tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56598070671776349332024-03-13T08:11:52.830-04:00The Rooftop RavingsWhatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
--Matthew 10:27Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-35647643959244553602013-04-28T22:38:00.000-04:002013-05-01T11:12:33.436-04:00The Merit of Self-Sacrifice<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />In John 15:13 Jesus makes the following assertion, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."<br /><br />Most of us have heard this before, or at least something similar. Very rarely do we pause to consider the validity of the statement. It seems…right. Right? <br /><br />After all, when Hercules lays down his life for Megara, nobody questions the beauty of the profound gesture—everyone just cheers. When Jean Valjean puts his life in danger for the sake of his daughter’s lover, nobody chastises him for reckless behavior; they generally cry, overwhelmed by his selflessness. When American soldiers lay down their lives for their country, people are rightly sobered and awed.<br /><br />But why is self-sacrifice the ultimate sign of love? Why must one extinguish his life flame to prove to another the depth of his love for that one? For that is what Jesus did—allowed Himself to be slaughtered by His own creation, all for the sake of love (John 3:16).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />We are all commanded to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). The most extreme example of obedience to this command is to place your neighbor’s life above your own. Jesus’ self-sacrifice is beautiful because by subjecting Himself to the most agonizing physical and spiritual pain possible, He proved to the world that He is willing to give her EVERYTHING He has, even, in a sense, His life. He gave up His celestial comfort to live an incredibly lowly life, be ridiculed, be tortured, and ultimately die on a cross like a common criminal; He gave us all that He had to give. He couldn’t have done more. He let us destroy Him.<br /><br />Now here is another thought. Jesus laid down His life for us, and according to His Word, we are supposed to emanate Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhSI3Gj6iescWTualvAvLmOfDJPaH4MTfGO6xoel_IdxnhFsvG" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”<br /><br />And Matthew 16:25 promises, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”<br /><br />So maybe God’s message for all of us today is something like this: <br /><br />Don’t be too prideful or fearful to lay down your life; when you do, be your self-sacrifice emotional, spiritual, mental, or physical, I, the Creator of the cosmos and your soul, will surely lift you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Shalom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~Megan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(<a href="http://blog.febc.org/faith/the-merit-of-self-sacrifice" target="_blank">Also posted in "The Gospel Blog by FEBC"</a>)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-25488181798861423552013-02-20T12:11:00.000-05:002014-08-01T19:18:27.801-04:00Looking for Love<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have something to confess: last year's <a href="http://therooftopravings.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-valentine-jesus-christ.html" target="_blank">Valentines day-inspired post</a> was a bit cheesy--but true, none the less! (WARNING: things are about to get a little cheesy) Jesus Christ can be our valentine every day of the year--if we let Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's another thought. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">People often talk or think about the romantic relationships they wish they had--for girls, someone dedicated and protective, like Edward Cullen without the glitter and fangs, for guys a smart-funny-cute-girl (not necessarily in that order)...and as people grow older, become men and women, their ideas about what they want change, but their core desire remains the same; people want someone to make them laugh, someone to hold them in darkling moments, someone who will fill the emptiness in their lives with...love. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I03pai3WNa8/TPTTikgSlJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/b4aQU0bLJ4k/s1600/old_couple_3413123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I03pai3WNa8/TPTTikgSlJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/b4aQU0bLJ4k/s320/old_couple_3413123.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dictionary.Reference.com defines love as </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"a profoundly</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> tender, passionate affection for another </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">person."</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Who doesn't want that? And more accurately queried, who doesn't want OTHER people to feel that way towards them? But when questioned, most people will reveal that their desire goes deeper. People don't just want to have someone feel affectionate passion for them, they want someone to show them the love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: <b>patient, kind, <span class="text 1Cor-13-4" id="en-NIV-28670"><sup class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </sup>humble, respectful</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" id="en-NIV-28671">, </span></b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5">selfless,<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> protective, trusting, hopeful, persevering, and never envious, bragging, easily angered,<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28671D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> bitter, or evil-loving. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5">They want love that <b>never</b> fails, which according to American divorce statistics and life experience is nearly impossible. But not for...God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5">Interesting coincidence that all people seem to crave the same seemingly unobtainable thing--this crazy, passionate, endless, all-consuming love...that no one but God can fully satisfy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Cor-13-5"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe...just MAYBE...God puts that desire in our hearts because He wants us to turn to Him and let Him fill the vacancy inside of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just some food for thought, or more accurately phrased, bread for life (John 6:35).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shalom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Megan</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-77070701408918657992013-01-28T13:31:00.000-05:002013-01-28T13:33:29.334-05:00Are All Christians Called to Heal the Sick?<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to miracles, I admit I tend to be skeptical, or at least doubtful that such displays of God’s power could possibly blossom from my feeble prayers. But lately, God’s been shifting my perspective about miracles, particularly physical healing—not only through life experiences, but through His Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To read my full commentary on the crucial subject of healing the sick, please visit Far East Broadcasting Company's brand-new blog, <a href="http://blog.febc.org/">"The Great Commission"</a> at this link (and read my first-ever published article!): <a href="http://blog.febc.org/faith/are-all-christians-called-to-heal-the-sick">http://blog.febc.org/faith/are-all-christians-called-to-heal-the-sick</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ardently Yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Megan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-19848142893909377442012-12-02T11:05:00.000-05:002015-01-23T13:42:15.292-05:00Come Away With Me (A Story for the Bride of Christ)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nobody
talked to me today. If they had, they
wouldn’t have understood exactly what I was going through, like He did. So why didn’t I talk to Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
not like it's everybody else’s fault—if I wanted to talk to someone else, I
could have opened my mouth and spit out the words that burn in my throat, but
if I had, they still wouldn’t have understood exactly what I was saying, like
He does. So why don’t I talk to Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At
sunset I climb up the hill to my house alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
night, as I was falling into the dark, gentle arms of sleep, hearing her
whisper in my ear and feeling her fingers in my hair, I had this thought: if He
not only knows me but loves me more than anyone else, why are we not
talking? If He is the Bridegroom and I
am His bride, why am I alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
then I hear His voice quiet and tender mingled with the voice of Night:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come away with me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
eyes open wide in the darkness, and I sit up in my bed. Breathe!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Meet me at sunrise at the top of
your hill. I miss talking with you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Me
too,” I breathe out, breathe in again. I
slowly lower my head to my pillow, close my eyes, but all I can think about is
His silvery voice, streaming into my mind like cool, radiant moonlight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunrise
is slow to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
my heart almost faints for waiting for Him to return, the circle of fire, the
sun, begins his slow ascent to the top of the black sky. And so does my Beloved. I jump out of my bed and rush like rain from
the heavens to meet the One who knows me.
My bare feet fly through my house, out the door and into the morning to
meet the One who loves me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
catches me in His arms and holds me close.
I breathe in the scent of His majesty, His love, and when I breathe out,
my eyes and smile betray the wide wonder and joy that fills my soul. Our laughter mingles as He holds my face in
His hands and we gaze into each other’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grinning,
He whispers <i>You made it!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Disabled
by happiness, all I can do is nod.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mouth
somber but eyes bright, He says<i> I love
you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
takes my hands in His and lifts them to His mouth to kiss them. I see holes in His wrists and suddenly want
to cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
wrists and eyes bear witness to the truth of His words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
believe You!” I cry out with my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
smiles again, and repeats <i>Come away with
me!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Again,
all I can do is nod<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>Yes, yes,
yes!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
spins me around and I am confronted by a wall of billowing fog. The fog clears enough for me to make out the
front of a train and tracks leading away from the hill. There was never a train here before, let
alone tracks! My bridegroom watches in
amusement as I fish a compass out of my pocket and hold it before me in the
direction that the tracks go. The
compass spins wildly, incapable of deciding the direction the train is headed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
turns to me, leans close, and whispers <i>I
want to take you in a whole new direction.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Again,
I am in awe. He grins, takes my hand,
and leads me along the side of the train to an empty compartment. The inside of the train is lined with
velvet. Elaborate woodwork coated in
gold frames the walls of our car with warm light, lending the red velvet an
otherworldly glow. He helps me into the
compartment and lowers me into one of two chairs that face each other. When we are both seated, the only thing left
between us is a small window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
peer out the window, but am confronted by a sheet of white. This is the only time I have chosen to break
my gaze from Him since we met this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Beloved, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
clear voice breaks through the fog beginning to settle in my mind and returns
my gaze to His eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you trust me?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
want to look back at the window, but instead I stare at His face. He is beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes!”
I hear myself say. “My love is so weak,”
I hear myself think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But My love is strong!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
my Beloved asserts, lowering his face closer to mine and narrowing His eyes. A thrill runs down my spine and through my
fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
train whistles, lurches forward. I lose
my balance and fall into His arms. He
catches me before I hurt myself, and once I have caught my breath, we both
laugh as He returns me to my seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
a time, He nods for me to look out the window.
Although I take my eyes off of Him, I sense that His eyes never leave
mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Outside
the window, beneath a crimson sky, I see a land plagued by deep darkness—cities
stalked by dark forms, people killing other people, people crying and plugging
their ears, people with closed eyes shooting other people. And there are so many people dying
alone. Shaking, I turn to face my
Beloved, but can hardly meet his eyes. I
cover my face with my hands, and when I finally pull them away, they are wet
with my sorrow. I hear a choking sound
and look to my Beloved. He is crying
too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love them so much, but they don’t
even know me. I want to help them more,
but they won’t accept my help. Instead,
they choose to rely on dark, shifting shadows.
I love them, but I can have no fellowship with darkness!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
will you do?” I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We will love them anyways.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I will walk with you, and I will teach you to
love them the way I do. And when it’s
too difficult, I will help you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
eyes are full of love. I remember His
pierced wrists and tentatively touch my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,”
I say, “I will love as you love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
expect the train to stop in the place of darkness, but instead it surges forth
into new lands. When I glance out the
window, I see the silhouettes of mountains rising and falling over the land as
if the world is breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where
are we now?” I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Mystery Mountains, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
responds with a hint of playfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Holding hands, we both look out the window
again. This time all I see is light so
bright that I feel that I must close my eyes.
Instead I look back at Him—but I do not escape the light. His eyes are stars luminous. Mesmerized, I stare into the shining pools
and am confronted by a startling vision—my eyes scintillating light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The closer we become, the more
light you shine! We are One, beloved;
should it surprise you if you start to look a bit like me?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
bewilderment melts into ecstasy. Oh, how
He loves me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Again,
I look out the window and see light, but this time it does not overwhelm
me. Shapes begin to form in the
whiteness, and I realize that I am now in His kingdom. I see a shining city with rivers of living
water. I see a people untroubled by darkness.
The train slows to a halt. I look
to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a place of hope justified, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
reveals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
exit the train together and follow a path that cuts into a forest. The sky is bright and clear, like my Beloved’s
eyes, and in the center of the firmament the sun sits on his azure throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
we walk, we converse with each other; I share my heart with Him, and He
whispers truth to me. He tells me that
He has plans for me, plans to restore my family, and plans to love His people. When I start crying, He tells me it’s not all
up to me, and that He will help me carry out His plans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
pause when we come to a small pool of living water. He asks me to look onto the shining surface
and report what I see. When I peer into
the pool, I see through me—through my skin, beneath my ribs, to the very center
of my heart—spy great darkness—and feel unworthy of His love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
we start walking again, He takes my hand in His and tells me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>I
delight in you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tremulous,
I whisper, “But I am so inferior to You!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why do you doubt the magnitude of
my love for you? I paid for your soul
with my blood, my love! Don’t you know
that I love you despite your imperfections?
I am yours, and you are mine!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
believe Him,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
believe Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
the sun dismounts his throne to begin his descent to the earth, my Beloved leads
me back to the train, and we take our seats in our car. As the colors scarlet, orange, and purple begin
to bleed into the blue, I recall the moment I first laid eyes on my Beloved,
and my love for Him is rekindled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
arrive at the base of the hill too soon.
As we walk up the hill to my house, the sky bruising dark purple, my
Bridegroom promises to return for me tomorrow at sunrise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where
will you go now?” I ask Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
is quiet a moment before a smile appears on His face. In a confiding tone, He divulges <i>I will never leave your side, my love; my
spirit shall watch over you in the night.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
as the glitter of stars and distant galaxies begins to materialize in the dark
sky, all I can think is that I will never climb the hill to my house at sunset
alone ever again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Copyright Megan Taylor, November 2012</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-33444604825806453982012-10-29T15:27:00.000-04:002013-04-29T11:11:20.411-04:00About the Audience<br />
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear Reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">Who are you?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Really think about this for a minute. Close your eyes
if you have to. Once you have your answer, you may continue reading.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the years, I have asked myself “Who are you?” many, many,
MANY times. Sometimes the answer was “You are a writer,” or “You are
an artist,” but the question is <b>not</b> “What do you do?” but “Who are you?” so
both of these responses were <b>incorrect</b>. Once or twice I tried
to make the answer “You are beautiful by the world’s standards,” and was
miserable as a result. After answering the question wrong for many
years, I finally started to answer the question right. Maybe you are
wondering, “Who IS Megan Taylor, exactly?” Drum roll, please…</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">I am a child of God.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You cough. You read my response a second
time. You are not as impressed as you should be. Let me
say it again:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am a child of the living God (John 1:12), the Alpha and Omega
(Beginning and End), the Creator, the divine Father, the Light, the Savior of
the World, the Healer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Lion of Judah, the
Shepherd, the Holy, Holy, Holy One! I am loved, redeemed, and
adopted by Yahweh!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider the implications of what I just said. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As a daughter of God, I can know not only that I am loved and
treasured by the Author of the Universe, but also that I have access to His
power. From ground level everything looks a lot
scarier. From God’s perspective, however, our poor finances, diseases,
bad relationships, divorced parents, and uncertain future, are much smaller
problems. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans 8:14-15 says,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these
are sons of God. <sup> </sup>For you have not received a
spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a
spirit of </span>adoption<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b>as sons by which we
cry out, “Abba! Father!”</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is not to say that God does not care about our pain—Jesus
experienced our pain while living on earth. What I mean is that He
sees the future, He helps us when we cry out to Him, and He protects us from
that which we cannot handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>I am not the sum of my actions, likes, dislikes, victories,
failures, or words…</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>I am God’s daughter.</b> That’s it. Nothing I do
can make that more true (or false). Once adopted by God, always
adopted by God.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Romans 8:38-39, Paul proclaims,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And in 1 Corinthians 13:8,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Love never fails.”</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So let me ask you again: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">who are you?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a child of God!
If you are not yet a follower but want to be one, all you have to do is
ask God to forgive you for your sins, acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for
your sins on the cross (see John 3:16), and ask God to help you follow Him!
If you would like to know more about your Creator, the Bible is the perfect
place to start looking.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Ardently Yours,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Megan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-57937402695822515832012-10-08T08:58:00.000-04:002012-10-08T10:16:37.963-04:00Hamlet: Who is Shakespeare?!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Life is full of difficult questions--</span><span style="font-size: large;">especially if you don't believe in a Creator. But even if you do, and even if you are a Christian (as I am), there are still many things left to wonder about...and according to the Bible, God is okay with that, and even commends us for seeking the truth (Acts 17:11)! In Proverbs 14:15, Solomon rightly avers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">So lately I've been asking myself </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Why, God?"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> (can anyone relate?)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.scenicreflections.com/ithumbs/starry%20sky%20washington%20Wallpaper__yvt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.scenicreflections.com/ithumbs/starry%20sky%20washington%20Wallpaper__yvt2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">First off, I </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">know</b><span style="font-size: large;"> that the God of the Bible </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">exists</i><span style="font-size: large;">--there is </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">too much evidence</b><span style="font-size: large;"> supporting His existence in and around me for me to possibly believe otherwise. What I have been asking is </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">why does God love us (1 John 4:19),</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">what is the <b>purpose</b> of "love"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> anyways? Isn't love just an <i>arbitrary characteristic or invention of an all-powerful God?</i> And <b>what if</b> love and truth are really evil and lies, and we've all just been hardwired to perceive these things as good?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Who can know if God is truly good and not a divine liar?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I keep going back to those verses that say things like </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"His ways are above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 38),"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"His love is incomprehensible (Ephesians 3:17-19),"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> so...I know I'm just supposed to <b>trust</b> Him*. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I don't know everything, and am <b>incapable</b> of doing so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">C.S. Lewis put it this way: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">we relate to God the way Hamlet relates to Shakespeare</span><span style="font-size: large;">--He is the <i>Writer</i>, and we are the <i>characters</i> in His novel. <b>He is the Creator, and we are His creation!</b> (This does not mean, by the way, that He is not involved in our lives; roughly 2000 years ago <i>He wrote Himself into His story</i> as the God/man Jesus Christ and suffered with us and for us for Love's sake! See John 3:16.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although God is an orderly, logical God, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I cannot reach God with logic alone</span><span style="font-size: large;">--<i>some belief in mystery is essential.</i></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> After all, if we understood all things, <b>faith would be unnecessary</b> (and anyone who seriously studies the Scriptures knows that the truth couldn't be further! See Hebrews 11:6).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And I take immense comfort in the mystery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And...it makes me so relieved when I remember the answer (that that question <b>cannot</b> be answered!) that I always breathe a huge sigh of relief, look up, and <i>laugh</i> (as I am doing now).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Love the logic AND the mystery, my friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ardently Yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Megan</span><br />
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<i><br /></i>
<i>*Its hard to trust someone you don't know anything about. If you want to know more about God, you could try</i><br />
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<i>1) reading the book He inspired (the Bible); Here are a few passages for you to read: Exodus 34:5-7, Psalms, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. For more verses about God's character, here is a good link to check out: http://www.openbible.info/topics/character_of_god</i><br />
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<i>2) Praying (talking) to God and asking Him to reveal Himself to you. </i></div>
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<i>If you are patient and sincere, I guarantee you will not be disappointed by either option.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-85325031945644457202012-10-02T19:37:00.000-04:002012-10-02T19:37:07.725-04:00DaVinci, the Moon, and the Promises of God<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Should Leonardo DaVinci have painted the Mona Lisa? Four years is a long time for any man to spend painting one portrait. Much labor was probably invested in the artistic endeavor. Perhaps DaVinci should have instead spent his time gallivanting about the French countryside picking flowers and dreaming of love everlasting. Of course DaVinci should have painted the Mona Lisa! Because of DaVinci’s vision and dedication to his work, millions of people around the world enjoy his mysterious masterpiece. Why question DaVinci’s choice to paint? His decision was obviously a wise one. As DaVinci labored to complete the Mona Lisa, so every man and woman must labor to create a beautiful, fulfilling relationship. According to Divorce Magazine, 49% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Many members of today’s culture believe that love is a mere, transient feeling, and divorce their spouses promptly after “falling out of love.” Margaret Anderson once said, "In real love you want the other person's good. In romantic love, you want the other person." If this is true, why do people divorce, and what is the result of this severance of souls? Frequently, divorce causes tension between family members and friends, children who grow up to respect marriage less, and desensitized divorcees who are less likely to be faithful in future relationships.<br /><br />There are more than two victims for every marriage annulled. Every November, my grandma goes into hyper mode trying to prepare a decent Thanksgiving Day get-together for the family. This is not a simple task; there are many people to consider. Because one of my uncles has divorced twice and is currently dating, my grandma has been forced to make awkward, difficult choices when choosing who to invite to our Thanksgiving feast. Ex wives, half cousins, and distant extended family must all be circumspectly considered. The point is this: when two people divorce, they are not just hurting themselves; they are hurting everyone around them. Divorce might legally divide a husband from a wife, but a mom from her son? A father from his daughter? What about the couple’s formerly united extended family and friends? All of these people are inevitably spiritually wounded in some way by the nuclear bomb otherwise known as divorce.<br /><br />The most devastated casualties of any divorce are the children. Shockingly, according to the research of Daniel T. Lichter</span>1<span style="font-size: large;">, "Children who grow up in single-parent homes are less likely to marry, more likely to divorce, and more likely to have children outside of wedlock." This statement is painfully true. My eighteen-year-old cousin, whose parents divorced when she was young, is currently unmarried and raising a toddler. She hangs out with druggies, some of whom come from broken families as well. Having grown up without a father to tell her how beautiful and precious she is, this young girl looked for love in all the wrong places hoping to fill the emptiness in her life with something worthwhile. Her boyfriend grew up without a father present in his life who could teach him to be a man. Because my cousin’s boyfriend was the only one who “understood” her, she must now focus on raising a child instead of on planning her college education. How can anyone claim that divorce is a personal choice, one that harms only its chooser? The casualties are too real. Divorce is war.<br /><br />Divorce serves as a great desensitizer of the human heart. According to an article on Divorce.com, 65% of all second marriages and 75% of all third marriages end in divorce. I once attended a conference for young people that addressed teen dating, in which teens were instructed to view dating as practicing divorce. The speaker at this conference called a boy with hairy legs to come to the front of the room where everyone could see him. This speaker then proceeded to press a piece of duct tape to one of the boy’s legs. Notably, the tape was said to represent a relationship with a girl. After the speaker had established the role that the tape played in his presentation, he suddenly ripped the tape from the volunteer’s leg, to the boy’s horror. To the surprise of all watching, the speaker pressed the tape onto the same spot of his leg again, and soon ripped it away. This strange, painful process was repeated a few times. By the last time, this boy did not wince at the pain any more. Like a bad break up, or divorce, the ripping away of the tape desensitized his leg until he could no longer feel the pain. How tragic it is for those who do not feel the pain. Every time a person chooses to “tear away” from the heart of another through divorce, they lose a little bit of their heart in the process.<br /><br />Divorce is not a mere personal affair, nor is it neat and tidy. It cannot be wiped clean like a kitchen counter, nor can it be washed down the bathroom sink in a swirl of hand soap and black dirt. Maggie Gallagher, author of The Abolition of Marriage, wrote, “‘You can't force two people to stay married,' we tell ourselves and turn the page. Divorce, however, is not usually the act of a couple, but of an individual. Eighty percent of divorces in this country are unilateral, rather than truly mutual, decisions. In fact, the divorce revolution can be more accurately described as a shift of power, favoring the interests of one party over others: the interests of the spouse who wishes to leave over those of the spouse who is being abandoned and over those of the children whose consent is not sought.” Sometimes a husband or wife divorces his or her spouse for selfish reasons, while others divorce to flee abuse. Whatever the case, divorce always ends unhappily, inevitably hurting friends, family, children, and the divorcees. What is the solution? Hopeless misery? Suicide? No. What, then? Perhaps it would be wise for couples to consider separating for a time to gather their thoughts or sanity, or to seek marital counsel from someone who is wise and trustworthy. One might even consider going to God for help. In </span><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Word, He promises all that come to Him a future full of hope, as well as His redemptive power and love. Jesus can redeem all brokenness. He does not promise His children that they will always be happy, but instead that He will give them His immutable joy. David proclaims in the psalms that the joy of the Lord is his strength. If one is bold enough to entrust their broken marriage, their children, and their life in God’s hands, they cannot fail. Do not give up on your marriage because it is imperfect. Instead, with God’s help, strive to paint Mona Lisa marriages, and do not fear failure. Les Brown collaborated on this assertion when he quoted, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><i><br />1Daniel T. Lichter et al., "Race and the Retreat from Marriage: A Shortage of Marriageable Men?" American Sociological Review 57</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-82746276579949854502012-10-01T23:49:00.000-04:002012-10-29T15:22:52.738-04:00He Rejoices Over Us<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Readers,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No words can describe
how happy I am to be able to write for you today! Since my last entry was
published in June, my life has been, shall we say...a beautiful mess.
There have been extraordinarily beautiful moments where God touched me in
a powerful way (while I was smiling), and there have been extraordinarily
painful moments where God touched me in a powerful way (while I was crying).
I can honestly report that I am thankful for the full spectrum of beauty
and pain I have experienced this summer, because each vivid moment spent with
God has made me stronger. <b>Jesus is so good!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, to dive into
our pressing subject matter: <b>US.</b> No, I am not talking about the slang
abbreviation for our wayward country...I am referring to YOU. Me. <i>We</i>.
Humans saved by God’s grace…and <b>delighted in</b> by our divine Father. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here I have documented
some of your likely initial reactions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Huh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2) Ha-ha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3) Heresy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4) Hmm, I’d rather not…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you find you are
somewhere in between, or that you are a bit of each: good. That means I’m not alone! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Standing straight, palms
facing up, head bowed down, I prayed in earnest: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dear God, I am such a sinner…so wretched before You…how can You
love a person as messed up as I am? Just
tell me what You want me to do, and I’ll do it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And although I was
immersed in a sea of Jesus-worshippers, I felt almost as solitary as if I were
completely alone. I was at a church
conference for teenagers, waiting for God to reveal Himself to me in a new way…and
during the first few worship songs (which were really like corporate prayer
sessions), it didn't seem like God would ever show up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then came the song “Mighty
Fortress,” and my whole world began to shift a bit:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like a mighty fortress, He is our God</span><br />
Like a mighty fortress, He is our God<br />
When enemies surround us, rising like a flood<br />
They break into pieces, swallowed in dust</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this point of the song, everything for me was
fine, <i>normal</i>…it is the next stanza that really sent me into a spiritual
tailspin:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i>He rejoices<br />
He rejoices over us</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;">The rest of the song is awesome, and I really
gelled with the lyrics in worship…but the phrase “He rejoices over us” made me
cringe a little every time it was used, evoking a simultaneous “Heresy!”
and “Hmm, I’d rather not…” reaction in my gut.
I was disturbed by the fact that many of the other worshippers around me
loved this part of the song. Smiles flashed and eyes shined. Some worshippers
even danced. I ducked my head down and sort
of apologized to God for the selfish assertion. </span>You may think at this point that I was merely being humble, but what I was really experiencing was a sense of deep, crippling unworthiness that’s root was not exactly grounded in Truth. In fact, focusing on one’s inability to serve God reflects a lack of faith, and an excess of fear. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Consider, for example, the story of Moses in the Bible. God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and his response to God was that he was "not capable." While Moses did not seem to struggle so much with unworthiness as He did with fear of man, the concept is similar: Moses focused<b> </b>more on his<b> weakness</b> than he did on <b>God's power to use him <i>despite</i> his shortcomings.</b> If we really desire to serve God, we must see and understand Him <b>as He truly is</b>--all-powerful, graceful, and loving--and not as our feelings dictate. If God's Word says that God is the One who makes those faithful to Him worthy (2 Thessalonians 1:11), then who are we to say we are unworthy? After all, God knows us better than anyone else, including ourselves (Psalm 139)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you still don’t understand what was wrong<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> with
my reaction, consider for a moment the fact that we are called </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">sons and
daughters of God</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> (2 Corinthians 6:18). Now imagine that your biological dad
asks you to help him partake in a community outreach. You feel so </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">unworthy</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> to help your dad minister
to the community that you </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">require</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> him to tell you what to do step by step, and
apologize for your lack of proficiency in completing the tasks he gives you
every time you trip up, or even for no reason at all. Your dad would probably be more frustrated than flattered by your dependency, and consequently try to teach you to be more independent. You and He would still be a team by necessity,
but you would have to learn to take more initiative, to take leaps of faith…and
to </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">not be so afraid</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> to mess up that you choose to not do anything to help at
all. In short, you would learn to <b>co-labor</b> with your father.</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zephaniah 3:17 declares, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, <b>He will rejoice over you</b> with shouts of joy.” </span><br /><br />
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly, the thought of God rejoicing over <i>me</i>
is still very overwhelming, and I still will often bow my head down low when I
hear the phrase “He rejoices over us,” but now I smile, because I know that my
identity as His daughter makes that statement 100% correct. He does <b>not</b> revel in my sinfulness, but in
the <b>victory that He foresees</b> in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Jeremiah 29:11 God promises,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I know the plans I have for you...They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And in Philippians 1:7, Paul asserts,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I am <b>confident</b> of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you <b>will perfect it</b> until the day of Christ Jesus."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shalom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ardently Yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Megan</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-46310076800040808042012-04-23T16:27:00.000-04:002012-04-23T16:29:14.389-04:00Burn as they Burn<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The heavens are embedded<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> With a myriad of stars<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">That we earthlings look upon<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Each night<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In wonder<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">In<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Spi<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Ring<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">We sometimes assume<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">That the brightest stars<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Are greatest, but we forget<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> That they are<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Merely closest<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">De<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Cei<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Ving<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Billions of stars are burning,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Billions of stars are named,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">And in this way,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">They are all<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Alike<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Un<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Var<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Ying<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Although not all earthlings can see<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">All of the stars at the same time,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Or even at all,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">God sees<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Each one<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Sep<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Arate<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Ly<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">We are the burning stars with names,<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">We are burning consequential fires<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Let us burn as they burn<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Whether man sees<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Or not<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Relent<br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Less<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-31278474842456587462012-03-25T23:50:00.000-04:002012-03-25T23:50:29.195-04:00QUOTES AND PICTURES II<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> Round two of found inspirational quotes and pictures: enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If you like these quotes, be sure to check out my "Quotes" page at the top, which is freshly updated almost weekly. Peruse my collection of others' poignant words when you are running low on inspiration, or are just having a "bad day." Also, if you have a quote you would like for me to add to the "Quotes" page, leave me a comment and I will consider your request; I love getting your feedback and helpful suggestions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ardently Yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Megan</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-49562308227723161212012-02-14T22:02:00.000-05:002013-02-20T14:04:08.294-05:00My Valentine, Jesus Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Dear Single AND Married Sisters,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you wish that you had an exciting "Valentine" for Valentine's Day? Dream of being "secretly admired" by Someone strong, smart, selfless, and utterly in love with you in this season of love (preferably Prince Charming, but Mr. Darcy may suffice)? Look no further; GOD is near!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you craving a love letter? One that makes your "heart leap" (and I don't mean up your throat while hurtling down a steep roller coaster!) for joy? Try GOD'S WORD--HE wrote it just for YOU (major heart-fluttering)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you looking for a guy who is willing to "risk it all" to save you from evil, and "sweep you off your feet?" Here comes Prince JESUS on His noble white steed Salvation! This passionate Prince loves you so ardently that He died for you before you were born so you could spend eternity with HIM in the afterlife (see <span style="color: orange;">John 3:16</span>)! Now THAT is some serious dedication-- love that would challenge even Edward Cullen's!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">BONUS: before you love God, He <b>already loves you</b> (<span style="color: orange;">1 John 4:19</span>)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So...what's keeping you from committing your whole life to Jesus, the greatest Lover of your soul? NOTHING! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">May your heart be full of joy and contentment in this season full of pink cards, red hearts, flowers, love-struck vampires, and overpriced truffles...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you guys!! Thanks to all who read these words...it means a lot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">And...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY (Belated) VALENTINE'S DAY!!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-15950136258412291372012-02-07T22:17:00.000-05:002014-08-01T19:20:14.003-04:00Catchy Tunes and Compromise<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It may be hard for some people to see secular music as a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">possible weapon of mass destruction,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> but that is what it <b>has become</b> in America. Whether music is emanating from the car radio, echoing in a supermarket, or snaking into people’s minds through the speakers on ear buds, Americans are daily assaulted by the twisted melodies wrought by the Deceiver. People are not only forced to face this music, but to tolerate it and all that it stands for. Wrapped in illusive, <b>undeserved beauty,</b> ideas like sexual immorality, drug abuse, and homosexuality are <b>glorified</b> by attractive voices and catchy tunes. God does not mean for music to be used in such a <b>vulgar</b> way. He created music as a means to worship Him and unify and uplift the Body of Christ. Music, and even passionate dancing, are found all throughout the Bible. Through song, one’s heart and mind are united, and there is greater potential to draw closer to the Creator as a result. Satan hates this. That is why this fallen angel strives so hard to taint music’s inherent purity. When the Devil tricks people into using music to inflame their egos and feed their dark passions, he succeeds in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">hurting the cause of Christ.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Even though Satan has temporarily succeeded in his evil musical endeavors, Christians will ultimately be the victors if they stand against dirty music and hold fast to what is right and true. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Satan’s scheme for music is to defile hearts and distract people from God’s love and power; the Father’s intention for melodic thought is to captivate hearts with His love and bind people together in unity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Music is an <b>extremely powerful</b> artistic medium—it creates opportunities for God to reveal His power, unites believers in worship, and brings people closer to God. Paul writes in </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">Ephesians 5:18-20, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">“...be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This God-fearing apostle was writing from personal experience as well as from divine inspiration. In <span style="color: orange;">Acts 16:25,</span> Paul and Silas sing hymns and pray from their jail cells while in the midst of fellow prisoners, and God makes the earth quake to set them free. After witnessing this miracle, the prison guard accepts Christ as his Savior. When the joy in believers’ hearts pours forth from their lips in song, the heart of the Lord is delighted, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">powerful things can happen.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> As Christians worship together at church, armed only with mutual words of adoration for their Creator, they become likeminded, unhindered by spiritual divisions such as controversial theology. Most importantly, when people sing to the Lord <b>He</b> is blessed. David joyfully writes in <span style="color: orange;">Psalm 92:1, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High…"</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> According to <span style="color: orange;">Zephaniah 3:17</span>, God <b>sings</b> over His people. The verse reads, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">“For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing you a happy song.”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Clearly, God <b>highly values</b> the power of music, considering the fact that He inspired two books about music to be included in His Word. <b>If music is important to God, it should be important to all believers as well. </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Christians must be aware of the hold Satan has on today’s music industry in America, among other places. People tend to think of secular music as both harmless and entertaining—myself included—when in reality there is a spirit behind <b>every song played</b>. While some songs are truly harmless, other seemingly innocuous songs cause people to consider normally revolting ideas as acceptable and cool. These thoughts lead to actions, and soon compromise </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">swallows our lives.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee499/RachelLW01/katy5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Katy Singing" border="0" src="http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee499/RachelLW01/katy5.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> For instance, a few weeks ago, I found myself absentmindedly enjoying a song playing in the background at a local store. I enjoyed it—that is, until I listened more carefully to the lyrics: I kissed a girl and I liked it; it tasted </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">like cherry chapstick. The voice singing these words was female. If a random girl at the mall had said these words to me, I would have been horrified. Dressed in a mesmeric melody, however, </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">these same vulgar words</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> sounded both attractive and edgy—two things that really appeal to my flesh. I walked out of the thrift store feeling very disturbed. God did not mean for music to be used in such a confusing, deleterious way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Satan, the dark prince of this world, knows how potent music’s effects can be on the human heart and mind. For example, a boy brought up in the church might start listening to rap music because he thinks that it is “cool.” While this might be initially harmless, the boy may begin to <b>grow comfortable</b> with the profanity and immorality glorified in the songs. The next thing the boy knows, he is compromising in other, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">more crucial</span><span style="font-size: large;"> areas of his life, and is wandering <i>farther and farther away from Jesus.</i> <span style="color: orange;">Colossians 3:5 </span>says,<span style="color: orange;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> If the Devil can convince Christians that compromise—allowing our earthly desires to exist within us—is an acceptable element in our walk with Christ, <i>then his work is complete.</i> Do not mistake my meaning; God saves us each <b>daily</b> from the sins we commit against Him, and there is no person alive whose sins are so monstrous that God cannot save them with His amazing grace. I am living proof of this truth. But when we believers allow an idol such as unwholesome music to come between us and God, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">it keeps us from experiencing the full power of Jesus’ saving blood.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Music is not just a way for us to connect with God; it is a medium that the enemy uses to lure us away from Christ. In <span style="color: orange;">1 Peter 5:8, Peter cautions, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: orange;">“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">So what is the big deal?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Sure, music can lead to compromise, but it is overall a pretty harmless source of pleasure…right? <b>Wrong.</b> Like all other areas in a person’s life, God has placed boundaries on what sorts of music believers should allow themselves to be exposed to. He does not specifically mention “melodious” boundaries, but Jesus does say very clearly in <span style="color: orange;">Matthew 12:30</span> that </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/brians_a_zombie/3770274_TheHorrors1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Horrors" border="0" src="http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr174/brians_a_zombie/3770274_TheHorrors1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Basically, Jesus is saying that there is no “neutral” side; every person is either on Jesus’ team or on Satan’s team. This applies to music as well, because </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">behind every song there is a <i>songwriter</i>.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Did you know that the average American teenager listens to <b>two and a half hours </b></span></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of music a day?</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I know I listen to as much. By drawing attention to these things I do not mean to condemn people who listen to Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift…I am as guilty of listening to secular music as anybody. A lot of secular music is exciting and makes us feel good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Regardless, no one can deny Paul’s words of truth in <span style="color: orange;">Ephesians 5:11</span> when he writes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Music is not always a harmless source of entertainment; it is a way for people to universally connect with God with their hearts and minds, and a way that the enemy tempts our flesh. My final plea to the reader is to not content yourself with listening to music for the sake of social acceptance or lethal compromise. <b>Be judicious</b> when choosing what music you will allow yourself to be <b>exposed</b> to. Do not just listen to a song’s melody—pay attention to its lyrics and to the deeper message that broods just beneath the song’s surface. If it is contradictory to the Word of God, rethink your decision to tune in. Hate what is evil and cling to what is good (<span style="color: orange;">Rom 12:9</span>). </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take a serious </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">stand against the evil of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">compromise in a society in which people stumble like brainwashed zombies through the yawning gates of hell with ear buds fixed scrupulously in their ears. God challenges us all to be seekers of the truth. This is crucial. </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">John 8:32 </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">sums up this point well when it declares </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-58222807151285822192012-02-01T09:34:00.001-05:002012-02-03T12:10:25.280-05:00QUOTES AND PICTURES I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Round one of found inspirational quotes and pictures: enjoy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If you like these quotes, be sure to check out my "Quotes" page at the top, which is freshly updated almost weekly. Peruse my collection of others' poignant words when you are running low on inspiration, or are just having a "bad day." Also, if you have a quote you would like for me to add to the "Quotes" page, leave me a comment and I will consider your request; I love getting your feedback and helpful suggestions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ardently Yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Megan</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-12604693781621034412012-01-26T00:59:00.000-05:002012-06-14T14:12:24.062-04:00Talk, Texts, and Powerful Tongues<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">Sometimes small talk is all we can manage, sometimes small talk is a cop-out for meaningful conversation.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">I think mostly, people speak lightly because they are afraid of what others will think of their strongest ideas emotions, and beliefs.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">Whatever the reason, I cannot help but dislike the transient, shallow nature of small talk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">I would prefer being controversial to being forgettable, or even worse, trite.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 27px;"> Many c</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">onversations have been reduced to fluffy tweets, minimalistic texts, and superfluous status updates. Most people now subconsciously prefer funny people to thoughtful people. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 27px;">Our culture has idolized entertainment, and “big talk” has thus been labeled </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 27px;">boring</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 27px;"><i>, controversial, intolerant, </i>and <i>narrow-minded</i>.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> Perhaps I am not being fair. After all, to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">always</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> speak meaningfully would be </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">out of place,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> especially while forging a new friendship. To always speak passionately would be too personal, too vulnerable. One might promptly be rejected. Yet, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">perhaps</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> it would be the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">more </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">honest, direct route</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">. How often do we find ourselves clashing in opinion or belief with a new acquaintance of ours, only to realize that we can </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">never</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> be really close to that person? Maybe the world would be a better place if we all said </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">what we really meant to say</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">…if we were more </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">original.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> More concise. Cut out the verbiage, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">spent more time pondering than we do blabbing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> I am not saying that we should send all the funny, lighthearted people to No Man’s Land, and I would be a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">hypocrite</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> if I claimed to never speak small talk. What I would like to see and hear are words with more </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">artistic integrity, depth, purpose, and passion. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> I think most people want this, but don’t know how to obtain it. I think the responsibility lies with the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">individual</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">. If we start with ourselves, we can bring meaning back into the average conversation. We can </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">choose</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> to speak words of life to a hurting person instead of joking with them. We can share our beliefs with others </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">when we would rather be quiet. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> We can be the change </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 36px;">we want to see</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 27px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;">I should know better than to label all small talk as shallow talk. Not everyone wants to spill the contents of their hearts out to others at, say, a family gathering, a party, a funeral. Oftentimes in such settings, it is </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 27px;">entirely appropriate</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 27px;"> to speak lightly, and allow loving glances, gentle hugs, and soothing words be the instruments of human communication. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes small talk is all we can manage because </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">no meaningful words would be appropriate.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Sometimes we need empty words because eyes are filled with more meaning than can be rightly accounted for, or because our hearts are full of </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">love or pain</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Still, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">no excuse</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in the world can be made for small talk between two good friends, or meaningless chatter between a father and his wayward son. If we are supposed to love people as Jesus commands us to do, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">it is our duty to speak words of life and purpose to those we care about.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Proverbs 8:21 </span><span style="font-size: large;">declares that</span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“death and life are in the power of the tongue…”</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> That makes us highly responsible for the words that we release. We must </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">choose to live with purpose</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in both the way that we walk and talk</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let us strive to make the most of our words.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-28161795860184851122012-01-18T18:59:00.000-05:002012-01-18T19:15:40.254-05:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 7<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Well, <i>this is it,</i> everybody: <b>the last day of Dreamer's Challenge! </b>No more semi-personal journal entries about Megan (thank the LORD!)...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here is my final post for Dreamer's Challenge:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My dream last night was <b>bizarre:</b> in it, I had a strange disease that caused me to grow </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">extra limbs,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and I could not figure out how to make it stop. It was very embarrassing. When I <b>prayed,</b> the extra limbs <b>vanished.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I was wondering if the dream could have <i>any possible meaning</i> for my life this morning, and then it hit me--I mean, literally HIT me--I stubbed my toe (again) on a closet door, the same toe I bust open while running on pavement a few days ago. I needed to apply a band-aide to my toe to protect it, but the band-aide box in the closet was <i>empty.</i> Frustrated, I began to despair of finding a band-aide at all, when I finally, at long-last, saw it: <b>one</b> protective sticker peeking its nude, flat body out from beneath a bottle of medicine. YES! My first impulse was to actually thank God for the discovery</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...and THAT is when it hit me: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">God wants to heal me.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> He wants me to come to HIM for help, just as He declared to me in <span style="color: orange;">Psalm 50:14-15</span> for <b>Day 6 </b>of Dreamer's Challenge, </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><br />"Offer to God </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">thanksgiving,</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> and pay your vows to the Most High. </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I am <b>not yet sure</b> how this applies to my life, but now I know where I will be looking for spiritual "band-aides" from now on: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jesus.</b></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: xx-large;"> </b><span style="font-size: large;"> Final Dreamer's Challenge note: May we all not only learn to be genuinely thankful, but learn to commit our lives--both the good and the bad--into His loving hands, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">and allow <b>Him</b> to heal our spiritual wounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ardently Yours,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Megan</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-62419081678892504362012-01-17T23:46:00.000-05:002012-06-04T16:11:47.225-04:00Selfish Pigs, Switchblades, Carpenters, Etc.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I was just pondering the <b>power</b> of good Christian literature in today's culture and thought I would recommend a few good titles for you all to read in your </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"boundless"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> spare time (excessive winking):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I read part of this book this morning; it is all about who Jesus is and claims to be in God's Word...I have found it tremendously helpful in my quest for the truth, as I tend to over-think everything!</span><br />
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<a href="http://g.christianbook.com/g/slideshow/3/326276/main/326276_1_ftc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="More Than a Carpenter" border="0" height="320" src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/slideshow/3/326276/main/326276_1_ftc.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This book is totally irresistible; it addresses many relevant questions people have about life from a Christian perspective without sounding self-righteous or "preachy." Has a kind of earthy vibe; very cool and penetrating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two words: Life </span><span style="font-size: large;">changing! And if I could choose two more? <b>Read it!!</b> </span></div>
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<img alt="The Cross and the Switchblade[Paperback]" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/thumb/get?bid=EvaCM%2bYbe1KHyg&bn=CC&fbid=7wIR63%2bClmj%2b0A&fbn=CC" />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A great tool for the individual who feels guilty for not answering the door when a Jehovah's Witness comes knocking, but is spiritually ill-equipped to dare talk to one. This book has aided me a great deal in this regard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy reading!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-54982044348174197342012-01-17T22:47:00.000-05:002012-06-14T14:15:31.160-04:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 6<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> I do not remember what I dreamed last night (I am still adhering to the "no TV" Dreamer's Challenge!), but </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">this morning I read an interesting passage of Scripture that encouraged, awed, and disturbed all at the same time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> If you read Psalm 50 for yourself, maybe you will see what I mean, but for those of you who do not have the time to do so, here is a summary of and few selections from the psalm:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Psalm 50 begins with this awesome introduction of God's power:</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">1<span style="font-size: large;"> The Mighty One, God the LORD,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Has spoken and called the earth </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> From the rising of the sun to its going down.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">2<span style="font-size: large;"> Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> God will shine forth.</span><br />3<span style="font-size: large;"> Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> A fire shall devour before Him, </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The writer shifts gears and begins to document a "conversation" God has with his people, the Israelites. He tells them that He has some complaints against them. He starts out by clarifying that it is <b>not</b> His people's sacrifices that He is displeased with, for these are faithfully served at the appointed times. He even says that the sacrifices are <b>not the point,</b> because what He <i>really</i> wants is for the Israelites to be THANKFUL, thus glorifying Him. This proves to be His true complaint against them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Next, He mentions what He wants to do for those who choose to be thankful to God: </span> <br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: orange;">14 </span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Offer to God thanksgiving,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> And pay your vows to the Most High.</span><br />15 </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Call upon Me in the day of trouble;<br /> I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He then rebukes the wicked:</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"> <br />16 </span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">But to the wicked God says:</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> “What right have you to declare My statutes, </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Or take My covenant in your mouth,</span><br />17 </span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing you hate instruction</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> And cast My words behind you?</span><br />18</span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"> When you saw a thief, you consented with him,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And have been a partaker with adulterers.</span><br />19</span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"> You give your mouth to evil,</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And your tongue frames deceit.</span><br />20</span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"> You sit and speak against your brother;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">You slander your own mother’s son.</span><br />21</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> These things you have done, and I kept silent;<br /> You thought that I was altogether like you; <br /> But I will rebuke you, <br /> And set them in order before your eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God concludes Psalm 50 by warning His people:</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">22</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> “Now consider this, you who forget God,</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> Lest I tear you in pieces, </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> And there be none to deliver:</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">23<span style="font-size: large;"> Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;</span></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> And to him who orders his conduct aright</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> I will show the salvation of God.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My initial reaction was not PRAISE GOD, it was more like...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WHAT?!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all, the picture painted of God with </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"fire devouring before Him"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and <i>tempestuousness</i> circling around His feet sounds pretty scary for the casual reader! And what is with God's demand to be praised and thus glorified by His people <i>under threat of being torn to pieces?</i> Isn't God supposed to be</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">...loving?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My prayer after reading that passage was one of <b>desperation</b> and <b>pained trust</b> in God...I basically </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">begged</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for God to reveal the truth of the unsettling passage to me </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">as soon as possible!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> My faith was wavering, my heart pounding in my ears. How could one moment's worth of spiritual confusion <i>so quickly</i> reduce me to such a spiritually vulnerable state? All I knew was that I didn't like it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">God rescued me just in the nick of time</span><span style="font-size: large;"> from my pitiful <i>bout of doubt</i> through a wise word from my father, and an insightful book about Jesus (McDowell's <i>More Than A Carpenter)</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I knew I was missing <b>something,</b> and it bothered the heck out of me all morning until I was able to talk it out with my dad. After talking with him, I realized that God's demand for praise from His people arose from a <i>deep love and concern</i> he harbored for the fate of </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">all</span><span style="font-size: large;"> mankind. He wanted His people to glorify Himself with their thankfulness so the surrounding nations would see God</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> and commit their lives to Him.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> God was trying to draw people to Himself, thus keeping <b>as many people out of hell as He could.</b> When the Israelites became ungrateful and wicked, they were setting a bad example for the other nations! That is why God was so adamant about their attitude towards Himself; it was not really for His <i>own sake,</i> but for <i>His people's sake</i> that He demanded His people's respect. He was after all, their originator AND savior from the bondage of Egypt! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> All in all, today proved to be a </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">spiritually invigorating,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>long, </i>good day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh, one more thing (that is a <i>declaration,</i> really):</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> May we never <i>shy away</i> from verses that seem difficult or disturbing; instead, let us embrace them as </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">spiritual exercises, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>strategically</b> placed in His Word to not only cause us to grow in Biblical knowledge and wisdom, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">but to teach us to trust in God as well!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-77263020551067700182012-01-16T22:54:00.000-05:002012-03-27T11:26:38.682-04:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 5<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I committed to posting the results to my Dreamer's Challenge every day for a week, but Sunday admittedly proved to be a somewhat uninspiring day for me.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It was a day full of activity, to be sure; normally, I would attend the local church and spend the rest of the day driving around with my family visiting friends or eating out, having a wonderfully chaotic, thought-provoking day, but this Sunday was <i>unusual</i> in that I did <i>not</i> do a lot of thinking or reading or planning or talking, but instead, just </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"doing."</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Doing simple, wholesome, fulfilling, clean, quiet, <b>perfect</b> little movements...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> To help you understand the difference between "normal doing" and the "doing" I did this Sunday, I have compiled a list of random tasks that I completed yesterday:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1.</b> I wore a skirt that was so long that it got caught under my feet when I walked,</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">2.</b><span style="font-size: large;"> practiced driving with my dad,</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">3.</b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Vacuumed the floor of my bedroom (cat-themed rug and all),</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4.</b> hung out with a friend I haven't talked to much since 2011,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5.</b> helped my brother make a commercial advertising his <a href="http://hurricanelongboards.blogspot.com/p/media_14.html">longboards</a> using Windows Movie Maker, and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6.</b> ate almost an </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">entire</span><span style="font-size: large;"> box of Oreo's <i>all on my own</i> (dipped in milk, of course).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I prayed a little bit here and there throughout the course of the day, talked about God and His Word with the people I spent time with, <i>breathed in</i> the beauty of His creation...nothing particularly <i>noteworthy</i> happened, and nothing very <i>important</i> was accomplished, but it was a mostly peaceful day that I would gladly experience again if given the opportunity. My dream that night was nothing remarkable, either...not a nightmare, but not <i>special</i> by any standards (the happenings in my dream loosely followed those of Suzanne </span><span style="font-size: large;">Collin's </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">The Hunger Games). </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>All in all, the whole experience left me without much to write about--except for <b>one</b> thing, now that I think of it: when caught up in the simple joy of living, sometimes God's message to His child is simply, </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">"Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)."</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Breathe. REST. <b>Be thankful!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> My Sunday was mundane. Peaceful, bright, happy, <i>uneventful,</i> yes...but a waste of time? Meaningless? </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't think so.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I am thankful for the "quiet days" when I can content myself in the delights of God's creation, enjoy doing simple tasks, and rest in His presence. Sometimes my relationship with God is fast-paced, <b>exciting,</b> an <i>adventure,</i> but on Sundays like <b>these,</b> I am thankful for the chance to just relax and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">share a brief respite with Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Someday <b>soon</b>, life will be more challenging, exciting</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">...but not now.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> For now, the turbulent waters of life are still, and I rest in absolute peace in the eye of a spiritual hurricane. May you all find <b>insurmountable joy</b> in the miraculous AND the mundane!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-90798911424252179912012-01-15T23:29:00.000-05:002012-01-16T13:36:53.651-05:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 4<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last night God spoke to me in a dream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here's what happened: I prayed, read God's Word, and went to bed, just as I have been doing for the past few days--except, when I woke up, I had an interesting story to share.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9kkNe38awg/TxOTM79hPBI/AAAAAAAAAN8/HlRI-KHE9Zo/s1600/underbrush3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9kkNe38awg/TxOTM79hPBI/AAAAAAAAAN8/HlRI-KHE9Zo/s200/underbrush3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> In my dream, I was trekking through a vast, golden tangle of field, tall weeds, and tall, tree-like bushes. A large group of people that I have been familiar with since I was young but have rarely spoken to were hiking through the underbrush with me. One of my close friends stuck by my side for part of the journey, but somehow we were separated, and I ended up alone. I came upon an ominous tunnel of bush and hesitantly decided to crawl through it in hopes of rejoining the others on the opposite side. The branches seemed to grab at me, and dark forms threatened from all directions--until they came. Two people that I have long judged since I knew them for their habit of snubbing or disregarding me. Yet here they were, offering me salvation from the evil clutches of the bushes--and isolation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The three of us ended up walking with each other for the remainder of the trip. the two were more amiable and down to earth than I would have ever thought possible. We talked and laughed all the way to our destination: a performing arts center. Once everybody was inside the building, the two people and I went off together again on our own. We drifted into a large room where a group of thespians were rehearsing for an upcoming theatrical production. The three of us sank into a couple of back row seats and continued our comfortable conversing while actors practiced on their stage before us. Just as I was beginning to wonder why I hadn't ever thought of befriending these wonderful people before, the lights dimmed, and the female lead of the musical began to sing her solo. All of us immediately quieted because her voice was absolutely mesmerizing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Finally the siren-like voice ceased and the lights turned back on.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> As the light returned, however, I sensed something was wrong. I turned to the two others, made a comment about a Guinea pig (for reasons I cannot recall), and saw something I can't say I didn't expect: the backs of the two people's heads. They had turned away from me to talk to each other. I said something else, and they turned and gave me a look that chilled and embarrassed me. My bad-feeling-instinct was right to have warned me of trouble. The wonderful chemistry the three of us had previously mutually shared was just </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">gone, </i><span style="font-size: large;">obliterated in the time it took me to brush my teeth in the morning</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">...</i><span style="font-size: large;">and I? I stood to my feet and began to walk away, confused, and mourning the loss of our brief friendship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> As I was waking up from this dream, my final thought was, <i>"What did I say to offend them?"</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /> For a long time, I have disapproved of people who <b>seem</b> to ignore me--people I see every week who do not turn to look at me when I say "hi." Last night, I believe God confronted me about this flawed thinking through my dream. I have been <b>wrong</b> to think that these seemingly aloof kids are rude or fake or <i>anything,</i> really...because they, like I, are </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">only human!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> They are simply fallible people who are doing their <b>best</b> to be <i>more like Jesus. </i> Just because these individuals do not acknowledge me when passing by does not make them bad people. Life is not about Megan, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">life is about Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Besides, I may not know the full story...perhaps there is something going on that I don't know about? Only God can see and change people's hearts!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">What I should be focusing on, instead of my own pride and self-pity, is </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"How can I change?"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> or </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"How can I be a better friend?"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> because in the end, the only person I can change (<b>with Jesus' help!</b>) is </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">myself. </span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe God will convict these people to be more friendly and sensitive in the future, but for now I should not be offended, but instead </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">humbled, graceful, and encouraging.</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Jesus warns believers in Matthew 7:1-5:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Judge not, that you be not judged.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">but do not consider the plank in your own eye?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s320/dapostons/plank_in_the_eye.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Plank in eye" border="0" height="290" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s320/dapostons/plank_in_the_eye.jpg" width="400" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /> If we are confused about someone's behavior toward us, instead of gossiping, grudging, or judging them, let us strive to walk in</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> love and grace,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and look at people through the eyes of Jesus (and not through the cracks of the long planks in our eyes)!</span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-26593339804202958792012-01-15T10:32:00.001-05:002012-01-15T11:58:25.249-05:00Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Here is "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" if you haven't already seen it. It is so <b>boldly,</b> and even <i>blatantly</i> executed that it has everybody all stirred up; you need only to look at the list of replies--and rebuttals--on YouTube to know that. This candid guy makes a <b>vital</b> point: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">religion is worthless unless its beholder has a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Otherwise, it is just another overwhelming, <b>impossible</b>, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">God-sized</span><span style="font-size: large;"> "to-do list." Enjoy.</span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">“Teacher, which is the <b>greatest</b> commandment in the Law?”<br /><br />Jesus replied: “'</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Love </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the Lord your God with <b>all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' </b> This is the <b>first</b> and <b>greatest</b> commandment. And the second is like it: </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' </span><span style="font-size: large;"> All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Matthew 22:36-40 </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-31723524405388502892012-01-14T15:31:00.001-05:002012-01-15T12:01:03.977-05:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 3<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> So...yesterday I pretty much <b>wasted</b> a perfectly good Friday--or at least, <i>partially</i>. The day started out well enough, but by eleven o' clock at night, I had wasted a couple of prime God-hours goofing off on the internet just <i>"surfing around."</i> By the time I reached my bedroom to start winding down before sleep, I was totally <b>disgusted</b> with myself. I knew better than to goof off like that and waste precious time</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">...and yet I did.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> And now it was eleven: <b>too late to redeem the day.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I started desperately flipping through my Bible, notes flying all over the place, hoping to stumble upon something poignant--maybe a verse that detailed the curses that came upon those who <b>wasted </b>time. That would have at least somewhat </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">eased my aching conscience,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> but <b>NO</b>--God chose to do something to me </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>even worse.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Instead of curses, I found tons of verses that listed the BLESSINGS that came with serving God wholeheartedly. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, all I saw was blessings, love, forgiveness, mercy, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">AHHH!!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Where was God's punishing wrath when I needed it? Just as I began to contemplate storming out the front door of my house and tearing down the street and into the dark night like a <i>raving</i> lunatic, I found the verse I needed to hear (thank God): <b>Ephesians 5:14-17:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">circumspectly</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">, not as fools but as </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">wise</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">, </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">redeeming the time,</span><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"> because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">understand what the will of the Lord is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sanity rushed back into my bones. I could feel the color returning to my drained face. Here was a verse that seemed to <b>gently rebuke,</b> and offer <b>hope.</b> I had been bracing myself for hell fire, and here was my </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">loving, merciful God again </span><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Why are you so good to me, God?</i>)</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">, </span><span style="font-size: large;">advising me to </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">redeem the wasted time...</b><span style="font-size: x-large;">but how?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> WHAT could God's will possibly be for me at this late hour? I resolved to pray to God for at least two hours (by now it was around 11:30 PM) to show God how serious I was about "redeeming the time." </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Instead God sent me my younger brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brother: "Megan, I'm going to sleep in your room tonight so I can try out my new army sleeping bag, and we're gonna' have a good old time staying up late and telling stories and--"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Uh, tonight's not going to be a good night for that..." I started, but as the words artlessly rolled off my tongue, a few different verses about serving God through loving His people pounced onto my brain:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"whatever you do for the<b> least of these</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">you do for Me [Jesus]..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"They [the world] will know them [the Christians] by the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">love that they have for one another..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Love your neighbor <b>as yourself..."</b> [how can I love my neighbor if I don't love my brother first?]</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I said, "Sure..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"YES!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"...Under ONE condition: we pray together before we go to sleep!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Uh, sure...but do I have to pray?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Only if you want to..." I consented.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We talked for almost two hours, I on my bed, and he curled up in his sleeping bag on my cat-themed rug. He told me about his hopes and dreams, mainly sports-related, and I mostly just listened. It obviously meant a lot to him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did some thinking, too...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> God does not just want us to <i>be obedient</i>, He wants us to take INITIATIVE--take action, and <b>find</b> ways to love people! That requires some <b>effort </b>on my part. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Serving God, after all, is a privilege.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> A good friend of mine once told me that when you are really pursuing God, it is always best to stay </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">just outside of your ever-expanding comfort zone.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> She is <b>so</b> right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">By 1:00 AM in the morning, we were both exhausted, so after I had prayed blessings over his and my other family member's lives, I turned off my night light and we fell dead asleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I dreamed some bizarre dream that involved ME driving my family (even in my dream THAT was a hellish experience for all) to Publix, we only having three dollars to spend on groceries, and one of my younger brothers wanting to spend all of our money on candy corn. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I don't even <i>care</i> what I dream about at this point; I am just happy for the revelation God gave me <b>while I was awake</b> yesterday! I am happy </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">period</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Despite my failure, I feel strangely <b>triumphant</b>. </span><span style="font-size: large;">God is near, and I can feel it. I do not have to wonder what the meaning of life is, because I have found it in </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus Christ!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> His love propels me, motivates me, changes me--and <i>changes others in the process.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> ...My contentment does not mean I am quitting the challenge; I feel God has things to show me yet through this entertainment fast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I hope you are </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">encouraged</b><span style="font-size: large;"> by these posts, and pray that you will have a </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">blessed</b><span style="font-size: large;"> week: </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">full of love, light, and the </i><span style="font-size: x-large;">joy of the LORD!</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-52966701142363251252012-01-13T16:37:00.001-05:002012-01-13T19:33:13.660-05:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 2<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is so true what people say about beauty rising out of the ashes of pain.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Last night, after my rocky beginnings with Day 1 of the Dreamer's Challenge, I crawled into the back of my dad's truck, threw my head back, and soaked in the awesome sight of God's stars...and the occasional plane taking off from a nearby airport. Somehow, the combination of these sights prompted me to think of the song Keith Green wrote about God's beauty, "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful."</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I had a good conversation with God, and read Psalm 37 by the light of the stars, street lights, and passing cars' headlights. This psalm is especially meaningful and beautiful, I discovered, when read </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">aloud.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I have tried to read this particular psalm before without really </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"getting it,"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> but last night was different. It was as if I had <b>never read it before.</b> I especially love verses 3-4 and 34-40, but the whole piece is both delicious and </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">rejuvenating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The Psalm begins by declaring, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Trust in the LORD,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and do good; dwell in the land, and <b>feed on His faithfulness.</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Delight yourself also in the LORD,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and He shall give you the <i>desires of your heart,</i>" and ends on a similar note, " But the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">because they trust in Him."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We are not only blessed, but SAVED by God for trusting in Him! Trust must be pretty important to God, huh? What separated many of the heroes of the Bible from the people that lived around them in their time was <b>not their own holiness</b>--some of them were drunks, liars, hypocrites, and cowards--but instead was the <b>trust</b> that they had in God. Sure, they had their doubts at times--many times, in fact--but for some of the time, they trusted God, and it was during those times that God moved them the most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I guess the theme of the day must be <i>Keith Green</i>, because I've got another song for you called "He'll Take Care of the Rest" that relates beautifully to this topic:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After spending some time with God, I slipped back into my house and plopped onto a couch next to two of my younger brothers, twins. They were watching the movie <i>Eight Below</i> with my dad. Not wanting to watch TV or leave their company, I ultimately chose to sit at a nearby table and draw illustrations for a possible future installment story idea of mine (HINT HINT). I prayed a short prayer before crawling into bed, and slept soundly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I only remember having one dream, and the details I remember are vague: something exciting was going on, possibly a wedding, and I wrote "I love something" on my arm. I still don't remember what that "something" was, but the dream was bright, clean, refreshing--</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">not</span><span style="font-size: large;"> nightmarish. I feel that God has blessed me for going to Him <b>first.</b> Psalm 4, the verse that was so <b>ironic </b>to my sleep experience two nights ago, now <b>echoes</b> the peace I experienced last night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> God's mercies really ARE new each day; </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">praise the LORD!</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-6349834922065465452012-01-12T18:21:00.000-05:002012-01-12T20:47:01.171-05:00DREAMER'S CHALLENGE: Day 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Yesterday was the first official day of my dream challenge, but it was not until this morning that I received some results from my experiment: two strange dreams, some regret, and a wake-up call. Allow me to explain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> While I technically did not <i>watch</i> TV last night (I was working on my laptop), I was in the family/TV room with my younger brothers where I could<i> hear</i> the TV...and without even realizing I was doing it, I followed part of the show with my ears...it was a reality show about a very troubled family that included ten kids void of compassion, and two exceptionally dysfunctional parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> By the time I dragged myself to bed last night, it was very late, and I only managed to read one small section of scripture and release a short prayer before I turned off my bed light and tried to fall asleep. I tossed and turned for an hour; I was exhausted, and knew I had to wake up early the next morning, but could not fall asleep due to a dull, sharp pain that totally engulfed my left leg. I think it was growing pains, but at the time it felt like a punishment. All I could think was, <i>this is going to sound really weird on my blog tomorrow...</i>and it probably does.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> After dreaming one very strange, disturbing dream that I cannot recall the details of, and one (black and white) dimly lit dream about a group of hilarious dogs that leaped and walked on two legs in circles around me, I finally woke up to the glaring sound of my alarm clock. Out of bed I fell, crawled, staggered over to my alarm clock to turn the thing off. Ugh. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I read some of Matthew 7, but Exhaustion pressed against me, warm and sweaty in form, making it difficult for me to concentrate on the words. Although my head was swimming, I felt distinctly drawn to return to Psalm 4: the passage I had meditated on last night. I was surprised by the ironic shadow the selection of scriptures threw before my painful, seemingly unsuccessful night of sleep (and sleeplessness). Here are the words of Psalm 4:3-8:</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Realize that the LORD shows the godly special favor;</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the LORD responds when I cry out to him. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tremble with fear and do not sin!</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! Offer the prescribed sacrifices</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and trust in the LORD! </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many say, “Who can show us anything good?”</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Smile upon us, LORD! </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You make me happier</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">than those who have abundant grain and wine. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will lie down and sleep peacefully,</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">for you, LORD, make me safe and secure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> When I honestly assess my actions last night, I see that I probably should have spent my time more judiciously, so that I would not have had to have pushed prayer so late into the night. Godly people pray first--they do not wait until the very last minute to do the most vital task of the day. I think last night was God's wake-up call to me to actually SERVE HIM, as I said I would do in my previous blog post, "Love is a Verb." Writing with God for an audience is an honor and privilege, and I realize more than ever, is a privilege that requires me to be more responsible and diligent to live up to my ideals and assertions. Harold Nicolson was right when he said:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others, by their acts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> This has been a wonderful reminder from God to me that my actions need to line up more accurately with my words--and I am totally up for the challenge! I can't wait to see what else God chooses to illuminate within my human, frequently wayward heart...or am I mistaking excitement for fear? Am I finally living up to Psalm 4, "trembling with fear" and choosing not to sin? I guess we'll see! Thanks for reading everybody; you guys provide me really great accountability.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I Hope that all of your weeks prove to be equally enlightening!</span></span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-84557009383266172762012-01-11T22:17:00.001-05:002012-01-12T12:54:52.134-05:00Full of and Fixed on the Light<div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hey everybody!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I stumbled upon the PERFECT verse for the Dreamer's Challenge during my morning devotional...look at </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Matthew 6:22-23</b><span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">eye</span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> is healthy</span></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, your whole body will be </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">full of light.</span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> But if your </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">eye is diseased,</span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> your whole body will be </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">full of darkness...</span><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If we are allowing our eyes to see gruesome, evil, horrific, or even just plain secular movies on TV, are we not "diseasing" our eyes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">purposely</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> exposing ourselves to wickedness, we open </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">i</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">nternal gateways that invite evil to come into our hearts, minds, <i>souls</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">. Not all of us watch a lot of TV; for some of us, it is Facebook that distracts us from God, or fun reading, or a music obsession, or...the list could go on and on. The idea is that <i>whatever we love, we inevitably fill ourselves with.</i> If our foremost love is </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">not</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Jesus, then we are </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"full of darkness,"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for Jesus is the <b>only true Light</b> of the world; we must always keep this in mind! </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all, 2 Corinthians clearly states that <b>light can have no fellowship with darkness</b>...there is <i>no </i>middle ground here...</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">we must choose whose side we will serve!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, back to Matthew 6: our bodies cannot be filled with light and our eyes cannot be "healthy" if we choose to fixate are eyes on worldly pleasures instead of on Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Whatever happens, we CANNOT take our eyes off of The Light of the World: Jesus, the only "filler" that satisfies! Let us pray, pray some more, and pray more OBSESSIVELY! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God bless everybody, and <span style="color: orange;">sweet dreams!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659807067177634933.post-11008205852882058212012-01-09T22:45:00.000-05:002012-01-11T15:31:32.287-05:00Why Do We Have Nightmares?<br />
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange;">Have you ever wondered why
people—believers and non-believers alike—have nightmares?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It seems like whenever someone has a dream in
the Bible, it is either prophetic or contains a cryptic message for the dreamer
that only another person, or the passing of time, can rightly interpret.</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All dreams mentioned in the Bible are from
God, which begs the question: </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">who are nightmares from, and what is their purpose?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> God could not have designed people to receive dark,
troubling dreams.</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Are bad dreams simply
</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">the after-effects of sin in a fallen world</span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, or is the meaning behind their
existence </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">deeper?</span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps the devil
implants these dreams in our minds, or at least his demon minions.</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What about Christians though?</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aren't they supposed to be protected from
demons?</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Or are we all just watching </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">too
many bad movies?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Last night I had the most
troubling dream—one I would never want or be </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">allowed</i><span style="font-size: small;"> to see if it were a
movie. And yet, there it was, playing in
my head in the wee morning hours. There is
no escape from a dream like this, either, and often the dreamer wakes only to
feel </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">confused, embarrassed, </i><span style="font-size: small;">and</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"> disturbed.</i><span style="font-size: small;">
Where is God during these freakish night disturbances? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Does He care?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> A friend of mine and her
sister have nightmares almost every night--this runs in her family—ones so bad that they have trouble
sleeping, and wake up screaming or crying.
These dreams are dark, and prayer does not prevent their nightly occurrences. Once, after my friend woke up from a
particularly bad dream in the middle of the night, she was angry and confused
with God for allowing her to suffer. After
praying and bedding with her sister for the remainder of the night, she turned off
her bed light to go back to sleep...only to be prompted to look up a random verse
that popped into her head. She tried to
push the verse away because she was tired, but she could not clear her mind of
the mysterious address: 1 Kings 3:15.
She did not know which verse that was, and did not remember ever hearing
the reference before. After turning on
the light by her bed, she flipped to 1 Kings3:15 in her Bible to read:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Solomon then woke up and realized it was a dream.</span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To my friend, this was like a
father coming in to comfort his scared little girl by saying, </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It was just a
bad dream.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> My friend still does not
know why she has nightmares, but she does know that when she does, God is with
her, and wants to help her through her trials, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>whatever </b>they may be</span><span style="font-size: small;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Maybe nightmares, like all
other trials, are permitted by God to haunt us because He wants us to come to
HIM for help and guidance. I don’t think
He enjoys watching people suffer, but sometimes the only way people can find
truth is through suffering. If it takes
a series of bad dreams for someone to realize that they need God’s help, then
their suffering is ultimately—and mysteriously—worth it. I don’t know all the answers—heck, I don’t
know <i>half</i>, or even a <i>16<sup>th</sup></i> of the answers!—but I DO know that what it
</span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>all</b> boils down to is the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">trust</span><span style="font-size: large;"> that we have in God.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Solomon councils in Proverbs 3:5:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: DFKai-SB;">Trust in the LORD with all your heart, </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: DFKai-SB;">and do not rely on your own understanding.</span></span><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: DFKai-SB;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Still, I cannot help but
wonder if many bad dreams can be prevented. I
wonder what would happen if I <b>stopped</b> watching TV and reading “fun novels” for
a week, and <b>started</b> praying and reading God’s Word <i>instead</i>, right before I turned
in each night to sleep? Would the
nightmares cease? This week, I am going
to find out—and I think the conclusion will be interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: orange;">Every day from <b>Thursday the 12<sup>th</sup>
to Thursday the 19<sup>th</sup></b> I will post the results of my “experiment” on
my blog:</span> what passage I read from the Bible before I fall asleep, and the types
of dreams I have each night (if I can remember them). This is probably something worth doing
<b>regardless of the conclusion that is drawn</b>; after all, </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">spending more time with
God is never a waste of time!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: orange;">If you
like, you can join me by <b>fasting from entertainment and praying instead from Wednesday the 12th to the 18th,</b> and post your experiences beneath my posts as comments.</span> Who knows; maybe this week will be </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">so
successful</span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> for us that we might just keep fasting and praying <b>forever</b>! Ha-ha, I guess we’ll see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dreamers</span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, Let the <b>entertainment
fast</b> and nightly <b>praying</b> </span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">begin</span></span></span><span style="font-family: DFKai-SB; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">!</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02294394805680629849noreply@blogger.com3