All Jesus did was sit down in a house and people showed up to hear
what He had to say. Why? Because when the Lord’s presence is resting in a
place, people show up. Because when the Lord’s presence is resting in a place
people show up with expectation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Then the paralyzed man comes on the scene and the first
thing Jesus tells the man is “Son, your sins are forgiven.” I found it a little
odd at first that the first thing Jesus did was this and not heal his
paralysis. If I was this man and was in this situation I would thought that it is great that my sins are forgiven but I came with the hopes to be healed of my paralysis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see, the man’s paralysis was the fruit and the man’s
sins was the root. How often do we come with Jesus thinking we know what the
problem is? Jesus I do not have any friends, Jesus I get in arguments all the
time, Jesus I am not content, etc etc. In a way these things serve as our own paralysis
and effect our walk with the Lord. We think we know what the problem is and we
go to Him and ask for a solution/healing. The paralyzed man went to Jesus
thinking that if he could walk again then all would be okay. But Jesus was
telling him, you think you know the issue but you do not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You have to deal with the root before you deal with the
fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I think when we come to Jesus with eager expectation and He
does not do what we expected, it is because He wants us to have a revelation
about who He is. The man came expectant to be healed of his paralysis, and
although Jesus did eventually do that, it was not what He did first. He wanted
the man to have a revelation. He wanted him to see that He was in fact Lord. That
thought challenges/convicts me so much: when I go to Jesus with expectations of
what I want Him to do and He does not do it I usually just get mad and miss the
fact that He is trying to show me something about Himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">After Jesus did this, forgave the man his sins, the “teachers
of the law” also known as the scribes started calling Jesus a blasphemer,
because by forgiving the man’s sins He was calling himself God. When really
they were the ones who were blaspheming, by calling him a blasphemer. Not just
the scribes, but us too.....we love to attack the things in other people that are
actually in us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Eventually Jesus tells the man “get up and take your mat
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This is it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The man had heard the word spoken. Not only the word, but
THE word Himself. When Jesus could have picked him up off the mat and set him
on his two feet, He didn’t, but instead He told him to do something. He told
him to get up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I think that is where a lot of us are today. We have
heard the word. We do not need another sermon. We do not need another face to
face conversation with someone encouraging us through whatever we are
struggling with. We do not need another conference. We just need to get up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Too many of us are laying on our mats waiting for Jesus
to pick us up when He told us to get up a long time ago. We have heard the word
and we need to respond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">This is what I love though, after all this Jesus tells
the man to take his mat with him. If I was this man I would have thought to myself,
“nahh Jesus I have had that thing for long enough, I am good without it.” But
Jesus told the man to take the mat with him as a reminder of what Jesus had
done and as a reminder of what he got up from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Maybe your mat is depression. Maybe your mat is insecurity.
Maybe your mat is loneliness. Maybe your mat is the wrong life style. So many
of us want to get up and walk away from our “mat” and never carry it with us
again. But Jesus is saying, take it with you. It will serve as representation
of me and all that I am able to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The story ends with the man getting up and walking home,
but I like to think about the events that unfolded after. I imagine that the
man goes home, his kids are waiting for him at the door, shouting to their mom
to come see. I imagine his wife standing in the doorway seeing her husband
walking for the first time and being amazed, and I imagine the man saying to
her, “you do not even see the real miracle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We have to stop being so concerned with the fruit and
look at the root --- </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We have to stop being so set on having whatever it is removed from us as the thing that is the most important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We have to see that what Jesus does in forgiving our sins
is so much greater than any mat He could tell us to get up front. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We have to stop waiting for Jesus to do something that we
could have done a long time ago if we would just respond to what He has already
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Today, let us finally get up from our mats. Let us
respond to the word/truth we have already heard. Let us deal with the root and
not just the fruit. Let us never forget that Jesus forgiving our sins is the
greatest healing that we could ever receive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-76072760592788109552016-05-26T20:09:00.001-07:002016-05-27T11:54:38.359-07:00Are You Willing To Sit In Traffic?<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Somewhere we went wrong.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br>
<br>
<span style="background: white;">It is like sitting in traffic and having your
GPS tell you that you are going the right way, but your flesh takes over
(Romans 8) and you decide you want to get off, go and find another route that
doesn't have traffic and you end up getting lost or taking an even longer way
home. This is all because we are not capable to sit through something that is
not enjoyable.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="background: white;">We have taken this mentality and applied it in
so many areas of our lives. Whether it is the hard conversations with friends,
where we choose texting instead of face-to-face encounters. Whether it be never
following up with that person we told we would get dinner with so many times. Whether it is not asking for forgiveness but instead letting time cover it up. But above all it is the spiritual aspects of our life we have let it stick
to. </span><br>
<br>
<span style="background: white;">If it not enjoyable, if it requires us to put in
work, if it requires us to give of ourselves, or even deeper to see the
wrongful things of ourselves, we do not want it. If is not entertaining, we act
as if there is a do not enter sign flashing and we walk the other way. </span><br>
<br>
<span style="background: white;">I think so many times people view life and the
church like one of those <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s96XdnN6bNE">Passage Malibu</a> rehab commercials. I remember the first
time I saw one of the commercials, and thinking if that is what rehab is like I
want to go. The beach, the swimming pools, all the glitz and the glam, it was
appealing to the eye. But if you know anything about rehab, it is not glitz and
glam. Both of my brothers have been, and they would tell you that is the farthest
thing from what it is, but they would also tell you it was still worth it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"><br></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">I
cannot think of better correlation than this. With the hopes to draw people in,
Passage Malibu has beautified a place that should not need to be beautified. Rehab
centers are a place for you to get help, for you to find yourself once again, and
for you to break free from the sin that is entangling you. If you want what it
has to offer, you have to make the choice to want to go. It is hard, it is
painful, but you can find freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That is the church these days, and by church I
mean places we gather. We beautify it with the hopes of appealing to those on
the outside. We beautify it to draw people in. Yes, the church has so much
offer, but at some point people have to make the choice to want it. They have
to make the choice to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We do not have to beautify the church. We do not
have to advertise how we can entertain you if you come. What the church has to
offer is already beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A.W Tozer says, “Some go to church looking for
consolation. We are encouraged to go to church to find peace and consolation.
But the church is not a place to find consolation; it is a place to hear the
gospel preached so you can find salvation. A big difference exists between
being consoled and being saved. A man can find consolation and end up finally
in hell. A man can be under blistering, terrifying conviction, get converted,
and go finally to heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I like to think Tozer is saying, “hey sometimes
just because it's enjoyable, easy, and looks good to everyone does not mean it
is the most beneficial.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do not get me wrong, I believe fully in inviting
people to church, and the importance of them finding Jesus, but I just think
that we have moved to far on the spectrum to “feel good” messages and enjoyable
moments, and because of it this mentality has manifested into our culture,
into our friendships, into our work ethics, etc. etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do we want to be people that are never willing to
sit in the traffic?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do we want to be people that only want to go to the
places like Passages of Malibu because they look good?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do we want consolation or salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14pt;">Or</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do we want to be people that just want to
experience Jesus?</span><br>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px;">Life is full of hard moments, but do not ever think that Jesus is not in those hard moments. Sometimes it is in those hard moments that you experience him the most. I know I have. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px;">Conviction is not the best feeling in the world but the after taste of grace that comes with it is. </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18.6667px;">Lets be people who are willing to sit in the traffic sometimes.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-67946700329612519952016-05-02T06:57:00.002-07:002016-05-02T09:03:53.174-07:00God of Comfort<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is a first for me. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Grabbing my computer when it
is nearly midnight, but I can’t sleep, so I thought maybe I should just write.
Write because my heart is exploding with so many emotions. Write because the Spirit has been stirring in me all week and I have to try to take my thoughts
and piece them together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is one of the hardest posts I have ever
written because I know exactly what I want to say, but I do not know how to say
it. I am just trusting that the Holy Spirit will show up like God’s word promises
in Romans 8, intervene, and paint words onto this page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This past week, as most of you know, there
was a tragic accident where four UGA students lost their lives, and one is still
in critical condition. I did not personally know these girls, but all week long
I have been a mess. My heart has been so heavy for their families and friends. I
did not know them, but hearing about their lives and how they lived has
inspired and challenged me all week long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Earlier this week a ministry out in Texas
found me on Instragram and reached out about me writing a piece for their
yearly advent book they put out every year. I happily agreed, and they sent me
an email with the details and assigned me a word that they wanted my post to
focus on: comforter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What is a comforter? What does it mean to
comfort someone? How does Jesus possess the quality of being a comforter? All
questions that skipped through my mind throughout this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we
share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds
through Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Paul lays it out for us. It is not will God
comfort us? It is not will God show up in our troubles? It is PRAISE be to God
who is the God of all comfort. It is PRAISE be to God who comforts us in all of
our troubles. You do not praise someone for something they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>might</u></i> do. You praise someone for what they have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>already </u></i>done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Another translation says “the father of
mercies.” </span><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "calibri";">It seems better,
however, to take the words more literally, as stating that God is the </span><u><span style="background: #fdfeff; font-family: "calibri";"><i>originator</i></span></u><u><span style="background: #fdfeff; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></u><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "calibri";">of all mercies, the source from which they flow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "calibri";">I cried a lot of
tears this week, tonight especially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
I think those tears washed away a perspective and gave me a new one, a new
awakening. Driving home after church I could not help but think about thirteen
almost fourteen years ago when my family stood in the midst of death and
looking at where we are now and seeing not just the faithfulness of God but the
comfort. I wish I could say that in the middle of the hard times I was aware of
all that the Lord was doing but I wasn’t. I am now learning that there is
beauty in being honest. There is beauty in being real with a world that needs
you to be honest with them. There is beauty in saying, “as obvious as it might
have been I missed it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #fdfeff; font-family: "calibri";">I did, I missed it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed the fact that in the darkest days,
God was still the God of all comfort. I missed the fact that in the sea of
grief, God was still the originator of all mercies. We pray for Him to be those
things to us. We pray for God to be a comforter, we pray for Him to bring
mercies, but He already is. I knew this is who He was but my circumstance
blinded me to the truth, just as it so often does to us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #fdfeff; font-family: "calibri";">Paul says “praise be to Him.” He
was the God of all comfort all those years ago when Paul wrote this letter to
the church of God in Corinth. He was the God of all comfort thirteen years ago
when my dad died. He was the God of all comfort in some of my darkest days.
Today, He is still the God of all comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We pray for Him to be something, and Paul
says we should just praise Him because He already is. He is already everything
we need Him to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By watching the community of UGA this week
rally together, I am seeing how they are taking Paul’s words, “</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">God who comforts us in all our troubles, so that
we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from
God,” and applying them. In old English, the word comfort can be used as a noun
or a verb, but in both cases there is an implied meaning of “strengthen.” That
is exactly what those students are doing. I read about the prayer nights and
the worship songs people are singing all around campus. They are strengthening
their campus by proclaiming Jesus. They are strengthening each other by
speaking out the hope we have in Him. They are comforting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">But more than that, Agnes
Kim, </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Kayla Canedo,
Brittany Feldman, Christina Semeria, and Halle Scott are all comforting us
because every single one of them is strengthening us. Strengthening us because
their lives proclaimed Jesus, pointed to Him, and are still pointing us to Him.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">It is a chain
of events. God comforts us. We comfort others. But this only happens by realizing,
understanding, and seeing Jesus is a God who comforts, not just sometimes but
all the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">I miss it
sometimes. I miss being able to see how the Lord was the God of comfort then
just as He is now. But I will never miss it again. Instead I’ll praise Him.
Because yesterday, today, and tomorrow He will never change. I have tasted and
seen the God of comfort and now I can go be comfort to someone else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">No
circumstances get to blind us from the truth anymore. Tears don’t just have to
cloud our vision, but they can instead be the very thing that make us see
clearly. It is the truths we stamp on our hearts day in and day out that become
the foundation we stand on when things are falling apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Remind
yourself as often as you need: He is a God of comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Remind
yourself so that you don’t ever miss it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To Agnes Kim, </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Kayla Canedo, Brittany Feldman, Christina Semeria, and
Halle Scott:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Thank you.
Thank you for giving me eyes to see something I have needed to see for a long
time. Thank you for living in such a way you were/are able to teach me something
although we never met. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Heaven will
be a more crowded place because of these girls, but heaven can be even more crowded
because of you. Ask Jesus for the eyes to see Him for who He is, and for eyes to be
able to see Him as who He is even in the darkest days. Then go and proclaim it.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri"; letter-spacing: 0.15pt;">Friends, take
heart. You do not have to ask for Him to be a comforter, He already is. Praise
Him. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-64572708112785046992016-04-22T15:02:00.003-07:002016-04-23T09:19:44.527-07:00Jesus isn't Prince.<div class="MsoNormal">
I am the type of person that when I get a certain thought it
consumes me. It starts dancing in my mind and it sets itself on repeat all
throughout the day, even to the point where I can’t sleep. Whether that is a
good think or a bad thing I am not sure, but I guess that is just how the
Lord wired me. I analyze things and process things so deeply. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have not heard, Prince died yesterday. I will be
honest with you, I know maybe three Prince songs, but that doesn’t negate the
fact the world shifted a little yesterday. The radio stations have been talking
nonstop about his greatness, and playing his music. The headlines blew up, and twitter exploded with so many people paying their respects and expressing
how sad they were to hear the news. This morning I was getting my haircut, scrolling through the iTunes charts and was blown away. Prince has
dominated the charts. I guess people went crazy and started buying all of his
music again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am talking the #1 through
the #25 spot were all Prince. Stay with me, I promise I am getting somewhere. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then it hit me. Why do we do this?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When was the last time the radio played a Prince song? When
was the last time his songs topped the itunes chart? He was an incredible
musician no doubt, but he was old news to most. People want the latest and
greatest, so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>it takes something “bad” for
people to revisit what they once knew to be great. <o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do this with Jesus. More often than we think. It is as if
we find Him, we enjoy Him for the time being, and when something “better” comes
along or He becomes “old news” He manifests into an afterthought. We treat Him like an
artist. We like his music, but a couple weeks from now we won’t be listening to
it, and we will not revisit Him until something bad happens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Somewhere along the drive, we tossed Jesus out of the window
and kept on driving, and it isn’t until something falls apart, or something
happens that leaves us devastated and in question that we pull the car over and
try to find Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>It isn’t until something bad happens that we revisit what we
once knew.</b></i> It isn’t until then He gets to top the charts in our lives again. We will
gladly, and easily give Him back that #1 spot, but on a chart that is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“who is to blame.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People who have so far
removed Jesus from their vocabulary will in an instant shout out, “why did God
do this?” But more than that, people who are Jesus followers do this too. They
claim to love the Lord but they have a back up plan stored somewhere, just in
case He doesn’t pan out. They live in a game of tug of war, being pulled back
and forth between plan A and plan B, but when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>bad</b> </i>things happen they let go of the rope and fall right back into
Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me clarify, there is grace for when we stray. There is
always a “welcome home” mat waiting at the door for us, and a seat at the
table. But somewhere along the way we have to stop treating Jesus like an
artist that used to be popular. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this is the mindset we are living in then we do not
really love Him. <i><b>Because if this is the
mindset we are living in, we are basing our love for Him off of what He does and
not who He is.</b> </i>People loved Prince, but they did not really know Prince.
They loved him for his music. As soon as he wasn’t making new music, people
were not as concerned with him. It was all about what he was doing/giving them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have not been able to shake this thought all day. The
thought that: I don’t get to base my love for Jesus off what He does or doesn’t
do. I don’t get to turn my back when He does something I don’t understand, and
I don’t get to praise Him just when I think things are good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am reading a book right now and the common thread being
weaved throughout the whole story is: stop performing to earn someone’s love.
Just be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, we want someone to love us not for what we do,
but for who we are. So why don’t we do this with the Lord? Let us not base our
love for Him off what He does for us, or off how we think He is performing. We
have to be madly in love with who He is. If we root ourselves in that place,
when things happen, it will not let our love for Him swerve. Yes, hard times
are going to come. Yes, we are going to sometimes question His plans, but from
our lips will still come praise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
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<br>
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<span style="background: white;">"And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.</span> " [Romans 8:28]</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All things work together for the good of those who love him.
To love Him, to really love Him, is to choose Him, every second of every day.
It is to let Him hold a constant spot on the chart at #1. It is to let Him
dominate the headlines of your life day in and day out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br></div>
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I don’t want to treat Jesus like people are treating Prince.
I don’t want to treat Jesus like a “used to be popular musician.” I don’t want
to just play His music when things are bad, and I don’t want to just play His
music because I finally revisited it and realized how great it was again. I
want His music to be the soundtrack that I dance to day in and day out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br></div>
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He is good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is constant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is grace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He could never <i><b>do</b> </i>anything for us again, and we would still
have a million reasons to be in love with who He <b><i>is</i>.</b> Cause in the end, Jesus isn’t a
prince. He is a King, and a King doesn’t get to be treated the same way a prince does. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-52399525907679513782016-04-01T16:22:00.002-07:002016-04-01T18:07:18.827-07:00Roadblocks<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have hit some roadblocks these last couple
months. Some are roadblocks that I placed myself and some satan did, but I
think sometimes satan gets a little to much credit. We like to blame him for a
lot of things that really are not his doing, but our own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Roadblock #1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Fear<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I had a friend tell me the other day, “Adria
you are like the most spiritual person I know. You always know what to say and
you like know the bible.” Side note: classic girl, using the word “like” a
million times in a sentence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have created this expectation on myself to
be this never ending well of wisdom that always has the right answer, and I
have created this expectation of myself to be the “perfect” Christian, but from
that the fear of struggling has taken root in my heart and silence has been the
water that has allowed it to flourish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What was/is so convicting to me is that in
the past I would freely write about the pain and struggles running through my
family, because I knew it is what people related the most to. The ability to
relate to someone’s struggles is what builds your ministry. But when it comes
to my person struggles, no way, that is off limits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What will people think of me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Will they question if I really love Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Will they still think I am wise?<br />
Will they think I am a failure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But I did not want to be like the leaders that
were full of belief but never said anything because, “when push came to shove
they cared more about human approval than God’s glory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 12:43)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The thing about fear it has never gotten
anyone anywhere. I have been praying that God would give me the words and then
I would step out in faith and write them down, but God wanted me to step out in
faith first, then He would give me the words. Sometimes faith just looks like
willingness. Today I finally became willing, and what do you know the words
started unfolding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Roadblock #2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Shame<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Another thing about fear is that it manifests
and births into so many other things in us. I think some of us are naive to
think we deal with shame, I was, but I have learned, silence speaks shame. My
unwillingness to come to this blank page and write these things down said shame
louder than anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Roadblock #3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Loneliness<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Being a stay at home college student is HARD.
My instagram does a good job of creating a facade that loneliness is the
farthest thing from what I am, but that is just me operating out of that fear
and shame and doing whatever I can to mask that struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Let me clarify I have friends, plenty, and
they are all amazing, but they are also all scattered all over the place in
different colleges so a lot of times the quietness turns into a loud anthem of
lies of loneliness. But I also have not been willing to try to build new
community with people around me, until this week. Praise the Lord for community
groups at church and the amazing group of girls I met. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am not alone. I never have been, but that
does not mean I have not struggled with the thought that I am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Roadblock #4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Striving<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is the biggest one right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was texting back and forth with a mentor of
mine this week about how I do not know how to operate when I do not have a
to-do list or a million things planned. She reminded me that I was asking God
for a “doing” attitude and not a “being” attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She said, “you can still be (rest, rely on,
abide) while you’re busy doing Kingdom things, so it’s not all or nothing. But
it all starts from coming from a place of just <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">being</b> a daughter of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Romans 8:19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“For the creation waits in eager expectation
for the children of God to be revealed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To be a child of God is the sweetest place to
live from, all of creation has acknowledged that by waiting to see who made the
list. Good news, we all made the list if we chose we want to be on the list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I felt like I was failing because I was not
scheduled out and following that schedule, but that is not the case at all. I
have also seen just in this week alone that more refining has happened than it
has in a long time, and that is because I had the space and the quietness to
hear and see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Because I am just now learning how to operate
from that place of being and not doing, I strive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I have struggled the past couple months with
my weight, not because I do not think I am beautiful or because I am insecure,
but simply because struggling with my weight gives me something to strive for. What
is my goal this week? How many miles can I run today? Striving. Striving.
Striving. The more we strive the more focused we become on ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Trust me when I say that this post is one of
the hardest ones I have ever had to write, it is not an easy task to put your
flaws out there for the world to see, but I think of Lazarus. Lazarus was dead,
I don’t think there is a greater struggle you can reach than that. We know the story;
Jesus brought him back to life, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
what we/ I miss is that people came from near and far to see what Jesus had
done. They wanted to see how Jesus took Lazarus struggle and breathed new life
into him. From that people believed, so many people believed to the point the
Chief priest wanted Lazarus dead. He was a threat to Satan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">John 12:9-11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">"Meanwhile a large
crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him
but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";"> </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as
well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and
believing in him."</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I want to be like Lazarus. I want to write
and tell about my struggles so that people can see how Jesus breathed new life
into me. I want people to believe in Jesus because they have seen how by Him
and Him alone I have been able to push the gas pedal and drive through the
roadblocks. I want to be a threat to Satan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was out running today and had this
epiphany. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Hebrews 12:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">"And let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">When running a race,
most of the time you are always trying to do something. Whether it is run the
whole time, set a PR, or even to win. You are striving. But with Jesus, the
race He wants us to run, we start off as already being the winners. There is
nothing we have to strive for. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Run from a
place of knowing you are already crowned with victory, you do not have to do
anything to make it onto to the podium. You do not have to strive; you just have
to know that you are already a winner. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I will not tell you that overnight I have
driven through the roadblocks, but I am getting there. I am driving a little
faster, and becoming not so willing to pump the breaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Friends, no matter how good anyone’s life
looks, they too have something they are struggling with. Be encouraged by that.
Nobody is perfect, and you do not have to be either. By admitting you are a
mess it gives the Potter the chance to take the sloppy piece of clay and spin
it into the masterpiece He is longing for it to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Be a Lazarus. Let your struggles point people
to Jesus. Give yourself the freedom to be a mess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Still learning, but still driving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A messy piece of clay that is resting in the
hands of the Potter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-79758653418443037242016-01-13T10:34:00.001-08:002016-01-13T10:51:42.776-08:00An Open Thank You Letter to Sadie Robertson: For Every Teenage GirlWhether we want to admit it or not, when we were teenagers, in high school, we always had that person in the "spotlight" that we looked up to. We stalked them on google, or now on instagram. But I think as the years go by teenagers are becoming more and more obsessed with this idea. Girls are not just trying to be "like" someone, they are trying to be them. <br />
<br />
With the ever changing society, the standards girls are trying to meet are becoming more and more unrealistic. They scroll through instagram and measure themselves by how many followers they have or by how closely they are resembling Kylie Jenner. (Disclaimer: I have nothing against Kylie Jenner). Girls have adopted this idea that to be seen is everything. They look to the people that are seen greatly, celebrities, and they slowly begin to take off the layers and try to remake themselves to fit what the world deems acceptable. <br />
<br />
Over Christmas break I had a sleepover with the group of girls I did a bible study with last year. They had just finished their first semester of college and I was so excited to see how they were all doing. I asked them the question, "what has been the greatest struggle since starting college?<br />
<br />
The answers varied but the common thread pulled throughout was drinking. But what I found so interesting is that the ones that were struggling with it admitted that they found no enjoyment in it. So I asked them why.<br />
<br />
With eyes full of tears, a 19 year old looked at me and said, "because it's what everyone else does."<br />
<br />
That's it. <br />
<br />
Everyone else does it. <br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
We want to be like everyone, because that gives us an excuse to not find ourselves. <br />
<br />
We want to be seen but we don't want to be known. <br />
<br />
We want to blend in and not stand out.<br />
<br />
When Adam and Eve realized they were naked in the garden it was them realizing they were vulnerable, so they hid. This is exactly what we do. In our brokenness, in our sin, in our fear, when it comes to showing our true selves, we grab the fig leaves and hide.<br />
<br />
"<span class="text Gen-3-7" id="en-NIV-63">Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked;<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-63J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-63J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." Genesis 3:7<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-63K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-63K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span><br />
<br />
Girls, you don't have to be like anybody else. You don't have to look just like the girl on the cover of the magazine. You don't have to spend a summer in Africa doing mission work. You don't have to be in a relationship. Just be you, it's exactly what the world needs. <br />
<br />
Put down the fig leaves, and let yourself be really seen. Every insecurity. Every doubt. Every mistake. Every Fear. Jesus, wants to see it. <br />
<br />
We have it all backwards. It is not about just being seen. It's about being known. Maybe you aren't a spiritual person, in that case, Jesus aside, the world can never know you if you don't allow them to see YOU. <br />
<br />
The real you. <br />
Not the you who is trying to be just like everyone else. <br />
<br />
Sadie Robertson says it best, "live original."<br />
<br />
Original: created directly and personally by a particular artist; not a copy or imitation: <br />
<br />
When I was in high school I wish I had someone like Sadie Robertson to look up to. Not afraid to stand out, she operates with simplicity and modesty staying true to who she is, and what she believes. With a million eyes watching, she dares to be different.<br />
<br />
I know, sometimes we hold back because we fear what people will think. What will your friends say? How will they respond? Be encouraged by Sadie who does it knowing that the whole world is watching.<br />
<br />
You will never influence the world by trying to be like it. <br />
<br />
Sadie, thank you. Thank you for standing up. Thank you for being a beacon of light for young girls to look to. Thank you for making the message of your life first and foremost Jesus, but also to live original.<br />
<br />
Today, remember that you don't have to be like anyone else. Put the layers back on. Be you.<br />
<br />
Be someone that in the years to come is someone that a teenage girl can look up to. You could be the next Sadie Robertson But you have to be willing to just be you. You have to have the courage to say no to this idea of imitation. <br />
<br />
I don't care what the world says, you have the freedom to be exactly who you are. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-78748135791883157972015-11-03T17:59:00.002-08:002015-11-04T06:46:43.758-08:00Coming Soon<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Last
year I had the incredible privilege of leading a group of senior girls in a
ten-week bible study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going in I had no
idea what to expect, and to be honest I had no idea what I was even doing, but
I went for it. Those nights, in a little cabin, exceeded anything I could have
ever been able to imagine. Some nights consisted of pushing these girls way
outside of their comfort zones, and some nights consisted of pushing myself way
outside my own comfort zone. But one thing was for sure, every week all of us
walked away changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But one
night specifically changed me forever, and as I look back on it now, it was in
that moment that a little dream was starting to grow in my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I was
doing a spend the night babysitting gig one Sunday when I got a text that one
of the girls in our group had just found out her mom had passed away from
alcoholism. Words fall short in those moments but I sent her a text that just
said, “I’m here.” Her response was “Thank you Adria. I will see you Tuesday at
bible study.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At first
I was shocked, two days after her mom passes away and she wants to come to
bible study. What am I suppose to say? What are we supposed to talk about that
night? Tuesday rolled around and I knew there was nothing I could say, there
was no scripture I could give her, and there was no song I could play, so we
dedicated that night to a night of prayer. The girls took turns praying for
different things and I closed the night off by praying for this sweet girl and
her family. In that moment I realized: it wasn’t about her coming so she could
hear something that would make everything better. It wasn’t about her coming
and me having some powerful talk that would heal her. No, it was just the fact
she had somewhere to go. She had a place to come to that she knew was safe.
That was all she needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A safe
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A hiding
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I
battled all summer long with the desire to transfer schools. I wanted to do
more. I wanted to experience more. The nonstop back and forth game in my head
was never ending. Most of you know that I coach high school volleyball. Every
day I would come home and find myself telling my mom about another girl that
was just so heavy on my heart and every time she would suggest them being a
part of my bible study this year, but I kept running into the problem of “they
aren’t seniors.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I wanted
more, but Jesus wanted more too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Months
ago I was tossing and turning in my bed just thinking about what to do with
school and my next semester and I could not land on a decision. Jesus so clearly
spoke to me in that night “you aren’t transferring.” With hesitation and
resistance I finally surrendered and just said, “Okay Lord, I am not going
anywhere.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It was
then that the tiny little dream that had been tucked down inside of me birthed
to life. But it wasn’t until I was willing to tell Jesus that I would stay that
He was willing to reveal it to me. You see, He was just waiting until I got to
the place where I finally surrendered and was willing to dig my heels into the
ground I was/am walking on that so He could show me the "more" I wanted. I quickly scribbled these thoughts into my journal
that night and ever since then everything has sky rocketed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That all
leads me to this….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That
little bible study needed to be more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That
bible study that was just senior girls needed to be more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I wanted
more, and Jesus gave me more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I asked
some of the girls who were a part of the bible study last year to write a
review. There were two similarities throughout them all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 31.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Connecting
with other girls in their own community and realizing they weren’t alone in
following Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 31.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Having somewhere to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%;">When I think back on my high school years I still find pain
in some of the mistakes I made, but grace rains down on those wounds and slowly
is healing them, but yet I still think of the “what ifs.” I am learning that
those can’t apply to me anymore, what is done is done.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%;">But I lay awake in bed at night heartbroken
for the high school girls that are doing exactly what I did. I dream of the
“what ifs” for them. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%;">I was lonely, and
decided that where everyone else was going, I was going to go to as well. I
wanted a place, and I found one. But it wasn’t the right one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri; line-height: 200%;">What if girls had somewhere to go on a Friday night instead of
the party? What if sooner or later they realized there are people with the same
heart as them? What if they knew they did not have to run to the boy to be
seen? What if they had a safe place to run to have someone give them grace they
need for their own wounds? What if they had that place? A place to run and hide
from the ways of the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: calibri; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri; line-height: 200%;">How many girls would not sit alone on Friday nights? How many
girls would not feel the need to go to the party? How many girls would find a
community because they know at this place they will find people like them? How
many girls would not run to the boy? How many girls would choose Jesus instead
of choosing the world?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Maybe they just need a place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Well, I am REALLY excited to say we are in the process of
creating that place. After many phone calls, emails, and meetings, things are
starting to piece together. What was once a little bible study for senior
girls will now be a once a month gathering, on a Saturday night, for all high
school girls. Sometimes I think the church can serve as a barrier. She goes to
this church, and she goes to that church, and it eliminates possibilities
for some girls to meet. The purpose of these events will be to connect
high school girls with other girls in their community, that without a gathering
like this they would never meet. With the goal in mind that maybe once
connected friendships will form, and loneliness will disperse. Community is the
key to following Jesus in high school, and some girls just need to find a
community, we want to help them make that happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I honored and so humbled to say that Cindy Cathy has agreed to
come alongside of me and one of my dear friends, Haley Lamp, and help us make
these nights happen. I am excited to learn from someone like Cindy Cathy. We are in the process of finding a temporary space for
these events to happen, but the goal/dream in sight is to one day create a
space that would just be dedicated to high school girls, and would be available
more than just once a month, but that is a long way off. I have a meeting
Sunday to get approval to use what we think might be perfect for these nights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "calibri";">For
you are my hiding place;</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="background: white;">you protect me from trouble.</span> <span style="background: white;">You surround me with songs of victory. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> says, “I will guide you along
the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Psalm 32:7</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mission:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Apple Symbols"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To allow High school aged
girls to have somewhere to run instead of running to the ways of the world. A
place where they can find: safety, security, community, and truth. A place
where they can sit and allow Jesus to guide them down the best pathway for
their lives. A place where they ultimately will learn how to hid themselves in
Jesus, the true hiding place, and grow to realize in Him they have everything
they need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; line-height: 200%;">High school girls, get excited because we are!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Friends, will you start praying for this with us?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Questions? </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">Suggestions</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">? Or want to be a part of making this happen? We would love to hear from you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Coming soon:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That place that so many need.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Starting 2016.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Jesus, be the center.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: 301.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 301.5pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-50733377380644228972015-10-14T13:55:00.001-07:002015-10-15T07:09:28.203-07:00All Things Messy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am an organized person. I was a mothers dream teenager
because there was never the battle of having me clean my room. I did it
naturally and still do. I live by a
planner. Not because I want to have every second of every day planned, but I
like the comfort of knowing that my day will be a little less chaotic because I
took an extra step to plan it out, and to remind myself what I have going
on. This semester my organized and tidy self was turned upside down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My planner would explode if I tried to write everything
down. Juggling school, work, and coaching has been one of the most difficult
things I have ever had to do. I spend so much time in my car just going from
point A to point B and then eventually to point C: home to school, school to work,
work to volleyball. A couple days ago I was driving from one point to another
and looked in my rearview mirror into my backseat, and (total girl moment) just
started crying. It looked like my car was my second bedroom. I keep all my
books for school in my car because I know I will forget one trying to get out
the door in the morning. I have my book bag, my gym bag, my volleyball bag, and
who knows what all else is back there. To say the least it was the farthest
thing from clean. I remember just saying, “Jesus, my life is such a mess right
now.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days before I had been reading/studying the story of Martha
and Mary in Luke 10. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mary has chosen what
is better, and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:42</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another version says, “Only one thing is essential, and Mary
has chosen it.” Everything in this world opposes the idea of loving Jesus, but
we have to choose it anyway. Mary got it right, she chose the one thing that
was needed, and nobody could take that from her. But Mary’s choice was driven
by her desire to respond. Mary sat at his feet, inhaling every word Jesus had
to say, and His worlds fueled her to respond, and her response was her choosing Him. I was so reminded in that moment when I thought my life was such a mess
that I had a choice. I could be Martha and be “pulled away by all she had to
do” (Luke 10:40) or I could be Mary and I could just choose Jesus. Isn’t it
that simple most of the times? We can choose to be pulled away and to see
everything in our lives or we can choose Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus set the most beautiful example for us to follow. When
He could have chosen the heavens and all their glory, He chose a crown of
thorns and a spear in His side. When He could have chosen beauty, he chose the
mess. He chose the mess because He saw us in the mess; He saw beauty in the
mess. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As cliché as it is, it is all about perspective. I learned
that day that sometimes the mess just says you are living. You are giving life
all you got and not slowing down to tidy up. If that’s the case maybe what we
sometimes think is mess is really just life. Maybe sometimes Jesus takes us to
those places of breakdowns in the driver seat of our cars to remind us that our
choice to continuously choose him is the very thing that will always see us
through, and that how your life appears to look really doesn’t matter. All that
matters is that when people see your life they see Jesus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the backseat of
you car is a mess. Maybe your kitchen is overflowing with dishes. Maybe your
hair hasn’t been fixed in weeks. All of that doesn’t discredit your ability to
be the hands and feet of Jesus. I think that is what I was missing. I thought
that I had to have it “all together” to be able to be used. But in the end it’s
not our ability to have it all together, it’s our ability to just say yes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not discrediting the tidiness. I am not speaking
against being organized. I still live in a way where I try to do those things.
I am saying that when we get to the point that we can’t adjust to anything
other than our perfectly organized life and checking off our to do lists then
we are becoming a Martha. If we are living in the way where we get
uncomfortable when our days don’t go as how our agenda planned than we have our
hand squeezed a little too tightly around control, and we have to release that.
Control is saying “my way.” Flexibility is saying “whatever you want Jesus.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to let go of my control that day in my car. I had to
let Jesus shatter my agenda. I had to live a messy life to see that a messy
life is no less satisfying than a “tidy life.” I had to go back to the beginning. I had to sit down at His
feet, listen to what He was trying to say, and then respond. I had to do as Mary did. I had see that my eyes can't be fixated on the things of this world. I had to see that I just needed to choose Jesus. It was that simple. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is to realizing that messy lives are beautiful. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, just choose Jesus. Nothing else matters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-35117394971039721082015-09-04T08:08:00.000-07:002015-09-04T15:12:18.867-07:00When Not Having Words Is a Good Thing. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have a flooded email inbox that has not been touched, and an
overflow of text messages that most of the time I never even stop long enough
to read, let alone respond. I figured what better way to explain myself than to
throw it out on the internet for all to see. For all who await a response, I
apologize. I promise I will get to it sooner or later. But let’s be real, it
will probably be later.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life has been moving at a pace worthy of a speeding
ticket. And me? I am keeping up, but most of the time completely out of breath.
This summer I started working my first full time job, and an adjustment that
was. But when I think about the summer, it feels like a blur. I blinked and
school was starting again. There were so many times this summer that I sat down
to write about all the Lord was teaching me, but I could never transpire it
into words. I have never gone through a season of life like I did the past
couple months, a season of pure conviction. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At times it tasted so sweet, and other times it was painful,
but is that not what conviction should be? Jesus reveals to us things that are impure.
Things in our lives that have no place. He reveals character defects that must
change. To see that, to realize those
things, that is painful. But it is when you are in that place and know that you
still have a downpour of grace raining down, that you finally understand how
sweet grace really is. I tasted that grace this summer and I will never be the
same. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like I mentioned before, there was so much I wanted to write
about, but it never came. But this I realized, Jesus did not want me to write.
Sometimes when I come to this blank page, my first thought goes to the views,
or the response I will receive. I am so
quick to make it all about myself. If that is ever my intention then I
hope/pray that Jesus does exactly what He did the summer, strip me of all
words. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The well-known phrase of “personal relationship with Jesus”
became active in my life this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
that I mean, all that what transpiring in my heart, all that was being chiseled
away, all that Jesus was showing me about Himself, I was simply just sitting in
it with Him. In a world that screams social media, sometimes we are so quick to
put our spiritual lives on display for the world to see. I am the first to say
that I believe that social media is an incredible outlet for the gospel, but
when it becomes your only outlet then a bigger problem is at hand. I am also
the first to say that I am guilty of snatching up my phone to tweet the latest
verse I read. But this summer that changed. This summer it was just me and
Jesus. The need of the world to know every detail of my quiet times became nonexistence,
and how much more personal my relationship with Him became. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every time I started to compose a tweet, or pull up a word
document, Jesus gently pulled me away time after time and spoke into my heart, “they
don’t have to know.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so unsure of
why He was doing this for so long. But after so many occurrences of the same
thing, I came to be aware that I was just trying to prove myself to everyone, to make sure people knew how spiritual I was. But if I am turning my life into
a megaphone of how spiritual I am compared to a megaphone of how alive Jesus is
then I am missing it. I am getting it all wrong. I wanted to just do and Jesus
wanted me to just be with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hillsong has a song out right now with the lyrics, “I
touched the sky when my knees hit the ground.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This could sum up the past couple months for me. On my knees
I was found time after time, thanking Him for His grace. Thanking Him for
second chances. Thanking Him for wanting my relationship with Him to be
personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanking Him for the patience
He has with me even when I make the dumb mistakes time after time. It was when
I finally went into that posture that I could hear what He has been trying to
tell me so long, “First, I just want you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, He wants so much more from us, our talents, our time,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, He just wants you. He
wants you with Him, in the most personal relationship. He wants you to sit and
not do one thing. He wants you to taste His grace and experience His love. When
you have experienced that, it will be the fuel to set a fire down in your
heart, and to send you out into this world that desperately needs Him. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my fellow writers: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I encourage you to not feel the need to tell the world all
that Jesus is doing in your life. Let some of it be personal, just Him and you.
Let there be freedom in your lives when you do not write. Jesus does not think
more or less of you depending on how many blog post you compose in a year. Take
it from me; sometimes the best thing that could ever happen to you is to not
have words. Sometimes you don’t need words, you just need THE word. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To all:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Know that conviction is the door we should always walk
through. The door that will always lead us to the humility we need, and the
door that leads us straight to an ocean of grace. It will be painful at times,
but it is so worth it. Know that you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone,
but instead you just need to go to someone. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for me right now, I am coaching volleyball again and
loving every second of that. I am taking classes and working part time. I am journeying
through Psalm 119 with one of my sweet friends and it is rocking both of our
worlds. A lot of people ask me, “What is next?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you transferring?” Honestly, I have no idea, but I believe that
Jesus will direct my steps. For now, I fix my eyes not on the future, but just
on Jesus. Believing He will carve the path out for me to follow. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 119:133<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] your word.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-90308298580277281982015-07-09T09:23:00.000-07:002015-07-09T11:38:52.840-07:00The Arsenic We Think We Need.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a conversation with a girl the other day via text. She
said to me, “I am tired of being the good girl, and want to have fun.” Memories
came rushing in like a hurricane. There I was my junior year having the same
feeling she was. I was so tired of being the girl not invited to any of the
parties. I was so tired of being the girl home on the weekends. I wanted to
have fun. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the grace of God, He reeled me back in before I jumped
off the cliff. But that feeling, that feeling that a teenage girl texted me she
was having, I know that feeling all too well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What broke my heart was this vibe that I was
getting that she felt like she failed because of the way she felt. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What have we done to give this impression that to be honest
about where you are at is to be deemed a failure? What have we said that has
sent the message that to struggle is to be defeated?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be honest is a victory in itself. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<span class="text">Lying lips are extremely disgusting <i>and</i>
hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.</span>”
[Proverbs 12:22]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To struggle, to be weak, that is so be strong. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“…for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” [2 Corinthians 12:9]</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lies just keep piling themselves
on top of themselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started with
Eve. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text">“For God knows that when
you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing
good and evil.”</span><span style="color: black;"> Genesis 3:5 <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words, God has withheld something
from me that I really need. At any time in your life that you have had a void,
or a want, that lie has come to you. The suggestion that God has withheld something
that you need. Satan was telling Eve that the very thing God told her she didn’t
need was actually the thing she needed most. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see God withholds the arsenic from
us and Satan suggest that the arsenic is what we need the most. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was my arsenic? Whether it was needing to be accepted in the "in-crowd" or have a boyfriend, or be out on a Friday night with everyone else. It was everything I thought I needed, but oh how I didn't</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lies. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t be honest.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God is withholding something from
me.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t believe them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be honest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Know that God is withholding
nothing from you, only the arsenic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And take my word for it, changing
your ways might result in fun for a while, but eventually your eyes are open and your taste buds are awaken to the arsenic you have been sipping on. Save yourself from having to taste it.
Instead taste the grace. Taste the mercy. Taste the unconditional love. Taste the
things you won’t find anywhere else. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the one who is like the girl
who texted me: It is okay to be where you are at. You are not a failure. You
are not defeated. Most of all, you are not alone, so many of us have been
there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take it from me….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That arsenic you think you need,
you don’t need it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You just need Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-60729084284571480922015-06-24T10:57:00.001-07:002015-06-24T11:38:54.693-07:00On my way. <span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The white computer screen stares me in
the face day after day. But the longer my eyes stare at the white, it slowly
transforms into what feels like red and blue lights flashing in my rearview
mirror. The officer’s name is emptiness and I think of all the excuses in the
book to defend myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Do
you know what you have been doing wrong?” he asks<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before
I can say anything, he speaks again, “Nothing is wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it all makes sense.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That has been the problem. I stare day
in and day out at this blank screen waiting for something to go wrong. When the
waves of life, that feel like they have been crashing over you for years and
years, finally still themselves to whisper. Then what?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I translate pain into writing. So
I have been waiting, waiting for something to go wrong, waiting for the high
tide to come once more. I have been waiting for some type of pain, waiting,
because if it comes then I can write once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
there was a college degree for “not being okay” I am a Harvard graduate. I’ve
grown to be comfortable in the chaos. I’ve grown to adapt to the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Echidnas are like baby porcupines. When they are
approached by something threatening they will often curl into a ball, leaving
only sharp spikes pointing out toward an attacker, and they stay like that for
as long as needed. Go ahead and call me an Echidna. I have curled into a ball,
lifted my spikes to the sky, and have stayed like that as gravesides and rehab
facilities have attacked. But now, how do I get out of that ball?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you have read my other post, you know that
Jesus has done amazing things in my family’s life this past year. You wait and
wait for the day to come when the pelting of the rain storm finally stops, but
now that it has come I have found myself so empty.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have become so good at being "not" okay, that
I do not know how to be okay. I do not know how to have that same desperation
for Jesus in the everyday life as I did when I sat outside my room listening to
my mom and brothers fight. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don’t know how to translate joy.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But last night, Hannah Brencher, spoke at a girl’s night
for my church, and said something that left me mouth wide open.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She said, “It’s not okay to just be lost
anymore. You have to be found.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus was so clearly saying to me that it’s not enough to
just translate the pain anymore, but that He wants me to learn to translate the
joy. He was so clearly saying to me that it’s not enough to just be content
with being not okay, but that He wants me to learn to be okay. He was so
clearly saying to me that it isn’t okay to just be desperate for Him in the
hard times, but that He wants me to learn to be desperate for Him all the time.
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then I cried to a stranger.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have never met Hannah. I follow her blog
(you should too) but I have never spoken to her. But of course I was assigned
to sell her books last night. So she was standing next to me moments after she
finished speaking, and I kept fighting myself before I leaned over to her and
told her how what she said hit me so hard. Before I knew it my eyes were filled
with tears as I told her, “I just don’t know what to write.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the most tender voice she said, “that’s when it’s the
most important that you go to the page.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More words were exchanged before we ended our
conversation with her just saying, “keep writing.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So today, I write. I write because it’s not enough to
just translate the pain. I write because it’s not enough to just be desperate
for Him when it’s hard. I write because it’s not enough to be content with
being not okay. I write because the grace that flows down daily covering me,
gives me a reason to write. I write because it’s not enough to just be lost
anymore. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is to being found.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is to learning to be okay.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is to finding Jesus is the everyday moments</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is to learning to translate the joy.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All is okay here. You are free to go
on your way,” the officer said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On my way I will go…</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Still learning,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adria</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-44456729391291286342015-06-10T10:07:00.003-07:002015-06-19T06:11:34.826-07:00Jesus is life.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was like waiting for the doctor to come into the waiting
room and tell you they were going to make it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was like being Jonah in the bottom of a whale waiting for
my cry to be heard. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he
answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you
listened to my cry.” [Jonah 2:2]<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was like watching the little dots on an imessage waiting
for a response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was like looking for land when you have been lost at sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left church one Sunday months and months ago with a weight
in my hand. The weight took form in a light bulb. We were in a series called “Winsome”
where our pastor was nailing over and over that a desire needed to be birthed
in us to see people come to see Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Light bulbs were given to us. Given to us to represent a
person we wanted to see go from death to life. The light bulb was to serve as a
reminder of that person, to pray for them, and when the time came that they
found their way to the feet of Jesus we would give them the light bulb. Our
pastor encouraged us to think of someone and to commit to praying for them to
find Jesus, but as I sat in my chair while he talked my mind couldn’t find its
name to one person. There was no one being laid on my heart. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My pastor said, “it could be your sister who has flushed
your finances down the toilet and is a drug addict.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can still hear the words clear as day. It might not have
been my sister, but I knew, I knew my light bulb was for my brother. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Addiction has run rabid through my family this past year. I
have never faced that struggles, and that is only by the grace of God.
But because of that I couldn’t relate, and I searched for the compassion, but
resentment was the only thing I could find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But something shifted in me that day. My resentment became
conviction. For so long I was just wishing/praying my brother would stop doing
drugs, because that would solve all the problems. That would stop my
resentment. That would remove my embarrassment of having to tell people he was
in rehab. That would stop my mom from having to spend money on him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the end none of that was the answer,
Jesus was. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My prayers changed that day. Because everything I was
praying was all about me. Selfish prayers are as good as no prayers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So it began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Days.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Months.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Journal entries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I prayed. I prayed that my brother would become the prodigal
and return home to the father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But every
Sunday, the “Jesus is life wall” where the light bulbs where to be screwed into,
starred me in the face and was a painful reminder that I had to keep praying. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that is when the praying means the most. When you are so
tired, growing hopeless, and just want to throw the towel in. That is when it
is most important to keep praying. When the words are barely coming out and
your knees ache from finding yourself on them. Even then… keep praying.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday marked 7 months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7 months that my brother has been at rehab. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We loaded up the car and drove 3 ½ hours to what they call
his “blessing” aka when he leaves to come home. In the back of the room we sat,
me and the rest of my family, as one man after another got up and shared about
my brother and the impact he has had on them while he has been in this
treatment center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he got up. The
words that came from his mouth were words that sent me into flashbacks of night
and nights of begging God to do what only he could do. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus did it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They offered the chance for the family to say something if
they wanted. As I walked to the front of the room, where 51 guys waited for me
to get words out, I knew this was the time. I explained the “Jesus is life wall”
and the winsome series, etc…. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You see, I held on to that light bulb. I held on to that light bulb,
with faith that Jesus would bring my brother home, and yesterday it made a
change. It went from being a weight in my pocket, to being a tangible way of
showing my brother that not once did I stop praying for him, not just me but so
many others as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The moment when I handed him the light bulb that I have held
on to for so long will be engraved in my mind/heart for the rest of my life. But
something else will too…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Talking in front of that many guys can be intimidating, especially
when you know the journey they are on, but as I looked out and saw so many of
them eyes full of tears something clicked in me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For some the tears came from the sentimental aspect of the
moment me and my brother shared, but I think the message to most of them was, “she
didn’t give up.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that’s it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that sometimes people just need to know that you won’t
give up on them. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think that sometimes people need to know that you will
walk the road back with them, hand in hand. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think sometimes people need to know that the messiness
doesn’t scare you off. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think sometimes people need to know that even if it takes
months and months that you will wait. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because all those things simply say, “I believe in you.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday my brother came home from rehab, but more than
that, yesterday my brother became the prodigal returning home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven months clean, which is what we all desperately
wanted. But more than that he knows it was all Jesus, and that is something
that makes all the waiting so worth it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, we celebrate. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate a simple little light bulb. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate it finally finding its way to the person it was
designed for. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate the returning of the prodigal. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate that Jesus works while we wait. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We celebrate that my brother now has a story to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A story that says, “Jesus is able.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A story of someone walking out of the darkness and into the
light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A story of someone going from death to life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A story that he will now go and tell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep praying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jesus is life.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-53200705276580390552015-06-01T10:21:00.002-07:002015-06-01T11:41:57.424-07:00the calm after the stormYes I know that the old saying actually goes, "the calm before the storm."<br />
<br />
In a way it is almost like my whole life has been chaos, and survival mode. Well maybe not my entire life, but from the time that wintery day rolled around in November and my father lost the fight to cancer, it has been chaos.<br />
<br />
There has been good, I don't want to pass over that. But there has been bad, and when you are in the middle of it the bad always overpowers the good, or the bad just clouds your vision from seeing the good.<br />
<br />
Grief looks so different for everyone. My family is a prime example of that. There were six of us, and we had all just lost our dad, but the way we all coped was so different. Some of that is contributed to the age variations we all were, but in the end it all looked/looks different.<br />
<br />
Honestly, it is like my dad dying was the first domino to fall and after that everything just kept falling. It has been funeral after funeral. It has been rehab after rehab. Tears and more tears. Doubt and more doubt. Fear and more fear.<br />
<br />
The list could go on...<br />
<br />
I don't want a pity party, or a comparison game of "my life has been harder than yours." That is not the point of this post. The point of this post is so if you are the one that feels like the calm will never come that you can be encouraged that the calm will in fact come.<br />
<br />
I know that sometimes it feels like it is one thing after another. My little brother looked at me one night through tears and said, "Adria why does everything bad happen to our family?"<br />
<br />
I've been waiting, waiting for twelve years to be able to say, "we are all okay."<br />
<br />
Today, today I can finally say we are all okay.<br />
<br />
With my oldest brother coming home from rehab next week, the last prodigal is returning home.<br />
<br />
Last night my oldest sister and her husband were over and we were looking through old pictures and crying laughing, and I kept taking pictures and sending them in our family group message. It was then that I realized that the calm had finally settled over my family. Why did a group message make me realize that? Because for so long a group message with all of us in it has not even been possible.<br />
<br />
My family has this obsession with Lord of the Rings. The author of those books, Tolkien, has this quote that says.....<br />
<br />
"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.”<br />
<br />
Maybe that is you today. Maybe you are wondering how could the end be happy when there has been so much bad. How can life go back to the way it was?<br />
<br />
Maybe that is you, because that has been me. For twelve years I have wondered how life would ever go back to the way it was. The way it was when everyone was in the same place for holidays. The way it was when the emptiness of someone missing didn't feel so heavy that you can barely breathe. The way it was when every night didn't consist of tears. Maybe you are wondering just like I wondered.<br />
<br />
But in the end, this storm, it is only a passing thing.<br />
<br />
-Anna is now happily married and expecting her second child.<br />
-Allison is an amazing fourth grade teacher.<br />
-Joseph will come home next week and finish up getting his degree at Georgia Tech.<br />
-Jonathan lives in Idaho where he is living his dream working on a ranch.<br />
-I am in college at Clayton State, working part time, and coaching volleyball.<br />
-Jacob will be a senior next year and just started his very first job.<br />
<br />
And my mom, the one who has loved every one of us through it all, is in Mexico this week! That is a big deal. True proof that things have calmed down, and boy didn't she deserve that trip.<br />
<br />
So, to you, to the one who is waiting for the calm. Hold on.<br />
<br />
It might be days.<br />
It might be weeks.<br />
It might be years.<br />
<br />
But even darkness must pass.<br />
<br />
And until it does, keep singing His praise.<br />
<br />
"Even when the fight seems lost I'll praise You<br />
Even when it hurts like hell I'll praise You<br />
Even when it makes no sense to sing<br />
Louder then I'll sing Your praise." Hillsong United<br />
<br />
What a journey it has been for my family, and I am not naive, I know it will continue to be a journey. But this I know to be true, Jesus is our hiding place, our shelter within the storm. He is the foundation that my family has stood on, the only thing that has kept us from crumbling.<br />
<br />
That day will come.<br />
<br />
That day when you will be okay.<br />
<br />
When that day comes, what a story you will have to tell.<br />
<br />
When that day comes, you will look back and see Jesus has been faithful all along.<br />
<br />
Press on. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-75754870246686569962015-05-15T10:34:00.003-07:002015-05-15T10:35:11.978-07:00Living to the Fullest.<div class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I took on this pressure this year. The pressure was birthed from the insecurity I found myself having because I was that “stay at home” college student. I would see pictures of game days, or of the latest school event and with every picture I could feel myself beginning to doubt my choice of staying home more and more.</div>
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I admit, I can throw a pretty good filter on an instagram picture and make my life look like on a day-to-day basis that I am the most adventurous person in the world. But lets be real for a second, most days you are going to find me in tennis shoes, with my hair thrown on top of my head and doing the most normal things you could do in a day. But do I ever post stuff like that? No. Because I have felt this need to make people think I wasn’t some loser (sorry can’t think of any other word) that does nothing but go to school and come home, now granted I don’t do that, but I had to prove myself.</div>
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Sometimes I wonder.</div>
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I wonder if I am living life to the fullest.</div>
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But I learned really fast that out of all the wondering I was doing, none of it was wondering about what I should have be wondering about. </div>
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Wonder: to be curious to know something.</div>
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You see, the only thing we should wonder about is Jesus. The only thing we should desire to know is Jesus.</div>
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I went on the adventure of a lifetime this year. I skipped a week of class, oops, and jumped on a plane and found myself at the Grand Canyon. It’s one of those things that you see it in movies and pictures but when you see it in person it changes you. It was so breathtaking that it almost looked fake. As we hiked, hiked, and hiked some more I remember thinking to myself, “yep I am living life to the fullest.”</div>
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There is something about creation that does something to us. You know what I am talking about. We watch a sunset and we ask ourselves how people could ever doubt there is a God. We hike the Grand Canyon and remind ourselves that God is so much bigger than it all. But so rarely do we remind ourselves that out of all things in creation, the mountains, the seas, the waterfalls, the stars, God chose to make us in His image. We are His most beautiful creation. We surpass any place we go ever go see in the world. </div>
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I got a little side tracked there.</div>
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During our hike back up the canyon I struggled, to the point where I didn’t think I was going to make it back up to the top. I went from “I am living it up” to “I think I am going to die.” You probably think I am being dramatic but it was physically and mentally the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I kept asking the girl I was with, “where do we have to get to?” and she just kept telling me the top. But you couldn’t even see the top. I would make it around a corner and only be able to see the next corner. We hiked and hiked and hiked, and even when we got to the home stretch I couldn’t tell where the top was. When I got to the top I remember thinking…</div>
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[You never know what is around the corner. It could be everything. It could be nothing. It could be the top. It could be just another hill. But you keep putting one foot in front of the other and then before you know you look back and you have climbed a mountain.]</div>
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It didn’t matter how fast I moved, which wasn’t very fast. It didn’t matter if I sprinted to the top; all that mattered was that I kept moving. Walking with Jesus can be so hard sometimes, and Jesus made it so clear to me that day that He doesn’t care how fast or how slow we move, He just wants us to keep taking steps.</div>
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I love how the Lord works sometimes. I had just got back from a place where I really was posting instagram pictures that showed the world just how much I was living it up, and a place where I wasn’t wondering about any of those question I had been asking myself, but instead was just amazed by all that the Lord was teaching me. It was when I came back to the normal everyday life, when that pressure that was so heavy was released.</div>
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For ten weeks on Tuesday nights I did a bible study for senior girls. It was the last time we were going to be meeting, and we were sitting out under the stars as I prayed over them and the fulfillment that my heart felt was like nothing it had ever felt before. I knew that God was so graciously reminding as He has so many times that I am exactly where I am suppose to be, and I knew that in a way He was gently whispering into my ear, speaking over my life, and reminding me that living life to the fullest isn’t about how cool you can make yourself out on instagram, or being adventurous, or traveling the world… living life to the fullest is surrendering ourselves to live right in the middle of what the Lord’s will for our life is, because it is there that we find the satisfaction that nothing else will give us.</div>
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Friends, let me be the first to encourage you. The life that is watching Netflix on Friday nights is just as important, and significant as the person who is preaching to a crowd on a Friday night. God just wants a willing heart, a heart that will say “yes.” It is the little things, sending someone an encouraging text, asking someone to lunch, or just showing someone you care. It is the little things that you will find out are the big things. So don’t play the comparison game with your life. If you are living right where God wants you to be than you are living life to the fullest. He doesn’t care about the extravagance, He just cares you keep taking steps towards Him.</div>
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I am that girl who finds herself watching Netflix on Friday nights sometimes, but I know I am living right where I am suppose to be, and that is enough.</div>
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Jeremiah 33:16</div>
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“the motto for this city will be “God has set things right for us.”</div>
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Today, wonder not about anything but knowing Jesus more. Wonder not about “am I doing enough?” Wonder not dear friends, because God will set things right, and He will put you right where you are suppose to be, and it is there that you will be able to truly live.</div>
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Here is to not caring about how cool my life looks to instagram, and to resting firm in the fact that all I need to do is keep taking steps, because one day I am going to look back and see that I was climbing.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-79519342658982297642015-03-22T18:21:00.001-07:002015-12-07T10:48:08.179-08:00Why Duke?<div style="font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; max-width: 99.9%;">
Disclaimer: This isn't a spiritual post.</div>
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I like to think I am sort of athletic. I mean I played softball for eight years, decided to switch to volleyball randomly, and then found myself winning a state championship in that. I dipped into basketball for the heck of it, but that wasn't my thing. Oh and I played soccer... okay, I played in a game one time because the school was desperate for players. Weekends covered in dirt or weekends covered in floor burn, whatever it was I didn't care, I just loved sports. If it wasn't for a shoulder injury I would be playing college volleyball somewhere, but that isn't what God wanted for my life. That is a story for another time.</div>
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My brother's like to joke and tell me that I am a "scrub" or whatever language you guys come up with, and they talk so much smack to all the time. At times it get frustrating, but over the years I have learned to dish it back. My go to is always "I was voted most athletic in high school." </div>
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My family is extremely athletic. Not to sound conceited or anything, but we are. My Dad was an incredible athlete. My oldest brother won world series after world series in baseball. By world series I mean like the real deal world series, like Puerto Rico and Iowa. My sister played traveling softball for years, both of them coached by my Dad. </div>
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That is something I envied for a long time. Because let me just say, I love my Mom but the woman had no idea what was happening most of the time I was playing. In short, sports are just what you do with your Dad. There were lots of days spent looking at my friends with their dad's before games, or after, and that, well, that sucked.</div>
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I promise I am getting to the point. </div>
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My Dad loved Duke basketball. When he was alive I always knew that, but I never really got into it. He was an avid fan of Coach K. I could go on for days. Are you catching my drift? The man loved Duke.</div>
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My oldest brother started getting into it more and more after my dad died. His dream was to go to school there. He applied, got deferred and then ended up not getting in. If you know my brother, you know that the kid is a legitimate genius, and I am not just saying that. That was totally off topic, but just know Duke is a really hard school to get into. </div>
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Then my little brother started getting into it. I slowly started watching the games, just because I wanted to hang out with my brothers. It has just been in the past couple years that I have really kept up. By keeping up I mean I spend spare time looking up stats and next year recruitments when I should be paying attention in school. My guy friends always joke with me that they have never met a girl who knows so much about college basketball. (Insert emoji of girl with her hand propping up her hair here)</div>
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I was on a walk with my mom the other day and she asked my why I liked Duke basketball so much. I had never really even thought about it. But, then it all made sense.</div>
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Saturday nights in the living room with my brothers talking back and forth about sports, screaming at the TV, yeah that happens, text messages with them about the latest Duke news, that is a dream for me. Those are the moments that replace such heartache of the absence of my dad at all my games growing up. No they aren't father daughter moments, but they are special moments. It isn't the same, but it is as close as I will ever get. </div>
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Then there is this. When someone dies, you are left with memories, and even those sometimes start to fade. But Duke basketball, that is a part of my Dad that can't ever die. He was known for it, cause let's get real there aren't a lot of Duke fans in Georgia. It's a little part of him that my brothers and I get to hang on to. </div>
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Basketball season is my favorite time of the year. Watching games with my brother's, those are my memories that take the place of the ones I didn't get chance to have with my Dad. Duke basketball, that is something I will pass on to my kids... a little part of my dad to live on. </div>
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A Duke fan?</div>
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Yeah, there is no denying that. But underneath it all is just a girl who loves sports, and wants to have a little piece of her dad every now and then. </div>
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So with that... Go Duke. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-45771143254905463332014-11-20T08:11:00.001-08:002014-11-20T08:21:47.370-08:00Choosing Gratitude. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">Sometimes I start to write a post and constantly find
myself hitting the backspace button over and over, because I really just don’t
know what to say. This is one of those times. </span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">A post I feel should be filled with so much
heartache, but I am instead finding so much gratitude in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">Some say
that time heals all things, but I completely disagree. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">Time doesn’t heal things, but if we
allow it, time can shift the attitude of our hearts.</span><span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">That is what I have
learned over the past 12 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">My father said goodbye to this world, and hello to heaven,
but today, the day before the clock strikes midnight and it officially has been
twelve years, I choose gratitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I choose gratitude for the little things, like my love of
every sport known to man, for my sense of competitiveness, for my ability to
talk to just about anyone, for the joy that I find in the simplest things. All
things my dad installed in me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I choose gratitude for the big things, like the
understanding of how important family is, for the ability to have confidence to
speak up when no one else will, to go the extra mile for someone just because,
and above all, to love Jesus, because He is what matters in this life. All things
my dad taught me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: red;">Gratitude says
look at what has been, instead of what hasn’t been.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">There have been many moments that I would find myself
whispering into the night, through tears, the simple wish for him to just be here
for something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">To see me play softball or volleyball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">To see me step on a stage in front of thousands of people
and speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">To see me coach my first game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">But when I stopped long enough and asked Jesus to help me
see the good, I started to realize…all the things I so desperately wanted him
to be here for, where all things that he played such a part in.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I wouldn’t have played sports if he hadn’t made me fall in
love with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I wouldn’t have stepped onto that stage that day if he
hadn’t taught me to be bold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I wouldn’t have decided to be a coach if I hadn’t watched
him be one for so many years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #215868; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: red;">I stopped
looking at was wasn’t there of him, and started looking at what was there of
him… in me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">And in all of it, there has been Jesus. Every step He took
up to Calvary was Him ensuring that despite my earthly father not being here, I
would still go through life with someone to call Father. He established a
place where cancer couldn’t win. He gives us hope through the promise of heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I choose gratitude because of the parts of my dad that live on
through me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I choose gratitude because cancer doesn’t get to win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I choose gratitude because I have never once been fatherless,
and never once walked this journey alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">I choose gratitude because there was death, but </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">there has been much life.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">“You're a good, good father.</span><span style="color: #007fbf; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center; word-break: break-all;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">It's who You are, it's who You are,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">it's who You are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center; word-break: break-all;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">And I'm loved by you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center; word-break: break-all;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">It's who I am, it's who I am, it's
who I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center; word-break: break-all;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">-HouseFires<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-4609803187137229422014-09-30T08:16:00.000-07:002014-09-30T08:27:07.251-07:00Jesus, I am sorry for questioning you. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Confusion starts as single gust of wind but then
spirals into a tornado quicker than you could ever imagine. Doubt is one wave
crashing into the shore, but then rapidly becomes a hurricane. When one of them
or both of them enter into our lives the only thing they bring about is
destruction. But at the center of both that tornado and hurricane are simply
unanswered questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Car crashes, gravesides, addiction,
miscarriages, cancer… the list could go on on. In this life it in inevitable at one point or another we will stare face to face with something that leaves us with
questions we never thought we would have to ask. It is when we don’t find the
answers to those questions that doubt and confusion take a seat on our hearts
and they sit back and watch the destruction let loose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And for those of who have been there, we can all
agree that everyone seems to know the answers you are searching for, but more
than you wish for answers you wish people would just for a lack of better
words, shut up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Job gets it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Job 16:1-4] <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you were in my shoes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve had all I can take of your
talk.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">What a bunch of miserable comforters!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Is there no end to your windbag speeches?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">What’s your problem that you go on and on like
this?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">If you were in my shoes,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I could talk just like you.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I could put together a terrific harangue</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and really let you have it.</span><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Chalkboard;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Chalkboard;">I am just going to pause and
say an amen real quick to all of what Job just said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let me give you a little background info for
where we are at right now with Job. Most of us know the story of Job. Here in
chapter 16 Job is having a conversation with Eliphaz and Temaninte. Eliphaz and
Temaninte are trying to make sense of Job’s hardships for Him. But like we read
above Job gets to the point where he just can’t take it anymore. He is tired of
the long speeches and all their talk. It is when he gets to this point that Job
is honest in a way most of would never be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Job 16: 12-16]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All was well with me, but he shattered me;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He seized me by the neck and crushed me.<br />
He has made me his target;<br />
his archers surround me.<br />
Without pity, he pierces my kidneys<br />
and spills my gall on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again and again he bursts upon me;<br />
he rushes at me like a warrior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have sewed sackcloth over my skin<br />
and buried my brow in the dust.<br />
My face is red with weeping;<br />
dark shadows ring my eyes….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe you have been there. Maybe you have felt shattered, or
crushed. Maybe you have felt like you had a target on you and everything was
aiming straight at you. Maybe your face has been red because of weeping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Job chapters 16-37 are filled with complaints,
with questions, with confusion, and with doubt. Job doesn’t hold anything back…
but <span style="background: white;">“finally, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> answered Job from the eye of a violent storm.” (Job
38:1)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Lord tells Job it is His turn to ask the question. (Job 38:3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Job 38: 4-11]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where were you when I created the earth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell me, since you know so
much!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Who decided on its size? Certainly you’ll know
that!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Who came up with the blueprints and
measurements?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">How was its foundation poured,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and who set the cornerstone,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">While the morning stars sang in chorus</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and all the angels shouted praise?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And who took charge of the ocean</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">when it
gushed forth like a baby from the womb?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and tucked it in safely at night.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus shows Job that He was
listening to every cry that ever left his mouth. He shows him that He has heard
all his questions. Jesus is saying to Job that he needs to stop for a moment
and look at all that He has already done and remember all that He is able to do
and ask himself can he do any of that.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Jesus is also telling us
that today.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He wants us to stop and look at
all that He has done and be reminded of all that He is able to do.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The question most time is “how
could God let this happen?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I think the real question
today is “how could we question a God that is so much greater than ourselves?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Job 42:1-6]</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m convinced: You can do
anything and everything.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing and no one can upset
your plans.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing
my purposes?’</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about
things far beyond me,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">made small talk about wonders way over my head.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Let me ask the questions. <i>You</i> give
the answers.’</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I admit I once lived by rumors of you;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and
ears!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again,
I promise!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Job admits his stupidity in
questioning Jesus. He realizes he spoke of things that were far beyond his
knowledge, and then he repents.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most of the time our questions are things that even if Jesus answered we would still not
understand because His ways are higher than ours. His ways are </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">incomprehensible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard; line-height: 15pt; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Chalkboard; line-height: 15pt; text-align: center;">How different would our
lives look if we realized when we question Jesus we are the ones in the wrong,
not Him.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
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</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am giving you and me full
permission to be as honest as Job was and to ask as many questions that you
need to ask, but I am challenging us to not let our hearts stay in that place.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s
learn from Job that you can be shattered, crushed, and your eyes can be red
with weeping. You can be in a place that has your life screaming questions at
Jesus, but you can move back to the place of knowing He can do anything
and everything, and knowing nothing and no one can upset His plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But Job only got there through
repentance.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have your tornado of confusion.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have your hurricane of doubt.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask your questions.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But then repent.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-52165267879191105372014-09-07T16:32:00.005-07:002014-09-07T19:36:51.051-07:00This is Why: Part II<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those of you who know me, or keep up with my
blog you know all about the first "this is why" post and how
unexpectedly it took off and spread like wildfire. For those of you who don't know
the story you can read it here.</span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://adriaking.blogspot.com/2013/05/this-is-why.html" style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">Part I</a><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">(you are going to want to read that before this.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, today I have a new story for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">I have entered into a whole new season of life
this year. I started college three weeks ago and that in itself is a whole new
world. I also entered into my first season of coaching volleyball for my old high-school. My days go a little like this..... class, drive to practice, eat
lunch will driving to practice, practice for two hours, dinner, homework,
shower (sometimes), bed, and then wake up and do it all over again. Throw in a
game once or twice a week, which means late nights and homework being started
after 10 o'clock and you have my week. To sum it up, I think I am always tired, and I am always
trying to catch up. Talk about a wake up call. This time last year I
would wake up every single day and struggle to find something to do. I went
from one extreme to another, and from being tired of the rest to
longing for rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don't get me wrong, I am loving every second of
this new chapter. It might be crazy, but sometimes crazy is good. But the past
week or so I have found struggle because the business has taken away the
countless hours out of the week that I used to spend with a precious 8
year old girl and her brothers (the same little girl mentioned in the other post). I would see instagram post their mom would put up of the kids and I would feel so
full of shame, because Satan was whispering in my ear, "you left
them." But Satan does't get the last word. Jesus ensured that when He hung
on the cross on top of calvary. When He spoke out, "it is finished,"
He was also telling Satan he was finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love the girls I get to coach, but from the
get go there has been one that I was just drawn to. We just clicked. She is a
junior so technically she isn't suppose to be on my team, but because she just
transferred from a public school to a private school she wasn't eligible to play varsity. Lets
just stop right there for a second.... she shouldn't even be on my team, but
she is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past Saturday we played in a tournament at
Norcross Highschool. But leading up to Saturday I had a player call me last
minute and tell me she wasn't coming, and another one tell me Friday night that
she was sick. My stress level was through the roof. When my alarm went off at
5:30 Saturday morning I was flat out just irritated. I didn't want to go. Oh
and on top of all of that, we didn't have keys to our bus so we were late to
our game, and the gym we were playing in didn't have air condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, the day went on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After our first game we had an our break, so the
girls were all sitting at a table in the lunchroom eating some snacks, and I
was just small talking with some of the parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I sat down across from the mom of the girl I
told you earlier about, the one I just clicked with. She had just met my mom
the night before at the football game. That is crazy in itself because my mom
never goes to football games, but she did that night because my niece was
performing in the half time show. One thing led to another, and somehow I
ended up showing her a picture of my family, and was telling her who everyone
looked like. After pointing to my older brother and saying, "he looks just
like my dad did," she then asked me, "did your dad pass away?" I
answered, "yes mam, when I was eight." Expecting a typical response
of, "I am so sorry," she looked and me and said, "did my daugher
tell you her dad died when she was nine?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">déjà vu huh?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">I looked at her mom with a blank stare because I
instantly understood. The same way I understood why I was so drawn to a little
girl in a 1st grade tent, I understood why I was drawn to a 17 year old girl on
a volleyball team. I then told her mom the story of how this has happened to me before, and how I knew there was something about her daughter all along, but that I couldn't pin point it, and she sat in just as much amazement as I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For this to happen once in someones life is one thing, but it to happen
twice... whoah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My heart that was so full of shame was stripped
of all shame, and was filled with the simple phrase once again, "this is
why." Granted my heart still misses that little girl, and I know she will
forever be a part of my life, but Jesus has made it so clear to me that my
story, and my life isn't just meant to be shared with one person. If I let Him,
He wants to make Himself known not to just one person, but to many. Your story
isn't just meant to be shared with one person. Your story is meant to be shared
with every person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I knew that when I walked into this new chapter
that it was exactly where Jesus wanted me to go, but I didn't really understand
why He was asking me to step away, for a time, from 3 kids that I knew I had
been called to. But a 17 year old girl answered my question. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a way it was also Jesus saying, "hey, I know you think you are here to make these girls better volleyball players but
you are here for so much more than that."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The beautiful thing was that I simply didn't
want to go to this tournament, as bad as that is. Everything was going all
wrong. I was mad, tired, and it was the last place I wanted to be.... but it
was the exact place Jesus wanted me to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus has made is so clear to me that even the
days that leave us questioning not only ourself but sometimes even
questioning Him are not excluded from the days He wants to reveal Himself to
us. On the worst of days, Jesus is near. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A dear friend told me one night in his kitchen
this Summer that, "sometimes one calling ends, so another calling can
begin." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That's it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe Jesus is calling you somewhere right now
but you are fighting it, and questioning it because you know that where you are
is where at one time you were confident Jesus wanted you to be. That might be
the case, but my friend said it best... sometimes one calling ends, so another
can begin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Isaiah 43:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"This is what <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> says,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="background: white;">the God who builds a
road right through the ocean,</span><br /><span style="background: white;">who carves a path
through pounding waves,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The God who summons horses and chariots and
armies—</span><br /><span style="background: white;">they lie down and then
can’t get up;</span><br /><span style="background: white;">they’re snuffed out like
so many candles:</span><br /><span style="background: white;">Forget about what’s happened;</span><br /><span style="background: white;">don’t keep going over
old history.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something
brand-new."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Be alert. Be present. I am
about to do something brand-new.]</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be alert friends, Jesus wants
to do something new. Don't find yourself in love with being comfortable. But
instead be willing to go at all times. Be ready for the "new."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And when you take that step of faith into the "new" and begin to question, lean it. He will
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13130121323072153273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4881702695385025962.post-62207102117060927692014-08-11T07:23:00.001-07:002014-11-19T14:47:29.204-08:00For The Girls Who Want To Hear From Their Dads. <div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Oranienbaum, serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 31.920000076293945px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
This entry was originally posted on <a href="http://dearly-beloved-blog.com/"><span style="color: red;">Dearly Beloved</span></a>. Check out their website for incredible doses of grace for your day. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I sat in that chair in the movie theater while the credits rolled, and the ability to move vanished, leaving me paralyzed. The movie? Safe Haven. No, I wasn’t having another hopeless romantic moment. I was taken to a place of sudden realization and a romantic reaction was the farthest thing from my mind.</div>
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Shattered . . . that was me.</div>
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In this movie, there is a family. A dad, a mom, a daughter, and a son. If you want the whole story, just watch the movie. <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">But there is a one specific part of the movie that took a knife straight into the broken pieces of my heart–pieces I had thought over the years had been mended back together–and shattered them back into a million more pieces.</strong> Picture a little kid who has a puzzle with 1000 pieces and overtime works a little at a time to finish it, and then some one comes along and knocks the puzzle off the table and he has to start all over again . . . that was me.</div>
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As the movie goes along the audience comes to find out that the mom passed away because of cancer when the kids were little. But she leaves her son and daughter these letters. A letter for her daughter on her wedding day. A letter for her son on his graduation day. A letter for the defining moments of their lives that she would miss, but that she wanted to somehow speak into.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">Being almost 20, and living the past 11 years of my life without a father, there have been so many moments where I would have done almost anything to have my dad’s own words being spoken over my life.</strong> The night before my high-school graduation I sat in the floor of my mom’s closet looking at old pictures weeping, because the never ending desire of wanting to know “what would he say to me today” was consuming.</div>
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Anger is the raging fire that consumes the arsonist. That day I was the arsonist and I was going up in a million flames.</div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">Why didn’t my dad write me letters?</em></div>
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Maybe you are like me. Maybe your dad knew that his days were numbered and yet still chose to leave behind nothing. Maybe you aren’t like me. Maybe your dad had no idea that his days were coming to end sooner than ever imagined. Maybe your dad isn’t physically gone at all, but he chooses to be. Maybe you dad is there, but he chooses everything else before choosing you.</div>
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Pick any of them, and I can assure you a daughter who has a father that is absent in any way is longing to hear something, anything.</div>
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The anger that birthed in my heart that day was a wildfire. It didn’t just take days to put out, it took months and months. My heart shifted though–a shift that was brought about by a simple thought of how many other girls were out there that were not only without a father too, but were without that same letter I dreamed of. You see, when our hearts make that shift from anger, resentment, pity, and sorrow to acceptance and compassion, our hearts soften. When our hearts soften they become open and willing to see purpose. <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">I can’t write you that letter, but I can remind you of the letter that has already been written instead of the one that never was.</strong></div>
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Right now you might be the mother of an 8 year old daughter who won’t read this post until she is older. Right now you might be the 15 year old girl dreading the idea of a sweet 16. Right now you might be the girl about to go off to college. Right now you might be the woman about to get married. It is in those moments that you are reminded again and again that he isn’t here.</div>
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Just know that no matter how much I can understand where you are, or relate to your circumstance, there is nothing I could ever give you that would be what you need. There is nothing I can ever say that will help. But Jesus can. He is what you need, and His words not only help they heal.</div>
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Jesus is what you need,<br />
and His words not only help<br />
they heal.</div>
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I didn’t have those letters like the characters in the movie. But Jesus walked with me hand in hand to where I am now maybe for one purpose . . . To assure those of you who don’t have your earthly father speaking over you on a day to day basis, and those of you who are left behind like me with nothing . . . that you are going to make it. Maybe my job is to assure the mom of that little girl . . . she is going to make it.</div>
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And this is why.</div>
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Nothing your earthly father could say will ever be enough.<br />
But everything that Jesus says is enough.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">That letter you are craving, you have it.</strong> It is available to you today and everyday. His word, His promises, that is the only letter you will ever need. That is the letter that will get you through those nights when you are thinking, “What would he say to me today?”</div>
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The only way to come out of it is to go through it. The only way to go through it is to admit that you are where you are.</div>
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For those of you who are in that state of anger do NOT be ashamed. The only way to come out of it is to go through it. The only way to go through it is to admit that you are where you are. It won’t go away over night, but rest in the fact that you have a Heavenly Father that is speaking out not only something, but exactly what you need to hear today and everyday.</div>
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This is what your Father writes to you. This is your letter.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who just needs to hear her father say her name:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God…”</em> (1 John 3:1)</div>
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He claims you as His child. He calls you His daughter.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who needs to know that she is not fatherless:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">” . . . a father to the fatherless.”</em> (Psalm 68:5)</div>
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He is your Father.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who wants her father to know how much pain she is in:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">“Praise be to the Lord, to God our savior who daily bears our burdens.”</em> (Psalm 68:19)</div>
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He not only sees your pain, He bears it with you.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who feels like her father doesn’t listen:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">“You, Lord, know the desired of the afflicted, you encourage them, and listen to their cry.”</em> (Psalm 10:17)</div>
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He is listening.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who feels helpless and unprotected:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">” . . . defending the fatherless, and the oppressed so that mere earthly mortals will never strike terror again.”</em> (Psalm 10:18)</div>
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He defends you.</div>
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<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">To the girl who longs to have her father hold her:</strong></div>
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<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #011220; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">“</span>If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times.”</em>(Psalm 91:14-16)</div>
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That letter we thought was never written . . . it was written. Read it. Believe it. Cling to it. Breathe it in.</div>
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Remember, His words are greater than anything anyone could offer you.</div>
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