tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32268614904982544012024-03-12T21:01:24.205-07:00Pamela's Pondering PlacePamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-1983541451593378692020-07-17T09:03:00.001-07:002020-07-17T09:03:10.491-07:00I'm not too fond of Road Work!I don't understand this!! We're supposed to enjoy spring and summer. We're supposed to just drink coffee and iced tea, and make homemade ice cream. Maybe go to the lake or beach and enjoy a little sunshine. But these two seasons should be relaxing and full of comfort. But not around here. Around here it seems we have road work.<br />
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A sign I truly despise on a road trip is the one that says, Road Work Ahead. And if that isn't enough, the GPS will even tell me that the road work will last for the next 8 miles. Are you kidding me? I don't have time for this.<br />
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Earlier this spring they began to "fix" the road we use quite a bit. It's a pretty busy road, actually. As we were going to church one morning during the "fix" work, I asked my husband a question he could not answer. You know how we are. 'Why are they patching this road? This isn't going to fix this road long term. When it comes to winter, the plows will just tear this right back up." Of course, he didn't know the answer. I was a bit irritated with them because even when we began to drive on the "fixed" part of the road there as a bit of a bump over each "fixed" area.<br />
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Now that same road has been worked on again. This time they have torn it completely up and have rebuilt it; which is what they should have done in the beginning. Just think of all the time and money they could have saved it they would have done it right the first time. It's a pleasure to drive on it once again. It's smooth and you can actually hear yourself talk to other passengers without raising your voice. You can hear your music on volume number 4 instead of 11.<br />
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As my irritation was turned to this new found comfort in my drive, my mind went to pondering on a few things...<br />
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I've got some rough patches in my road, my life. There's a few places that God is having a hard time navigating around and he's not fond of having to listen to my voice with the volume up to 11. You know what I'm talking about?<br />
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Let me tell you about my prayer time, or lack thereof. Have you ever prayed and you open you eyes and see the dirty dishes or the towels that are sitting on the couch and still need to be folded? Yeah, and immediately, you get up and start folding the towels in the middle of your conversation with God. Because, of course, you can pray anywhere. And God listens to us no matter what we are doing. That way you don't miss you time with God and still can get all the housework done before the husband comes out on his break. What? Did you say something Lord? Sorry, I got busy with this housework. <br />
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Now let me tell you about by daily Bible reading, study time and meditation. I have such a beautiful yard. Oh yes, and I have bright yellow finches that come to eat at the feeder. And hummingbirds that feed at the beautiful hummingbird feeder that looks like it needs to be refilled. I better to that now before it gets too hot out today. I don't need to be out in the sunshine and get dehydrated. Oh, let me mark my place here. I'll be right back in no time to get this done. Then getting this done ends up not getting done at all because there were weeds to be pulled and flowers to be dead headed, etc...<br />
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You see God is still working on the road he's built into my life. Getting my attention is like having to maneuver around the pot holes I've let grow bigger and bigger. Having a quiet moment to hear the music of my meditation is non-existent because I've let the curbs that protect my time with him crumble and fall into nonexistence.<br />
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I'm under construction. One thing God loves is road work. It means that I'm improving the pathway into my heart. It means that I'm taking time to work on those things that he's revealed through his word and preaching which need improvements. Bad attitudes that have been allowed to grow like weeds in the cracks of my heart. Broken relationships that God wants to mend. A work of forgiveness that will straighten the road out for an easier access to my heart.<br />
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THIS! This construction must occur and reoccur as needed throughout my walk with God if I want to grow and influence my world. Lord, don't stop working on me. Keep me close so you'll always know what to work on next. I know it can't all be done in a day, so help me to have patience with myself. Help me to accept the delays and slower speeds. Help me to recognize and appreciate what's already been done to improve my life. And help me to be patient as you work on the pathway to my heart. <br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-4958017266722739392016-05-18T06:35:00.002-07:002016-05-18T06:35:56.196-07:00Through My Eyes<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sun is rising over the tops of the houses and it's absolutely inspiring. I grab my trusty little camera, my iPhone 6S Plus, and try to capture the moment to post and brag about my beautiful world. The picture just doesn't do it justice. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My lens is not picking up the true glorious pink of the sun as it rises over the mountains in the distance. As it diffuses from vibrant pinks to orange, yellow and dissipates, my lens picks up only the essence of color; a mere print and not the masterpiece painted across the horizon. I adjust the settings on my camera. The distance, the lighting and even clean the lens a bit striving to improve the results. My efforts are not successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lay my camera down. I wish they could see if from my eyes, I thought; this led me to ponder for a moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this what Jesus thinks when I cannot see the true beauty of the scene unfolding around me? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our world today has access to unbelievable amounts of information. The internet has opened up a new medium for communication that is unparalleled in any other place or time. Social media forums have created creative ways to share information and communicate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, these new avenues of sharing have also created an environment that can lead to very unhealthy habits. Excessive amount of time spent surfing the internet and participating in social media groups to the exclusion of building and maintaining meaningful relationships with the people we live, work and meet in the community. While I could talk about this point for a while, my true topic is what we are allowing into our minds and hearts and how it affects the lens through which we view our world and shape our values.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to remind myself all the time what I strove to teach my children, what you read and watch affect your thoughts. What you think about builds your belief system; gets into your heart, your DNA. Your responses, the lens through which you view life, is built out of this storage of information. Feed it with negativity, you will get negativity. Feed it with positive, you will become positive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How do we fight this breakdown in relationship building? How do we combat the negativity that is so rampant in our society today? How do we protect our hearts and minds? How do we see through the lens more clearly?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a heart issue. You've got to diligently protect and guard what you put in your heart. There's got to be a balance. I am not against surfing the internet and social media sites. I love these mediums of communication and information. However, this cannot be your constant food for thought and action. You've got to read the word of God, be in church attendance to hear the preaching of the word of God, you'be got to pray and build that relationship with Jesus Christ. Neglecting to discipline your time and activities will cause you to develop a sick heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consider these two scriptures from the Bible today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Proverbs 4:23 "<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Keep thy heart with <b>all diligence</b>; for out of it are the issues of life."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Luke 6:45 "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">A good man out of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b>good treasure </b>of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> his </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">heart </b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">evil treasure of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">his </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">heart</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> bringeth forth that which is evil: for </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">of</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">abundance</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">of</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">heart</b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> his mouth speaketh."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting Bull is known for this famous quote, and I think it fits very well here. "Inside of me there are two dogs. One is mean and evil and the other is good and they fight each other all the time. When asked which one wins I answer, the one I feed the most."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you struggling with your lens today; struggling to see things through the eyes of Jesus? Perhaps you need to balance things out a bit. Seriously evaluate how you are spending your time. What are the things you are allowing into your mind and heart? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord, I surrender my heart and my mind to you today. I pray that you will help me to sort truth from fiction. Help me to see what you want me to see. So many are bound to false assumptions and incorrect thoughts about life. These thoughts limit ourselves and prevent us from growing and maturing into the person you have designed us to be. Help me to seek your will above all others opinions. Help me to truthfully examine my life today through your eyes. Help me to change the things that I need to change. Give me the strength to make these changes. I truly want to be the person that you have designed me to be and impact my world for righteousness. I long to see through your lens of faith. To trust you in all areas of my life. In Jesus name, let it be done. Amen.</span></span></div>
Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-12894310671046145182016-04-05T07:58:00.001-07:002016-04-05T07:58:22.302-07:00Learning to Lean from Tulips<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I'm pondering on leaning this morning.....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">As I stood brewing my coffee this morning the tulips on the dining room table caught my eye. When we bought them and set them on the table they were straight and tall. The flowers were bright buds of promise; their true beauty yet to be revealed.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">As I walked towards them I realized they were leaning and that I could do nothing to straighten them. They were blossoming while turning their beauty towards the sun that comes in the windows. Seeking the sun was a natural instinct, whether attached to the bulb or cut and set to beautify their new environment.</span><br />
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Leaning, or shifting towards someone or something, is not always a sign of weakness. Just as these tulips lean towards the sunshine that develops them into a beautiful flower, we too should lean towards the Son. Realizing that our strength, support and ultimate beauty are fed by our relationship with the Son of God is the first step in becoming the person we were meant to be.</div>
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Psalm 139 is one of the most famous passages regarding God's purpose for each of us from the moment of conception. Within this chapter in verses 18-19 you will find this " How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And I waken in the morning you are still thinking of me!" (The Living Bible)</div>
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Do you have this awareness? God is thinking of us constantly! How He must love me and care for me to focus his thoughts on me. I can't help but lean on Him. He is my source of life, hope and joy. </div>
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The refrain from an old hymn is my song today. </div>
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<i>Leaning, Leaning</i></div>
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<i>Safe and secure</i></div>
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<i>From all alarm</i></div>
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<i>I'm leaning on the Everlasting Arms!</i></div>
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Leaning.........on the Son!</div>
Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-9308640132248214682016-01-05T08:03:00.000-08:002016-01-05T08:03:04.462-08:00Should I Know You?Have you ever met someone and knew that you had been introduced to them before, maybe even chatted with them a few times, but you can't remember their name? That can be a bit awkward; especially if they remember your name. How do you gracefully handle this? Do you ask "Do I know you?" (Not recommended đ). Or how about this one, "I am sorry, but I forgot your name."<br />
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I am reading a passage in Genesis today, specifically chapters 18-20. In this reading there are two accounts of angels appearing as men. I've always been intrigued that both Abraham and Lot recognized them as angels sent from God. <br />
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As I ponder on this a moment I am reminded again of the message my husband preached on Sunday. We must have a relationship with Jesus. Relationships are essential to growth. Relationships generate the ability to identify someone by their behavior, voice or presence.<br />
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When I was a child we lived in a two-story house. The bedroom I shared with my sisters was right by the stairs. It was an older home and the stairs would creak as you went up and down. I can remember knowing who was walking on the stairs by the sound they made. Isn't that amazing and cool? <br />
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Conversely, being recognized as belonging to a group or family by your appearance is pretty powerful as well. Imagine the angels walking into town and you immediately know they are emissaries sent from God with a message.<br />
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I wonder.....would I recognize them? If this occurred today, would I sense God in them and know who they are?<br />
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My heart cries out today to deepen my experience with God. I want to recognize him, his angels, the Holy Ghost power working in me and through me to fulfill his will on earth. I want my community, my world, to recognize me as a child of God because of my relationship to him and with him.<br />
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How about you? Do you ponder these things? Are you in a relationship with God? Should I know you?<br />
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<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-82377247736018499542015-11-07T11:00:00.001-08:002015-11-07T11:00:08.510-08:00Finding the Awe in Daily LivingA friend of mine wrote a status on Facebook today that got me to pondering..........<br />
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Where is God in your everyday life? I'm not talking about the 30 minutes to hour that you set aside to read your Bible and greet the Lord in daily prayer. I'm talking about the blessings and opportunities that come our way on a daily basis that are God ordained but we failed to recognize.<br />
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You see, I truly do believe that my steps are ordered by the Lord. Every step. A couple of people recently said that I over spiritualize my life. Really? I'm sad for them. Being blinded to the love of God and his provisions in every area of our lives is one of the greatest blessings I have and cherish.<br />
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Let me see if I can illustrate this for you by recounting some of the 'awe' moments in my last two weeks.<br />
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<li>Doctors full of compassion and knowledge providing the level of treatment needed to get me on the road to recovery quickly. Without these doctors and their knowledge, people used to die from bacterial infection. Where did this knowledge come from......?</li>
<li>Nurses who provided encouragement and pain management when the hospital was busy and their work load heavy. Believe me, there's nothing worse than a nurse who doesn't really care and is just trying to get the job done. Nurses who take the time to be encouraging and kind are a blessing in this day and age of staffing shortages.</li>
<li>Spouse who is selfless and caring. I see all the negativity about men and husbands so I know the treasure, the blessing God has given me. </li>
<li>Friends who encourage and bring treats. I can't even imagine life without friends who are 'there' for you. Did you know there are people that don't have these kinds of relationships? </li>
<li>Unplanned for expenses covered by an unexpected bonus and a rebate check. Timing is everything they say. I say God knows our every need and supplies them.</li>
<li>Retailers who care about the patient and go above and beyond. This is becoming more rare as days go by. I called Walgreens to refill a prescription for my daddy. Unfortunately the script was supposed to last 4 weeks but had only lasted 2 weeks. The phone rep said it was rejected with a message indicating we were trying to refill it too soon. I asked them to see if an override could be obtained and she said no and suggested I call the doctors office for a new prescription with a different dosage or formulary. Long story short, that wasn't an option. They said we'd just have to pay the 109.00 and be happy it wasn't a higher priced item. So we bit the bullet and went to pay for the refill. Upon arriving, the pharmacist was the person trying to help in the very busy drive thru window. He said, 'The insurance is denying this as a fill too early request. Let me call and get an override for you." We cheerfully agreed to let him try and come back later. I said a short prayer for his success under my breath as we left. You guessed it....we returned and paid 2.65. </li>
<li>Family, how can we forget our daily blessings of family relationships. Whether it's a quick text message, a picture posted on Facebook or a call, or that family member who lives with you and provides love and care, these are blessings from above.</li>
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I think the problem with us is we are looking for the sensational, the miracles, the Wowsers. We have access to the sensational at our fingertips. We are desensitized to the daily blessings and provisions we have because of Gods love and care for his people.</div>
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I believe his word. He said in Psalm 37:23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." I am finding the awe of God in my daily living. If you take a moment to ponder along with me, I'm positive you can too.</div>
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Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-4108373362456603332014-01-01T06:10:00.002-08:002014-01-01T06:10:52.313-08:00Pondering my Options for 2014<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you seen all the new 2014
cars? Oh my word! There are a plethora of choices and they have
numerous options. Satellite radio, now
thereâs one I do consider to be a must have on my next vehicle; itâs not optional! I used to get to car shop weekly when I lived
in the Chicago area; Interstate 90 is wonderful for that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The classic question many seek
to answer the last few days of each year is not what new car model they will
purchase. Itâs âWhat are your New Yearâs Resolutions?â My experience in this exercise is not very
positive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to Google, who, of
course, is THE smartest person in the world, based on the statistics compiled
by <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">University
of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology and published on 12/13/2013, </span>only
14% of people over the age of 50 achieve success with making resolutions. Only 39% of those under the age of 50 achieve
success. With percentages like that who wants to make them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to be honest and say
that I often do consider the power I could have if I did make a resolution and
keep it, but it doesnât last very long. LOL I will say that this year I pondered my options
quite thoroughly. Iâll use an acrostic to share them with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O â Opinions â This is a good place to begin because all options are
based on someoneâs opinion. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, so maybe Iâll work this
year on changing others opinions of Me.
That wonât work. Takes way too
much time and effort and Iâm not giving them any more of my time or effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband. Ha! I tried that and failed. AND donât you dare
tell me anything about my husband thatâs negative. I know all kinds of ways to hurt you and if I
donât get the job done, Iâll turn you over to my kids. Believe me, you DONâT want
that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One knows Taekwondo, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One is an attorney, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One is an artist and can make a
caricature out of you and post it on the Internet and youâll never live it down
and <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last One, but certainly,
most assuredly not least, she has learned everything from all the rest cause
sheâs the baby and youâll be decimated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nah, just forget it, this is
way too much work and I donât care what other people think anyway. This is not
an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P â Portent â One of my new words this year. Yes! I
LOVE love LOVE words.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, let me share its
meaning. Dictionary.com states it like
this<i> âan indication of omen of something about to happen, especially something
momentous!"</i> So you see it fits this time
of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some folks think they are portent. They attach the âIMâ in front of the word and
believe they are IMportant. If you have
to add the IM to the word, youâre not; Just sayinâ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are people who portent;
they try to predict what is going to happen next year. I donât put too much stock in those things;
they are a good read at best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where do I get my portents?
From the Word of God! Everything I hear
in the world today, Iâve found to be a portent from the Word of God. Since God is at 100%, all His foretellingâs
come true; changing this is not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 3.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T â Trade â Oh boy, I love to tradeâŚ.you have to have something in
order to tradeâŚ..<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Letâs see, husband? No way!
Iâve had this one for 32 years and besides we are a pretty stunning
package deal, so nope, not up for a trade there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thereâs the house. Ha! No
way! The Lord gave us that one and what
he gives to me is never up for trade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I donât think thereâs anything
Iâd trade except for some of my bad habits but no one ever wants those. Sure wish I could just give them awayâŚâŚDoesnât
look like I have anything I can trade right now, so this is not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I â Invent â Invent a new me; Ha!
Thatâs not goinâ so good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried that once. I had to pretend and hide the real me; I
threw away all the masks I purchased; they were all non-refundable and back
then we didnât recycle ANYTHING especially masks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Godâs been working on me for 53
years and you can see how thatâs working out.
I heard him talking to the angels the other day and they wanted to know
why he keeps trying and he replied I was worth it, so I guess Iâll leave that
one alone; thatâs not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O â Others â Oh, yeah, baby, I would love the chance to change others.
Letâs seeâŚ<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My parents, no; they put up
with me already without any complaints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My family, no; no one can
change them. Godâs having a pretty tough
time his-self, so Iâll leave that up to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just about this time in my
devotions, yep you got it, me and God are having devotions (they pretty much
last all day) <i>AND</i> he made me so good
I multi-task while weâre talkingâŚâŚ.He told me to leave others to him; my job is
just to love them just as they are and he can handle the rest. So changing others is not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">N â Norms â What I consider to be normal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Man and One Woman makes a
marriageâŚ..nope not changing that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life begins at conceptionâŚ.nope
not changing that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everybody ought to go to Sunday
School every weekâŚnope not changing that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A happy wife makes a happy
lifeâŚ.nope not changing that. I will be happy no matter what; not changing
that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daily Devotions â ah, canât
change that or the witchy woman returns and no one likes her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks like changing norms is
not an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">S â Same â I guess the only option Iâm left with is to keep everything
the same. If itâs not broke, donât
change it, right?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always go to church more
than once a week. Iâve got to be saved
and it takes a lot of church to keep me saved.
My portent says <i>â</i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><i>Let us not
give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us
cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as you see
the day coming when Christ will return.â</i>
(Hebrews 10:25)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always be a happy wife
so we have a happy life. I set the tone of my household every day through daily
devotions and my attitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always love my family
and will cherish our relationships no matter how crazy, stupid or dysfunctional
we may be. They are mine and I will not change that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always be a rebel saved
by grace. I will cherish my Savior and his grace and forgiveness and daily seek
to be more like Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always be beautiful at
every age and at every season of my life!
If you have a problem with that, you can talk to God. Heâs still working on me so perhaps there is
hope for your thoughts on that. Just
donât tell me. He likes to keep me
looking up!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always strive to please
everyone around me. This is one area God
has had some success in lately. I now
know the value of no. Sometimes the one
I need to please is me and I need to say no to you in order to say yes to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Based on the facts and analysis
of my options, I chose âSâ. Iâm keeping
things the same. That seems to work best
anyhow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Happy 2014!! Best of luck in the New Year!</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-49603730828558276542013-03-23T08:54:00.000-07:002013-03-23T08:54:39.364-07:00Promises, promises, promises.......<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, guys, we won't be going......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you promised!....(usually accompanied with head hanging down and the stomping of feet as the person walks away from the messenger)...................</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've seen this scenario play out way too many times in my life. Whether they were promises made to me or promises I made to my children, this scenario is fraught with disappointment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do know that the best of plans can be impacted by life. The car needs repairs....you have to work unexpectedly....you don't have the money. Even when you understand the reason the promise has been broken or delayed, the intense disappointment is there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking at this from the view of the one who made the promise is something we understand only after we mature. Some of the hardest messages I ever delivered was to tell my kids we couldn't do something that I'd promised we would. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another aspect of promises are the promises we make to others if or when they do something. If you'll clean your room by noon we'll go to the park and have a picnic. I call this the if/then promise. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's this aspect of promises made and not fulfilled that has me pondering today. Imagine you are God up in heaven watching all of us on earth and talking to the angels.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>* * * * * * *</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus - I am so disappointed!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Angel - You are? Why?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus - I have so much to give and so much I want to do, but it seems she just doesn't get it. I promised her and she's not doing her part.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Angel - Lord, what are you talking about.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus - I told her that anything she would ask in my name believing, I would do it. John documented that three different times in his book. (disappointed sigh)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Angel - (watches the woman as she sits with a defeated look on her face)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus - What really gets to me is that my power, my ability to do anything is documented and demonstrated for thousands of years and she still has no clue the power that she is capable of releasing and unleashing.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Angel - You know, sometimes I wish you'd let me go down there and shake her up a bit and tell her some things face-to-face like when you sent me to talk to Mary.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Jesus - (smiles ruefully) Nah, I know she'll get it. I believe in her. Let's watch a little longer.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Woman on earth - (starts to ponder what she knows about God)</i></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Led around a million or more people out of bondage in Egypt and provided them food, water and clothing and shoes that did not wear out.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Made meal and oil last for a prophet, woman and child through a famine, one day at a time.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Used a man who didn't believe in himself, along with 300 men, to defeat a huge army that had bullied and stolen from them for years.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Used a little servant girls testimony to encourage an unbeliever to seek and find healing for leprosy.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Delivered three young men who stood for righteousness in the face of an egotistical king out of the fiery furnace and changed the direction of an entire nation.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Turned water into wine.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Fed 5,000 with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Healed the servant of a Roman soldier without even meeting the sick man.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Raised a young man from the dead because he had compassion on the woman who mourned her son.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Healed the blind, the lame, the deaf.</i></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Woman on earth - (picks up her Bible to read God's Word; John 14:10-15)</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"</span><sup class="versenum" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">10 </sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-11" id="en-KJV-26680" style="background-color: white;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-11" style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-12" id="en-KJV-26681" style="background-color: white;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-12" style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-13" id="en-KJV-26682" style="background-color: white;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">13 </sup>And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-13" style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-14" id="en-KJV-26683" style="background-color: white;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-14" style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15" id="en-KJV-26684" style="background-color: white;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">15 </sup>If ye love me, keep my commandments."</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i>Jesus - (smiles to himself as he sees the faith raising in her heart)</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i>Angel - What are you smiling about?</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i>Jesus - I love it when she reads my Word. Her heart starts beating a little faster and her faith reaches out and touches my heart. Now let's see what she does about all this today.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15">* * * * * *</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text John-14-15"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Some promises require us to do our part. His promises are well documented. His promises are forever. He has not changed. It's me who needs to do my part.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Believe that God and Jesus are one; if I can't get my head around that, believe it because he demonstrated that by his works.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Ask, in Jesus name, for the things that are needed.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Love Jesus and keep his commandments.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The promise? If I will do this, great things and greater things can be done for the kingdom of God. Yes, my heart is beating a bit faster and my faith is increased.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
I'm looking for someone coming down their dusty road looking for a promise to be fulfilled today!</div>
Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-57663294670164097362012-07-11T06:33:00.000-07:002012-07-11T06:33:34.608-07:00Daily Gift<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The mist smears the view</div>
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What to make of it</div>
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<br /></div>
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I left the view just a moment</div>
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Returned to find skies ablaze</div>
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Color ignited by the sun</div>
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Splashing over the mountain maze</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPlB-ArZB1Y/T_2Ac6LH6cI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Scg4W0HA9oQ/s1600/Oregon+Misty+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPlB-ArZB1Y/T_2Ac6LH6cI/AAAAAAAAAEg/Scg4W0HA9oQ/s320/Oregon+Misty+Sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once again I am reminded</div>
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Each day is a gift from God</div>
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Each breath I take a blessing</div>
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I stand arrested; I applaud</div>
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There is no one like our God</div>
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No one can paint the sky</div>
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No one can order my steps</div>
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No replacement; No standby</div>
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There is only one true God</div>
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Above Him there is no other</div>
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No one can do the things He does</div>
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So I shall not seek another</div>
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To fill my emptiness</div>
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Or be my very best friend</div>
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For when all is said and done</div>
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With Christ I will forever ascend</div>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-83576894991836068992012-06-08T06:19:00.000-07:002012-06-08T06:19:52.534-07:00Puzzle Pondering<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OE1dW83REQU/T9H7O5pJQ8I/AAAAAAAAAEM/EvRF51P_08M/s1600/jumbled+puzzle+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OE1dW83REQU/T9H7O5pJQ8I/AAAAAAAAAEM/EvRF51P_08M/s1600/jumbled+puzzle+pieces.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Puzzles, beautiful pictures</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Pieces angled, round, straight</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
One here, one there</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Interlocking, creating beauty</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Puzzles, missing pieces</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Unfinished and empty</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Lying there incomplete</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Sad, without purpose, useless</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
People, beautiful pictures</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Some tall, bent, round</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Here and there they meet</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
All creating beautiful pictures</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Beautiful pictures, you say?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Ah, beauty is subject to interpretation</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Bound by your experiences</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Loosely framed, without shape</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Puzzles, your experiences</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Jumbled together in a heap</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Some tall, happy, round, sad</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
All waiting for interlocking</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Your puzzle put it together</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
One here, one there</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Interlocking complete</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Waiting to create, take shape</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Who can fix this puzzle I cry</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Empty, unfinished, a heap</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Bound, mind limited by my experiences</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Longing for shape and beauty</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Me, a beautiful puzzle</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Created by the Master PuzzleMaker</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Interlocking my hand in His</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Purpose, a thing of beauty and grace</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Pieces angles, round, straight</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
One here, one there</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Interlocking, His balm of Gilead</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
All creating beautiful pictures</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfavRl91y1c/T9H7qoOIWLI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LAfuN6UeP3w/s1600/puzzle+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfavRl91y1c/T9H7qoOIWLI/AAAAAAAAAEU/LAfuN6UeP3w/s400/puzzle+lady.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-52151042771516304092012-06-06T06:40:00.001-07:002012-06-06T06:40:34.301-07:00Missed Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SgQzrDUKQQ/T89dSKJT4KI/AAAAAAAAADw/m-fIVP-fdY8/s1600/IMG00469-20120502-1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SgQzrDUKQQ/T89dSKJT4KI/AAAAAAAAADw/m-fIVP-fdY8/s400/IMG00469-20120502-1941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Grabbed the camera to catch the moment</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Batteries were sapped of energy</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Ran inside, replaced them quickly</div>
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Only to return and the moment had passed me by</div>
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<br /></div>
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Your name flashed through my mind</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Knelt to pray, phone rings urgently</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Ran to answer, missed them</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Only to return and your name slipped by</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I sit here listening to the stillness</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Missed opportunities paramount in my thoughts<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Transformation, renewing vie for attention</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Which one will win this vicious cycle</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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As I ponder on these things for a moment</div>
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I recall a simple truth shared</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The dog who will win this fight</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Is the one you feed alright</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
I grabbed my Bible and found my place</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Feeding the dog that won my fight</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Renewing my mind wins hands down</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I refuse to let this moment pass me by</span>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-77918302416073932202012-03-28T16:16:00.002-07:002012-03-28T16:16:59.802-07:00Dreams<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dreams....they pound away in my head<br />
What if I could just....and away my thoughts slide<br />
It's not as though the dreams are impossible<br />
It's just that they like to hide<br />
Behind all the busyness of life<br />
Away they silently glide<br />
<br />
Do they mean anything at all<br />
Are these dreams real<br />
In the quietness of the moment<br />
Or when alone and still<br />
Back into my life they march<br />
Wooing, inviting, restlessness they reveal<br />
<br />
Desire like none other<br />
Unreached loads of potential<br />
Knocking and rocking my world<br />
Claiming to be essential<br />
âWhen will you do somethingâ<br />
They scream; not inconsequential<br />
<br />
Dreams....they pound away in my head<br />
âIgnoring us would be a crimeâ<br />
My thoughts like frenetic gestures<br />
The hands of an excited mime <br />
Seeking to make the connection<br />
Shouting now! âMake the time!â<br />
<br />
The road forward is crooked<br />
Some sharp and dangerous seams<br />
The path ahead is well traveled at first<br />
Many look to have passed these beams<br />
Ah.......the landscape is changing<br />
Road less traveled, more extremes<br />
<br />
It is up to me to decide<br />
Will I let this road less traveled<br />
Create a desire for adventure or<br />
Give up and become unraveled<br />
A fighter lives in this body<br />
I will not give up nor become rattled<br />
<br />
I will pursue these thoughts, these dreams<br />
These nagging thoughts so rife<br />
With hope and adventure<br />
No, I will not let the busyness of life<br />
Generate within this lovely lady<br />
Disappointment and strife<br />
<br />
I see this for what it is<br />
The chance to achieve<br />
A new opportunity to pursue<br />
Not to sit around and grieve</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
AhâŚthere is the mime again</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
âUp!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To your
dreams cleave!â</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dreams, the first step to reality</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Pretty soon they will blossom </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Wonderful partners they make</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Work hard, donât play opossum</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Plan, practice, do it over again</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The end result will be awesome</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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Dreams, they pound away in my headâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ.</div>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-32138403901066824892012-02-12T09:15:00.003-08:002012-02-12T11:24:47.774-08:00How do you see it? Consumed or Consumer?I love a good fight. I like to see my team win. Contests where two equals duke it out until the strongest wins gets my adrenaline rushing and my entire being is consumed in that moment. If the winner is the team or person I'm rooting for, what extreme joy explodes thru me and I love to dance around and shout. It's even more fun if I am taking the side of the underdog against all my family. If my side wins in that situation, PRICELESS!! lol<br /><br />Imagine being on the Moses team. Millions of people moving through the land based on the cloud by day and the fire by night. You wake up in the morning and the cloud is not over the Tabernacle, it's moving toward the east side of camp. Do you excitedly get everyone up and packing, overjoyed because you are moving today? You're eating bread that no one can bake; it's just there every morning for you to pick up and eat. At least you don't have to try and make breakfast. It's sort of what we do on a busy day; get breakfast from McDonald's on the way out of town in the morning. (well sort of)<br /><br />So you're on the Moses team. The contest is against those people on the other side of the Jordan river. You have no idea what their strengths or weaknesses are. So being a great coach, Moses chooses scouts from the 12 offensive and defensive teams under his leadership. The objective is to go into their territory and check it all out. Are they strong or weak; are they fortified and dug in, or are they in temporary housing? Is the turf good or bad; rich or poor. You get the picture. They leave and are gone for 40 days.<br /><br />As they arrive, you see the bounty they are bringing back from their scouting trip. I mean how can you not. Two men are carrying grapes so large they're hanging on poles and carried on the shoulders of two men. Excitement and adrenaline rushes through your body as you anticipate this contest. Just imagine being able to live in a land where grapes are that big, not to mention all that other stuff the other scouts are carrying.<br /><br />Moses calls a pre-game planning session and everyone attend. Spirits are high, anticipation of the game day is pumping through you and you can't wait to hear the plan. The men are sharing what they saw. When we win this game guys, we are going to live on honey and milk; it flows in that place. I mean just look at this fruit, that's what the land produces over there. BUT there are giants there. They are huge and their cities are fortified like strongholds.<br /><br />Snap, Crackle, POP! Is that what your dreams would have done? Or would you have been like Caleb? Let's go Team Moses, Let's go!!<br /><br />Caleb could not convince the people. Matter of fact, the other men's report ended like this. "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:33)<br /><br />What I find interesting is that they saw themselves as grasshoppers and small. Because of this, they assumed that the giants saw them in the same way. They projected in their attitude and their words so much negativity that the entire team, all 12 defensive and offensive teams, except two people, were consumed and defeated with their attitude before the game even began.<br /><br />As I ponder on this I remember the past history of this Moses team. Before they began this hike in the outdoors, they lived in Egypt. Their ancestors knew about grasshoppers. Oh yes they did! God sent grasshoppers and locusts to terrorize and consume every living plant on the face of the land when Pharaoh, the great king of Egypt, refused to let them go on the hike.<br /><br />Isn't that how we are sometimes. There's a big bully in our path. We know we are smaller, under weight, not as smart perhaps. So we assume that bully sees us in that way too. Our own negativity and limited insight projects defeat before we even give it our best effort.<br /><br />Imagine if they would have seen it differently. Grasshoppers consume! They may be small but they can do a lot of damage together! Remember what happened when God sent them into the land in a great swarm? We can do this! Let's go.<br /><br />What would have happened was just as Caleb said. They could have overcome the giants. They could have swarmed through the camp, consumed the enemy, and taken possession of the land. They were on the winning team, but they could not see themselves that way.<br /><br />There is one difference between being consumed and being the consumer. One letter; D and R. It's an attitude. You can be a D and be Defeated and negative and never get anywhere in your life. Keep doing the same thing you always do and keep getting what you always get. OR you can be an R. An R is a Realizer. A Realizer is someone who can take something and make a profit out of it. Someone who clearly understands the value of something and is able to convert that into profit.<br /><br />The result of the Moses teams first response to the game was defeat without fighting. They roamed in the desert until all the men who did not believe died. The victory that was eventually realized was minus several team members. The enemy didn't change; the team changed.<br /><br />How do you see your situation? Does it defeat you; are you consumed by the overwhelming odds that you see against you? Or are you a realizer? Is there something inside you that sees those same things but the outcome is that you win? The difference is one letter!<br /><br />Don't waste your past experiences. Negative or positive. Learn from them. Look to realize great things in your future because of what your past has been. You can be consumed or you can be the consumer. Which will it be for you?<br /><br />As for me, I will possess my dreams!! I will become what I was truly meant to be!! Let's go team, let's go!! We will, we will, rock you!! Sing it together now!! We will, we will, rock you!!Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-35011808422345332292012-02-08T05:59:00.000-08:002012-02-08T07:28:17.043-08:00Can you see in the dark?I can see in the dark. Well, that is when my eyes adjust. I know some people can't do that very well. My husband gets a little aggravated with me at times over that. I'm really not sure why; it's a puzzle. lol He says I have cat eyes. Can cats truly see in the dark? Why cats? Can dogs see in the dark? I don't know. I guess I'll have to look into that later as I digress....<br /><br />We are so drawn by the obvious; what we see with our eyes. The beautiful compels us. The ugly repels us. We are quick to judge. First impressions are lasting, don't you know.<br /><br />We are going through the hiring process again and now that I am located several states away from our corporate office, I participate by phone. It's amazing what you see when you're actively listening. One of the best resources I ever hired I never met face-to-face until after he was on our staff for a couple weeks. You truly don't have to meet someone face-to-face in order to get to know them.<br /><br />We are warned, encouraged and taught to be careful to make a good first impression. Make sure we are dressed appropriately for the occasion, make sure we demonstrate good personal hygiene and comportment. <br /><br />We are also warned not to judge others just by what we see. Give people a second chance, we are told. The cold fact of the matter is that's a lot easier said than done. We must be constantly vigilant and work hard at leaving the measuring stick in the closet.<br /><br />CeeLo Green made a statement I heard that I can't get away from and it's so true. He said, "Everyone is the same color when the lights are out." Think about that for a while. If I was writing in Biblical times, I'd say, 'Selah'. <br /><br />The Bible tells us that God looks on the heart. He is concerned more with our heart because from there the true motivation of a person will eventually be seen or will become evident in actions. If we can get our heart right, the other things will fall into place.<br /><br />As I ponder today, I close my eyes and think about the people I admire most. Is it because of what I see with my physical eyes, or am I attracted to the condition of their heart. To be fair, there are people I really don't like. I'm pondering those too. Am I being unfair and judgmental because of what I see with my eyes or is it because of what I see in the dark?Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-6211927916078597482012-01-16T10:10:00.001-08:002012-01-16T10:16:06.316-08:00Don't Drink The Water From The FaucetIsn't it truly amazing how many water products are now on the market? Honestly! You can find water with electrolytes, vitamins, energy boosters, etc. There's spring water, mountain water, rain water, and on and on they go. Just don't drink the water from the faucet; it's contaminated with all sorts of things you don't want to know about. That's the message, right? As I sit here pondering on my need to drink more water and all the benefits I've been ignoring, I'm reminded about the water story in the Bible.<br /><br />It's about Jesus' trip through Samaria. He found himself thirsty and sat by the well waiting for someone to come who could give him a drink. It's found in the book of John, chapter 4. The two verses that I will refer to here are verses 13 and 14; from The Message version it reads like this, "Jesus said, everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst --- not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." <br /><br />You know Jesus was the Master Storyteller. His stories intrigue me because they can usually be tied back to the things he created. He uses so many analogies and allegories to engage our minds so that we can apply them to our lives and understand their importance. So I decide to look at the known facts about water and see how much they can be applied to spiritual need.<br /><br />⢠A person can live for up to one month without food, but only about one week without water. <br />⢠By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1 percent of its total water amount. <br />⢠Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease. <br />⢠Water can prevent and alleviate headaches. <br />⢠Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance. <br />⢠Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation. <br />⢠Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.<br /><br />I think there are many applications that can be made from these. Pastor Kenneth Haney preached a powerful message at Firstborn Ministries about the importance of renewing our minds daily which comes to mind as I write this note. He challenged us to be diligent in the renewing of our minds daily. He quoted this passage:<br /><br />âI beseech you there, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.â Romans 12: 1-2 <br /><br />Get rid of the stinkinâ thinkinâ thatâs between your ears! The only way we can be healthy Christians is to flush out all the waste and bacteria of the world through the infilling of the Holy Ghost on a daily basis. The headache, sickness and disease of the world prevent a healthy glow of the spirit. But proper daily cleansing with nourishment from the Word and spirit of God will transport nutrients into your mind and body that are essential to your personal health and the proper circulation and spreading of revival to the world.<br /><br />From this point on, my water of choice is Spirit water. The Message version of this same scripture puts it like this and sums up my choice pretty well:<br />âSo here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary lifeâyour sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around lifeâand place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.â (Romans 12:1-2)Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-3176675034213490572011-12-20T02:01:00.000-08:002011-12-20T02:23:20.651-08:00Do you have room for one more?I wonder how long Joseph had to search for a place before the innkeeper offered his stable? Were people rude and too busy because of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas? Did the people take time to sincerely help Joseph? As he waited for the innkeepers, were there line crashers and impatient people behind him saying rude things about a man who would take his very pregnant wife out during such a busy time? <br /><br />Just like that Christmas so long ago, I am finding people who don't have room in their lives for others. They are so busy with creating the most perfectly decorated home, or buying the perfect gift that they don't truly "see" others. Worse, they may even be searching for a gift for someone who they really don't care for and wish that they didn't feel the pressure to buy "something" for them. Some are checking their notes from last year and "re-gifting" that dumb gift from Auntie Sallie's second cousin who felt obligated to bring the hostess a gift, hoping that no one realizes what they did.<br /><br />A room? Are you kidding? You want to bring a guest? But we didn't buy them a gift? How will they feel not getting a gift? Really? Is that what this precious time of celebrating Christ's birth means to you?<br /><br />At least, 2000+ years ago, the true state of affairs was that there truly wasn't one more place to put someone in the inn. It's a sad tale. No woman in her right mind can fathom what that must have really been like. But today, it's appalling that we can't seat one more person at the already overflowing table. It's appalling that we don't want to take the time to share our blessings with just one more person. It's appalling to think that we may have truly lost the real meaning of Christmas. <br /><br />I remember times when my dad would call and tell my mom unexpected guests would be coming. Oh, yes, she wasn't perfect. (sorry mom) She would sometimes complain. Our house wasn't clean enough. We didn't have enough food. She was too tired. BUT, she would make the room. She would improvise and create a wonderful meal that stretched. And surprisingly enough, those were great and memorable times. We had great fun and we gained insight and friends by sharing what we did have.<br /><br />So I ponder today. Am I rushing around and ignoring people and being too busy to see needs in others? Am I truly forgetting the true reason for this wonderful season? Am I shutting out others just so I have a "perfect" holiday? Am I being rude and unkind to the shoppers around me? <br /><br />What about you? Do you have room for one more?Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-74342288984544649132011-12-18T07:27:00.000-08:002011-12-18T07:29:53.349-08:00Love is All You Need<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">To a stable long ago he came</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">A place where you and I would be ashamed</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">To make our entrance into the world</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">No trumpets, flags left unfurled.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">How could the Savior, the king</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Come to earth where only angels sing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">The tidings of comfort and joy</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">A humble place with no ploy</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">This is not what weâd expect</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Yet even now with great effect</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We try to impress others</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">With gifts for sister and brothers</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">When the only thing that truly matters</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Is the selfless love that shatters</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Even the coziest of places </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">And the hardest of faces</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Because our Savior our King did come</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">From Heaven above with angelic anthem</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">To share the knowledge and truth</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">With men, women child and youth</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Do what is just and right</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Love mercy with all your might</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Walk humbly with your God</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">And one day you will be awed</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">When you find yourself at His feet</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">30 seconds of silence when you meet</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Because the love of this great man</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Over the world did span</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Brought life and love to you</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Your sisters and brothers too</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Be happy and love without malice</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Drink deep from lifeâs chalice</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Share what has been given to you</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">From the babe in a stable, not a statue</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">The greatest of gifts, one that is rife</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">With Love and Everlasting Life!</p>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-75697392783347819962011-09-15T04:29:00.000-07:002011-09-15T05:37:54.066-07:00Nearsighted People Are Better FriendsI wear glasses; well, I do when I have to. Actually, I'm supposed to wear them all the time. But I am able to see what I need to get by in my home. When someone is curious about my eyesight, they often ask, "Are you near or farsighted? I always have to pause for a minute and think about that....let's see, it's opposite of the words. I can see clearly when things are near so, then I can answer, "I'm farsighted."<br /><br />These past few weeks have been troublesome to me. The earpiece on my glasses came apart. The soldering failed to hold it together. Now I didn't purchase these locally, so it has been a service nightmare. We'll save that story for another time, perhaps. I could not drive since I can't see far away and I have depth perception issues. I finally found that jewelers actually can fix these things. I got them fixed and returned to a normal lifestyle this week. :-)<br /><br />This along with my devotions in Ephesians got me to pondering this morning and I've decided that nearsighted people are better friends.<br /><br />If you can see far away, you can go places alone or bring someone with you. If you can't see far away, you have to get a nearsighted friend to help you. If your friend is farsighted and has the same deficiencies that you do with eyesight, then you'll not be able to venture very far from where you are, unless of course, they have eyeglasses.<br /><br />While I had this issue with my glasses, I complained a lot. Yes, I did. I had to ask people to come closer. I couldn't drive and had to wait for someone to take me places. I had to move the computer closer to me so I could work. My eyes got tired more easily and I was irritable more often. The immediate things overshadowed and drowned opportunities that I might have had.<br /><br />I find that's true in my spiritual life as well. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we need to put on the armor of God daily. Why? Because if we don't we're farsighted and not a very good friend to have. We lack the things that would give us power, strength, peace and faith. Without these things, we will not be able to stand strong. We'll be complainers and doubters. We won't be able to do anything on our own. We'll need others to prop us up and drive us places. We might even have unintentional failures where we could have succeeded if we'd only put on our glasses, our spiritual armor.<br /><br />Nearsighted people are more like Christ. They don't ignore the immediate, but they balance it by what they see in the future. They see the opportunities in things, not the overwhelming hard work that must be done today to get there. They see the good in the person that's currently contentious because they don't understand; they see this persons need for knowledge and they take the time to instruct them knowing that they will become the next Sunday School teacher with enthusiasm and impact.<br /><br />You see, nearsighted people are better friends. They put their glasses on daily. They might have to take them off for a moment and clean them from all the mud that was kicked up in their face, but when they put those glasses back on, they keep looking ahead and pursuing the prize that is set before them. Why? Because they put on their armor every day.<br /><br />I'll let the Word of God have the last say. Ephesians 6:10-18 in The Message Version:<br /><br />"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. <p>Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each others spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."</p>I don't know about you, but I'm putting my glasses on this morning. I want to be a nearsighted friend of God today!Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-68892901037570767862011-08-12T08:34:00.000-07:002011-08-12T09:49:05.027-07:00Leave me alone! I like being Blind, ok?I have the day off so I take my cup of coffee and my book out to the deck to enjoy the morning. It's 72 degrees, partly cloudy and a great morning to relax on the deck. This is something very rare and precious to me. Great laziness overcomes me and I lay my book aside, adjust the deck chair to the recline position, lay back and close my eyes.
<br />
<br />What a joy to hear the sounds that surround me; lawns being mowed, the birds are chirping away and the dog is in the deck chair beside me enjoying the day. I smell the broasted chicken being cooked at the deli of the store just a few houses away and my mouth is watering. Wind begins to blow through the leaves and it's like music to my ears. Relaxation is about to totally overcome me and the pondering begins.
<br />
<br />Blindness. What a terrible handicap. As I lie here identifying all the things I hear, I can also see it in my mind. What if I had never seen a lawn being mowed, would I recognize the sound? If I'd never ate broasted chicken from the deli, would I recognize the smell; would my mouth water at the thought of it? No. Someone would have to describe them as best they could so that I would know what they were. Better yet, I'd have to experience them myself to get the fullest understanding so I'd recognize them the next time.
<br />
<br />Over the years my eyesight has deteriorated. I've had to purchase eyeglasses with progressive lenses to see more clearly. I really don't like glasses. However the alternative is not acceptable either. Sometimes I'll delay putting on my glasses for a while. It's fine while I am working around the house. But when I try to look across the street or I have to drive to the store, the glasses have to be put on in order to see more clearly and eliminate the distortion. As much as I hate them, they are essential to my ability to see more than a few feet around me.
<br />
<br />My heart asks me a question....what about spiritual blindness? As I think of this question I am struck by the thoughts that rush through me. Do I see the things I should? Can I identify the sounds I hear around me? Have I experienced the things that I should so I can identify them when my eyes are closed? Do I hear the wind blowing through my world? Do I hear the beautiful sounds of birds chirping and smell the things God is preparing for us? Does my mouth water in anticipation of the next service I will participate in or the next message that will be served up in my hearing? Do I need eyeglasses? If so, have I gone for that examination to see exactly what it is I need? Have I asked the right questions of the Savior so that I understand what my needs are?
<br />
<br />Honestly, I want to balk at these thoughts. I even want to say leave me alone! I like being blind, ok? I know what to expect of myself and my environment just the way it is. I know where the furniture is and I know what's expected of me in my current environment. I have disappointments and there are things that I wish were different, but hey, I'm good! Leave me alone! At least I know what to expect, right? Some things will never change. Acceptance is my friend, right? Better to just leave things alone as they are. Like I said, I like being blind!
<br />
<br />But there are two songs that just play over and over in my mind and I can't get block them out. <a href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/open-the-eyes-of-my-heart-lyrics-michael-w-smith/2411762d7157471648256c69000d8bb1">Open the Eyes of my Heart</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYbGMQ5Y3Uo">If We are the Body</a>. As I let myself hear these songs clearly in my mind, my throat is constricting with the unspoken longing from deep inside. I know that if I give into this and talk to the Master optometrist of the soul, I'll have to submit to the examination of my eyes and he'll examine my heart and point out the things that I need to work on.
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<br />What will it cost me to remain as I am? Who will be impacted by my blindness? Why am I even questioning these things? There are two spirits raging inside me. Which one will win?
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<br />Someone once said, the winner is the one you feed.....................pondering continues...............
<br />Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-9801845695395957872011-04-28T06:11:00.000-07:002011-04-28T06:12:35.336-07:00The Predictability of Storms â Storms-Part Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">My company wrote us an email and reminded us of all the precautions we should take during this âstorm seasonâ and procedures to be followed in case one of these storms causes extensive or catastrophic damage.<span style=""> </span>That got my âponderingâ juices flowingâŚâŚ</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Storms are predictable. My grandfather worked as a foreman on several ranches in the California San Joaquin Valley.<span style=""> </span>He could smell the rain coming.<span style=""> </span>He could feel that the temperatures were going to drop and heâd be up all night tending to the orchards and keeping the smudge pots going. He could read the signs of the physical elements around him and know what type of day or night it would be.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My grandfather used his powers of prediction and amazed me and my cousins one day.<span style=""> </span>When my cousins would come to stay with us in the summer, my mother always sent us out to play.<span style=""> </span>This particular time it was a very, VERY dry California summer.<span style=""> </span>We needed rain badly and weâd heard my parents and grandparents talking of this off and on for several days.<span style=""> </span>Iâm not sure why my grandfather stopped by that afternoon, but he did.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As he was leaving he told us that he could make it rain.<span style=""> </span>Of course, that got our attention. <span style=""> </span>We knew he could not make rain; only God could do that and we told him so.<span style=""> </span>He kept up this back and forth conversation regarding his powers for a bit.<span style=""> </span>He then told us he could show us this old Indian Rain Dance he knew and prove that he could make it rain.<span style=""> </span>So, he did. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We lived in the country and we burned our trash in an old barrel outside.<span style=""> </span>Grandpa walked over to that barrel and started to chant and dance around it.<span style=""> </span>This went on for a little bit and he got us to join him and dance around that old barrel.<span style=""> </span>We had the greatest fun.<span style=""> </span>But inside we knew it was not going to rain but our grandpa was acting silly and we enjoyed every minute of it.<span style=""> </span>Ah, but it did rain.<span style=""> </span>That night there was what I heard my family refer to as a âgully washerâ.<span style=""> </span>That next day, the powers of our grandfather were forever stamped in our minds.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now we are much more sophisticated.<span style=""> </span>Technology has given many people the power to predict the weather patterns and storms.<span style=""> </span>Through these advancements, many lives have been saved and damage minimized or sometimes even avoided because we are aware of the coming storms.<span style=""> </span>Matter of fact, we also know the type of storms coming; there are seasons and patterns.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">That brings me to the point of my pondering.<span style=""> </span>Itâs the same in our lives.<span style=""> </span>Storms are predictable.<span style=""> </span>Storms have seasons and patterns.<span style=""> </span>Since we know this is true, then we can prepare for and minimize the damage they may bring.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We learn to prepare for storms and problems by the examples around us; parents, family, friends and acquaintances.<span style=""> </span>All play a part in molding our ability to weather the storms of life.<span style=""> </span>The wisdom and knowledge of those around us is a key contributor to how we handle the storm season.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let me give you a couple examples from my life. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Iâll call this one the âSeason of the Young Motherâ.<span style=""> </span>When I was a young mother, I thought that having children would totally complete me and I would reach that pinnacle of fulfillment and find the happiness Iâd imagined.<span style=""> </span>It wasnât all I imagined it to be. Hiding in the closet with a flashlight to eat a candy bar and read a book wasnât what I thought Iâd be doing. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I never expected to resent those children.<span style=""> </span>I never expected to be so angry with my husband for not being home during the day and I wanted to leave it all to him when he got home; see how he would deal with it.<span style=""> </span>These things left me feeling like something was terribly wrong with me.<span style=""> </span>I must not be a very good mom.<span style=""> </span>Matter of fact, I must be a really selfish person to resent these little people and the man I had once loved more than anything else.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I did not know that this season of life was like all others; storms occur to help us change.<span style=""> </span>Thatâs right.<span style=""> </span>This storm was there to help me awaken to the fact that a new dimension of life was opened up.<span style=""> </span>It was no longer about me and my husband and our life together.<span style=""> </span>This season was about focusing on others.<span style=""> </span>My value had just been increased. I needed to adjust my sails so I wouldnât ship wreck.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I had to adjust to this new season.<span style=""> </span>I had to find others whoâd been through this before to help me understand that my life as a mother was the most important job I had.<span style=""> </span>I had to learn to value this role and learn that my frustrations were natural and my feelings were normal. I found others whoâd successfully weathered this season and learned to take time for myself when I could.<span style=""> </span>I learned to quit trying to be superwoman, doing it all, to being supermom; setting right and Godly priorities.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How do you prepare for the storms in your life?<span style=""> </span>What have you found that brings the peace and stability to weather the storm?<span style=""> </span>What storm seasons have you weathered?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Iâd love to hear from you. You can comment on this post, or you can write me at <a href="mailto:pvs1960@gmail.com">pvs1960@gmail.com</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My next post will be Storms-Part Three â The Power of the Storm</p>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-17486224735639026532011-04-06T05:07:00.000-07:002011-04-06T05:09:31.275-07:00Taming the Storm - Part One<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I think I was in the sixth grade when we had an illustrated lesson on storms.<span style=""> </span>The teacher had a teapot that was clear.<span style=""> </span>He filled about one-third of the pot with water and placed it over a Bunsen burner to heat.<span style=""> </span>Soon the steam began to build up to the point that it whirled and swirled; faster and faster the hotter it grew. Finally, it was too much to contain in the teapot and began to whistle noisily through the small hole in the cap.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It was an incredible show; small whips of mist built up into very noticeable white steam. Swirls that changed and moved faster and faster the hotter the temperature was. Oh yes, I almost forgot the point he was making.<span style=""> </span>There was a thermometer there.<span style=""> </span>As the temperature of the water rose the steam was more noticeable and it moved faster.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This morning as I was having my devotions, I remembered one thing very clearly - the water was pretty calm throughout most of the experiment. The teacher did mention this, but we really didnât focus on that. Little water bubbles formed and would move to the top of the surface and escape.<span style=""> </span>The hotter the temperature of the water, the more little bubbles formed and escaped.<span style=""> </span>When the temperature reached the boiling point, thatâs when the water erupted into roiling waves.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Today, as I remember this illustrated lesson, I am struck again by how great God is.<span style=""> </span>Jesusâ teachings in the Bible used nature and physical things to teach us spiritual lessons. How did he know so much? He wasnât very old; he started his public ministry when he was 30. How could he except that he was God.<span style=""> </span>He understood natural science and physiology because he was the Creator of all things. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How many times have you been reminded of this?<span style=""> </span>How many lessons from your early years do you recall that now turns the light of understanding on in your life? Do you see God differently now?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Storms are inevitable. Matter of fact, storms are necessary to the maturity of all living things; including human beings. Storms clean the air and water and encourage growth.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How is your journey so far?<span style=""> </span>Are you praying for a storm-free life?<span style=""> </span>Or are you learning and growing from them?<span style=""> </span>I challenge you to look back at the storms youâve come through.<span style=""> </span>Can you see the growth experienced because of the storm? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Iâm hoping youâll take some time to share your thoughts with me.</span></p>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-64155259981525931962011-02-23T06:45:00.000-08:002011-02-23T06:48:21.781-08:00Let's Get Naked!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thereâs nothing like having way too many clothes on.<span style=""> </span>Not only is it hard to move around, but you can get overheated as well.<span style=""> </span>When getting ready to go backpacking in cold weather, Iâve heard the park rangers caution everyone not to overdress.<span style=""> </span>Sweating underneath too many clothes can be as dangerous as not having enough clothing on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When I was a younger girl, clothing was of some significance in our Western culture.<span style=""> </span>Girls who were pure when they married wore white wedding dresses.<span style=""> </span>If you were going to church, you wore the very best clothing you had and women NEVER wore pants.<span style=""> </span>We did not have âdress-downâ Fridayâs at work.<span style=""> </span>Women had to wear nylons at work.<span style=""> </span>Men had to wear suit coats.<span style=""> </span>Easter was the first time you could wear white shoes; you never wore white shoes after Memorial Day weekend. If you were going to a funeral, you never wore any bright clothing; it was navy blue, dark brown or black. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are many references to clothing in the Bible.<span style=""> </span>Clothing was a tool used to identify a personâs position, culture, religion or status in life.<span style=""> </span>Sackcloth was used as a sign of mourning or deep repentance.<span style=""> </span>One phrase I see a lot is they ârent their clothingâ.<span style=""> </span>Often it is used to demonstrate a personâs emotion when they were overcome with grief, shame or humiliation. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Clothing can cover a lot of things.<span style=""> </span>If youâre too thin, wear stripes that are broad and run horizontal to the ground.<span style=""> </span>If youâre on the heavier side and want to wear stripes, wear clothing with stripes that are thinner and run vertical to the ground. If you are broad in the shoulders and want to appear smaller, wear v-necklines.<span style=""> </span>If you are too thin in the shoulders, wear square necklines. These are illusions.<span style=""> </span>Youâre still too thin or heavy, yet the clothing helps to emphasize or disguise the facts.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The lack of clothing uncovers a lot of things.<span style=""> </span>I know I donât have to describe this statement because each and everyone of you reading this right now have some mental images playing around in your mind.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just as clothing can cover and/or disguise things, so can our actions.<span style=""> </span>Our actions can cover and disguise who and what we are.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Have you ever told someone that you knew what they were getting for their birthday for that special someone because you helped to pick it out?<span style=""> </span>Then that someone begged and coerced you into telling them what it was?<span style=""> </span>You cave into their persuasive powers and spill the beans. You tell them because you know that they can be trusted and you make them promise that they will act like they donât know and BE surprised?<span style=""> </span>Oh my word!!<span style=""> </span>Can YOU even do that?<span style=""> </span>Be serious!<span style=""> </span>That is NEVER going to be possible.<span style=""> </span>Guess who will never help someone buy a birthday gift again?<span style=""> </span>YOU!!<span style=""> </span>Actions are hard to fake, but some of us have mastered the craft.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jesus exposed some people who had superior talents in this area. In Matthew 23 he talks about the Pharisees.<span style=""> </span>Jesus told his followers that the Pharisees works were being done so people would see them; their beautiful prayer shawls and the borders of their garments were super-sized.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;">(<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=KJV">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=KJV</a>) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style=""> </span>He goes on through this chapter to uncover their lies and hypocrisy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love how the Message version of the Bible translates the 23<sup>rd</sup> and 24<sup>th</sup> verses.<span style=""> </span>âYouâre hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees!<span style=""> </span>Frauds!<span style=""> </span>You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of Godâs Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment â the absolute basics!âyou carelessly take it or leave it.<span style=""> </span>Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.<span style=""> </span>Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story thatâs wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?â</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After carefully considering this chapter in Matthew, Iâve decided I want to get naked!<span style=""> </span>Naked before God and the world!<span style=""> </span>I donât want what I wear or what I say to define who I am.<span style=""> </span>I want my actions to reflect Christ within the hope of the world.<span style=""> </span>I want them to know me because I love you and everyone else I come into contact with.<span style=""> </span>(John 13:35)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The model we should be following for ministry is Jesus Christ. His model?<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="">1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He ministered to the men who he shared all areas of his life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="">2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He had an attitude and demonstration of servanthood to all!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="">3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He had a comprehensive command of relational love.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You cannot share all areas of your life if youâre not naked; transparent.<span style=""> </span>If you put on all that fancy stuff and use those Harvard terms when talking to others and canât get down to the 6<sup>th</sup> grade level of communication, then youâre going to have a hard time with being a servant.<span style=""> </span>If you donât understand people from all walks of life and welcome discussions and interactions with them on a personal level, donât you be expecting to win them to Christ.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I want to be honest, pure, holy, righteous and full of compassion and love as Jesus was.<span style=""> </span>I want to win my world, those people I work and live with, to Jesus Christ. And Iâm asking myself this question, how much do I want it?<span style=""> </span>Do I want it enough to get naked?</span></p>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-86087243843851296642011-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:002011-02-21T05:05:48.443-08:00If not now, when?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I've passed by our air purifier many times over the last couple of weeks, maybe even longer but I'm not going to admit it to anyone. There's a message displayed screaming at me to clean it. I'm not sure why I don't like cleaning that machine. It's really quite simple. Yet, I still don't clean it. I must have told myself a dozen times if I've said it once, just do it. And still I procrastinate.<br /><br />Last night when we arrived back home from church service, I decide to clean the air purifier. I pulled all the parts out, washed them, soaked the piece that should be soaked, rinsed all the pieces off and set them on the counter to dry overnight. I got up today and put it all back together. Guess what? The lamp needs replacing. Of course, this got me to pondering................<br /><br />There are so many things that I've put off in life; to another day, another hour, another what? Why? Some of these things are important, some of them are not, but they are things that should be done. Will it stop the world from spinning? No. Will it cause another person harm? No. But they are things that should be done; you know maintenance things. Things that run more smoothly once they are clean, oiled, swept or used.<br /><br />Some things I've put off actually make life better. So why do I put these things off? Simply put, because they take discipline. Please don't judge me on this. I have talked to enough of my friends to know we are all the same. So I take a certain liberty with this knowledge. I actually excuse my procrastination because we all deserve a break today. <br /><br />But the days are adding up. Now it's been weeks and even months in some cases. And just like the air purifier, it's harder now to clean because there's more dirt there than ever before. Some parts of that machine I had to take apart where I don't normally have to do that. And guess what? The lamp now has to be replaced. Oh, I know, that would have eventually needed to be replaced due to the hours of usage. However, I'll never really know if I could have gotten more use out of it if I'd simply performed the maintenance the first time I saw the warning message.<br /><br />The big question becomes then, if not now, when? If today is not convenient, when is the right time?<br /><br />In Matthew 8:19-22, Jesus met a man who made a statement "I'll go wherever you go." When Jesus asked him if he was ready to rough it, the man made a legitimate excuse, "I need to go bury my father." Jesus was really tough on this guy in his reply. I've often pondered why Jesus would minimize the impact of the father's death and funeral ritual. He basically told him, he's dead, move on. <br /><br />Now Jesus wasn't setting an example telling us funerals weren't important or that ones parents death should not be mourned. I know that this is not true because you cannot take one scripture and make a sermon. Many times Jesus not only mourned the death of friends, but he interrupted things to bring them back to life. So that's not the point.<br /><br />The point is that Jesus saw the man's statement for what it was. He was all show. I'll go wherever you go Jesus. But in his heart the commitment just wasn't there. He was making an excuse for those that were there listening to the exchange. He really didn't want to rough it with the Lord. How do I know that? Because Jesus let him know they weren't staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. They didn't even get pillows on their beds. When the man heard this he began making an excuse.<br /><br />I like to think that the man would have gone home, made the funeral arrangements, attend it and then would have caught up with Jesus. But sadly, if I take my life as an example, more than likely it would not have happened. The impact of that moment where commitment was my intent, when sidetracked by an excuse, impact is lost and I never regain that sense of commitment I once had. At best I struggle and the end result of that labor is not what I thought it would be and some of the joy is gone because I have to work much harder at it.<br /><br />Oh, before I forget to mention it, I want to talk about the light thing. I'm not sure what the light function is really about in the air purifier, but I know enough about design that it's got a purpose and the full benefits of the purifier will never be received until the lamp is replaced. With that being said, those things we're putting off, they are important too. We'll never be who we are truly meant to be or can be until we do them. Our inner light is never greater nor more brilliant than when we are clean and shining like we were designed to. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <br /><br />I don't know what your excuses have been. I don't know what it is that you've been procrastinating about. If you are truly honest with yourself, I'd say 80% of us know exactly what needs to be done. Whether it's physical or spiritual, you know. You've just been putting it off. Don't be like Felix with Paul when he said "That's enough for today. I'll call you back when it's more convenient." (Acts 24:25 Message) </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So now the question remains. If not now, when? </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></span>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-15172539639451481392011-02-04T09:41:00.000-08:002011-02-04T09:41:25.378-08:00More than Enough!<span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm driving Ryan to the train station today enjoying a moment of time talking about what's happening in his world. I drop him off and begin the return trip. I look at the odometer and there's a message that also displays the miles left before your tank is empty. The display shows "41 miles to E".<br /><br />Perfect, I think! It's 32 miles one way so when I arrive in Belvidere, I'll get gas. I merge onto I90 and start listening to the morning talk show host sharing the latest world news.<br /><br />The sun is reflecting brightly off the fresh snow and once again I am reminded of how beautiful Illinois is. The news fades into the background as I let the blessings of my life wash over me and gratefulness fills my heart. I feel so full of joy and it seems as though I'll never be able fit one more blessing inside.<br /><br />Then my emotions make a tremendous heart wrenching dive as I glance at that odometer again. WHAT? they scream!!! Only 15 miles of gas left in the tank! That can't be. I am just now approaching the Marengo exit and I've passed the last exit possible to leave the interstate. No way! Something is wrong!!<br /><br />Now there is choking fear! What to do? I know, my husband who is at home and getting ready to take Vanessa to school, he needs to know about this. Right. You know how that goes. It was something like this.<br /><br />"Hi, I'm just passing through the Marengo exit and the car ways I have 15 miles of gas left in the gas tank."<br /><br />"Ok. How fast are you going?"<br /><br />"I'm only driving 70."<br /><br />"Well, slow down to 60. You'll get more miles that way."<br /><br />"Ok. We'll see how this goes. I love you."<br /><br />"Bye."<br /><br />At this point, my heart is beating so fast I hear it. I feel like I'm choking and I am breathing in short gasps, trying to think my way out of this. You can't think your way out of running out of gas on I90 in 11 degree weather. Facts are facts, you are going to run out of gas. It's just a matter of when. Make the best of it, Seibold!<br /><br />So now I start praying. God, please, don't let me run out of gas. I've never run out of gas before Lord and today's not the day I wanted to have this experience. (breathe, gasp) Really Lord, please, I'm serious. I need you to help me out of this. I don't have blankets. I can't be stranded.<br /><br />Ok, get your mind off of this situation. Turn up the radio loud. NO! Don't look at the odometer. You talked to God about. Either he'll deliver you or he won't. Turn up the radio louder. Not working.<br /><br />I've never felt doubt, fear and a desire to believe in a miracle fight so hard to dominate one another. I truly am breathing in tiny gasps talking to myself in my head.<br /><br />Then, I hear Bro. Jason's Sciscoe's message from last night. It's just the memory I need to remind me that I've GOT to have faith. It's time I start using what I have. Now's the time to believe. So now God's talking to me overtime.<br /><br />Pharaohs army is pounding out a staccato that's equal to the fear in a mother's heart. Her escape from slavery was so short lived it's as though it was just a dream. This can't be happening to her and her family. The Red Sea is impassable! They'll never make it across before this army catches up to them.<br /><br />The woman with the cruise of oil and a little flour is standing at the cabinet mixing well, getting ready to put the her last meal in the oven. The prophet interrupts her and requests that meal for himself. Fear engulfs her mind and she must make a life changing decision. Feed the prophet and trust his word that she'll never go without food or tell him to get lost.<br /><br />Ok, so I'm over-reacting. My situation is not life-threatening but to me at that very moment it is my deepest fear. It is <span style="font-style: italic;">my </span>doubt. It is <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> impossible situation. It it personal, folks! At that moment, I look at my odometer again. "4 miles to E." I am at Anthony Road. No way am I making it to Belvidere without running out of gas.<br /><br />Right there and then I decided if I run out of gas, then I run out of gas, but I am not, NOT, going to get upset. If, on the other hand, God decides to answer my cry for help, then WOW what a story! So I decide to do what all good Christians everywhere do. Believe, right?<br /><br />No! FIGHT!! Battle it out between my two ears!! Believe for the incredible? Accept the physical facts? Believe for the incredible? Accept the physical facts and make the best of a bad situation?<br /><br />I chose to believe! I decide to start praising!! That's how to fight fear, doubt, worry, and physical facts. It starts in my mind. Thank you Lord for providing for our every need. Thank you Lord of caring about me just like I care about my children. (gasp, doubt,choke) Louder....in my mind......Lord you are the God of the Old Testament. Jesus, you are the Savior of the world! (glance at the odometer) YIKES!! Oh my Word!!! "1 mile to E" Car's running fine.<br /><br />Ok, be reasonable! Get real! I start looking for the mile marker so I can tell the emergency road side service people where to find me. Then a total righteous rebellion of the mind occurs. I AM NOT RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I REFUSE TO RUN OUT OF GAS. IF GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, HE CAN DO THIS FOR ME. NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD!<br /><br />Now I'm praising God out loud! I'm thanking him for everything in sight. The snow because there will be plenty of water this summer. The sun for shining and providing light and vitamin D. Yeah, vitamin D will help me lose weight and increase my wellness percentage.<br /><br />And all of a sudden fear and doubt turns to excited belief that in my small world today, because I am a child of the most high God, I will not run out of gas. God is my provider and I will make it to the WalMart gas station and furthermore I will not putt, putt, choke, shake, putt, putt, NO! I am going to drive up like I have a full tank! I am claiming it and speaking it as though it has already come to pass.<br /><br />I'm singing and praising at the top of my lungs driving 50 mph on I90. People are driving by and I'm smiling out my window at them. You know, one of those "I'm having a great day toothy smiles" so they wonder what in the world I am doing. I can hear them......Crazy lady! Hazardous driver! Take Highway 20 next time, jerk!<br /><br />All the while, they're missing the greatest miracle of February fourth two-thousand and eleven. You got it. I arrived at WalMart just like my faith said I would. Like I had a full tank of gas. I even sat there with the car on while I put on my gloves and zipped up my coat, got my debit card out, popped open the trunk to get out the gas tank stuff for cold weather, put on my chap stick, and then I turned off the car, got out and put physical gas in my tank.<br /><br />Now I'm still praising out loud. I didn't even realize it was still happening. I'm still talking to God. Tears of joy are coursing down my cheeks and I'm thanking God because he's more than enough! Next thing I know, I'm dancing a bit as I pump the gas. I think I may have done one of those tricky moon walking steps as I put things back together and get back in my car.<br /><br />Don't try to tell me that God doesn't care about the little things in your life. Yes, I should have planned better and I should have never even let the gas tank get below 1/2 tank in this kind of weather. Yes, I should have put gas in the tank when I saw it said "41 miles to E." Yes, yes, yes!! BUT today God loved me so much he provided a miracle for dumb little me. He let me exercise that little bit of faith inside mixed with the offensive weapon of praise and proved that he cares about me. He loves ME!! He will supply ALL my needs.<br /><br />Guess what I know? I am going to go through my next "crises" better than this one. I know there is going to be a day in the very near future, when the "crises" is going to be a little bigger and I'm going to say to myself.... "Lord, I remember when you cared enough to extend my gas mileage when my gas tank was empty. If you can do that, then I know you can be more than enough in this situation too."<br /><br />Hey, you should try this thing out! It works!<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></span></span></span></span>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-11912286523813013302011-02-01T04:38:00.000-08:002011-02-01T05:02:05.641-08:00Do it for the right reason!Well, we're through the first month of the new year. Parties are over, that new year feeling is quickly fading away and life is taking on the normalcy of day-to-day living. I sit here this morning after devotions, drinking my coffee, pondering..........<br /><br />A new year is like a challenge, a new opportunity. For some reason there's a feeling that whatever has happened in the past its behind us and we can begin all over. Some people start the new year by making a resolution to change. There's a lot of data on the information highway about this topic. Here is a list of the top ten most popular new years resolutions that I found:<br /><br /><ol><li>Spend More time with Family & Friends</li><li>Fit in Fitness</li><li>Tame the Bulge</li><li>Quit Smoking</li><li>Enjoy Life More</li><li>Quit Drinking</li><li>Get Out of Debt</li><li>Learn Something New</li><li>Help Others</li><li>Get Organized<br /></li></ol><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:9pt;"> </span></span>Based on some statistics I saw today, the following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:<br /> - past the first week: 75%<br /> - past 2 weeks: 71%<br /> - after one month: 64%<br /> - after 6 months: 46%<br /><br />Using this information, it seems to indicate that approximately two-thrids of these folks have already given up on the challenge to change. If they are anything like me, there are several very good reasons why the change they planned on was either impractical to begin with or cannot be achieved because ________; you fill in the blank.<br /><br />Me? I did not make any new years resolution,<span style="font-style: italic;"> this year</span>. I am smart and mature now and don't need to challenge myself with a resolve to change motivated by this tradition that doesn't work any way. I will not be a statistic!<br /><br />Reviewing the top ten list, I find a couple interesting things to ponder on. 1) All these resolutions take a personal commitment of my time, and 2) In order to achieve these resolutions, one must be disciplined.<br /><br />Now it's becoming more clear than ever before why approximately two-thirds of the people who made a new years resolution have already given up their resolve to change. Giving our time and being disciplined are not easy areas of our lives to change.<br /><br />Why do we do this? Why do we complain about our weight or our lack of time to be more engaged with family or friends? Why do we give up after so few days pursuing dreams or desires that year after year we long to achieve? Why do we year after year resolve to meet the same goals?<br /><br />I will answer for me. It's not a lack of time; I know we all have the same 24 hours a day. It's not a lack of money; these resolutions don't really have to impact my spending budget. It's really that I have not yet truly decided to change. Because when I do, I will achieve what I set out to do.<br /><br />Those who truly want a better life must continually make time for the activities to achieve it. They must develop the disciplines and habits required to achieve their goals. Then, the most important of all, they must make this a lifestyle change. Too many times the goal is temporary and they revert back to the old way of life.<br /><br />Bottom line is, if I want to achieve success in any of these ten areas, I must want it for the right reason. When I have the right motivation or reason, I will make the time, I will have the discipline, and I will achieve what I have resolved to do.<br /><br />I've been putting things off. Just like I put off making any resolutions or goals for this year. How about you? Whatever you have chosen to do, do it for the right reason!Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3226861490498254401.post-52353769681325221862011-01-31T19:24:00.000-08:002011-01-31T19:28:30.906-08:00Ainât No Such Thing As Plan B<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Before you grammar buffs get your feathers all ruffled because the title has a double negative and uses the word ainât, let me tell you that it is intentional.<span style=""> </span>The intent is to create that same cringe in you as I feel when I hear a fingernail scratch against the chalkboard or the drill in the dentistâs office.<span style=""> </span>Just writing these examples down makes my stomach tighten up with dread.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I believe that God has this same type of reaction when we begin drafting Plan B.<span style=""> </span>Plan B is contrary to the nature of God.<span style=""> </span>Plan B is a man made philosophy.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">My work is in the world of Information Technology (IT).<span style=""> </span>Our customers come to us with business problems they need solved.<span style=""> </span>At times they may have an existing system that needs to be enhanced to solve their problem.<span style=""> </span>Other times they have a need which necessitates building a new application solution.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Once the business has come to IT with a problem and ask for our help in providing a solution, the most important phase of the project begins; the gathering and documentation of business requirements.<span style=""> </span>You may be wondering why this is the most important phase.<span style=""> </span>The answer is clear, concise and accurate business requirements reduce the overall cost of the project and eventual maintenance of the solution.<span style=""> </span>IT departments on average spend approximately 75% of their budget on rework and maintenance.<span style=""> </span>Much of this cost can be attributed to insufficient business requirements at the beginning of a project.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Now itâs up to the IT department to take the business requirements and create the solution.<span style=""> </span>On time, on budget are the buzzwords we IT professionals preach to our staff.<span style=""> </span>Our credibility and marketability is tied to being able to bring development projects in âon time, on budgetâ.<span style=""> </span>This means that the estimates we gave the business at the beginning of the project were accurate.<span style=""> </span>We delivered the solution in the time frame and within the cost estimates we provided.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">With that being said, many of us practice contingency planning.<span style=""> </span>What will we do if we get to crunch time and we donât have enough resources?<span style=""> </span>What will we do if we have problems with infrastructure or hardware?<span style=""> </span>Will we be able to recover and still deliver on time and on budget?<span style=""> </span>In other words, we try to come up with Plan B in case Plan A is not possible.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">The practice of creating Plan B options is not Biblical.<span style=""> </span>God never has a Plan B.<span style=""> </span>If He did then he wouldnât be God. If He did, then the Word of God would not be true.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Letâs look at Romans 11:29 from various translations. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">King James Version - âFor the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.â<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">New King James Version - âFor the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.â</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Contemporary English Version â âGod doesnât take back the gifts he has given or forget about the people he has chosen.â</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Simply put, God doesnât change his mind.<span style=""> </span>God doesnât do contingency planning.<span style=""> </span>God doesnât have Plan B.<span style=""> </span>In the IT world, God would be on time and on budget 100% of the time!<span style=""> </span>Who wouldnât want to work for a company with a reputation like that!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I hear some of you right now saying, thatâs only one scripture.<span style=""> </span>You canât build a theory out of one scripture.<span style=""> </span>Youâre absolutely right.<span style=""> </span>Letâs look at a few more.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Romans 9:20 (KJV) âNay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?<span style=""> </span>Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?â</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Romans 9:20 (NKJV) âBut indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?<span style=""> </span>Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, âWhy have you made me like this?<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Psalm 139:13 (NKJV) âFor You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my motherâs womb.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Isaiah 44:21 (NJKV) âRemember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!â</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Let me ask you, friend, when did you give up on Godâs plan?<span style=""> </span>What occurred that caused you to doubt Godâs plan for your life?<span style=""> </span>When did <b style="">you</b> begin creating Plan B?<span style=""> </span>Are you beginning to doubt your abilities, your desires, and your dreams?<span style=""> </span>Are you wondering when the promises of God are ever going to come true in your life or in your church?<span style=""> </span>Are you thinking that you better start creating Plan B so that you can at least see part of these things that you are able to make happen yourself occur?<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Letâs examine a couple of situations from the Bible where people tried Plan B.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Abraham created Plan B because he did not wait on God to deliver on this promise of a son to carry on his name.<span style=""> </span>That one decision has led to an international crisis between the Israelis and the Palestinians which affects us even today.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Saul could not wait on the man of God to come and offer the sacrifice on the altar; performing a role that was not his.<span style=""> </span>His plan resulted in the loss of the monarchy to another man who, even though he had many failings, was considered a man after Godâs own heart.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">If you buy into the concept of Plan B, then you are in effect telling God that his plan for your life is flawed.<span style=""> </span>God is the same yesterday, today and forever!<span style=""> </span>God never changes!<span style=""> </span>If God said it, we can believe it.<span style=""> </span>If God gave you a dream, then he is well able to bring that plan to pass in your life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Do you really believe that God canât work through you because you committed some sin in your past?<span style=""> </span>If so, then you truly do not know the forgiveness of God and understand the freedom of true repentance.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Do you think that because you are not able to use flowery words and create great oratories that youâll never see your church grow?<span style=""> </span>Then you must not believe that God used Moses to bring approximately six million people out of Egypt.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Do you think that because you are a woman that God cannot use you?<span style=""> </span>Then you do not know about Deborah, the prophetess, which led the people during the time of the judges to victory over the armies of Sisera.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Do you think that because you are a young person and donât have a lot of experience that God cannot use you right now, today?<span style=""> </span>Then youâve never heard the story of the boy named David, who believed that with Godâs help he could kill a 9-foot giant that had all the armies of Israel cowering in caves just by the sound of his voice.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Friend, God wants you to go back to Plan A; His plan for your life.<span style=""> </span>He gave you those promises and dreams.<span style=""> </span>The things that you have gone through <span style="color: red;">are ordained of God</span> to bring you to this place, this time, this very hour!<span style=""> </span>They have happened to you in order to form you into the person that God can use.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">God couldnât use Moses when he was in the kingâs house.<span style=""> </span>But after the desert experience, Moses was ready to lead!<span style=""> </span>God couldnât use Peterâs enthusiasm in the Garden of Gethsemane when he tried to defend the Lord.<span style=""> </span>But after his denial of Christ and his repentance, God took that enthusiasm and used it to convince 3,000 on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost was genuine and it changed their lives.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">You are right where God wants you.<span style=""> </span>It is now time to awake and see the glory of God fulfilled in your life.<span style=""> </span>Now is not the time to waver and believe that letting down, or backing up and reconsidering, or tweaking the plan will bring it to pass.<span style=""> </span>Donât fall for that worldly philosophy.<span style=""> </span>Itâs a lie!<span style=""> </span>Quit trying to figure out the how or the why.<span style=""> </span>Let God direct your paths.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Weâve got to return to the old paths; the paths of our forefathers.<span style=""> </span>What did Peter and John do that caused them to be so confident that they could tell the man at the gate to âtake up his bed and walkâ?<span style=""> </span>What was so powerful about Peter that when he walked by and his shadow passed over people that they were healed?<span style=""> </span>What did they do that caused men like John Wesley to walk through a factory and men and women repented?<span style=""> </span>What was the outreach plan or program being used during the times that we hear recounted to us by our forefathers when men and women walked in drunk off the street, ran to an altar, repented of their sins and were filled with the Holy Ghost and walked out completely sober?<span style=""> </span>Times when they were walking by a house and they felt to knock on the door and tell the person that God loves them and found out that person was just about to commit suicide and cried out to God for a sign that he still loved them?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Thatâs just it.<span style=""> </span>Itâs not a program.<span style=""> </span>Itâs living in the realm of the supernatural.<span style=""> </span>Itâs living the Word of God out in our daily lives.<span style=""> </span>Itâs Plan A.<span style=""> </span>Godâs original design and plan for mankind. <span style=""> </span>What does it require?<span style=""> </span>The requirement is to have a relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>We must be in his Word.<span style=""> </span>We must be talking to Him.<span style=""> </span>We must be listening to Him.<span style=""> </span>We must be asking for direction.<span style=""> </span>We must be sensitive to His voice.<span style=""> </span>We cannot have this type of ministry without the relationship.<span style=""> </span>Relationships take time.<span style=""> </span>Getting to know someone and recognizing the sound of their voice takes time.<span style=""> </span>If we are to hear from God, then we must spend time in his word.<span style=""> </span>We must spend time around people that know him.<span style=""> </span>We must spend time talking with God.<span style=""> </span>We must spend time listening to God.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">I heard that.<span style=""> </span>You just said that this type of relationship takes time and you have very little of that to spare.<span style=""> </span>Between working your job and keeping your family going and all your church responsibilities, you have very little time to just sit around reading and listening.<span style=""> </span>Really?<span style=""> </span>Then would I be correct to say that you havenât planned any birthday parties, family vacations, get togethers with your friends or family, or that mini-vacation with your spouse?<span style=""> </span>Iâm pretty sure your answer is no.<span style=""> </span>You did some or many of these things this year.<span style=""> </span>My point is not to stop doing those things, but to get real.<span style=""> </span>You have time to do the things that are important to you.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Our problem is that we really do not value the things of God so we donât make time for them.<span style=""> </span>The things that will bring revival to this world today require that we commit time and effort to our relationship with God.<span style=""> </span>Revival will not come to us, to our people, or to our communities without making the time to get to know God.<span style=""> </span>There is no program to follow.<span style=""> </span>There is the Word of God.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps we donât have the 12 stones taken from the Jordon River such as the Israelite's did, but we have the examples of our forefathers who lived before us to give us direction.<span style=""> </span>Yes, our world has changed.<span style=""> </span>Yes, the challenges that face us today are different than those of our forefathers.<span style=""> </span>And, yes, you can argue that the same methods of evangelism may need to be adapted to reach our world.<span style=""> </span>I wonât argue with that.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">What I can say though is that the preparation for ministry has not changed.<span style=""> </span>You must read and study the Word of God.<span style=""> </span>You must pray and fast and learn to hear the voice of God.<span style=""> </span>You must sacrifice your own desires and thoughts to those of God.<span style=""> </span>You must allow God to direct your paths.<span style=""> </span>You must die daily to your selfish desires.<span style=""> </span>You must resist the temptation to follow the other manâs plans because they are working for him.<span style=""> </span>You must resist the temptation to let down a little because âtimes have changedâ. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">You cannot expect to be used in the supernatural without building a relationship with the supernatural God we serve.<span style=""> </span>Plan A is still the only plan that will work in your life.<span style=""> </span>Oh, Plan B may have some benefits and results.<span style=""> </span>But Plan A is Godâs plan.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Remember Godâs gifts and plans are without repentance.<span style=""> </span>He chose you. He gave to you the gifts you have.<span style=""> </span>He expects you to use them.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Someone is saying, yeah, butâŚâŚI sinned and therefore I can no longer be used in that gift.<span style=""> </span>Really?<span style=""> </span>Who said that, God?<span style=""> </span>I hear the Word telling me that God restores all that Satan has taken from us.<span style=""> </span>I remember the Word of God telling me that God gives His gifts without taking them back.<span style=""> </span>Heâs not like the child that gives you something so youâll be his friend and then takes it back because he no longer likes you.<span style=""> </span>Thatâs stinking human logic.<span style=""> </span>God gives his gifts and calling without taking it back.<span style=""> </span>His is Plan A.<span style=""> </span>The original!<span style=""> </span>The only plan that brings true satisfaction and fulfillment in your life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Ainât no such thing as Plan B in the world that God created!!<span style=""> </span>Take back what the devil has stolen from you!<span style=""> </span>Stand of the Word of God.<span style=""> </span>God has given us the authority, the gifts, the calling to execute Plan A.<span style=""> </span>Begin today to build that relationship with God and execute Plan A!<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Proverbs 19:21<span style=""> </span>âThere are many plans in a manâs heart, Nevertheless the Lordâs counsel â that will stand.â (NKJV)</span></p>Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14709821806945568893noreply@blogger.com1