tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36243183017274014842024-02-18T20:16:04.841-06:00Musings From the Feet...of Jesus"Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word." ~ Luke 10:38-42Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-15183974273510843022014-11-08T12:03:00.000-06:002014-11-08T12:03:18.981-06:00Saying No to Say Yes<div dir="ltr">
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There are those seasons in life that seem extra busy. Those seasons where you just do not have enough time in each day to accomplish all the things that you had hoped to. I'm finding that those are coming more and more and that I am having to learn to say <em>no</em> to things much more frequently. Recently I felt the need to drop out of a Bible Study with some dear friends simply because I just wasn't able to keep up, and falling behind proved to be stressful and sent me to bed each night regretting that despite my best efforts I hadn't answered even one single question, much less done a whole lesson. <br />
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Then today a friend shared <a href="http://www.scissortailsilk.com/2014/11/06/to-the-momma-at-chick-fil-a">a mommy blog post</a>. I like mommy blogs even though I'm not a mom, and so I took a minute to read it while on lunch break. And I had to smile. I think my life is hectic and I don't have children hanging off of me. I thought, "Well, am I saying <em>no</em> to quickly? If she can do that, maybe I can do more?"<br />
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But as I thought about that, I realized that each season of life has it's own moments of hecticness, and that her busy is different than my busy. What I say no to, will be different than what she says no to, but that doesn't mean either of us is wrong. We are just in different seasons of life. We all need to say <em>no</em> sometimes. The important thing is to evaluate what we are saying <em>yes</em> too, and making sure that that is in line with what God has for us in our current season of life, and evaluate our <em>no'</em>s in the same manner. Right now one of my big <em>yes</em> is finishing my college education. Later when I have finished college, my <em>yeses</em> will be for something else. <br />
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So, what are you saying <em>no</em> to so that you can say <em>yes</em> to the most important things in life? Namely your relationship with the Lord.<br />
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<em>Yeah, I know, I said life was crazy enough so that I couldn't even do a Bible study lesson and here I am writing a rambling blog post. While my lunch is getting cold no less. But you see, for some people, writing is every bit as important as eating. ;) </em></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-37798773476954461322014-08-16T12:51:00.000-05:002014-08-16T12:51:03.753-05:00Lessons in the DR<div dir="ltr">
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A little over a week ago today I arrived back from a trip with friends to the Dominican Republic. If you would like to read about some of our adventures, check out the links below. </div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><strong>Jenn</strong></span> (<a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-trip-2014-day-one.html">Day 1</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-trip-2014-day-two.html">Day 2</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-trip-2014-day-three.html">Day 3</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-trip-2014-day-four.html">Day 4</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/07/dr-trip-2014-day-five.html">Day 5,</a> </div>
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<a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/08/dr-trip-2014-days-six-and-seven.html">Day 6 & 7</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/08/dr-trip-2014-la-tinajita.html">Jarabacoa</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/08/dr-trip-2014-la-tinajita_9.html">La Tinajita</a>, <a href="http://becomingafairlady.blogspot.com/2014/08/dr-trip-2014-samana-and-almost-end.html">Samanà</a>)</div>
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<strong><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Jessie Bear</span></strong> (<a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip.html">Day 1</a>, <a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip_25.html">Day 2</a>, <a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip_26.html">Day 3</a>, <a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip_27.html">Day 4</a>, <a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip_28.html">Day 5</a>, <a href="http://brokencompletebeautiful.blogspot.com/2014/07/dominican-republic-discipleship-trip_6.html">Day 6</a>, </div>
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Hopefully more to come)</div>
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I have promised to sit down and share a little from my own perspective, but truth be told, I do not even know where to start. Perhaps at the beginning? For me day one was about a year ago. At that time Jessie Bear had just arrived home from her first trip to the Dominican Republic. She told me bits and pieces about the trip but what I remember most was the change in her vocabulary. She talked a lot about grace and about the soul. Somewhere back at the end of the summer of 2013, that was my day one. <br />
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At that time I was not even considering that there might be a next trip and that I would be on it. I was focused on life, and that life included the structure and pressure of a job and college classes amidst all the other aspects of daily life. However, the talk about the soul and what grace meant in daily life was creating questions in my mind. Questions that continued to bagger me, particularly one, "Do I really know what grace is?" <br />
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Time went on and Jessie Bear continued to talk about what she had learned, but not in the same direct way. I could see that what she had learned had changed her, grown her, and sometimes I felt at a loss to understand where she was in life. She seemed to grasp things in a new way that had made her more focused and even more alive. Yet, even though I saw the results, I could not fully grasp the truth behind the change. I wanted it too, but it seemed beyond me, to hard. <br />
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I was convinced I could not ever go because I had responsibilities and it was costly, but faithful friends were praying (some I did not even know about then) and over time pieces began to fall in place, God provided, and I went. <br />
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As I boarded my first plane I was resolved to listen well and to learn, but I was not aware of another resolve that had been developing below the surface. A determination to protect myself. You see, I felt vulnerable because of my questions on grace. Here I had been a Christian for years and here I was swamped in doubts out my understanding of grace. Yes, there was a lot of pride behind that fear, but remember, I did not realize all of this was going on. At least not yet. </div>
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As the trip progressed I enjoyed the newness of being in another country, the fun in observing new people, and the depth of the lessons we had each day. I was excited that some of my questions were answered and felt my understanding of grace began to deepen some. However, there were still some unvoiced questions hovering in the back of my mind. I never allowed myself time to even put them into words, but they were there none the less. <br />
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We were nearing the end of out trip and were seated at breakfast when Mr. Raimundo put a question to me. I do not even recall the exact question, but I think it was along the lines of what a key takeaway from the sessions had been to me. I said that it had been on the talks on grace and our completeness in Christ. How I had never fully grasped that, and how I always had such high standards for myself and others that we never reached them and I was always left feeling like a failure, judgemental, and even hopeless at times. <br />
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It was then that I truly began to learn, when I spoke up and voiced what was tumbling around inside. Mr. Raimundo stopped me and asked if I was sure that my standards were to high, and then went on to explain that, no, my standards were not to high, in fact, they were very low. He explained that God's standard is the highest, and it is not perfection. Do you know what it is? Grace. And what is grace? It is that Jesus died on a cross and took God's wrath upon Him so that we might live. <br />
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I wished I had taken notes, so that I could now more clearly explain using his questions and illustrations. But the fact is, over that breakfast, for the first time I felt like I was really beginning to grasp grace and how I should live because of how God pours out His grace on us. I had heard about grace time and time again, I had read God's Word many times over, but somehow the fullness of grace eluded me. I would see little glimpses of it, but it really had never sunk in and fully effected how I lived on a day to day bases. </div>
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Often we go into things with expectations of what we hope to learn and take away, but the best lessons are the ones that God teaches when we are least expecting them. He truly does know what we need and is faithful to provide. </div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-38714536878356108122014-07-17T21:09:00.000-05:002014-07-17T21:14:12.776-05:00Despising the Gift?<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="color: #444444;">The sun beat hard my forehead as my eyes scanned the horizon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">A puffing breeze made the warmness just bearable. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe...You are powerful, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Your might extends across the heavens and the earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Your love to all generations..."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">My eyes descend the earth just in front of my feet.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"You are amazing in every way, and you love me..." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I shake my head.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Then why is it that I feel so empty? Why will this thirst not be quenched?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">My skin is sticky, but I stay there in the sun. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Waiting. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Hoping for an answer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I sigh and turn to go in, out of the mugginess, the question still there. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Why?"</span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The day moves on. I focus. I work hard. I accomplish many goals. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">And yet, I want more. I even think that I need more. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I clock out. The work day completed. I sit back, I pray. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Father, fill me up. Be my everything. My all. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Let this ache, this burning ache, go away. Be my comfort. Still my heart."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The day goes on and I do some chores, get ready for the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Yet, in it all the whispered prayer for more, for deliverance</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">continues with each breath. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The sun is setting, the breeze has cooled, and the smell of rain lingers in the air. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I walk slowly along the familiar gravel pathway, listening to the rustling </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">of the wind running through the fields. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The prayer from earlier echos even stronger within my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Lord, my God, my Father -- I know that You do all things well and for good...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">but why must this ache persist? Why must I always feel like </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">a pilgrim in the desert, dying of thirst?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I listen as I walk, and pray for more of Him and then it comes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">A question.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"What if this ache isn't suppose to go away? What if this thirst isn't supposed to die? What if the very thing you beg for Him to take is the very gift </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I stand still as the wind tugs at my hair.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">I stare up into the cloud-filled heavens. I smell rain's sweet sent.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"What if this thirst, this ache for more, was a gift? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Hadn't I just prayed the day before, telling Him that I wanted to long for Him more than ANYTHING?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">What if this was the answer? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">What if this need, this brokenness, was the gift?"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">My mind wondered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">2 Corinthians 12:9 came into focus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Was this weakness? Was this where His strength could be </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">perfected? Where glory could be given?"</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Maybe once again I was trying to get rid of the pain and discomfort that was meant to be kept?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Maybe I was trying to be whole when I can best serve Him</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">The thoughts continued to tumble.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Yes, maybe this thirst so deep that nothing but Him alone can satisfy was a gift. Maybe it wasn't something to try to shake</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">or loose, but something to embrace. To treasure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Maybe this ache that kept driving me to my knees and into His arms</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">was something I didn't want to loose? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Maybe it was a reminder</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">of how very wonderful and awesome He is?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Maybe it was what I'd been praying for all along? A chance to never, ever</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">loose sight of His face. To never stop seeking Him with </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">all that I am?" </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I began to walk again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">"Thank You, Lord, for meeting me here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">For speaking to my weary and longing heart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Thank you for reminding me that sometimes we shouldn't seek to </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">escape the hardship, the weaknesses, but instead we should embrace them. Cling to them...because in that brokenness and need, there are You found. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">There are You glorified."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">The corners of my mouth lifted into a little smile.A sigh made its way from my heart to my lips. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">He always meets me here. In the quite. In the stillness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">He always meets me here and whispers words into my ear that I never dreamed I'd hear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">His grace is amazing. His love and mercy never ending. And His</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">steadfastness is as constant as the rising and setting of the sun.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">And once again my soul rejoices, because He is GOOD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong>"Who have I in heaven <em>but thee? </em></strong><strong>and <em>there </em>is none upon earth <em>that</em> I desire beside thee. </strong><strong>My flesh and my heart faileth: </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><strong><em>but</em> God <em>is</em> the strength </strong><strong>of my heart </strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">and my portion for ever."</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Psalm 75: 25 & 26</span></strong></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-59193129391801427972014-07-05T19:07:00.000-05:002014-07-05T19:07:32.985-05:00Imposter Enchiladas<div dir="ltr">
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Boil the chicken breasts in 4-6 cups of water until completely cooked. Save the water/broth. Take chicken out and chop into 1/4 inch pieces and set aside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdNTobcDS42hD2tnX1oeo1lSKc2f2woN_SQxSvWSjisu6zWE2QGvGacVe72WuGLdiutP4JfwjG22sVgKhg9-jbL7EcLKHPXo9Bpds6IGwSucsB1SIaurwgNAivREN1bzlA8Xww2j6teSC/s1600/IMG_0485-712533.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdNTobcDS42hD2tnX1oeo1lSKc2f2woN_SQxSvWSjisu6zWE2QGvGacVe72WuGLdiutP4JfwjG22sVgKhg9-jbL7EcLKHPXo9Bpds6IGwSucsB1SIaurwgNAivREN1bzlA8Xww2j6teSC/s320/IMG_0485-712533.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6032728295858321506" /></a></div>
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1 small onion finely chopped</div>
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3-6 T. pickles jalapenos finely chopped (or green chilies to taste) </div>
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1 1/2 t. salt</div>
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1/2 t. garlic powder</div>
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1 t. celery salt</div>
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1/4 t. ground back pepper</div>
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Use the water/broth you held back (4-6 cups) to start your sauce. Added the onion, peppers, and spices and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Slowly add 1/2-1 cup thickener (wheat flour, cornstarch, rice flour) and stir slowly until thickened (5 minutes). Take off heat. </div>
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16 oz. sour cream</div>
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Shredded Cheddar cheese</div>
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Tortillas</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaSFnO5yq3FWFxWAsj8fR6QuRve65bnhu8jj3qRPraD8DDaM6sBEqO80gH4JYjmJWtHBYZCgf0W3XahNGFmkr5cD1ICjmNtJ_eZAhd84Nge1zyBng0rZ6btBzOtuxEr2jACDYExDf2Kx3/s1600/IMG_0490-709836.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaSFnO5yq3FWFxWAsj8fR6QuRve65bnhu8jj3qRPraD8DDaM6sBEqO80gH4JYjmJWtHBYZCgf0W3XahNGFmkr5cD1ICjmNtJ_eZAhd84Nge1zyBng0rZ6btBzOtuxEr2jACDYExDf2Kx3/s320/IMG_0490-709836.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6032728287730597858" /></a>Lightly grease a 9 x13" inch casserole pan (can use Pam). Ladle sauce into the pan until the bottom is covered (1/4 inch?). Take a tortilla, fold it in half, and then tear along the fold line. Spread sour cream over the tortilla (it doesn't have to cover the entire thing. Add a pinch of chicken (1 tablespoon) and a pinch of shredded cheese on top of the sour cream at one end of the tortilla. Roll the tortilla and place in pan on top of sauce. Repeat until the pan is full. Cover the top with sauce (1/4 - 1/2 inch). Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes until cheese is melted completely. Serve. </div>
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<i>I came up with this recipe one night when I didn't feel like eating any of our "normal" family dishes. My sister helped me come up with a name for it and the rest, as they say, is history. </i></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-6107042445836844672014-06-09T21:21:00.000-05:002014-06-09T21:26:01.507-05:00Even Here<div style="text-align: center;">
The crunching sound of feet pounding on gravel. </div>
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The smell of dust as it swirls on the wind, blowing from a nearby cotton field </div>
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freshly plowed.</div>
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My breath comes quick, inhaling, exhaling at an accelerated pace. </div>
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In out, in out. My lungs begin to tire, yet I push on. </div>
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I glance down at my feet, willing them to keep stepping, and then up again at my distant goal.</div>
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Closer and closer. I can make out more detail, see the familiar growth that lines the side of the road.</div>
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I squint my eyes, and breath hard.</div>
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I can do this. I will my legs to keep on taking steps, my feet </div>
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to keep rising and falling.</div>
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This is the second time to day, running down this road. </div>
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The second time to urge my legs to keep on moving, my feet to crunch the gravel. </div>
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My mind starts to wonder a little as I keep pressing, pushing into</div>
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what was a breeze that is now a wind.</div>
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But no, I focus. One foot, and then another. This is not the time or place for deep thought. I look ahead, nearly there now. </div>
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I reach my goal, a corner post standing up among the weeds.</div>
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I gasp for air as I turn to walk the other way, to cool down.</div>
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I look into the golden glow of the sunset. I do not marvel at it's beauty this time.</div>
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I just glance down at my dusty shoes.</div>
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Thoughts come. </div>
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I cannot outrun them. I sigh.</div>
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"Father, I don't know Your plan," I whisper. "And now, right now...right now I cannot even see Your hand."</div>
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I glance up, and see brown air in the distance. Dust on the wind. </div>
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"I want to see...but more to know, to trust..."</div>
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I bite my lip, I close my eyes for just a minute, my feet still walking me forward slowly.</div>
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"Lord, I know that You are there, I know that You care...</div>
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I know You see my heart.</div>
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You are GOOD..." </div>
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I sigh, softly pushing air through drying lips.</div>
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My heart is heavy as it thumbs hard against my ribs. I know He's listening so I stop. I turn to face the wind and close my eyes. </div>
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"You formed me, You rescued me, You know my heart...You are my God..."</div>
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I scrunch my eyes tight and slowly exhale.</div>
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"I don't know where You are taking me. I don't understand why...</div>
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But I'll trust You...for today."</div>
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I open my eyes and look up at dirty blue with a now golden hue. I look way up at the sky.</div>
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"Tomorrow...I cannot promise. I want to...</div>
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But I may falter...I may even run..." I whisper within my heart, knowing He hears.</div>
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I wish to be brave, to be strong, but I know the truth. I am weak.</div>
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I always fail. I always run.</div>
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I turn and beginning walking slowly homeward. Yes, I always run...</div>
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But He doesn't stand back and watch me leave.</div>
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I blink hard at the wetness in my eyes. No, He never lets me go alone.</div>
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He runs with me. </div>
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Right there beside me. </div>
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A verse I memorized long ago comes to mind as I continue homeward.</div>
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"Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? </div>
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or whither shall I flee from Thy from they presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, </div>
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thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the </div>
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uttermost parts of the sea; </div>
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<em>Even there</em></div>
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shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me."</div>
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Yes, <em>even there</em> when I am running. </div>
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<em>Even there</em> when I am afraid. He's always there. He's holding, He's leading.</div>
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Yes, He is GOOD.</div>
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My lips turn slightly upward, the burden starts to slip away. </div>
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My hands relax at my side. </div>
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Yes, He is Good...even here. Even when I can't see.</div>
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Even when tomorrow is unknown.</div>
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Yes...especially here.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul you increased."</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 138:3</span></strong></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-50665516485946506462014-05-31T19:35:00.000-05:002014-05-31T19:35:38.653-05:00Procrastination, A Lack of Trust<div dir="ltr">
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February 5, 2014</div>
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Have you ever been so busy that you never seem to have a down moment? You go from one task to another all day long and reach each evening feeling further behind instead of more caught up. You tell your friends you would love to join them in this or that, but you are just too busy and cannot spare time just now. And yet, beneath all of the busy you are procrastinating. </div>
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Have you been there? I have. </div>
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Some of my own struggles in procrastinating has been rooted in my fear of being still, quiet, and trusting in the unseen hand of God Almighty. To cover up any sense of guilt or shame for not trusting, I often allow myself to become super busy and tell myself that each task is important and the world would all but stop if I stopped. Can you say pride and foolishness? </div>
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This ultimate struggle to surrender and let go of control, placing my trust in the One who is most worthy of trust, pushes me into a tizzy. I go and go and go until one day I realize that it is all empty. I am busy, but it amounts to nothing more than burned energy and a dissatisfied heart. </div>
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Have you allowed procrastination and busyness to rob you of the joy of being still and letting God be God? Have you taken matters into your own frail hands and "made" a life for yourself that is deceivingly full, but frightfully empty? If you have, I challenge you to be still and let that truth sink in. Then take some time and talk with the Lord about this area of sin in your life and start tomorrow afresh. Start by being prayerful and careful about what you say "yes" to and what you need to say "no" to. </div>
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He is worthy of our trust, and He has so much more for us then empty busyness.</div>
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"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalm 34:8).</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-43020379506029726572014-02-12T08:54:00.001-06:002014-02-12T09:00:37.362-06:00Crazy Day Taco Soup<strong> <span id="goog_1764003448"></span><span id="goog_1764003449"><br /></span></strong>If your family is like my family you probably have those crazy days every now and then where things do not go as planned and as dinner time nears you have nothing prepared. On those days you need something quick and easy, right? And surely you wouldn't object if it was quick, easy, <em>and</em> good would you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskjdGKlZ3antPfrK0PC-Cy93dfJLNpqR2b4a8S4Vx9r1T3mesO8Czo8m-nk0LXjTXqlbJXK9pWtFe9QcThtJQFD-njdxW8UVrDDaPXYhEUNRjGEFlmGDBK49nmrFTpG1YmZnvwGJfsJjP/s320/IMG_0301-770623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskjdGKlZ3antPfrK0PC-Cy93dfJLNpqR2b4a8S4Vx9r1T3mesO8Czo8m-nk0LXjTXqlbJXK9pWtFe9QcThtJQFD-njdxW8UVrDDaPXYhEUNRjGEFlmGDBK49nmrFTpG1YmZnvwGJfsJjP/s320/IMG_0301-770623.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5979524223280600594" /></a></div>
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One of my families relatively new "crazy day" favorites is our own special version of taco soup. Now, let me warn you, we always make a LOT so you may want to size this recipe down to fit your family. <span id="goog_1513199441"><br /></span><span id="goog_1513199442"><br /></span></div>
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<strong>Crazy Day Taco Soup</strong></div>
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2 lbs. taco meat </div>
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4-5 (14.5 oz.) cans of beans (we like a mix of ranch beans, black beans, and red kidney beans)</div>
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2-3 (14.5 oz.) cans of white hominy (corn could also be used, but my family prefers the hominy) </div>
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1 (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes</div>
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1 (8 oz.) can of tomato sauce</div>
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1 (4 oz.) can of chopped green chilies </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYPMY9w6gQj3mnd9xzQte3IKO8FvQZa8PzHNqaxhiO_9SlFmHUbROdiOhsyJVQlw0BkuJF_qFP5gBj4FIjlkaToaFFZ2x27RjUELiBZpXDxOlWXYFkoHBTBFp6-pGbQ4EhzHRqvgwpvyj/s1600/IMG_0304-776363.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYPMY9w6gQj3mnd9xzQte3IKO8FvQZa8PzHNqaxhiO_9SlFmHUbROdiOhsyJVQlw0BkuJF_qFP5gBj4FIjlkaToaFFZ2x27RjUELiBZpXDxOlWXYFkoHBTBFp6-pGbQ4EhzHRqvgwpvyj/s320/IMG_0304-776363.JPG" height="200" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5979524239600462018" width="150" /></a>1 medium onion, chopped</div>
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2-3 cups milk (we often add extra water and use powdered milk) </div>
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Combine ingredients in big pot, add 5-6 cups of water and heat until hot. Serve with corn chips on the side. Top each bowl with grated cheese, a dollup of sour cream, and if desired, your favorite salsa. </div>
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<strong><em>Servings: 12+</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC2q00Zi-7jnKUmo1iMacvXzCnQQS2lFu4R-vLHPpcw2iDtpZixRXrRnkN0rKNL6u1X4iqf1L3_2wvQJ0T2AncfNI6XEd1T7dw4ySR_8WkqkZ4oAEOLzVJr6P81JHfS2qu664buwSKaUl/s1600/IMG_0307-778543.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC2q00Zi-7jnKUmo1iMacvXzCnQQS2lFu4R-vLHPpcw2iDtpZixRXrRnkN0rKNL6u1X4iqf1L3_2wvQJ0T2AncfNI6XEd1T7dw4ySR_8WkqkZ4oAEOLzVJr6P81JHfS2qu664buwSKaUl/s320/IMG_0307-778543.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5979524247213511298" /></a></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-lQ8UkcpC7WY%2FUvuJmaZ71hI%2FAAAAAAAADeQ%2F6NUTN4mppyg%2Fs320%2FIMG_0301-770623.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskjdGKlZ3antPfrK0PC-Cy93dfJLNpqR2b4a8S4Vx9r1T3mesO8Czo8m-nk0LXjTXqlbJXK9pWtFe9QcThtJQFD-njdxW8UVrDDaPXYhEUNRjGEFlmGDBK49nmrFTpG1YmZnvwGJfsJjP/s320/IMG_0301-770623.JPG" -->Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-86065909799045561092014-01-31T17:45:00.000-06:002014-01-31T17:45:26.042-06:00Pixels of the BIG Picture<div dir="ltr">
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<em><span style="color: #666666;">May 22, 2013</span></em></div>
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I was thinking of how I often have prayed, "Lord, open my eyes so that I may see things more like You do." And then when He does, I squirm and I want the "extra sight" to go away. I don't want to be burdened by the hurts and sins I see. I don't want to ache day and night over my own sins and failings. I just want life to be easy, and I want to be happy. I want life to be about me, because I am selfish. The truth is, life isn't about me. It wasn't ever meant to be. It was meant to be about Him. So today I've been asking myself, do I really want to see as He sees? Do I really want my heart to ache as His must? It will cost...am I willing to die to self? I'm not saying that God doesn't find joy in watching His children. He does! But it only takes one look into the world through eyes that He has opened just the tiniest bit to see how much pain there is as well. </div>
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Praying that we may see as He does in some aspects is good, but have you ever thought about how overwhelmed we would become if we even so 1/100,000,000th of what He sees? We could not carry such burdens, no rejoice with half as much exuberance as would be needed....He sees the BIG picture, and we just see a few pixels.</div>
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When we ask God for things, we should always remember to ask it in the spirit of, "if it is Your will" and "if it is good for me." What we think we want and what we really need are two different things. I don't know about you, but I find it comforting to know that He knows my needs and He gives accordingly. Even when it means not answering my prayers for more of something because He knows that I am not ready for more. </div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-66174568442873107862014-01-08T19:46:00.000-06:002014-01-08T19:46:44.033-06:00He Finds Me Here - Part 2<div dir="ltr">
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Read <a href="http://musingsfromthefeet.blogspot.com/2014/01/he-finds-me-here-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br />
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The days were busy, the goals many. I pushed forward, rushed here then there. Each day was filled so full. I was doing good things, wasn't I? </div>
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Yes, My Lord must be pleased. I was serving His people. Making them feel treasured and special. And that counted for something, </div>
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didn't it? <br />
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Only, you see, I was missing it. He, the Mighty Savior of all creation, longed for something more from me. He who healed the lame, made the blinded eyes to see. </div>
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He who died and rose again on day three. No, He holds the power of </div>
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heaven and earth within His all capable hands. It wasn't my efforts that would make the greatest difference. It was His love. The love which </div>
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He gives freely to all who will receive. <br />
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I am called to love others as self, but above this I am called to love Him </div>
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with all that is in me. All that I am.</div>
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In the rush, the busyness, the "good," I lost sight of the Hope, the Way, </div>
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the Truth. I made myself a god. I was responsible for </div>
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the happiness and joy of others. I was hope to the world. </div>
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Do you see the problem? The mistake? <br />
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In the midst of my self-sufficiency, I lost sight of Him. Memory of my sins and failings grew so large within, that breath died within me. </div>
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No matter of hard work or giving of self could wipe away the stains. </div>
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Hope languished, died. </div>
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How could He love me? Me, who's sins</div>
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nailed Him to a tree? Me, who's heart was full of darkness? </div>
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So, in those days the truth was hidden, I was blind and could not see.<br />
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Through His mercy, through His grace, over time He worked, spoke truth and became new within.</div>
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Open my blinded eyes that I once more might see, His truth, His grace, His love for me. He died, not so that I could become perfect in and of me, but that</div>
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in Him I might be set truly free. In Him be perfected.</div>
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In my weaknesses, He made strong.</div>
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In my weaknesses Him glorified. Lifted high. In me, His righteousness be shown. </div>
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In me, His great love be known.<br />
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It was never,</div>
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never about me. Always about Him. And when I lost sight of that truth,</div>
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I lost sight of Him too. I lost sight of His love, mercy, grace. </div>
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All I could see was my failings. Blinded by them, </div>
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life lost its appeal. But, thank the Lord, in that darkness He came, came</div>
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and rescued me once more. Showed me truth, love, such great</div>
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love. Showered me with His care.<br />
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And in those mostly-alone-days He extracted from my heart</div>
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such joy, such praise. I was saved once, </div>
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but each day He continues to ransom, continues His love, continues His redemption. I shall falter. I shall fail.</div>
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Yet, in the end His love always will prevail.<br />
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What a wondrous God do we serve!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-24726614641924274432014-01-04T11:48:00.001-06:002014-01-04T11:49:45.117-06:00He Finds Me Here - Part 1<div dir="ltr">
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The sky is dark, all but the lights in the distance that speckle the horizon. </div>
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The house is quiet, but not too quiet. </div>
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"Bump-ity-bump," the dryer balls spin round and round </div>
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amongst the still damp towels.</div>
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The hum of the dishwasher and my computer add to the comforting, homey sounds as I await my families return. </div>
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I breathe deep and revel in the relative stillness of the house.</div>
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This time has been good. God has been good. In this mostly-alone-time He has showed me more of Himself. Whispered truths into my worn and weary heart. </div>
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He loves me. </div>
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I struggled to know this not so long ago, doubt and lies trying to rob me of my hope and trust. </div>
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But here, here as time balances between the new and old years, even if only for a few hours, here He met me. Here He linked truths together so that I would know. </div>
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Here He removed doubts, uncovered lies. </div>
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Here He made my heart to rejoice again in His truth and love. Here He made the passion and deep joy spring forth once more. </div>
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A familiar sing song rhythm beats within, slow and sweet. </div>
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Each breath becomes a prayer. A praise. </div>
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I've missed this. When did it slip away? All day the question comes and goes. When had the sweetness faded, the joy gotten lost? </div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-85372315558422678972013-12-07T12:47:00.000-06:002013-12-07T12:47:03.060-06:00Prayer, a Picture of Dependence<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><em>"</em>P.T. Forsyth once said, 'The worst sin is prayerlessness.' </span><span style="color: #444444;">Does this statement surprise us? We usually think of murder </span><span style="color: #444444;">and adultery as among the worst offenses against God and humanity. </span><span style="color: #444444;">But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency--independence from the rule of God. </span><span style="color: #444444;">When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, </span><span style="color: #444444;">we are saying with our actions, if not with our words, that we do not need. </span><span style="color: #444444;">Him. How much of our service is actually a 'going it alone'?" </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~ Charles E. Hummel </span></div>
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<em><strong><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tyranny of the Urgent</span></strong></em></div>
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If you understand the depravity of humankind, the thought that you are self-sufficient and can successfully walk through life alone is laughable. Until you realize that you often live as though you were sufficient, not prayerfully waiting upon and seeking the Lord. <br />
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Perhaps you have been there? You say that without Him you are nothing, you admit that there is no good in you, but you go about life, rarely stopping to speak with the Lord. You life is full, you are too busy. Any prayers are whispered on the run, and most often consist of "help me, help them, bless us" and little else. </div>
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What kind of relationship is that? You never stop to listen, never stop to have deep conversation. Isn't it hollow, empty? Doesn't it say that you do not need them/Him to exist? That you can "go it alone"? </div>
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I've been there. More times then I wish to count. Oh, thanks be to the God of mercy Who opens our eyes that we might see! <br />
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My prayer today, as we enter this holiday season, is that we will realize that the most important thing we can do, the most urgent thing, is to stop and spend time in prayer. He is the source of good, He is the One Who saves the lost, it is in Him alone that we have hope and that we can offer hope. <br />
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"Be Thou my strong habitation, where unto I may continually resort." </div>
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Psalm 71:3</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-19741447300383461322013-12-04T22:48:00.001-06:002013-12-04T22:48:24.625-06:00I Asked the Lord <div style="text-align: left;">
A friend recently shared this hymn with me. It is fast becoming a favorite. </div>
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<strong>I Asked the Lord</strong></div>
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<i>I asked the Lord that I might grow<br /> In faith, and love, and every grace;<br /> Might more of His salvation know,<br /> And seek, more earnestly, His face.</i></div>
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<i>’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,<br /> And He, I trust, has answered prayer!<br /> But it has been in such a way,<br /> As almost drove me to despair.</i></div>
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<i>I hoped that in some favored hour,<br /> At once He’d answer my request;<br /> And by His love’s constraining pow’r,<br /> Subdue my sins, and give me rest.</i></div>
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<i>Instead of this, He made me feel<br /> The hidden evils of my heart;<br /> And let the angry pow’rs of hell</i><br /><i>Assault my soul in every part.</i></div>
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<i>Yea more, with His own hand He seemed<br /> Intent to aggravate my woe;<br /> Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,<br /> Blasted my gourds, and laid me low</i></div>
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<i>Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,<br /> Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?<br />“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,<br /> I answer prayer for grace and faith.</i></div>
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<i>These inward trials I employ,<br /> From self, and pride, to set thee free;<br /> And break thy schemes of earthly joy,<br /> That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”</i></div>
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<em>~John Newton</em></div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-4451241746889861432013-11-09T12:27:00.000-06:002013-11-09T12:42:49.512-06:00Jesus, Lift My Eyes<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Jesus, I lift my eyes to the heavens</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Where does my help come from</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You, O my Lord</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">My heart has a thousand words to say</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 15px/20px "Times New Roman", Times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Please, Lord, turn burdens into praise</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><em>from</em> "Jesus, Lift My Eyes" <em>by the</em> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><em>Pat Little Band</em></span></span></em></strong></div>
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"Please, Lord, turn burdens into praise." Lord, not only the burdens of this life that sometimes threaten to overwhelm, but also the burden of having a thousands of words to say in worship of You and no way to express them all in this lifetime. You are my help, and when I lift my eyes to the heavens I am reminded of Your grace and faithfulness. Both of which I do not deserve, but still You lovely grant anyway. May Your praise ever be on my lips!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-59683699843657277122013-10-22T22:21:00.000-05:002013-10-22T22:21:15.392-05:00Washed White As Snow<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you ever find that grace is hard to comprehend, especially the grace of God? Have you ever struggled not to view yourself as the blackest and most vile of sinners even after salvation? Someone whom God has slopped the white paint of His grace over, much like someone slopping white paint on a black wall, trying to hide the darkness but failing so that blackness peeks through and shadows the white. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see yourself as though you are only a partly covered by His grace, but underneath is your pitch black soul. You think, but how could He love me, does He not see my sin, my worthlessness and failings? You fight this idea of grace, freely given, that washes you bleached white. Grace that is not poorly covering your sin, but grace that has washed it all away as totally as bleach washes your mother's sheets crisp and spotless white. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"But how could anyone love me that much if they really knew what I am?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the mystery, the greatness, that has left generations in awe. There is no human reasoning that could explain a love like His. A love that sees, not passed our sin, but sees us as though we had never sinned. Who does not see us as we once were, but as we never can be on earth, sinless, flawless, perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing we can do to attain this perfection in His eyes. No number of works or words. It is the amazing grace extended to us, the righteousness of His own Son. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">"<span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">He made Him who </span><sup style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28899A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">knew no sin </span><i style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to be</i><span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><sup style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28899B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">sin on our behalf, so that we might become the </span><sup style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-28899C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).</span></span></span></span></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-4749971979799917052013-10-09T19:47:00.000-05:002013-10-09T19:47:04.342-05:00For This Too, Will I Trust<div dir="ltr">
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Sometimes living in the past holds an appeal. You wish you could go back and be there again. "But, why?" I asked myself. "Is it the appeal of knowing what happened already and knowing that there would not be any surprises? Or at least, not surprises in a bad way." </div>
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I pause. I sit back. I play the past through my head. It is like an old friend. I know the twists and turns it will take. It is sweetly familiar. I smile. </div>
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My mind turns again to the question at hand and I look deep at the future. It is filled with possibilities. It is like lump of clay that could be molded in one of thousands of ways before being painted, textured, fired in another thousand ways. It has endless possibilities, but until the artist begins to mold and make, it is just a lifeless lump of nothingness. It has no beauty. No shape. Only the artist knows what it will be and what processes it will go through to arrive at that more refined and beautiful shape. </div>
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Life is like that. We look forward and see a thousand possibilities, and a thousand ways to get to them. We do not know what the end of our life will look like, when we will reach it, or what processes we will go through to reach that, hopefully, more refined, sanctified, and beautiful imitation of our Savor. Until the Artist has finished His working on and within our lives, we cannot guess at the outcome. We can pray for and work towards a desired oneness with Him, but only by the workings of His grace in us will we reach such a desired end. </div>
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"Yes, perhaps," I mused. "Perhaps this is the appeal in the past. We know the outcome because we have already reach it. The future stands before us nameless and shapeless and it requires trust." </div>
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Trust. How hard it is to trust. And yet, as Ann Voskamp states in her memorable way in <em>One Thousand Gifts</em>, "If God didn't withhold from us His very own Son, will God withhold anything we need?" </div>
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He has already fulfilled our biggest need. Eradicated our biggest need of fear. Why is it then that we do not trust? Why is it that we are tempted to wish ourselves back in time, standing in trembling fear of what lies ahead? Why do we doubt the One who has already been more faithful than we could ever be? More loving, kind, and merciful that we could ever deserve? </div>
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I pause. I look into the brilliant display of evening colors and my heart sings. Wordless praise flows forth to the One who holds my tomorrow. It is like reaching forth to place my hand once more in the work-worn hand of the Master artist. A pray whispers forth from my lips, "Lord, make me more like You. Mold me more and more into your likeness with each passing hour."</div>
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"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, </div>
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and thou our potter; and we all are the </div>
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~ Isaiah 64:8</div>
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"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to <br />
sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and they faithfulness every night." ~ Psalm 92:1-2</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-74344614752411140372013-09-27T19:04:00.000-05:002013-09-28T13:23:49.617-05:00And Then...It Didn't Happen<div dir="ltr">
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There was a determined air to her little chin as she jutted it out as if to dared anyone to challenge her. She was five and she was already tired of the looks people gave down their noses when she answered their all important question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" They could laugh and sneer and pass those "knowing" looks around her for a hundred years and that could not change the dream buried deep within her little girl heart. Yes, despite all the scorn she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. She wanted to be a wife and a mother. She wanted to keep a house, change dippers, wipe little faces, and be there to welcome her husband home at the end of a long day. </div>
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Maybe her thoughts were not quite as detailed as that, but over time they would grow to be. At five she never even doubted it would happen. At twelve, sixteen, eighteen and even twenty she never doubted and her dream stood strong. And then, after that as each year passed, doubts began to creep in and the dream began to crack just a little and the sureness she had once had began to waver. Would it fall? </div>
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Are you that girl? Are you passing up your twenties with the speed of a freight train on a rickety track feeling that any minute you may come to a bridge that will not hold your dreams up and they will come crashing down all around you? You wanted nothing more than to marry young and thought that by now you would have a house full of little ones. Only, it didn't happen. </div>
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So now what? What do you do with those desires? And are those desires being shaped in God glorifying ways?</div>
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I recently sat down to write, to try to make sense of the many thoughts and questions that whirled in my own head. While I was sitting there, fingers poised over the keys, questions began to pop out on the page. "What is it that I desire from marriage? Why do I desire these things? Are they godly desires or selfish ones?"</div>
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Those were some deep questions but I really did want know my heart answers. As is often my habit when I have something to think through, I slipped on my shoes and set out on a walk, book and pen in hand. </div>
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As I walked answers did not magically appear, instead, even more questions crammed themselves out through my pen and onto the spaces between the lines. "Why is that I desire marriage? Is it so that I can give, or so that I can take? Is the appeal in having someone to share my life with, or is it sharing someone else's life with them? Is it about my plans being accomplished, or is it about God's plans being fulfilled? Is it about my success and my dreams coming true. Is it about my happiness? </div>
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Now, I know that these questions are not an answer to what you should do with your own desires for marriage. And I know that they probably are not consolation to a lonely heart and that they probably cannot mend the cracks in your dreams. They cannot wipe away any doubts you may be having in the likelihood of your own wedding ever being more than a board on Pinterest, but maybe, just maybe they can show you some areas in your thought life that are a little warped. Perhaps you might find that some of your desires are more selfish and less godly, and what better time to realize that than now? Now when you have an opportunity to seek the Lord's strength in realigning your desires with His before your emotions become entangled in a relationship.</div>
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Maybe I do not have any more answers than you do, but I do know that for you, and for me, and for every other person who has dreams that they feel are crumbling, that God has a plan and it is perfect. How do I know this? Because each day as I seek to align my dreams with His plans He has been showing me that His hands are in the smallest of details. Do not despair my friend, He is faithful. Seek after Him with all your heart and He will meet you there.<br />
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<strong>"For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul </strong></div>
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<strong>with goodness." ~ Psalm 107:9</strong></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-47867730560948504002013-09-26T20:17:00.001-05:002013-09-26T21:06:59.327-05:00What He Must be for Me<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How many times I have heard girls talk about having lists of what "he must be.' The "he" of course referring to the man she one day hopes to marry. He must be godly, good looking, smart, funny, kind, generous, joyful, encouraging, etc. In fact he must be just short of perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The list changes as years pass, and hopefully it gets a little more realistic as the girl realizes that men aren't perfect. People aren't perfect. And yet, I have made one observation that frankly bothers me. So many of us think more on what he or she must be for us than we think about what we should be for him or her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For example, have you ever met a young lady who is in her twenties heading towards thirties who laments being single? Like all the time. This same lady also makes comments indicating she would be happy if she didn't get one more wedding invitation because weddings are just too hard to attend because they remind her of how very single she is. She may say it jokingly, and perhaps a part of her doesn't mean it, but at the same time it's pretty obvious to everyone that part of her does mean it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now I'm not saying there haven't been days when I've looked at all my friends marrying their best friends and wished that I was headed down that same road as well. I'd be lying if I said there wasn't. I think it is natural and if handled well, it can even be okay. However, that isn't the point of this post. What I'm getting at is how attractive is it when a girl "pouts" and appears to be jealous of what others have? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Girls, I'm putting this to you. Would you be attracted to a young man who sarcastically jokes about not wanting to go to anymore weddings because they are just too hard to get through? Would you be tripping over each other to get to a man who laments his state of singleness at every turn and sounds, well, to put it bluntly, jealous. Would you pray for a man who character is marred by a tendency to have pity parties on a regular basis? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, I am aware that the many of you may think a guy's lot in life is different because, after all, he can pursue a girl anytime. He just needs to get out there and do it! Right? Well, maybe, but what about the guy who isn't in an area where there are suitable young women, as in, maybe he is surrounded by woman of another religion? Or what about the guy who is held back by circumstances totally out of his control? You get the point. Let's just forget all that and suppose there was a guy out there who was acting like what I have described. Would you be attracted to him? I'm confidant you wouldn't. After all, who wants to marry someone who is jealous and swimming in his own pity pool party of tears? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bottom line is this. You have a list of what he must be, but what about if he has list of what you must be? How would you measure up? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our goal in life isn't to make the best spouse or to even get married, at least, it shouldn't be. But, for any role in life we should work to obtain skills that will help us be successful. That includes the area of marriage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's okay, I'm not saying you can't keep your list of what he should be (perhaps I should tackle my opinion of "what he should be" lists in another post!), just remember he might have a list too. If you expect him to live up to your expectations, then maybe you should be striving to live up to his? This might include letting go of that pity party tissue and seeking the Lord in a whole new way so that your life begins to overflow with the joy of the Lord and thankfulness for the little blessings in each day. </span><br />
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<span class="text Ps-103-1" id="en-KJV-15551"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Bless the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all they diseases; Who redeemeth they life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies." ~ Psalm 103: 1-4</span></span><br />
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-18949914414094092562013-08-27T21:08:00.000-05:002013-08-27T21:08:06.247-05:00Something to Ponder<div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"With so many choices, it's no surprise that we are always thinking about the greener grass on the other side of the fence. We are always pondering what could be better or what might be nicer about something or someone new. 'Decide' comes from the Latin word <em>decider</em>, meaning 'to cut off,' which explains why decisions are so hard these days. We can't stand the thought of cutting off any of our options. If we choose A, we feel the sting of not having B and C and D. As a result, every choice feels worse than no choice at all. And when we do make an important choice, we end up with buyers' remorse, wondering if we are setting for second best. Or, worse yet, we end up living in our parents basement indefinitely as we try to find ourselves and hear God's voice. Our freedom to do anything and go anywhere ends up feeling like bondage more than liberty, because decision making feels like pain not pleasure."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><em>Just Do Something</em> p. 37</span></span></div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-10771269952696722602013-07-10T09:57:00.000-05:002013-07-10T09:57:37.711-05:00Restless Days<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><em>Previously written</em></span></div>
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Restless days. We've all had them. They are the days when your mind all but refuses to focus on what is at hand and where everything you know you should do seem pointless. If you are like me, it also means many longing glances out of the window, wishing you were out climbing some far off hills, enjoying a quite day with nature and your quickly moving thoughts. </div>
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What do we do with restless days? Days when we struggle to find contentment in anything at all. When everything we have doesn't seem like enough, and what we don't have looks unrealistically green and inviting? </div>
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Turn our thoughts to praise. At least, that is something I have found to calm the agitated heart and mind. When I have no rest it is easy to get caught up in what I don't have and longing for those things. On those days, usually later rather than sooner, I am reminded that there is nothing that fills the longing heart more fully then the Lord. Spending time counting my blessings and praising His name has a way of grounding me. What I wanted seems to fade behind that which I have been given. I deserve none of it, and yet it was freely given to me.</div>
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My restless day is ending well. A heart full of praise, hope, and peace. A sense of knowing that I'm right where I need to be.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-43275526913500471742013-07-08T19:50:00.000-05:002013-07-08T19:50:45.054-05:00Rest?<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #444444; display: inline!important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal; font: italic 16px/29px Lora,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #444444; display: inline!important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal; font: italic 16px/29px Lora,Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"Do we never hear the question "What is the harm of it?" asked about reading certain books, following certain pursuits, taking our recreation in certain ways? Perhaps… we need change of thought and rest of brain. "What is the harm of the latest novel, even if it happens to be rather unprofitable?" And we (who have not time to read one out of a thousand of the real books that have been written) spend a precious hour by deliberate choice over something not worthwhile; and when our immediate world interrupts us, breaking in upon us with some call, do we find that we come back to it with quite undistracted gladness?" ~Amy Carmichael</span></blockquote>
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When I read this quote I replaced "real books" with "real book." With the Bible. How often when I "<em>need"</em> change of thought or rest of brain to I turn to things other than the Bible? Other than God.</div>
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I read fiction, watch a movie, chat with friends, write in my journal. Those things aren't perhaps bad, but are they really the rest my soul desires? <br />
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I realize that I have been building a habit of turning my brain off, of avoiding the things which trouble me instead of taking them to God. Instead of seeking His Word. True rest is in trusting Him with the unseen, not running from it. </div>
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I give thanks to the God of grace who is continually working to conform me into His likeness!</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-13485803051985541972013-06-24T18:42:00.000-05:002013-06-24T18:42:00.309-05:00Seek Him Every Morning<div>
"There are no shortcuts to Christlikeness. Shortcuts only lead to masquerading. There is no substitute for spending consistent time alone in His presence. The cost is great. But the rewards are even greater. If we want to be transformed, we must be willing to:</div>
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Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;</div>
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Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word...</div>
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Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;</div>
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Much time spend in secret with Jesus alone;</div>
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By looking to Jesus, like Him though shalt be;</div>
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The friend in they condeuct His likeness shall see.</div>
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~ Willeam D. Longstaff (1822-94)"</div>
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<em>A Place of Quiet Rest</em></div>
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I know I have written several times about the urgent need in all of our lives for prayer, but recently in I was remind again of how important prayer is. </div>
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Sometimes in all my bustling around I slack in the one area of my life that should always remain consistent. Prayer. Again and again I have reaped the fruits of my lack of faithfulness in seeking my Maker. I have been overwhelmed, discouraged, and lacking direction. <br />
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When I finally sit down to ask myself why things have been going so badly, why I am so frustrated at every turn, I usually do not have to search my heart long to discover that I have been doing it again. I have been trying to do everything alone. <br /><br />So often God has used circumstances, things that push me to my limits, to remind me that I need Him. That I cannot hope to cope with all life throws at me, alone. I need Him, and I need to seek Him out daily.</div>
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What are some things that encourage you to be consistent in your prayer life?<br />
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-19605299562767137762013-06-18T21:52:00.000-05:002013-06-19T12:37:23.997-05:00Love Is Not...<div>
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I was young and foolish and he was the first one to walk into my life that seemed to measure up to all of the "qualifications", and who had a heart for the Lord that was something more than I had ever hoped to see. Yes, my expectations were frightfully low, but then I did not realize that, or if I did, I was afraid to hope for more because one cannot have everything one wants, right?</div>
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He was of the "right" age, height, build (Hey, didn't I mention I was immature?), and like I said he loved the Lord. What was not to love? So foolishly I let my emotions become entangled in fantasies of how I could be the happiest girl in the world if only he would look at me twice.</div>
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All to often young girls allow their emotions run away with them. For me, I based my happiness on whether or not a man that I didn't even know <em>that</em> well would pay me just a little attention. If he did not I felt crushed, and if he so much as said, "Hello!" I was walking on clouds. Our joy in life is not to be wrapped up in man, but in the Lord. If our only joy in life is based on the love or attention of a man we will end up with broken hearts and an empty life, because the fact is, he wouldn't be enough. He would not be able to fulfill all of our needs. Only God can do that. </div>
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I've learned a bit since then (I hope!). My understanding of love doubtlessly still has room for growth, but I know that mere infatuation is not the same as true love. Infatuation is selfish and wishes to be satisfied, while love is selfless and seeks to give. </div>
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<br />Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-39976803104600448692013-06-10T21:58:00.001-05:002013-06-19T12:49:58.858-05:00Letting Go of All Control<div dir="ltr">
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My heart beat quickly as I searched, hoping for just a whisper of what it was I was supposed to do. The sky spread vastly, with no seeming end above. The stars twinkled brightly back at me. "Lord", I whispered as I gazed up at the sky, awed by the beauty of one of His most amazing masterpieces. "I don't know what to do."</div>
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As I stood beneath the twinkling lights that have always spoken of me of His mighty love, tears slipped down my cheeks. Desperation and reeling thoughts filled my head and heart to the point where they felt ready to explode. Desires that I could not explain by mare words caused a tightness in my chest. I wanted answers, I had none. "Lord, why? Why can't I understand?" </div>
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The darkness around me was like a curtain, hiding my tears from the world, but not from the Father. I did not understand, and it was hard. Very hard. But on that still dark night as I walked under the stars, with a deep and most urgent question (or so it seemed at the time) pressing so near, after a while I did hear a whisper. </div>
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"Trust me. Trust that I know what plans I have for You. Trust that I will be your strength through whatever may come. Trust that I love you more than you will ever deserve or comprehend. Trust that, though you do not understand, this is for your good."</div>
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There were many tears, many questions of "why?" but as the night wore on I knew that I was fighting a loosing battle. I knew I had to surrender, to let go, and it wasn't easy. I held my hands open, palms towards the starry host, head back, eyes closed. "Here, Father. Please take it. It's broken. It's hurting. It's weak. But, take my heart, take my desires, take my questions, take my doubts. Help me rest in You, trusting that You will never let me go. If it hurts, let it, if only it will bring You glory. Make that my only desire, Lord."</div>
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Trusting is not always easy, and I am not sure it was meant to be. If it were easy, if there were no struggles, then would our hearts be drawn nearly as close to our Lord's? Would our love grow as we learned of the gentleness and care He gives to our broken and bleeding lives? I think not. Growing and trusting are hard, but in the difficulties, there is a glorious purpose. We say we will do anything or give anything to only know and love Him more. When it hurts...that is the time we are called to give it all, every single particle, to the One who will never let us go. When the one you trust loves you, then the fear can fade away, and the peace of not walking alone can fill your heart. But first, you have to be willing to let go...even if it hurts.</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-1016638719566659792013-05-31T18:23:00.001-05:002013-06-01T12:50:27.351-05:00Standing on the Rock<div dir="ltr">
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Recently we had rain. We have not had much in a while, so it was a real blessing. After the rain the air was so fresh and cool that I just "had" to go out and explore a little. I found the acreage behind the house had turned into a shallow pond. Beyond that was a "fort" my siblings had dug into the ground, so I had to go see if it was full or not. I waded through water and mud and finally was able to see into the trenched out fort. It was full of rain water and the dirt walls that my siblings had piled around it where becoming so saturated by the water from the neighboring field, that they were beginning to fall into the murky water filled trench. </div>
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You know, sometimes we are like those saturated wall. We know that we are called by our Lord to be in the world, but not of it, but sometimes we stand just as close as we can get to the world, looking over at it. "It can't hurt us" we say. But the world's influnces are many and they slowly but surely can flow in and surround us if we let our guard down, much like the rain water from the neighbors field slowly seeped in and surround my siblings dirt walls surround their fortress, their safe place. </div>
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Before we realize it, the ways of the world begin to seep into our lives and saturate us, and we begin to crumble. The walls that were once strong, standing against the evil of the world become soft and our standards which were once high slip lower and lower until people looking on can no longer can see the difference. Then they may ask, "So, if you are a Christian and I am not and yet we speak the same, we dress the same, we like the same music and movies, why do I need Jesus? Why do you?" And what opportunities we may have had to witness have been swallowed up in the murky waters that we though could not harm us. </div>
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Any good that is in man, is there by the grace of the Lord. There may be times when we are tempted to think that the world cannot hurt us because we are too strong. But, the fact is, if we do not surround ourselves with the Word of the Lord to the point of becoming saturated in it, and if we are not continually seeking Him and are not continually on our guard, we will fall. It is not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Why, because in and of ourselves we are weak. We cannot stand...but for Him. </div>
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Everyday is a battle. Our hope and safety from the murky sin filled water of the world is on top of the Solid Rock. He is our strength, our stronghold. Are you standing firmly on the Rock? <br />
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"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him." </div>
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Nahum 1:7</div>
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Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624318301727401484.post-87396183020507111882013-05-22T22:37:00.001-05:002013-05-22T22:37:43.080-05:00The Greatest Gift<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JnyAJ8C8zYpt4Hs3Hdi9ekVhvScUypB-jJ1nRWzLCA_qmtpXE1MLnO5ZXdTA-FQNjfdZdlm9uhUBHKJk9eQO6Uz5VzFaTGz-o5m2XOhnRPu-LxyQCaRoFdEEYUBSqFhWTvDP9qmTM20/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JnyAJ8C8zYpt4Hs3Hdi9ekVhvScUypB-jJ1nRWzLCA_qmtpXE1MLnO5ZXdTA-FQNjfdZdlm9uhUBHKJk9eQO6Uz5VzFaTGz-o5m2XOhnRPu-LxyQCaRoFdEEYUBSqFhWTvDP9qmTM20/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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"If we have the slightest clue about being bought by the blood of Jesus, we won't see how much we can get away with. We'll see how much we can honor Him. True, there is not a sin that you or I could muster up that would make God say, 'I don't love you anymore.' But that doesn't mean we have the right to take His grace for granted." ~ David Nasser<br />
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If we know what a sacrifice was made for us by Jesus, if we grasped how much He gave of Himself for us, then we could not help but to live every moment of every day in a way that honors and pleases Him. Think of it like this, if someone nearly died saving your child (or insert your mother, father, or dearest loved one's name here) from a raging fire, would you not be grateful to that person and show them gratitude? Would you not do whatever was in your power to show them that you valued their willingness to, if need be, sacrifice their very life trying to save the one you love with all your heart? <br />
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Well, Jesus did that. He died to save your loved one from a fire bigger and hotter than any forest fire. He also died to save you from the same fate. And would you dare to be anything but grateful for that sacrifice? Should you not live a life of gratitude? Should you not do your best to honor Him? Yes, we will all fail, we will all sin, we will never be perfect on this earth. I get that. But, shouldn't we seek everyday to live in a way that says "thank you" for the great sacrifice of the cross instead of pushing limits to see how much we can "get away with"? <br />
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If we really understand grace, and the price of the gift given to us by our Heavenly Father through His only Son, we can't take it for granted. </div>
Kathrynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01758616064146744358noreply@blogger.com0