tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87293359291942452372024-03-05T17:24:37.699-05:00www.MelanieShull.comMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-65975267118361514202022-09-07T16:47:00.000-04:002022-09-07T16:47:10.983-04:00Yadah! Yadah! Yadah!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNlX8O1yHQ6vkXvNOj6ZKi9T4KiY8OMBJ8eeBIFM8LRm-98ge8HXtOuK6TZPocUkSnccz10CJrVCA7OhLSR3SimjfA3JvsMlToMMtGKSPobW2Ip7chHRW78JkxFKruR6gKNjdZqCS_rxvF9J1_kg-X8KE8qZq627nMuIBz1_H7AJ7YPMg28VLfNsg/s1920/Yadah,%20Yadah,%20Yadah!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1920" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNlX8O1yHQ6vkXvNOj6ZKi9T4KiY8OMBJ8eeBIFM8LRm-98ge8HXtOuK6TZPocUkSnccz10CJrVCA7OhLSR3SimjfA3JvsMlToMMtGKSPobW2Ip7chHRW78JkxFKruR6gKNjdZqCS_rxvF9J1_kg-X8KE8qZq627nMuIBz1_H7AJ7YPMg28VLfNsg/w640-h438/Yadah,%20Yadah,%20Yadah!.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I was always under the impression that when anyone said, "Yadah, Yadah, Yadah," it simply meant "so on and so forth." It's such an odd expression. Don't you think?</p><p>After a devotion I read from <i>The Book of Mysteries</i> by Jonathan Cahn, I will never think about or use this phrase flippantly again! Cahn dives into the Jewish (Hebrew) language with gusto. It's so deep in meaning and symbolism. This beautiful language comes to life for me every time I open his book. </p><p>In this particular devotion, Cahn begins by explaining the word <i>Jew</i>. It comes from the Hebrew words, <i>Yehudim</i> or <i>Yehudah</i>. <i>Yehudah</i> comes from the word <i>yadah </i>which means to praise, give thanks, and worship. (<i>The Book of Mysteries</i>, Day 259, <i>The Yad)</i></p><p>To go a bit further, <i>Yadah </i>stems from <i>yad</i> and <i>yad</i> means hand.</p><p>Ever wonder why we lift our hands in worship? Lifting hands in praise is a semblance of open hands before the Lord:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Open hands receive God's gifts.</li><li>Open hands offer in return to Him our praise and thanksgiving for all He's done and given us.</li></ul><p></p><p><i>So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands (Psalm 63:4,</i> ESV).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-qEAVUufn1OeSTrQ1gLzLLS1ojJwwpS52_0ltWAhB0yK-siaDz9qkvtsLsDifY3uR-kVVgmaif5TpNgOXoQdPicUgkrYmtLu0v54XMPuaDHDoEsGmJkYO75oFSEHyxSNXhs750F1dMxoD2qpuI_7cZZDsAkvkAndwnZEb5B7NfQts8ySihFUkUf/s4032/Phil.%20study%20board%20IMG-4979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-qEAVUufn1OeSTrQ1gLzLLS1ojJwwpS52_0ltWAhB0yK-siaDz9qkvtsLsDifY3uR-kVVgmaif5TpNgOXoQdPicUgkrYmtLu0v54XMPuaDHDoEsGmJkYO75oFSEHyxSNXhs750F1dMxoD2qpuI_7cZZDsAkvkAndwnZEb5B7NfQts8ySihFUkUf/w300-h400/Phil.%20study%20board%20IMG-4979.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />This fall, my in-home Bible study group of women is doing a 4-week study on the book of Philippians. After introducing this warm and intimate letter to the church at Philippi, I shared with them how Paul is writing from prison with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise and worship. He has a special place in his heart for the Philippians because they were the first church plant in Europe. Together, this body of believers and Paul were partners in living out and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are invited to do the same.<p></p><p>We concluded the first week of our study with the "Yadah" lesson. As they left, my heart was filled with great joy as we praised, gave thanks, and worshiped together. I hope theirs were too!</p><p>With hands lifted high, Yadah! Yadah! Yadah!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>My Pleasure,</i></b></p><p><i><b>Melanie</b></i></p><p><i><b>Psalm 16:11</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B7aEcM7DnvuLoOd3soUXorVWMexX3fLyw04ZB6jCEWzr9nJ8FjucZVcaIimpq1cg_-cn6Fw8WemNHWH4E-nPhXutAtCPcFBKywtnHHkSmS647m7fk1-OtxFCWWXWI0FAIanT0sOIGD8Ir5UD5QRWVfhF2NChsdM7fEBQ95NnPjS96ORj4dlDroFi/s1920/My%20Pleasure%20Signature%20Coffee%20Cup%20(1)%20ps.16.11%20&%20website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9B7aEcM7DnvuLoOd3soUXorVWMexX3fLyw04ZB6jCEWzr9nJ8FjucZVcaIimpq1cg_-cn6Fw8WemNHWH4E-nPhXutAtCPcFBKywtnHHkSmS647m7fk1-OtxFCWWXWI0FAIanT0sOIGD8Ir5UD5QRWVfhF2NChsdM7fEBQ95NnPjS96ORj4dlDroFi/s320/My%20Pleasure%20Signature%20Coffee%20Cup%20(1)%20ps.16.11%20&%20website.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-51893186203861478702021-12-28T17:28:00.003-05:002021-12-28T17:28:56.665-05:00Do You See What I See?<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicDCcTdK2HF64OZ1ejJ-DHaCeomp0JNdjjb3hStdV5rzabm-FdHn94i2v6tKXrKE4CAgofqDevCW5HouXSptkfYjLh21N4vvMFICw_OMstH3gxsgVhkm_qeV9Bcau3EmZ_snHrgja9fA5PfNlNjokt2bOtQdFjKK8RYLgToR-Qx20bAmy0ai0Y922D=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1920" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicDCcTdK2HF64OZ1ejJ-DHaCeomp0JNdjjb3hStdV5rzabm-FdHn94i2v6tKXrKE4CAgofqDevCW5HouXSptkfYjLh21N4vvMFICw_OMstH3gxsgVhkm_qeV9Bcau3EmZ_snHrgja9fA5PfNlNjokt2bOtQdFjKK8RYLgToR-Qx20bAmy0ai0Y922D=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>She has an eye. </p><p>A unique eye for photography that is. </p><p>My daughter's ability to see past the obvious is uncanny, and her talent behind a camera, incorporated with natural lighting is, well, unnatural.</p><p>Whether she's photographing a proposal, a wedding, an expectant mother and father, college graduates, or families, my daughter's eye is not the eye of an average onlooker.</p><p>I know. I've watched her work, and what I've seen with my natural eye does not even compare with what she's able to capture from behind her lens. The creativity and passion she exhibits with this God-given gift often leaves me with a dropped jaw. </p><p>In our Christian life, when we only do life by natural sight ,we miss out on what's happening behind the lens - the lens of faith. Many people think seeing is believing, but on a spiritual journey like ours, when you place your faith in Jesus Christ, believing <i>is</i> seeing. </p><p>Past the obvious. </p><p>Beyond the ordinary. </p><p><i>So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7,</i> ESV)</p><p>True followers of Christ walk by faith, not by sight. We know where we're going cannot be seen with the human eye. Yet, because of the hope within us built on Jesus Christ, we will see Him as He is in that glorious moment when our faith is made sight. </p><p>God knew when He spun this world into motion that we would need faith, not sight, to make it through. </p><p>Our eyes will deceive us, especially when we only see what we want to see. But, when we look beyond the visible and capture the invisible with a lens of faith, our whole perspective on life changes.</p><p>What do you see as you close the door on another year? How are you envisioning the year ahead? Are you looking past the obvious, beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary? Are you walking out of 2021 and into 2022 by faith or by sight? </p><p>My prayer is that you'll see what God wants you to see. That you'll lay down your human eyesight and surrender it to the One who sees and knows all things. That you will walk into the unknown with fresh eyes of faith and a heart full of wonder, awe, and great courage.</p><p>Happy New Year, my friend! May God open our eyes to the breath-taking beauty of His holiness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifMIM8SE-yFf0peDpR6PHh6vXDKLTLOh5kjzAyaJIwCZmy-aciD6VmyxW1VIQWwYD5GZm1VrO4vIXgR5RSxTRamW0upQ40ZvqNYkGAa5CuopbDBrdK33D0I1T6FmesuPwJ311l-DsldnU_ov2yzD4fsC7Q_wv3FfpFSwqB3iQWxED3DmurJGbLcPZc=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifMIM8SE-yFf0peDpR6PHh6vXDKLTLOh5kjzAyaJIwCZmy-aciD6VmyxW1VIQWwYD5GZm1VrO4vIXgR5RSxTRamW0upQ40ZvqNYkGAa5CuopbDBrdK33D0I1T6FmesuPwJ311l-DsldnU_ov2yzD4fsC7Q_wv3FfpFSwqB3iQWxED3DmurJGbLcPZc=s320" width="226" /></a></div><br /><p><i>P. S. If you'd like to check out a behind the lens view of Madison's work, please visit her Facebook page and/or her website.</i></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/madisonshullphotography">https://www.facebook.com/madisonshullphotography</a></p><p><a href="https://www.madisonshullphotography.com/">https://www.madisonshullphotography.com/</a></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-82835420141610927042021-12-22T15:33:00.000-05:002021-12-22T15:33:03.764-05:00What is Joy? Part Three - Promise of Hope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigSyLQmo5xx7fPuGMO1FqfTV2v01WA6xGJcnU8O7aUyvz2L_tmyUHxjIMPHK2om3VubWbsCyBpbhtoZOI00Gwi1_rg0ooYD9juYv-PMwgCkxue5twjixzuOxXYxP9Csk2TGwYM433uzNYwxEOZ2yzX3x3FlAQ0IX8W_rbLmRqUyrJttgV9ThHjdmXE=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1920" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigSyLQmo5xx7fPuGMO1FqfTV2v01WA6xGJcnU8O7aUyvz2L_tmyUHxjIMPHK2om3VubWbsCyBpbhtoZOI00Gwi1_rg0ooYD9juYv-PMwgCkxue5twjixzuOxXYxP9Csk2TGwYM433uzNYwxEOZ2yzX3x3FlAQ0IX8W_rbLmRqUyrJttgV9ThHjdmXE=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I love to read, especially during the Christmas season. My idea of a perfect December afternoon is being wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a Christmas novella, a cup of coffee near my fingertips, and soft Christmas music playing in the background. </p><p>The first Christmas novella I've finished reading this season is titled <i>The Christmas Hope</i>. The author, Donna VanLiere, also wrote <i>The</i> <i>Christmas Shoes</i> and <i>The Christmas Blessing</i>. </p><p>In <i>The Christmas Hope</i>, a five-year-old little girl loses her mom in a tragic car accident a few nights before Christmas. The social worker assigned to the case, Patricia, ends up bringing the little girl home with her for the holidays. Though Patricia knows this is against protocol, she feels compelled to do it to keep the child from being further traumatized by having to move in with complete strangers. God is always working behind the scenes, and His faithfulness to restore Patricia's fragile marriage while also bringing hope to an orphan named Emily is on full display. Though this is a sweet fictitious story where foster care and adoption play a vital role in healing hearts and restoring families, it also reminded me that hope is often underestimated. </p><p>So, what does hope have to do with <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">joy</span>?</p><p><b>The hope of a true follower of Jesus Christ offers a confident, unwavering anticipation of His return. Hope is why we get up in the morning. Hope motivates us to press on. Hope is a gift from our heavenly Father to sustain us until the next arrival of His Son, when He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!</b></p><p>Hope brings us <span style="color: red;"><b>joy</b></span>.</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>Joy </b></span>gives us hope.</p><p>Therefore, we can conclude...</p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Joy is hope.</span></b></p><p>In Part One of this blog series, we discovered that<span style="color: red;"><b> j</b></span><span style="color: red;"><b>oy is trust.</b></span> Mary's heart was joy-full because of her trust and confidence in the Word spoken to her by the angel, Gabriel. Her <span style="color: red;"><b>joy</b></span> filled her with hope.</p><p>In Part Two, Elizabeth was full of <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> because the Holy Spirit made known to her, as Mary greeted her in the doorway, that Mary was carrying the long-awaited Messiah in her womb. <b><span style="color: red;">Joy is faith.</span></b> Because Elizabeth believed the Word of the Lord about her own pregnancy and now, the divine pregnancy of her cousin, her heart was filled with hope.</p><p>In today's post, Part Three, we turn to Luke 1:67-79.</p><p>Zechariah's prophecy announces God's promise of hope; the gift of salvation for all people. He begins with praise and glory unto the Lord and concludes with a message for his miracle son, John, the one who will prepare the way of the Lord.</p><p>It's been 400 years since this much excitement has infiltrated the hearts of the Jewish people, but now, their hope of a Messiah is rekindled, and soon, the Promise will arrive!</p><p>And He did. Just as the angel said.</p><p><i>Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:7, </i>CSB).</p><p>What are you hoping for? Who have you placed your hope in? How confident are you that what you hope for will arrive? </p><p>When our hope is in Christ, we will never be disappointed. Hope brings <span><b style="color: red;">joy. Joy </b>fills us with</span> hope. Don't lose hope, sweet friend. Jesus came the first time to bring us salvation<b>,</b><b style="color: red;"> </b>and He promised He'll return. So, I pray hope and <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">joy </span><span>will fill your heart,</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>not just at Christmas time, but</span> in all seasons of life. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Joy to the world, the Lord has come, just as He promised, and He's coming again!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUkNSFcobgavYqRNW73enTINiZnC0W6000r8w74nN8hOiPGJbmQQvCqMQCFczl6ie3Mr8uNnkFXUgqfnAsT9Tc8x-wVSYItqN2-n8rRxFXIKqpvKCHO_WmbYwMQSsTJ_UNSCnQ5Qt5jU7dV-cgqjBEsa0ZJLrMnoOUSYzIQnv0nL61OQcdLvrzXkC_=s1920" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUkNSFcobgavYqRNW73enTINiZnC0W6000r8w74nN8hOiPGJbmQQvCqMQCFczl6ie3Mr8uNnkFXUgqfnAsT9Tc8x-wVSYItqN2-n8rRxFXIKqpvKCHO_WmbYwMQSsTJ_UNSCnQ5Qt5jU7dV-cgqjBEsa0ZJLrMnoOUSYzIQnv0nL61OQcdLvrzXkC_=s320" width="226" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-70227421465471302982021-12-10T12:34:00.001-05:002021-12-10T12:34:39.764-05:00What Is Joy? Part Two: From Silence to Speechless<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg20wDlzx-UQp4aXxqTZg0fJs95yR8RtYSEWRqm-k2Ohqepmddg62eTmi8gvhINIMPJRPNsfXDvPjG7m9ZUFVjcG8XkugDGHyH9DA39kBcriv66UfbLRp6xg1iD5DKTeWHGg1lelZ5IiDpJiN9LCv0iOc3otmF3b_hQ2zLJz8YJRBbrFclgfDTaHY6m=s1920" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1920" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg20wDlzx-UQp4aXxqTZg0fJs95yR8RtYSEWRqm-k2Ohqepmddg62eTmi8gvhINIMPJRPNsfXDvPjG7m9ZUFVjcG8XkugDGHyH9DA39kBcriv66UfbLRp6xg1iD5DKTeWHGg1lelZ5IiDpJiN9LCv0iOc3otmF3b_hQ2zLJz8YJRBbrFclgfDTaHY6m=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What have you been doing this week to prepare for Christmas? Is your shopping done? Have you wrapped presents, baked, attended a party or two? Is your <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> evident these days? Oh, I hope so!</p><p>In Part One of several blogposts coming to your inbox this Christmas, we began our investigation into what<b><span style="color: red;"> joy</span></b> is, and we discovered that <b><span style="color: red;">joy is trust.</span></b> In Luke 1:26-38, Luke tells of Mary's encounter with Gabriel, God's messenger. No one had heard an audible message from God in 400 years. Her unwavering faith gave her the courage to <b>trust God's Word</b> spoken by the angel. Therefore, her heart was filled with <b><span style="color: red;">matchless joy</span></b> and resulted in one of the most beautiful doxologies ever recorded in Scripture. (vs.45-55) </p><p>For Part Two, let's rewind the story a bit and read Luke 1:5-25. </p><p>In this passage, we discover that Mary was not the first one God ended His silence with. </p><p>Zechariah, one of the priests, was selected to be the one to go inside the temple that day to burn incense before the Lord in worship. His being chosen was no coincidence. God had put this moment in time on His calendar before the foundation of the world. In the meantime, outside the temple, the whole assembly of the people prayed. While the priest was performing his duty, the Lord spoke, through the angel Gabriel, a message to Zechariah that would change his and his wife's life forever.</p><p>Think about it. </p><p>Not a peep for four centuries. </p><p>Then, in God's perfect timing, as His promise of a Messiah was ready to be fulfilled, the deafening silence was over. </p><p>The same angel who visits Mary several months later, delivers a startling message to this old, but righteous and faithful servant of the Lord. Zechariah and Elizabeth had aligned their life and calling with God's commands and had served Him with honor. But even in their obedience, God had still not allowed Elizabeth to conceive. Now, in their golden years, God makes Zechariah a promise. A promise filled with more <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">joy </span><span>and expectation</span> than anyone could have ever dreamed.</p><p>The first part of the unexpected news was that Zechariah and Elizabeth would conceive and give birth to a son. (This wasn't the first time God ordained a <i>beyond-childbearing-years</i> couple to fulfill His a promise. Remember Abraham and Sarah? God's promise to them would become the linage of Christ.)</p><p>The second part of God's promise to Zechariah was even more glorious. Their son was to be named John. <b><span style="color: red;">Joy</span></b> <span>and<b style="color: red;"> </b>delight<b style="color: red;"> </b></span>would be theirs and many would rejoice at his birth. John would be set apart for a ministry to prepare the way of the Lord, the coming of the Messiah.</p><p>But Zechariah doubted God's Word, and as a result of his unbelief, God rendered him speechless.</p><p>God broke His silence with a promise. But Zechariah would remain speechless until the promise had been fulfilled.</p><p><b>From silence to speechless.</b></p><p>Can you imagine? Not being able to shout the news to those waiting outside the temple after what had just taken place inside? But, through the silencing of Zechariah, God spoke volumes.</p><p>Elizabeth would conceive and later speak of God's miracle saying, "The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people." (vs. 25, CSB)</p><p>Six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy, Mary pays Elizabeth a visit. When Mary walks in and greets Elizabeth, <b><span style="color: red;">John leaps for joy</span></b> in his mother's womb. In that moment, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and with gusto she pronounces, "<i>Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!</i>" (Luke 1:39-45, CSB)</p><p>Wow! Mary says hello to Elizabeth as she enters the home, and immediately Elizabeth knows (through the power of the Holy Spirit) the miraculous news Mary has come to share. This in itself is a miracle.</p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Joy is faith.</span></b></p><p>Does your faith bring you <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b>? Is your faith strong enough to believe that what God says He will do, He will do? </p><p>There are moments when our <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">joy </span><span>should</span> render <i>us</i> speechless, to fall on our knees in awe and wonder of His love. At other times, our <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> should move us to proclaim aloud, like Elizabeth, the greatness and goodness of our all-powerful, mighty God. </p><p>Is your <b><span style="color: red;">joy-full</span></b> faith on display before those around you like Mary and Elizabeth? Do you believe in God's promises? Though Zechariah doubted his Lord for a moment, God still acted on His promise (because God never breaks a promise). Zechariah was given many months to think about what he truly believed, and in Part Three, we'll see how this promise fulfilled leads to our discovering more of what real <span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">joy </span><span>is all about</span>.</p><p>Don't forget to check out my author Facebook page for a recipe or two this Christmas season. I hope these will add a little holiday cheer to your gatherings with family and friends this December. @writerMelanieShull</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLsFSsmBoea5omsjfeHln8ND9L0k5d1p50U3Balu4H_QsBcwi3H4M4iGVoYfHUvcykQZILHAcS1ZHXD47zPe0Tbno11tW2oYMGOq1gSZ3oGvoFlTjMKM0mEVWL2cSMwdJl2QFf3KOyWY1SUrUvORhp4ie0yQ50nkNUJhZSBtDppDuhn8MrsA0Txkeq=s1920" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLsFSsmBoea5omsjfeHln8ND9L0k5d1p50U3Balu4H_QsBcwi3H4M4iGVoYfHUvcykQZILHAcS1ZHXD47zPe0Tbno11tW2oYMGOq1gSZ3oGvoFlTjMKM0mEVWL2cSMwdJl2QFf3KOyWY1SUrUvORhp4ie0yQ50nkNUJhZSBtDppDuhn8MrsA0Txkeq=s320" width="226" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-69262417004490998502021-12-03T18:38:00.001-05:002021-12-08T14:52:11.669-05:00What Is Joy? Part One<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhuvlR1kI52CiNyL5o3HyVgH_4oCjy-0rwVUTukUr4tiHpusG9NC6kuCr1NrRr56UfRJMWCbPzc1UXQi7IhOHW5Z4Kzy8WwrDzRar5kEKQPy7wQaRfCKI7TPJBpGnmFhyphenhyphenVx0rV3xxX5A/s1920/What+is+joy_+Christmas+2021+blog+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1920" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhuvlR1kI52CiNyL5o3HyVgH_4oCjy-0rwVUTukUr4tiHpusG9NC6kuCr1NrRr56UfRJMWCbPzc1UXQi7IhOHW5Z4Kzy8WwrDzRar5kEKQPy7wQaRfCKI7TPJBpGnmFhyphenhyphenVx0rV3xxX5A/w640-h428/What+is+joy_+Christmas+2021+blog+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Have you noticed? <b><span style="color: red;">Joy</span></b> is all over the place. There are <i>joy </i>ornaments,<i> joy</i> coffee mugs, <i>joy</i> clothing, <i>joy </i>signs, <i>joy</i> Christmas wrapping, and<i> joy</i> cards. </p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>Joy.</b></span></p><p>What runs through your mind when you see or hear the word <i>joy</i>? For part one of this blog series, I want us to discover what <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> is through Mary's encounter with God's messenger.</p><p>In Luke 1:26-38, Mary experiences a divine encounter with the angel, Gabriel. Gabriel's sudden appearance startles her as he speaks, "Greetings, favored woman. The Lord is with you." (vs. 28) Because Mary is troubled at the angel's words, Gabriel comforts her by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." </p><p>The angel explains how she would become overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and conceive a Child. She's told that this Child will be the Son of the Most High, the Savior of the world. The angel also reveals what the Child is to be named, Jesus, and that He will be given the throne of David to rule over the house of Jacob forever. </p><p>Since God had not spoken in any form but through silence for 400 years, I cannot fathom Mary's thoughts. But the Scriptures do give us a glimpse into her response - <b>complete submission to the will of God.</b></p><p><i>"I am the Lord's servant," said Mary. May it be done to me according to your word." </i>(vs.28, CSB)</p><p>Even though what she heard was impossible from a human perspective, the soon-to-be new mother trusted the words of God as told by the messenger, "...for with God, nothing is impossible." (vs. 37)</p><p>Her trust unleashed a remarkable <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> inside Mary's heart. In that moment, as her spirit was brimming with joy, she couldn't do anything else but rejoice in God, her Savior. Mary's Magnificat is recorded in Luke 1:46-55. Her rejoicing begins with, "My soul praises the greatness the Lord."</p><p><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Joy is trust. </span></b></p><p>Mary's response to the word of the Lord shows that when we trust God completely and really believe His Word, our hearts fill up with <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b>. When <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> increases, the worries of this world decrease. In response, we magnify the greatness of our God. We can't help it. When<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> joy </span>happens<span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span> we must express it. We may not always express it for all the world to hear, but real <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b> cannot be contained. It must spill out and bring God glory. </p><p>How are you trusting God's Word this Christmas season? He's written it all down for you to see and hear, believe and experience. May you trust Him completely today and be filled with His inexpressible <b><span style="color: red;">joy</span></b>!</p><p>Over the next few weeks, we'll be combing the Scriptures for more of what real joy is all about. </p><p>In the meantime, check out my Author Facebook page for some of my favorite recipes to try. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/writermelanieshull/">https://www.facebook.com/writermelanieshull/</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKiQG9WLMr9EYvS_HT6HPtY_9kEESf9_64GJ2-mPTLKke8l03ScavC9moLD_9YB9TBGPD5LwLS1pwR86xpxjU9MtsD2xmzULjK6eSsH-xa1Se8sJ2aE97luy9o5-6XOjjorrcRlqWRf4/s1920/christmas+blog+signature+2021+lg+print.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKiQG9WLMr9EYvS_HT6HPtY_9kEESf9_64GJ2-mPTLKke8l03ScavC9moLD_9YB9TBGPD5LwLS1pwR86xpxjU9MtsD2xmzULjK6eSsH-xa1Se8sJ2aE97luy9o5-6XOjjorrcRlqWRf4/s320/christmas+blog+signature+2021+lg+print.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-18584646427305080962021-09-27T15:59:00.002-04:002021-09-27T15:59:43.444-04:00Fall: Football, Mountain Trips, & a Heavenly Harvest<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoWfIEXC33jDEXq5LOJn05inkDYFYQ2dI_RN4F66BHCD4zREsrHMi-MzjLaq6hvoZ1P1I_scmLa9qc1hvxXOMJsfphbqrHhLTpfeuUDuofyfn97cC2A1LNS1q-RkyN3wsvDG4CmI4GPM/s1920/fall-swing-the+whole+duty+of+man+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoWfIEXC33jDEXq5LOJn05inkDYFYQ2dI_RN4F66BHCD4zREsrHMi-MzjLaq6hvoZ1P1I_scmLa9qc1hvxXOMJsfphbqrHhLTpfeuUDuofyfn97cC2A1LNS1q-RkyN3wsvDG4CmI4GPM/w640-h426/fall-swing-the+whole+duty+of+man+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Fall is my favorite. </span></b></p><p>College football returns to our Saturday routine. Brisk mornings are an invitation for coffee on the deck. Firepits ignite in the evenings under the stars while the Master Artist brushes the leaves with color palettes only He can create. </p><p>And I love to bake fall inspired desserts. (See below for one of my favorites.)</p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Fall always brings a time of reflection for me.</b></span> Three of us have birthdays between September and the end of October. Yesterday was our son's birthday. For the first time ever, we weren't able to celebrate in person because he now lives 2000 miles away. (Thank goodness for FaceTime.) Not being together gave me pause to reflect on the times we have had and reminding me how fast the seasons of life come and go. </p><p>Around mine and my husband's birthdays in October, it's a tradition to make our way into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a weekend get-a-way. It was also my family's tradition when I was growing up. The rolling hills, draped in their stunning attire, give me pause to stand in awe of our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. I can still hear my mom's voice as we traveled through the winding roads, "How can anyone not believe in God when they see the mountains?"</p><p>Honestly, I cannot answer my mom's question. I don't understand how anyone cannot believe in the magnificent, majestic Creator of all things. God's love, His Son, His Word, and His ways are not just a part of who I am; they are the very essence of who I am. It's amazing to me how anyone does life without Jesus Christ. Yet, many willingly choose to do so.</p><p>Christ in me. I in Him. Hidden in Christ Jesus until He comes again. This is how God intended for us to live our one life well with purpose, hope, and joy.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20, </i>ESV<i>)</i>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:3, </i>ESV<i>)</i>.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QN0csD7ZDl7DYY-thhmsQeyERakHtq_hAcRevzJQqC_9mZ1qNoBy_YfD2-TBnyVbHiYQC37LjbeJIGDFcNaNzFLWr4memEmm8L-RKqYa3CzFoAA_7z3Qg8GQf-6_wffcktXSLHr2_lQ/s1920/fruit+basket+on+green+grass-3157697_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1920" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QN0csD7ZDl7DYY-thhmsQeyERakHtq_hAcRevzJQqC_9mZ1qNoBy_YfD2-TBnyVbHiYQC37LjbeJIGDFcNaNzFLWr4memEmm8L-RKqYa3CzFoAA_7z3Qg8GQf-6_wffcktXSLHr2_lQ/w640-h454/fruit+basket+on+green+grass-3157697_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Fall is also a time for examining the year's harvest. </span></b>What are we gathering that's of eternal value? What are we bringing into the barns that is useless? How have we spent the past months? Have we allowed the Holy Spirit to till the ground of our hearts? Did we work with Him to plant good seed? Have we engaged with the Spirit to nurture, nourish, and grow God- pleasing fruit?</p><p style="text-align: left;">When we fear God and keep His commandments (Ecc. 12:13b<i>), </i>we're captured by the holiness of His character. In Him, there is no sin. Being able to share with Him under His canopy of protection from sin should make us fall to our knees in thanksgiving and praise. It should cause us to confess our sins frequently, less our fellowship with the Father is hindered. This eternal relationship is only possible through believing and having faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who made a way for us to live under the holy canopy of the Father's presence every day and into eternity.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>In His presence there is fullness of joy!</i> (Psalm 16:11)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">The harvest our heavenly Father is gathering into His storehouses stems from the obedient hearts of His people. </span></b>What kind of harvest are we offering Him this season? A joyful, eternal harvest, or one of worthlessness that simply blows away with the wind? May we always seek to be wise with our time, making the most of it. So, when harvest time comes around, God will gather the sweet fruits of our obedience as an acceptable offering of worship and praise.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Lord, as we reflect during this season of change, may our lives produce a bountiful harvest that brings You much pleasure. Keep our eyes, hearts, and minds focused on producing fruit that will last for all eternity. Thank You for inviting us into Your presence and into the fullness of Your joy. May we fall to our knees in humble adoration and gratitude for all You have done. ~ In Jesus' name, Amen.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAT_yGSbafhbF2hKRnwAkEq6EUBzDu1CmpQpqQ9BYF12wnjop8RZzK_F985gmhs-EcMKh40SBGde-E16ANwuHm0mDGXmf49JcdDxLkwiiiK6uGXARuW1YejQ5E949GDQwmSZmTGDxZR8/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAT_yGSbafhbF2hKRnwAkEq6EUBzDu1CmpQpqQ9BYF12wnjop8RZzK_F985gmhs-EcMKh40SBGde-E16ANwuHm0mDGXmf49JcdDxLkwiiiK6uGXARuW1YejQ5E949GDQwmSZmTGDxZR8/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRRbUHmeHocoBjGQ92PSxemo-saqCcWNSaqzaG-U_M-zLY1qPzF6suPJ4rIeZ2om_bb-ft6bDOodrkL8pVU7X9HZT1zJ8mtpdFbZkBh_PnptvuiVhvhVmrRF_C4I_KXCh4h9pJUEHzg/s980/Pumpkin+chocolate+chip+mini+muffins+Pinterest+IMG-2697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRRbUHmeHocoBjGQ92PSxemo-saqCcWNSaqzaG-U_M-zLY1qPzF6suPJ4rIeZ2om_bb-ft6bDOodrkL8pVU7X9HZT1zJ8mtpdFbZkBh_PnptvuiVhvhVmrRF_C4I_KXCh4h9pJUEHzg/s320/Pumpkin+chocolate+chip+mini+muffins+Pinterest+IMG-2697.JPG" width="320" /></a><div> (photo credit Sally Quinn - Pinterest)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins</b></div><div>(makes about 48 mini muffins)</div><div><br /></div><div>Ingredients:</div><div><i>1 box yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines)</i></div><div><i>1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (Libby's)</i></div><div><i>1 Cup semi sweet, chocolate chip mini morsels (Nestle's Toll House)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a large mixing bowl, use a spoon to stir together cake mix and pumpkin until smooth. Add chocolate chips and fold into the batter. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lightly spray a mini tin with cooking spray. Place a tablespoon of batter in each section. Place in the oven and cook for 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygEWioIgPKtRxn4wdheALuW4-507-6CUOqE5XxwyxUGFderClPTAJ1J0wbgpwR8LJ-KVwACf0drTcjzA4aJJMvgKdJriDLmMoG6vmnl_Vxqd5c0u9jfwUbbKJ1x3W3N8OCmOAnUCUKZc/s2048/3+ingredients+Pumpkin+chocolate+chip+muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygEWioIgPKtRxn4wdheALuW4-507-6CUOqE5XxwyxUGFderClPTAJ1J0wbgpwR8LJ-KVwACf0drTcjzA4aJJMvgKdJriDLmMoG6vmnl_Vxqd5c0u9jfwUbbKJ1x3W3N8OCmOAnUCUKZc/s320/3+ingredients+Pumpkin+chocolate+chip+muffins.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> (photo credit Mel's iPhone)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-22712381069493662912021-08-14T13:13:00.001-04:002021-08-14T13:13:45.692-04:00The Struggle Is Real<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZmG9ymephEb5wTMzq8RqhHeTwFH_SpO9Qt9Z0nu7cJYSbsmDlYk_UHKYcG79EKCZn8RFDmRQ4IzAF7M4ubtWjTLe42weKRDwPQyycjIQ8ADK0Bj0rHq-kBy0qluXByi1TRUF9NmTe2k/s1920/the+struggle+is+real-8-14-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZmG9ymephEb5wTMzq8RqhHeTwFH_SpO9Qt9Z0nu7cJYSbsmDlYk_UHKYcG79EKCZn8RFDmRQ4IzAF7M4ubtWjTLe42weKRDwPQyycjIQ8ADK0Bj0rHq-kBy0qluXByi1TRUF9NmTe2k/w640-h426/the+struggle+is+real-8-14-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">How many times have you heard somebody say, "The struggle is real?" Or maybe, like me, you've proclaimed the same on several occasions.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Calling attention to our life struggles has gone viral in the last decade or so. <i><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Struggle is Real </b></span></i>is plastered on all types of merchandise and social media: T-shirts, coffee mugs, computer stickers, memes and hashtags. We live in an it's-all-about-me society, so to capture the attention of people above everyone else's noise, we shout to the world, "Hey! Look at me! I'm struggling too." </p><p style="text-align: left;">Believe me. I get it. Life is hard. Circumstances can be unbearable at times. But, what if I told you there's a<i> struggle</i> we should not be weary about? One we should embrace everyday with the energy, power, and joy of Jesus Christ? </p><p style="text-align: left;">In Colossians 1:28-29, Paul explains.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Him </i>[Christ]<i> we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his </i>[Christ's]<i> energy that he powerfully works within me.</i>(ESV)</p><p style="text-align: left;">What is the <i><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>struggle</b></span></i> Paul is alluding to? </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Proclaiming Christ</b></span></li><li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Warning against the enemies of the truth</b></span></li><li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Teaching the saints (followers of Christ) with all wisdom</b></span></li><li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>To present everyone mature in Christ </b></span></li></ul><div>Now this is a struggle we should all wake up thinking and getting excited about. This is a struggle we're all called to for Jesus' sake.</div><div><br /></div><div>The real struggle comes loaded with the power, energy, and joy of Christ! Sign me up! I want to face everyday doing what I know pleases the Father - living for Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sharing our life struggles with one another is important. Praying for each other is essential. But, when we allow our emotions and feelings to dictate the course of our day, the struggle becomes all about us, instead of being all about Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Identify your struggles today. Are you allowing the enemy to draw your eyes off of Christ and onto yourself and your circumstances? Are they hindering you from accomplishing the real struggle Christ has called all of us to? Pray for Christ to refocus and renew your mind today. <i>Set your mind on things above </i>(Colossians 3:2)<i> and not on things of this earth.</i> If you do, I promise you'll find life's struggles so much easier to bear.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lay your struggles one by one at the feet of Jesus today. Ask Him to fill you with His energy, power, and strength and to work through you as you seek to have the mindset of Christ in everything you do today. Embrace the <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">real struggle</span></b> to proclaim Christ, warn against those who twist God's truth, to teach wisdom, and through it all, to present mature Christians, as many as possible, on the day when they meet Him face to face. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYGo_5cibXvOZvlLIea9lgulTYhGxug6XZ0hz_7kdLoTeVPyuXJqcWm4RHtp0KIEJ_0EjhyphenhyphenezaExhvtpg0FI0UcPcp37h5nV4HRNQroWI6pLspBjetk5aO54R6ozs-mOVzeZfp-90bpc/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYGo_5cibXvOZvlLIea9lgulTYhGxug6XZ0hz_7kdLoTeVPyuXJqcWm4RHtp0KIEJ_0EjhyphenhyphenezaExhvtpg0FI0UcPcp37h5nV4HRNQroWI6pLspBjetk5aO54R6ozs-mOVzeZfp-90bpc/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-87029629045426912752021-07-26T18:51:00.002-04:002021-07-26T18:51:45.506-04:00Truth or Lie: Which Path Will You Choose?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsXJXBkuBVKeNLafuSwwQOy1ryvRHI-gyal2WhxYvkf0mtkV3uA-wFyKYeJzlE_0-mXQiOMS-pAxebzZiLvaxXboH4e3pDZ7N66MLUS0EjNf2QEK4kV28H3NDeqpm2MemxNr3_cFZSPQ/s1920/truth-257160_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsXJXBkuBVKeNLafuSwwQOy1ryvRHI-gyal2WhxYvkf0mtkV3uA-wFyKYeJzlE_0-mXQiOMS-pAxebzZiLvaxXboH4e3pDZ7N66MLUS0EjNf2QEK4kV28H3NDeqpm2MemxNr3_cFZSPQ/w640-h480/truth-257160_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After Christ spoke His perfect creation into existence, breathed His own breath into the lungs of the human race, all was craftily interrupted by Satan.</p><p>The notorious enemy of all that's good and true invaded the minds of Adam and Eve.</p><p>The fight for our souls began with one lie spoken into the human mind. </p><p>The first battle was lost because the lie was given permission to take hold. </p><p>Sin was birthed on earth, and God surrounded the Garden with Cherubim and a flaming sword. (Genesis 3:22-24) God spared all of us from an eternal existence with sin and shame by running Adam and Eve out of the Garden before they could eat of the Tree of Life. God already had a perfect plan for our redemption. Sin was the culprit to set it all into motion.</p><p>The Scriptures state that the <i>love of money</i> is<i> </i>the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) Truth. And the root of all evil stems from the lie spoken in the Garden. The love of money is believing the lie that wealth can buy you eternal satisfaction. Even the wealthiest king to ever live, King Solomon, acknowledges this is a lie. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)</p><p>The nourishment for the root of all lies comes from the slandering of God's character by Satan: <i>Did God really say...? </i>(Gen.3:2)</p><p>Lingering with this thought leads us to doubt the truth about God and His Word.</p><p>The power of the lie is only enacted when the "I" in "Lie" replaces the I AM of Truth with self-gratification.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>How do we fight the Liar's Lie with Truth?</b></span></p><p><b>Lie: <span style="color: #444444;"><i>Did God really say...</i></span></b></p><p><b>Speak Truth: </b>Jesus said, <i><b>I AM</b> the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6, </i>emphasis and paraphrasing, mine<i>)</i></p><p><b>Lie: </b><i><b>Did God really mean...</b></i></p><p><b>Speak Truth:</b><i><b> </b>You</i><i> make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is the fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11, ESV).</i></p><p>Harboring doubt will never allow us to arrive at the Truth. Don't take a wrong turn. Only the Truth brings real joy and satisfaction.</p><p>As I'm preparing to lead Ruth Chou Simons' Bible study called, <i>Truthfilled</i>, I'm already preparing for the inevitable spiritual warfare, because the enemy hates Truth. We'll be learning the art of preaching God's truth to our own hearts so we can walk in the fullness of joy with our Savior, Lord, and King. </p><p>I. Can't. Wait!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBLBQO7CpWSR4rU93M818DfvFIX_1aPO35BrlhsXeIwCt3MU4Fe3oVDeNXxd83pACe326CiVg6kUWOJu4Nm-MrY1IV3Asil_9IxLGF7O7lnXgNKgnVh_FSbPdQ7tfIAJsx1VSDSu3Irc/s2048/Truthfilled+Bible+Study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBLBQO7CpWSR4rU93M818DfvFIX_1aPO35BrlhsXeIwCt3MU4Fe3oVDeNXxd83pACe326CiVg6kUWOJu4Nm-MrY1IV3Asil_9IxLGF7O7lnXgNKgnVh_FSbPdQ7tfIAJsx1VSDSu3Irc/w640-h480/Truthfilled+Bible+Study.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>What Scriptural truths are you impressing on your mind today so the Liar loses and I AM prevails?</p><p>Don't allow the enemy's lie to take root in your mind and heart. Fight back with Truth. Don't be afraid. Throw the knockout punch. You'll be so glad you did!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_L8l_HWTUvf2yvDUlYCpmWnPLAkT1D7J6FI2GPyAr-R3qghOYa2jQtdSumiK3Sy7-NTD6lU4PUMDu7BAYJgeSynZxq48OwmEmq9pbbDbMfHiWoVMAZ_eHSxE_RjDOF3VPYji9fRw5kY/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_L8l_HWTUvf2yvDUlYCpmWnPLAkT1D7J6FI2GPyAr-R3qghOYa2jQtdSumiK3Sy7-NTD6lU4PUMDu7BAYJgeSynZxq48OwmEmq9pbbDbMfHiWoVMAZ_eHSxE_RjDOF3VPYji9fRw5kY/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Truth/Lie <i style="text-align: center;">photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.com</i></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-47096580707367891172021-07-14T18:49:00.000-04:002021-07-14T18:49:30.270-04:00Summer Impressions<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBm6AQIieK6oj2X66VFnfdVIbSgV2rH2CiM28jFnp7WgGV_OMZ0l1BoJ-SXLVjmMn2hGwvO1KmFJM_y_FxTOnS15XL4Qecy29SIAf8t-Sqo_P6njxKjYa6Eel5y4P5A6Rw35CEEkNISQ/s1920/Summer+Impressions+blogpost+7-14-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBm6AQIieK6oj2X66VFnfdVIbSgV2rH2CiM28jFnp7WgGV_OMZ0l1BoJ-SXLVjmMn2hGwvO1KmFJM_y_FxTOnS15XL4Qecy29SIAf8t-Sqo_P6njxKjYa6Eel5y4P5A6Rw35CEEkNISQ/w640-h426/Summer+Impressions+blogpost+7-14-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">What impresses you? A new car, a beautiful home, expensive clothes, exotic vacation destinations? </p><p style="text-align: left;">While these things may satisfy in the moment, their lasting affect is fleeting. New cars become old cars, beautiful homes begin to show wear and tear, expensive clothing will need to be replaced, a life of luxury will disenchant. Like shells on the seashore, these too will wash away with the ebb and flow of the tide of time. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: medium;"><b>Nothing lasts but lasting impressions.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">My summer has been filled with lasting impressions. The imprints from God's fingertips have shaped my perspective to see Him in ways like never before through some amazing authors. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Beginning in late May, early June, I always try to clear my calendar to relax, read, and reflect. My summer reading thus far has consisted of T.I. Lowe's, <i>Under the Magnolias</i>, Charles Martin's, <i>The Water Keeper</i>, and <i>The Letter Keeper</i>, Dr. Voddie T. Baucham Jr.'s, <i>Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe</i>, as well as The Daily Grace Co.'s, <i>Be Still Magazine</i>, Issue 18.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5e0ex99qpiq_Ab1unOOYhJHKt403VY9aymkGMVBKW6bg6AkoyjVM1J7xr7yYv9rCpq9A8zYFDW8M66ogf_Q6lDrgRZlL_sGvOL73v3r7d-bIV0Q1PBsg-l8LWh1LYTZVHXezMCGMOZw/s2048/Under+the+Magnolias+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5e0ex99qpiq_Ab1unOOYhJHKt403VY9aymkGMVBKW6bg6AkoyjVM1J7xr7yYv9rCpq9A8zYFDW8M66ogf_Q6lDrgRZlL_sGvOL73v3r7d-bIV0Q1PBsg-l8LWh1LYTZVHXezMCGMOZw/s320/Under+the+Magnolias+book+cover.jpg" /></a><br /></span></div><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;">Impression #1: Eyes to See, Ears to Hear</b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">I've been impressed with the eye of certain Christian authors to see into the culture of today's society and to bring clarity to the chaos. Three of the books mentioned are Christian/Inspirational fiction. Each is founded on sound Truth, built around rigorous research on difficult topics, and constructed in such a way as to insert Hope into otherwise hopeless situations. Always pointing the reader to the Author of Life, Jesus Christ. That's the power of story - recognizing how His story flows through yours and mine.</p><p style="text-align: left;">When Jesus told parables, He did so to unveil a particular mystery--a mystery of the Father's love. But only those with "eyes to see and ears to hear" would be able to grasp the truth.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Oh, Father, keep my eyes focused on things above and my ears tuned to hear Your voice...</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCy0Ib7BDVZwwO71yH03EFGbPy_r2YedS6cBnfH7JlydMHcFXLp7hBWfp0bC2tme7CSce57civnt8KZ7e3orOqkP8qwh-tjOpkPjDbAjcScm9o08nUoa9LlaFwJ13WiyQ2tOJnNlDNgk/s2048/Be+Still+Magazine+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCy0Ib7BDVZwwO71yH03EFGbPy_r2YedS6cBnfH7JlydMHcFXLp7hBWfp0bC2tme7CSce57civnt8KZ7e3orOqkP8qwh-tjOpkPjDbAjcScm9o08nUoa9LlaFwJ13WiyQ2tOJnNlDNgk/s320/Be+Still+Magazine+book+cover.jpg" /></a></b></div><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><br />Impression #2: Faith Up</b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Faith has always been easy for me. I don't struggle to believe in the work God is doing to redeem people and His world. But, when people close to me struggle to see God's hand, it wrecks me. Prayer is the weapon I choose to fight with for them and their faith. Prayer strengthens our own faith when we practice it on the behalf of others. This summer I'm praying for two people in particular who I know have faith, but both seem a bit fragile at the moment. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Strengthen my faith, Father, as I seek to stand in the gap for those whose faith is fragile...</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiCKIksCH4Ypd7Qh8UJwFY8nMXnLJyq7RNygP4N9jVpxwXtXgI-2IOsUCXU3thmB8C5Ha2t5fCXnvB1MZ8WhpIPn0gZ0qqf8t24vGCKQQ1x_-xSXVCSwQCR-tH6Bt1ixEQDEeIRdhyvs/s2048/The+Water+Keeper+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiCKIksCH4Ypd7Qh8UJwFY8nMXnLJyq7RNygP4N9jVpxwXtXgI-2IOsUCXU3thmB8C5Ha2t5fCXnvB1MZ8WhpIPn0gZ0qqf8t24vGCKQQ1x_-xSXVCSwQCR-tH6Bt1ixEQDEeIRdhyvs/s320/The+Water+Keeper+book+cover.jpg" /></a></div>Impression #3: Leave the Lights On</b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No matter how dark the world seems, the Light is always burning. The Light of the world, Jesus, shines as bright today as He ever has. The darkness may seem darker, but it's really not. Evil is on the rise, but the Son never sets. In Charles Martin's book, <i>The Water Keeper</i>, he opens up the world of human trafficking like no other author I've ever read. Martin exposes evil people with no conscience, demon-like people who see what they sell as just flesh, not human beings. The evil of the modern day slave market is as dark as any abyss. There appears to be no light anywhere for those trapped in the quicksand of the human trafficking industry. This summer impression has heightened my motivation to continue helping to bring awareness to the table and into the minds of Christians.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_c7imJQUu7isRMpXBZu8Db7h__NITLlUl4k4Z9CYAO3U78H5jbGAnrtWymbHOdyj0cm7r3zgH8kVGhCYHs4LYhXFF3y89V2cp0fydZL0xzWUIvOdF6E-STHA0OKKQx7QS0vMAlqYlr8/s2048/The+Letter+Keeper+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_c7imJQUu7isRMpXBZu8Db7h__NITLlUl4k4Z9CYAO3U78H5jbGAnrtWymbHOdyj0cm7r3zgH8kVGhCYHs4LYhXFF3y89V2cp0fydZL0xzWUIvOdF6E-STHA0OKKQx7QS0vMAlqYlr8/s320/The+Letter+Keeper+book+cover.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Because the fight for life is happening in a way we've never fought before, I'm impressed with how the Light is calling this dark, incomprehensible evil out on behalf of those suffering in unimaginable ways. Satan is alive and working hard to diminish the most precious of all gifts from God-LIFE. Abortion numbers are going down (PTL), but the trafficking numbers are rising. We can't turn off the light. We must continue to fight for life, rescue, and redemption with the Light of the world. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Also, Father, the evil of human trafficking is a hard one to swallow. Where do we begin? Thank You for Lighthouse For Life in SC that is battling the dark on the frontlines every single day and for others doing the same. Thank You for allowing Living Real Magazine to partner with L4L to shine the light on this extremely illusive and profitable modern-day slave trade. I pray for the evil not to overwhelm our minds, but that Your light will continue to show us ways to rescue, love, and offer hope to those who feel completely used up, alone, and left thinking they have nothing to offer this world. Shine Your light into the dark, and bring this evil to its knees...</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvp1QCbWgdzRHfRnL2loG5JQdKMycSEdVxFx9SfRIOlHbxrwLjifkMfrurMDRhlW4ARsyyUwXdJZ9ioS6akLuMqzfagaKovK8AW-_BMF6yHcxU-B9w8zKuxG9-zoAn_O9xYY0N4hKdfU/s2048/Fault+Lines+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvp1QCbWgdzRHfRnL2loG5JQdKMycSEdVxFx9SfRIOlHbxrwLjifkMfrurMDRhlW4ARsyyUwXdJZ9ioS6akLuMqzfagaKovK8AW-_BMF6yHcxU-B9w8zKuxG9-zoAn_O9xYY0N4hKdfU/s320/Fault+Lines+book+cover.jpg" /></a></b></div><b style="color: #a64d79; font-family: verdana;"><br />Impression #4: Don't Eat the Pretzel</b><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As more and more Americans take our God-given liberties for granted, we may have to lose some of it (or all of it) to appreciate it once again. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <i>Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe, </i>Dr. Baucham exposes the twisted lies of Marxism presented to us as a soft pretzel with a dipping sauce mixed with evil and destruction. Though I haven't finished reading this one, it's already making a deep impression.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We're in the fight for our lives, our liberty, and our freedom to choose. Pitting groups against each other because of skin color, political views, and other hot topics, <i><b>is</b></i> the Marxist way. They stir up chaos so we will call in the Calvary (the government) to fix what they've intentionally destroyed. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Church better wake up to the fact that our easy-street way of worship is quickly coming to an abrupt halt if Marxism remains on the fast track. No more public worship. (Government regulations under the guise of COVID gave us a taste of that.) Are God's people strong enough to die for their convictions? Do we have enough courage to worship in secret? Do we know the Word well enough to still preach, teach, and sing if our Bibles are confiscated? We need to think about what our world will look like if Marxism and Communism rule in America. History has given us ample warning.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To be prepared, not only for what could come, but also for the One who <i><b>is </b></i>coming again, we must:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)</li><li>Worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)</li><li>Make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20)</li><li>Study God's Word to know and love Him more. (2 Timothy 2:15)</li><li>Love one another as Jesus loves us. (John 13:4)</li><li>Love God with a whole heart. (Luke 10:27)</li></ul><div><i>May America open her heart, Lord, to Your freedom, Your glory, and not just revel in saluting Old Glory. The price You paid for the freedom of our souls will always outweigh the price paid to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we never forget!</i></div><div><br /></div><div>These summer impressions are forever etched into the eternal soil of my soul, and I highly recommend all of the books listed. </div><div><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is God impressing on your heart during these summer days?</span></div><div><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Father, please don't allow these impressions to wash away with the tide of life. Keep them fresh on my mind, tugging at my heart, and stirring up my soul to rejoice in You. Thank You for impressing me with Your truth and glory.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>In the powerful name of Jesus I pray,</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Amen & Amen</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWGAVZnqgENol56B0j4kgKtAik2fTidb3G3TEQe5b_lhyHkVJ7i83UAc80PrBF89ydSxjLouLQmL0OGwaFSX_CV-SLCYx8ub8ngjDzILC2nOmvnwXv40qzvBFAJdE2HG3yfJr6wSHbPw/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWGAVZnqgENol56B0j4kgKtAik2fTidb3G3TEQe5b_lhyHkVJ7i83UAc80PrBF89ydSxjLouLQmL0OGwaFSX_CV-SLCYx8ub8ngjDzILC2nOmvnwXv40qzvBFAJdE2HG3yfJr6wSHbPw/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></span></div><p></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-37410403703135217342021-06-18T18:59:00.000-04:002021-06-18T18:59:53.192-04:00Frosted Flakes, Forgiveness, and a Servant Heart<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNIk7Tc1HrkSvwOJ3dtZg4BHHU9azJJCFeempDp8wATkUjmjgMpD_RkaSvO6O43Rt5C837um_ZLffAWU5YApVOC4AWanaiFzEcm_y_XSQDma9KDVljU6jP4wTqhZvQWqTLsxH72AJIUg/s1920/Father%2527s+Day+Blog+6-2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1920" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNIk7Tc1HrkSvwOJ3dtZg4BHHU9azJJCFeempDp8wATkUjmjgMpD_RkaSvO6O43Rt5C837um_ZLffAWU5YApVOC4AWanaiFzEcm_y_XSQDma9KDVljU6jP4wTqhZvQWqTLsxH72AJIUg/w640-h452/Father%2527s+Day+Blog+6-2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">Steeped in routine, his day begins at 6:00 AM. After
his alarm announces it’s time to get up, he<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">puts on his robe and heads outside. Come rain or
shine, he strolls down the driveway to retrieve<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">his morning paper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">Back inside, he lays his paper on the kitchen table,
walks over to the counter to pour a cup of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">steaming hot, coffee. No cream. No sugar. Just black. Opening
the cabinet, he reaches<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">for the box of Frosted Flakes, grabs a bowl, a spoon, milk
from the fridge, and prepares<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">himself a breakfast of champions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zkT8cWuuiJayqdwhldXd7F0ph97IvdrNt5Sw48TSq5kwfLy0TvyfTtDBJYHfuRZ7dZ_KtOpHXJg9tMu1XKtwX6tX6I4QCvkdgTgCrrbBmcshZYeeFjU0YImEag3Hx-klQh4XsJ5vGyw/s1920/frosted+flakes+cereal-1262202_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zkT8cWuuiJayqdwhldXd7F0ph97IvdrNt5Sw48TSq5kwfLy0TvyfTtDBJYHfuRZ7dZ_KtOpHXJg9tMu1XKtwX6tX6I4QCvkdgTgCrrbBmcshZYeeFjU0YImEag3Hx-klQh4XsJ5vGyw/s320/frosted+flakes+cereal-1262202_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because he’s the first one up, he eats alone, enjoying
his solitude with the morning paper and his<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">bowl of Frosted Flakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s not long before the whole house realizes he’s up and
at ‘em. He has a habit of attacking the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">bottom of the cereal bowl with his spoon as he scrapes
and slurps, scrapes and slurps. His<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">annoyed wife always draws attention to it by asking,
“Mahlon, do you have to make so much<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">noise when eating a bowl of cereal? You’re gonna wake everyone
in the house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After breakfast, he heads to the bathroom to begin his
hygiene routine of taking a shower,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">shaving, and brushing his teeth. As he dresses for the
business of the day, he puts on dress<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">slacks, a short-sleeve dress shirt, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">matching socks and shoes, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">and clip-on tie (yes,
you read that right, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">but that’s a story for </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">another day).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His morning routine, though, is not yet complete. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Under the carport of the home is a one-room office.
Not only is this his work space after being<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">on the road, calling on customers all day, and a safe
place where others drop by often for wise counsel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">and advice, but this is also his sanctuary—a
sacred place where he meets with the Lord </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">every morning</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">without fail. So, as he always does,
before leaving for work, he sets out to spend </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">some quality time </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">with </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">the Lord.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPPUDtJoU8iFGeFHfZyGFeS4A2zwPmWCzbTNpYDCL63YqqiR-TXF8CCn-jxCCNXnYbrAsQMayRskfsz0cc7wqJPlLYZdLnHI8WN-Y3sjiXoGB-78c6WCJQ8MxCeRJJrVrywspb8n4c0/s1920/bible-1846174_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPPUDtJoU8iFGeFHfZyGFeS4A2zwPmWCzbTNpYDCL63YqqiR-TXF8CCn-jxCCNXnYbrAsQMayRskfsz0cc7wqJPlLYZdLnHI8WN-Y3sjiXoGB-78c6WCJQ8MxCeRJJrVrywspb8n4c0/s320/bible-1846174_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This precious man of discipline, devotion, and daring scrapes
and slurps, is my daddy—my<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">spiritual and earthly hero. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t remember a day, except when he was
nearing the end of his life, where my daddy missed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">his quiet time of reading and studying God’s Word. He also prayed diligently for his family,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">friends, and the pressing needs of others. A few
months before he died, he was honored by our<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">church family with a Servant’s Heart Award, because
his lifestyle demonstrated his deep love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">for Christ and his overflowing love and compassion for
people. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I remember a touching moment, a few months before he
moved to heaven, when a gentleman dropped</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">by my parent’s house to see my dad. He shared with me
before going inside to visit about how<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">my dad had let him borrow money some years before, and how he
had never paid it back. He heard my<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">dad was in poor health, and he wanted to come by to
ask my dad for forgiveness. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I knew </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">my dad didn’t</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">hold grudges, nor did he give to receive </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">anything in return, but he offered his </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">friend forgiveness just</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">the same. W</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ith </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">tears flowing down his </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">cheeks, my dad's </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">friend who arrived full of remorse, left with</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">joy in his heart and a clear </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">conscience. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is just </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">one of hundreds of examples I could share
of the </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">powerful</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> impact my dad had </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">people.</span></p></div><p></p><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My dad also had the spiritual gift of evangelism. He
never met a stranger and always made sure<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">before they parted ways that they knew about Jesus and
God’s love. And, if the door<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">opened, he would walk right in to share how they could enter into a relationship
with God through </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">witnessed this many times during my life. He was never afraid of what others might say.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I was in elementary school, I loved going with him to work on occasion
during the summer. I </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">usually tagged along on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">the days he needed to take inventory </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">of the parts he sold to his automotive </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">customers. Pulling
out and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">counting nuts, bolts, screws, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">washers, etc. from the dusty bins was dirty </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">work, but
I loved hanging out </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">with my dad. When we </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">took a break, with our cold, bottled cokes and </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">packs
of salted peanuts from the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">vending machine, my </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">dad would strike up conversations with the </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">owners or employees.
I was always </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">fascinated at his </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ability to guide the conversation to talking about </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus.
I’ve often said he would shar</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">e </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Christ </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">with a basketball goal if he thought it would listen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ISfXB_8SZm8IFkQ-boELp1ey7O_69s5y785beC8alewZv7jKavcQPPdNTDHsLgsWY1xab9_CJ744uhK-1juKH4_2KDm49CcEDqTGweJCmQBS-cHMk_t9bA7_8n7oCM0yZGAQeYhDoc/s2048/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ISfXB_8SZm8IFkQ-boELp1ey7O_69s5y785beC8alewZv7jKavcQPPdNTDHsLgsWY1xab9_CJ744uhK-1juKH4_2KDm49CcEDqTGweJCmQBS-cHMk_t9bA7_8n7oCM0yZGAQeYhDoc/w426-h640/019.JPG" width="426" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Easter Sunday 1964 - mom and dad and me (age 2)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It overwhelms me at times as to how God orchestrated
the selection of my parents for me<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">through adoption. God knew this gentle man, who loved Him with a whole heart, was the daddy He<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">designed to make a deep impression on this little
girl’s heart for all eternity. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Oh, and I'd give anything to hear those scrapes and slurps coming from the ole' kitchen, just one more </p><p class="MsoNormal">time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Charter, Georgia, Times, serif;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way." (author unknown)</span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIFR2lKGhupzgXHJXyLJRhTdLzv4oERpSkleT0RL5Q2oRsgzvLSPlSw0AZg_CftNAdNYL4CCmftLP5qTLy49m8OWs_mov-FMg9Wr4AqaBCaLTPw7idkm9ypjv5Sv_SVYBTjBkTDiw4No/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIFR2lKGhupzgXHJXyLJRhTdLzv4oERpSkleT0RL5Q2oRsgzvLSPlSw0AZg_CftNAdNYL4CCmftLP5qTLy49m8OWs_mov-FMg9Wr4AqaBCaLTPw7idkm9ypjv5Sv_SVYBTjBkTDiw4No/w320-h226/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-24182787629376614632021-04-03T15:33:00.001-04:002021-04-03T15:33:18.833-04:00Forgiven - an original song of reflection and celebration <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45VFc9FHlid2GSjSDGKqe4_k7MMV4L3VLUzhbx5SU8JXOI1lJm06xJLj1FNVGVVQ7XnHAwu0XzAkuqfiOdMkKQSGv9DvrrKda_jNJsUUs6LGdHKxauWyEKAtTQ_j0LVvnyWYCbdxVy0/s1920/Forgiven-+meme+words-music+by+Melanie+Shull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45VFc9FHlid2GSjSDGKqe4_k7MMV4L3VLUzhbx5SU8JXOI1lJm06xJLj1FNVGVVQ7XnHAwu0XzAkuqfiOdMkKQSGv9DvrrKda_jNJsUUs6LGdHKxauWyEKAtTQ_j0LVvnyWYCbdxVy0/w640-h480/Forgiven-+meme+words-music+by+Melanie+Shull.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I've been in a funk the past couple of days. There are several outlining reasons for this, but deep down I believe the tears have spilled from an overwhelmed and grateful heart for what the Savior accomplished on the cross for you and me. There's so much more to that dreadful and glorious Good Friday event referred to as the <i>crucifixion</i> than we will ever comprehend. </p><p>When I finished writing <i>Unlocked Hearts, Unleashed Joy: Forgiveness Is the Key, </i>the following words to this original song, along with the melody, seemed to pour out of me as the pen in my hand scribbled thoughts so fast, I could hardly keep up. May they<i> </i>minister to you as they have to me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Scriptures eluded to are Luke 2:34, Psalm 31:24, Psalm 32:1-2, Psalm 33:1, Colossians 3:13</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Forgiven </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">by Melanie
Shull</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">"Forgive them, Father, forgive them<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I came to die from heaven on high <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">to shout from the sky…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgive them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Father, forgive, them<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Son of Man with nails in His hands,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They don’t understand….<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgive them."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgiven, we’ve been forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The chains of sin’s grasp are broken at last<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And we are forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgiven, we’ve been forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We’ve been set free, yes, you and me,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forever will be….<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">[Bridge]</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Be strong in the Lord <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and let your heart take courage<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All who wait for the Lord <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">will renew their strength<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">His steadfast love surrounds the one <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">who trusts in Him…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Be glad, and shout for joy!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Shout for joy!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And… forgive them, we must forgive them<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Those who pierce our hearts <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and rip us apart, run out of the dark and…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgive them. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Christ said, “Forgive them”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">For the wounds they make, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">the fear they create, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It’s for our own good, to do as we should…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">and forgive them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Because we are forgiven, oh, we’re forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We’ve been set free, yes, you and me<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forever we’ll be, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">His glory we’ll see…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Forgiven!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> (words and
music by Melanie Shull)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> copyright 2019</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Have a very blessed Resurrection Celebration! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtCbyzfo97eOY-DQJvLNh4BhbocW2SFnyd6WHOvpx97HCdufzMPJ0nemfO_NqDFtjTiwI9RCz-8GL71Qfh4BDQyDFLZG4arCAz1x3GpcekHGXSjsBJwp1qR_JhahijwJ9U_ARAJ3b8Go/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtCbyzfo97eOY-DQJvLNh4BhbocW2SFnyd6WHOvpx97HCdufzMPJ0nemfO_NqDFtjTiwI9RCz-8GL71Qfh4BDQyDFLZG4arCAz1x3GpcekHGXSjsBJwp1qR_JhahijwJ9U_ARAJ3b8Go/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p>
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</v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-74814773231171611372021-03-05T16:45:00.002-05:002021-03-05T16:45:36.091-05:00Where Does Real Confidence Come From?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZssStj6vTDID5ZytPyjUXYPx-F9E0l7GaULuV30MBecfN9hZNNrM9K779_RqM5R6LC9fORrAHZvMFbhCsuWkczRzOhaTPAQjJ9-FO34f9P9ry-LcD4tZIY7pwPUf6KIDPYo56yx_p_k/s1920/chandelier+confidence-trust+Prov+3-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZssStj6vTDID5ZytPyjUXYPx-F9E0l7GaULuV30MBecfN9hZNNrM9K779_RqM5R6LC9fORrAHZvMFbhCsuWkczRzOhaTPAQjJ9-FO34f9P9ry-LcD4tZIY7pwPUf6KIDPYo56yx_p_k/w640-h426/chandelier+confidence-trust+Prov+3-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-weight: bold;">Self-confidence is the antithesis of Christ-confidence. </span><span>Where does your confidence flow from</span><span>? Y</span><span>our fickle self,</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>or </span>the ever faithful Christ who never changes? </p><p>Drawing confidence from our own well of flawed self worth will never sustain us, especially when life gets tough. We were not created for self-fulfillment, but to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. </p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Real confidence springs forth when we draw from the well-spring of Christ.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths </i>(Proverbs 3:5-6).</span></b></p><p>Throughout the Spirit-breathed Word of God, we're reminded of how we are nothing in and of ourselves. We're never commanded to trust in ourselves, believe in ourselves, or to seek anything other than the One who is above all things, in all things, and through all things. (Colossians 1:16-18)</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The truth about <i>Christ-confidence</i> completely dismantles the lies of <i>self-confidence </i>many continue to teach today. </span></b></p><p>Shops, online stores, feel-good movies, yoga classes, and books are all riddled with the falsehood of finding what you are longing for within yourself. You see it everywhere: the front of journals, coffee mugs, trinkets, jewelry, art, clothing, and it's even marketed in Christian outlets. </p><p><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Believe in yourself</b></span></i> is a lie, just as <span style="color: #6aa84f; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">trust your heart </span><span>is</span>. Be careful how you instill confidence in your children, your family, your friends, and your tribe. Satan's ultimate goal is to take our eyes off Christ and to refocus them on ourselves. Self-esteem, self-motivation, self-driven, self-confidence - all are rooted in the same lie. Not only has the world swallowed it hook, line, and sinker, but many claiming to be Christ-followers have also taken the bait, with good intentions. </p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>But even good intentions are not always rooted in truth.</b></span></p><p>Trusting in our abilities alone will only backfire and fill us with great disappointment. Depression, self-loathing, comparison, anxiety, and much more can be symptoms of placing our trust in our frail humanness. Paul wasn't just stating, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13), but he was also proclaiming that without the strength of Christ, he cannot accomplish what Christ has called Him to do - imitate Christ.</p><p>We desperately need a Savior to navigate this life in all circumstances. We need Him to go before us and to fill us with His confidence, strength, boldness, and courage. There's nothing within us that will impact any situation for good and bring God glory other than the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. From Him, our confidence flows. He is our portion and strength. The Holy Spirit provides what we need, when we need it, to accomplish God's designed purpose for our lives and His glory. We cannot do anything on our own. </p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">No matter what we think of ourselves, we can do nothing apart from Christ. </span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We cannot forgive one another without Christ.</li><li>We cannot love one another without Christ.</li><li>We cannot serve God and each other without Christ.</li><li>We cannot battle against the enemy without Christ.</li><li>We cannot worship without Christ.</li><li>We cannot pray without Christ.</li><li>We cannot live like Christ without Christ.</li></ul>And the list goes on, and on, and on...<br /><div><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>My help comes from the LORD</i> (Psalm 121). </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Living the holy life we're called to is one of humility and God-confidence. Living holy lives is only possible through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. When our eyes are fixated on Jesus, we're not looking to self for what we need, we're acknowledging the fact that He is all we need... for today and forevermore.</div><div><br /></div><div>From which well are you drawing confidence from today?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSD9tedZivDcmONOoE8_Q5a4GsU7ItjuCyOXHDkO2AGDqOudz3JXnZDxz97SsTheSJEEOfORPDhcVmm5Ih11QTr3xLB1Yqf8gjDwCtM8dnSK6WiYUv3y7pFuk4LFfWdk1D1Y9NZ0sD3Q/s640/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSD9tedZivDcmONOoE8_Q5a4GsU7ItjuCyOXHDkO2AGDqOudz3JXnZDxz97SsTheSJEEOfORPDhcVmm5Ih11QTr3xLB1Yqf8gjDwCtM8dnSK6WiYUv3y7pFuk4LFfWdk1D1Y9NZ0sD3Q/s320/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-75610095054986483432021-02-18T10:38:00.002-05:002021-02-18T10:38:44.878-05:00 Rush Limbaugh: The Friend I Never Got to Meet In Person<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TzCGJNEeBbqTHWckiz2uDsmI-qF4hF7K4xV72Z8pul4BFjAekbWdsf7tokoP2HAEhT4wfqOQQwLnduGBYa7L3_u8I44TmrBlNv-x2sCmWgz373icz6g6ommjvA6oxBF81wfsf5nneGk/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="760" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TzCGJNEeBbqTHWckiz2uDsmI-qF4hF7K4xV72Z8pul4BFjAekbWdsf7tokoP2HAEhT4wfqOQQwLnduGBYa7L3_u8I44TmrBlNv-x2sCmWgz373icz6g6ommjvA6oxBF81wfsf5nneGk/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Image from WIS-TV, Dawndy Mercer Plank, FB page</i></div><p></p><p>Few people have influenced my life in the area of politics as much as an American patriot named Rush Hudson Limbaugh, III. For more than 30 years, whether you loved him or hated him, this one-of-a-kind American Patriot ushered Conservatism, without apology, to the forefront of the political debate. A pioneer of Conservative Talk Radio, his influence inspired millions in recognizing how America truly is the most blessed and greatest country on earth.</p><p>I was introduced to this man with "talent on loan from God," as he so often reminded his audience, by my husband. Rick has always been fascinated with politics and how the process works. Desiring to join the political conversation, Rick and Rush piqued my interest to learn more about our government, economics, our history, and how not to not shy away from robust political debate. Rush always stressed that we do our homework, learn to think for ourselves, and never allow others to tell us what to think.</p><p>Rush Limbaugh has been a long-time household name in the Shull family. When our son was two, he toddled into the kitchen one day, struggling with a heavy book he had removed from the coffee table. He was so proud to announce, "Look, Daddy! It's Rush Limbaugh!" It was so cute, and his daddy's face beamed with pride. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJqdCdMlI00Glxa1P5oRxXXkCwxUF-v2SPEVUP4FIBMVENC09BrL5jGufOu4ry67nC3ORfuPOimVO9ALnNUxDfhrxr8al39IsIbtB3VzgMTdQfiVkFKs1fpWZ8b_r4_rkg2eVKiezA4U/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="370" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJqdCdMlI00Glxa1P5oRxXXkCwxUF-v2SPEVUP4FIBMVENC09BrL5jGufOu4ry67nC3ORfuPOimVO9ALnNUxDfhrxr8al39IsIbtB3VzgMTdQfiVkFKs1fpWZ8b_r4_rkg2eVKiezA4U/w296-h400/image.png" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Through the years, this giant radio personality became even more endearing to me as I listened intently to his passion for this country, his faith, and his fight for America's foundational values, especially our freedoms. No one brought more common sense, rhyme and reason into the hearts of Americans more than El Rushbo. His unwavering faith in the potential of the American people and his undying optimism always brought real life into perspective. His understanding and explanation of our history was impeccable. I'm really going to miss this bigger-than-life, funny, kind, optimistic, humble, and extraordinarily generous voice who offered sound political analysis five days a week. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO2eWsKw-cTP6zWVRFUGRAgM-M0-i0nhm8rNWNHZJOZrUQ88_84RRv0qujvh24MFBTSpNXL8zj_QBlX675Fi5Y0l1qPhwtbZM0dU_7MJQtt5L4lgwIptORsfcslQcuQl-L5J5Wt2YgCM/s2048/Rush+Limbaugh+Betsy+Ross+t-shirt+IMG-1266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO2eWsKw-cTP6zWVRFUGRAgM-M0-i0nhm8rNWNHZJOZrUQ88_84RRv0qujvh24MFBTSpNXL8zj_QBlX675Fi5Y0l1qPhwtbZM0dU_7MJQtt5L4lgwIptORsfcslQcuQl-L5J5Wt2YgCM/w300-h400/Rush+Limbaugh+Betsy+Ross+t-shirt+IMG-1266.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>(donated all $5,000,000 to tunnel2towers.org from Betsy Ross items sales)</i></p><p>Rush had a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Though he didn't dive deep into his personal faith on the air, he did on occasion acknowledge where his strength came from, speak of his personal relationship with Christ, and affirmed how much his faith impacted his and, his wife, Kathryn's life. He was very involved with his family and loved them deeply. </p><p>Rush is also proof that you do not need a college degree to make it in America. He was the Dean of the EIB Institute for Conservatism, the inventor of Conservative Talk Radio (resurrecting AM radio), the master of entertainment, and a teacher's teacher. You laughed, you cried, you had ah-ha moments, all in a three-hour segment that flew by. </p><p>Rush was a master motivator, cheering us on every single day. He was a faithful friend to all of his 21 million plus faithful listeners. <b><i>Open Line Friday</i></b> was probably one of my favorite days when he gave the mic to the people to talk about anything on their minds. He was connected to his listeners like no other, and his listener family motivated him to stay the course to the very end.</p><p>Rush wasn't perfect. He had flaws just like the next guy, but he spent the one life God gave him by using it to the best of his ability to impact this world for good and to fight for what he believed in. And, he did it brilliantly. </p><p>There will never be another Rush Limbaugh, but there are those he's mentored already taking up the mantle of Conservatism, fighting hard for what he and hundreds of millions of us know and believe - America was formed for a divine purpose, and we must continue to honor the the one true God who gave us our country and purpose for such a time as this. We must remain a beacon of hope here and around the world if we are to survive. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGwha0k1SncnkaBVlgvnAFDgoMErKSQcR3XrQGdoP2ZuJ3QcqFHIrffgfmiOLxtX0XSNAWwn8Q4kbfaqv3s2WHVKrPuDINOT9Keor_-SsMeddzzVr53a31wejPtaMLp9S2MIMN78C3fE/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="500" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGwha0k1SncnkaBVlgvnAFDgoMErKSQcR3XrQGdoP2ZuJ3QcqFHIrffgfmiOLxtX0XSNAWwn8Q4kbfaqv3s2WHVKrPuDINOT9Keor_-SsMeddzzVr53a31wejPtaMLp9S2MIMN78C3fE/w640-h332/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><i style="text-align: center;"> Rush receiving the Medal of Honor from President Trump </i><i style="text-align: center;">at the State of the Union Address 2020</i></p><p>From radio to television and back again, no one could do it better behind the golden EIB microphone at the Excellence in Broadcasting Network than the greatest of all time. I salute this brave, honorable, and distinguished American patriot. May he RIP in the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. </p><p>Mega dittos, Rush! You are already missed my friend!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gtPmlBcVwe9SBzaEfWfIXNNJ_Ot39fxdgRuj4sxYXvFYiEXwhvCNTorwUbP7lqx9tV1H7vHBpyRqW6sd-RVbbgXX1bjuTTA4iC-XP8YNyesxYiuEXHOtiOu0PH4LtyF8fj7ugQli-W0/s640/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gtPmlBcVwe9SBzaEfWfIXNNJ_Ot39fxdgRuj4sxYXvFYiEXwhvCNTorwUbP7lqx9tV1H7vHBpyRqW6sd-RVbbgXX1bjuTTA4iC-XP8YNyesxYiuEXHOtiOu0PH4LtyF8fj7ugQli-W0/s320/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-90233798733806248522021-02-11T15:00:00.000-05:002021-02-11T15:00:13.707-05:00What is Love?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qUS6XP8pgjAEztqSTyg__D3UUm8cix7F7J0KXPEd8uLIHJLXI5QLm8XS8hDyoUydb2kfPt1vl-h1NnlggDW94ZWR-P-Hi-XayReXeq_0KLhWG7L7m2i04zuyy3WKrjUJy2ZjcnMq4VA/s1920/What+is+Love_+2-8-21.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qUS6XP8pgjAEztqSTyg__D3UUm8cix7F7J0KXPEd8uLIHJLXI5QLm8XS8hDyoUydb2kfPt1vl-h1NnlggDW94ZWR-P-Hi-XayReXeq_0KLhWG7L7m2i04zuyy3WKrjUJy2ZjcnMq4VA/w640-h640/What+is+Love_+2-8-21.png" width="640" /></a></div>Do we really know what <b>love</b> is? <p></p><p>Throughout history, humans have sought to describe this four-letter word through poetry, songs, cards, and gestures. Through the centuries, though, we've been unable to explain or attain the real meaning of this need we all long for. </p><p>How would you describe this phenomenon? Is it being <i>in love </i>with someone? Is it being <i>married </i>to someone, or in some type of family <i>relationship </i>with another person as love is for our parents, our children, our extended family? Is <i>love</i> the giving and receiving of gifts? Is <i>love</i> a feeling or a state of being? Is it simply an emotion?</p><p>Remember the Bee Gees song from the 70's, <i>How Deep Is Your Love? </i></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I know your eyes in the morning sun</div><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I feel you touch me in the pouring rain</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And the moment that you wander far from me</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I wanna feel you in my arms again</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And you come to me on a summer breeze</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Keep me warm in your love, then you softly leave</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And it's me you need to show</div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I really mean to learn</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">'Cause we're living in a world of fools</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Breaking us down when they all should let us be</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">We belong to you and me</div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I believe in you</div><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">You know the door to my very soul</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">You're the light in my deepest, darkest hour</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">You're my savior when I fall</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And you may not think I care for you</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">When you know down inside that I really do</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">And it's me you need to show</div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px;"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep is your love?</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">I really mean to learn</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">'Cause we're living in a world of fools</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">Breaking us down when they all should let us be</div></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">We belong to you and me</div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: center;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">(Source: Lyricfind.com)</span></div><p>How we define love reveals much about our understanding of true love. </p><p>Feelings come and go, but real love never leaves.</p><p><i>And now, these three remain...</i></p><p><i>faith.</i></p><p><i>hope.</i></p><p><i>love.</i></p><p><i>But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)</i></p><p>This verse hangs in my kitchen. It reminds me that love never walks away. Love stays put. Love remains faithful. </p><p>Real love is the heart of God. It's not of us. We did not invent love. God created us in His image, and <b><span style="color: red;">the heart of His image is love</span></b>.</p><p>God's love is <b>deep</b>.</p><p>God's love is <b>unconditional</b>.</p><p>God's love is <b>eternal.</b></p><p>God's love is <b>revealed through death and sacrifice.</b></p><p>God loved us so much He deemed us worth dying for.</p><p><i><b>For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son... </b></i>(John 3:16)</p><p><b><i>Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13, </i>ESV<i>).</i></b></p><p>True love is not bouncing around from relationship to relationship until you find the "right one." It's not about having someone to exchange gifts with on Valentine's Day, Christmas, and birthdays. It's not about holding hands, snuggling, kissing, and spending every waking moment thinking about another human being. Though these things are fun, they are usually based solely on emotion. </p><p>The lyrics from the Bee Gees song in 1977, <i>How Deep Is Your Love,</i> is in stark contrast to the lyrics of <i>How Deep the Father's Love</i> by Stuart Townend (see below). The Bee Gees' lyrics were written from a shallowness of human attraction, where Townsend exposes the sacredness of love from the depth of the soul where God's love is rooted.</p><p>Until we know God, we will never know love like He means for us to - spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. For God is love. He is the essence of true, eternal, unconditional, unwavering love to which no other love can compare. Once we've experienced and are grounded in the love of the Father, then all other acts of love will be an extension of God's heart, flowing straight from the Source, as God ordained it. </p><p>Pure, holy, God-glorifying, inexpressible love.</p><p><i>Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God, because God is love (1 John 4:7-8,</i> NIV).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIYzZYpW8v9A2BnY-Mn5cEu3Ld5fZqePH9mqQX_lqm3BWnn470mml9FDm9Ays4JeMrSIQHdiETz-5OT5e33HdBCppP2H6bDgfGmJi5FW6DFsMjQ6H5s-STeucuDLJ_Y7yCz-HdlZI3do/s640/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIYzZYpW8v9A2BnY-Mn5cEu3Ld5fZqePH9mqQX_lqm3BWnn470mml9FDm9Ays4JeMrSIQHdiETz-5OT5e33HdBCppP2H6bDgfGmJi5FW6DFsMjQ6H5s-STeucuDLJ_Y7yCz-HdlZI3do/s320/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Meditate on the lyrics below of <i>How Deep the Father's Love </i>as you thank God for creating us with the capacity to love as He loves us. </p><p>Listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmY2ztb5xc ">Selah</a> 's rendition on YouTube. </p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">How deep the Father's love for us</div><div style="text-align: center;">How vast beyond all measure</div><div style="text-align: center;">That He should give His only Son</div><div style="text-align: center;">To make a wretch His treasure</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">How great the pain of searing loss</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Father turns His face away</div><div style="text-align: center;">As wounds which mar the Chosen One</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bring many sons to glory</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Behold the man upon a cross</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sin upon His shoulders</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice</div><div style="text-align: center;">Call out among the scoffers</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">It was my sin that held Him there</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until it was accomplished</div><div style="text-align: center;">His dying breath has brought me life</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that it is finished</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I will not boast in anything</div><div style="text-align: center;">No gifts, no power, no wisdom</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I will boast in Jesus Christ</div><div style="text-align: center;">His death and resurrection</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Why should I gain from His reward?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot give an answer</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this I know with all my heart</div><div style="text-align: center;">His wounds have paid my ransom</div></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Why should I gain from His reward?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot give an answer</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this I know with all my heart</div><div style="text-align: center;">His wounds have paid my ransom</div></div><p style="text-align: center;">(Source: Lyricfind.com)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-68911107425442128852021-01-27T16:08:00.000-05:002021-01-27T16:08:36.679-05:00Do Not Veer to the Left or to the Right<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnSa2e5fUcUC3ojvsW-eePBiS-hod0Cvzi4lzN7MlWeVlYzqLPlpF2ovvvZeg2R7bdCYMyhIPiFP7d4l3NRsRCe0wngcWR6VR1LhPIwkyhx_OxwiaIXnSfrZlHFDoxWoHgZvQbibxBmE/s1920/Do+Not+Veer+1-27-21+updated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1920" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnSa2e5fUcUC3ojvsW-eePBiS-hod0Cvzi4lzN7MlWeVlYzqLPlpF2ovvvZeg2R7bdCYMyhIPiFP7d4l3NRsRCe0wngcWR6VR1LhPIwkyhx_OxwiaIXnSfrZlHFDoxWoHgZvQbibxBmE/w640-h380/Do+Not+Veer+1-27-21+updated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>When any of us allow our identity to be founded in a political persuasion, we've veered to the Left or the Right. The more polarized by politics our society becomes, the further we shift away from any common ground. Without common ground, there will never be progress, unity, or civility. The leaders on the Left and on the Right sides of the political spectrum are not on the side of Truth. Truth is not political. Those who have relished their lives in political power will never be satisfied. They will always hunger for more power. Power-driven leaders drive people to take political sides. Each side claims if their person doesn't win, the nation is doomed. Well, I've learned, if we're not following the true Leader, we're doomed if we do and doomed if we don't. </p><p>God never points His people to a man-made political ideology. He actually commands that we not veer to the left or to the right, but instead remain steadfast in walking in the way of His Truth. Our purpose as His people is to follow His lead while leading others to do the same. </p><p>In Joshua chapter one, there are explicit instructions given to the Israelites as to how to proceed into and conquer the Promised Land. With their earthly deliverer, Moses, dead, and after 40 years of wandering around in circles, God is ready to usher His chosen nation into their new homeland. Their instructions include how to succeed in battle, requirements to remain under His blessings, and the promise that if they follow in His ways, they will increase in number and power, and be held in high regard by their enemies. The bottom line is that they revere and trust in Yahweh, the one, true God. </p><p>This is where we, Christ followers, miss the mark so often. It's not whether we are on the correct side of some political spectrum, or how loud we can shout over the opposition, it's whether we are on the side of God, following His path, seeking His face, marching to the beat of His drum, and trusting in Him to lead the way. Which way you ask? All the way to the final Promised Land - to spend eternity in the fullness of His presence. </p><p>From Joshua 1, what is revealed about God's character?</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>God is the Giver of every good and perfect gift.</li><li>God keeps His promises.</li><li>God's loves His people deeply and will lead them home.</li></ul><div>In Joshua 1:5-9, God instructs His people in how to succeed:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Be strong.</li><li>Be bold.</li><li>Follow My words.</li><li>Do not veer to the right or to the left of what I've commanded you.</li></ul><div>The assurance of their making it into the Promised Land and living under God's blessing is that they not veer from His Truth. The Scriptures unfold God's Redemptive Story, to which no one can add to or take away. His Word, His Truth, is all we need to remain on the path He's marked out so clearly for us, as we seek to live holy lives for His name sake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iKdskPBvXbKrOVqet0kBAwaiM5nxoJzz_xib1MEjRrJzDjUDj2WhKZBK-Izf62rtG_-aQPipJRisydn9hyphenhyphen9YOIXcesZiGFgflqRyoycSs3v8AynuUM5oqu3vVCyI_iPFNItDKnP7hqQ/s1920/Both+Paths+Lead+to+Nowhere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iKdskPBvXbKrOVqet0kBAwaiM5nxoJzz_xib1MEjRrJzDjUDj2WhKZBK-Izf62rtG_-aQPipJRisydn9hyphenhyphen9YOIXcesZiGFgflqRyoycSs3v8AynuUM5oqu3vVCyI_iPFNItDKnP7hqQ/w640-h426/Both+Paths+Lead+to+Nowhere.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Haven't I ordered you, "Be strong, be bold? So don't be afraid or downhearted, because ADONAI your God is with you wherever you go." </i>(Joshua 1:9, The Complete Jewish Study Bible)</div><div><br /></div><div>Keeping God's words on our lips and in our hearts and minds means meditating on His Truth day and night so we can learn it, teach it to our children and grandchildren, and ultimately, bring Him glory and honor with our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be bold and courageous, my friend. Do not veer to the right or to the left of God's Truth. Either of the two will lead to dead ends, disappointment, and destruction. Trust and obey the Word-Jesus Christ. His promises are true. His ways are perfect. He will never let us down.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3lbber1nTo-hdGUKxLFM9pKxtaZ2FfSPModCE5I0IInUNhXSPQbVQI0JhiuJFAm5UDjVF8YXEaWtcitzzBaKlrbeIAthfoz2U8MVKBDxzW826xOICnrJiZ3nMPWFCcGFUsomN5IbAwQ/s640/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3lbber1nTo-hdGUKxLFM9pKxtaZ2FfSPModCE5I0IInUNhXSPQbVQI0JhiuJFAm5UDjVF8YXEaWtcitzzBaKlrbeIAthfoz2U8MVKBDxzW826xOICnrJiZ3nMPWFCcGFUsomN5IbAwQ/s320/My+Pleasure+Bold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-62683065781551318282021-01-14T10:19:00.000-05:002021-01-14T10:19:25.036-05:00Exit to Enter: a Holy Act<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURx2GM2eEkjMu5dbaul6t34oYuBqePU_HxCdYS8WBC4d-ZAhGnqYAaHY0bDr223JNCkfVk2RjqiRNTTmmKAZdHiO-WeICVLrZKxQxj0wWc_daJ_cSDzgTY1JmaN_v6mqFYIEuyHn0Y3s/s1920/The+Holy+Act+of+Exiting+1-11-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURx2GM2eEkjMu5dbaul6t34oYuBqePU_HxCdYS8WBC4d-ZAhGnqYAaHY0bDr223JNCkfVk2RjqiRNTTmmKAZdHiO-WeICVLrZKxQxj0wWc_daJ_cSDzgTY1JmaN_v6mqFYIEuyHn0Y3s/w640-h426/The+Holy+Act+of+Exiting+1-11-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>God's call on our lives always involves our exiting the old to enter the new. Let's call it <i><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Principle of Exit to Enter.</span></b></i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Noah was called to exit life as he knew it to enter the ark of God's protection and salvation. </li><li>Abraham was called to exit his country to enter a new land where God would fulfill His promise.</li><li>The children of Israel were called to exit Egypt before they could enter the Promised Land.</li><li>Joseph exited his homeland by way of his cruel brothers actions to enter a position of power to save his people from starvation.</li><li>Ruth exited her homeland to follow the One true God.</li><li>Mary and Joseph exited their life with family and friends to enter a stable so the Son of God could be born according to prophecy.</li><li>Twelve men were called to exit their homes, loved ones, and way of life to enter a life of discipleship under the teaching of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.</li></ul><p></p><p>You and I have also been called to exit what we know to enter the unknown Christ has purposed and planned for us.</p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: medium;"><i><b>The Principle of Exit to Enter </b></i></span>will not be complete until we step into the fullness of God's joy, the presence of Jesus Christ, at the end of our life as we know it on earth. Since we are moving from glory to glory, we must be exiting and entering, not only physically, but spiritually too, as God directs.</p><p><i>God calls us to come, to move, to follow, to pilgrim, and to enter into blessing. But we can't know any of these things without first being willing to leave. There are many who long for change in their lives, something better, something new. But few are willing to leave. </i>( Jonathan Cahn, Book of Mysteries, The Exodus Factor)</p><p>Cahn explains that our obedience to God's call to "Get Out!" of a country, a job, a situation, a position, or our present spiritual condition, etc. is just as holy as our obedience to enter something new. He states, <b>"Exiting is as holy as entering." </b>Amen!</p><p>Understanding this <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><i>exit to enter</i></span></b> principle encourages us to remain alert, to listen intently for His voice, to immediately answer His call when it's time to move on. When we've learned the lessons He has for us where we are, and we've grown up a little more in our faith, God does not intend us to stay there to become stagnant. His will is for us to continue growing up in Him. So, to introduce us to more of His character and to further refine us into the image of His Son, He calls us to exit the old and enter the new. A fresh place to continue to breathe, grow, and deepen our roots in Christ.</p><p><i>-assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to</i> <i>put off your old self, which belongs to your former way of life, and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness </i>(<i>Ephesians 4:21-24,</i> ESV).</p><p>How long will you remain in your stagnant, spiritual state? Aren't you tired of just going through the motions? Don't you want a fresh start resulting in new growth and more joy? Are you ready to discover new truths about the One who loves you most and knows you best so you can fall deeper in love with Him? If so, it's time to leave, to exit the old, and enter a new and glorious existence.</p><p>God calls His children everyday into the newness of life we have through His Son, Jesus Christ. Why not <i><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">exit to enter </span></b></i>into whatever He has ready for you today? Come on! It's time to go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCz38eAwgBlzj5q3e_P39hbD0JCDEmXml_lq4EkpYvAjK3kaBgRFIQOqxobuPvICjLYnQa9oWOcuq5hGhqoQb2lAuAlKV1gwF2d_v5uKv5aD_fxY9bpGIZgArJGZ3skJWI7gnyvv4m8A/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCz38eAwgBlzj5q3e_P39hbD0JCDEmXml_lq4EkpYvAjK3kaBgRFIQOqxobuPvICjLYnQa9oWOcuq5hGhqoQb2lAuAlKV1gwF2d_v5uKv5aD_fxY9bpGIZgArJGZ3skJWI7gnyvv4m8A/s320/Blog+signature.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-88464196828578200142021-01-04T14:45:00.002-05:002021-01-04T14:45:55.381-05:00Untangled Obedience<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q4bRjA9f6ASNWvJTVKT8YREM6Mw2mkVeq2aWOWvIw1d9fg1DtowVG14iJ2JDiMGIUbBSwv47HWenxn8v__Y1rxF9TVneB-z5AQnD4LpkXot9ddrCny_HKxZVYtm3DcnJ5Q-yjrHHTiA/s1920/Untangled+Obedience+1-1-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q4bRjA9f6ASNWvJTVKT8YREM6Mw2mkVeq2aWOWvIw1d9fg1DtowVG14iJ2JDiMGIUbBSwv47HWenxn8v__Y1rxF9TVneB-z5AQnD4LpkXot9ddrCny_HKxZVYtm3DcnJ5Q-yjrHHTiA/w640-h426/Untangled+Obedience+1-1-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>"Will you untangle this necklace for me?," my daughter asked as she was preparing to head out the door to photograph a wedding.</p><p>"Sure," I said. "I'm pretty good at untangling things."</p><p>Without hesitation, I commenced to working on the necklace, and within a few minutes it was free of all its tangled knots. As I placed the necklace around my daughter's neck, I felt a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and joy.</p><p>It's the same in our faith walks. Whenever the Lord asks us to do something and we say <i>Yes</i>, a sense of deep satisfaction, contentment, and pure, unobliterated joy comes over us - all of which is already ours in Jesus Christ if we belong to Him. Saying <i>Yes</i> doesn't mean what He's called us to is going to be easy, but it <i>is</i> going to bring Him glory, and there's nothing more satisfying than that!</p><p>Over the last couple of years, I've struggled with a <i>tangled</i> <i>up</i> situation - something I was quite aware of that I couldn't solve by myself. I knew when the time was right, I would be released and untangled, but until then, I had to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. If I continued to acknowledge Him in all my ways, then He would direct my path. (Proverbs 3:5-6) </p><p><b>September 2020</b>.</p><p>"It's time," God said. </p><p>Smack dab in the middle of leading a Bible study on the book of Hebrews, in a room full of women, the Spirit spoke to my heart, "It's time to untangle." </p><p><i>Really? After all these years, Lord, we can undo the knots?</i></p><p>The knots had surfaced through a restlessness spirit, an unsettling I could not ignore any longer. It was God telling me it was time to walk away. I was free to <i>untangle.</i></p><p>So, on September 22, 2020, I resigned my position of 36 years as the pianist of Trinity Baptist Church, effective, December 27, 2020. </p><p>The verse the Holy Spirit used to affirm His timing was Hebrews 12:1.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR0D_zwkLXiAhZ26vEhQEV_jqhOBIvHrvSyjs8OmfDOo3z1IHAfS_G09xZWwFoP9OFUpxcyjCXFOT9wC8qIyasI4Y-1I0N2SG2eUFIyqwm1b2EDzdLddrT5ek1gTZH_OGDx9opYF3zQQ/s1280/Untangled+Obedience+Hebrews+12-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1280" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR0D_zwkLXiAhZ26vEhQEV_jqhOBIvHrvSyjs8OmfDOo3z1IHAfS_G09xZWwFoP9OFUpxcyjCXFOT9wC8qIyasI4Y-1I0N2SG2eUFIyqwm1b2EDzdLddrT5ek1gTZH_OGDx9opYF3zQQ/w640-h452/Untangled+Obedience+Hebrews+12-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We cannot run our race well if we are holding onto things that <b>weigh us down</b>. Through a restless, unsettled spirit, God let me know it was time to lay aside the hinderance and walk away in untangled obedience to Him. </p><p><b>There's no greater place to be than in the center of God's will.</b> If I've learned anything over the last 20 years in ministry, it's how to listen to the voice of the Spirit, know when He's nudging you to do something, and how amazing it is to be in step with Him, walking to the beat of His drum and not your own. </p><p>How about you? Are you living in a knotted up spiritual state? Is something hindering you from being all-in with God's plan and purpose for your life? What is God asking you to let go of? Even things we deem good can be a hinderance to the plan and purpose of God in our lives.</p><p>If you're not sure what God is saying to you where you are, begin here:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Be in the Word. <i>Psalm 119:105</i></li><li>Pray without ceasing. <i>1 Thessalonians 5:17</i></li><li>Abide in Christ. <i>John 15</i></li><li>Set your mind on things above. <i>Colossians 3:1-2</i></li><li>Ask the Spirit to search your heart, and when He reveals sin, repent, turn, and walk away from it. <i>Psalm 51 </i></li><li>Seek wise counsel. <i>Proverbs 13:20</i></li></ul><p></p><p>You'll be so glad you did.</p><p><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>May God bless your untangling in the New Year! </i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zzp9DCXXp5z2ovgBbxKhC4o2SVhYAdMM_MfqjfEW7j-hBhVOn-ryrrNYVpm6oSWMVuEBBdJThMk7fXnEfJ7OS_45nvNzLubgCyq5CkytLwvxKI-lnwODl3sg_KFdfuz825qd-zbDm5c/s640/Blog+signature.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="640" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Zzp9DCXXp5z2ovgBbxKhC4o2SVhYAdMM_MfqjfEW7j-hBhVOn-ryrrNYVpm6oSWMVuEBBdJThMk7fXnEfJ7OS_45nvNzLubgCyq5CkytLwvxKI-lnwODl3sg_KFdfuz825qd-zbDm5c/w400-h283/Blog+signature.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-31059219287840869052020-12-08T19:24:00.001-05:002020-12-08T19:24:46.404-05:00Expecting the Unexpected<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyt5XYPbr0iHvzFdiiu-tngVZEpiP-MgWT0YEodVocU2zT9QTA2_9F37lzzzRHaNMAoZr5e8lnuJrseTM0IhGiUd_ABYnohp3yZ8m8qEVUI72PCaovqtwcvhAnghuFZuCT6jf0LOu7J0/s1920/Christmas+Blog+12-8-20+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyt5XYPbr0iHvzFdiiu-tngVZEpiP-MgWT0YEodVocU2zT9QTA2_9F37lzzzRHaNMAoZr5e8lnuJrseTM0IhGiUd_ABYnohp3yZ8m8qEVUI72PCaovqtwcvhAnghuFZuCT6jf0LOu7J0/w640-h426/Christmas+Blog+12-8-20+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>What are you expecting for Christmas this year? </p><p>A romantic gift from that special someone?</p><p>Time spent with family or friends you haven't seen in a long time?</p><p>The beautiful solo that's always sung at your church's Christmas Eve service?</p><p>Or maybe you're looking to spend a quiet day in front of a dreamy fire reading and drinking coffee?</p><p>Now, what happens if you don't receive what you're expecting? Will you pout? Will you get mad? Will you clam up and refuse to speak to anyone for the rest of the day? Will your disappointment be on full display for everyone to see, or will you hide and sulk in silence?</p><p>I've learned through the years that our expectations can be illusions, and illusions only set us up to be disappointed. In the end, there's no one to blame but ourselves. </p><p>Think of the year 2020. Wow, what an illusion this year has been. I'm sure none of us were expecting what we actually received: a plague, lockdowns, masks, quarantines, churches closed, restaurants closed, businesses closed, virtual school, and Zoom everything!</p><p>In 2020, the world received something very unexpected, but we shouldn't be surprised. Isn't that how God works?</p><p>Over 2000 years ago, the world also received a gift that should have been expected, but most missed it because it arrived in a very unexpected way.</p><p>The unexpected gift was one of miraculous design. God took 2000 years preparing hearts to receive it, waiting for just the right moment to wrap and deliver His most blessed gift. Indescribable love and great wisdom went into the preparation for the who, what, when, where, why, and how this spectacular gift would appear. </p><p>From the beginning of time, the Gift was foreshadowed, prophesied, talked about, and shared with every generation. But when the time came for God's Gift to arrive, no one was expecting the Messiah to arrive the way He did. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__8lN7AWhAVaTpFWxAPq54YlCChVHBtsdjSaBlfbwjGM3W-jjWhQNyRJ8nmJzplGitYEzBaevXnRcAe9dTF3LzIM9TFYVzY79q-djOA7ja414D8PI6Ju9LfUf4bsDPj7U6eZEtz_Z6no/s2048/Christmas+tree+O+Come+Let+Us+Adore+Him+2021+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__8lN7AWhAVaTpFWxAPq54YlCChVHBtsdjSaBlfbwjGM3W-jjWhQNyRJ8nmJzplGitYEzBaevXnRcAe9dTF3LzIM9TFYVzY79q-djOA7ja414D8PI6Ju9LfUf4bsDPj7U6eZEtz_Z6no/w480-h640/Christmas+tree+O+Come+Let+Us+Adore+Him+2021+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>On a star-filled night, in the most unexpected places, in the smallest of towns, Bethlehem, Mary birthed God's Gift into the world. There, among stable animals with her husband, Joseph, she wrapped the most wonderful, long-awaited Promise in cloths and laid Him gently in a manger filled with soft hay. </p><p>The announcement of the Gift's arrival was just as unexpected. Jesus' birth announcement was proclaimed in spectacular fashion to the "least of these." Some lowly shepherds were out in a field keeping watch over their flocks during the night. An angel appeared to them in the sky saying, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people!" After the angel finished speaking, the heavenly hosts appeared, glorifying God in the highest and proclaiming, "Peace on earth, good will towards men." (Luke 2:9-14)</p><p>Oh, what a sight it must have been!</p><p>No baby announcements were mailed out or posted. We don't even know how much baby Jesus weighed, how long He was, or if He had hair or not. But those who received the announcement first, arrived unexpectedly to witness God's Promise lying in the manger, and they bowed in worship of the newborn King. </p><p>God's people had grown weary of waiting for something that seemed would never arrive. Patience is not His people's greatest virtue. It's definitely not mine. While waiting on God's timing for something He has promised, we better have a great stash of patience to draw from, because we most certainly will need it. </p><p>God's timing ticks with brilliant precision. Never late. Never early. He operates in the timeless space of eternity. God is not subject to our finite space of time on earth. As Believers, our responsibility is to trust and obey Him, love and seek Him, love and serve one another, and praise and worship Him with a whole heart while living here on the earth.</p><p>We must always be expecting the unexpected, because God is full of surprises. Everyday is filled with gifts we don't expect because they were unexpected. We must learn to pay attention so when His second spectacular arrival happens as He's promised, we will be found with hearts filled with great anticipation, falling on our knees in the fullness of His joy, and giving Him honor, glory, and praise. </p><p>What we didn't expect this year doesn't mean God hasn't given us gifts. Sometimes you just have to look for the miraculous. Miracles happened everyday. Even in the midst of the storm, He was found faithful, ever-present, <i><b>God with us still - Emmanuel</b></i>.</p><p>Does this change your expectations for this Christmas? Are you anticipating His return? Are you prepared to fall on your knees in worship before the King of kings and Lord of lords?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfhVLfwKu7fNU1xPxL_blDd0LjqlSiQ6gT8psfIl9adaR2KZafZz_8tJmgcYjMJ2fDzEAaNP3btGdUyqdmlrnR5WdXUHotBHG5KDGtZ06lwvgS8cAeZIHlGpnpi0NR2mB3wpT43cZC0g/s1920/Christmas+gifts-4678018_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfhVLfwKu7fNU1xPxL_blDd0LjqlSiQ6gT8psfIl9adaR2KZafZz_8tJmgcYjMJ2fDzEAaNP3btGdUyqdmlrnR5WdXUHotBHG5KDGtZ06lwvgS8cAeZIHlGpnpi0NR2mB3wpT43cZC0g/w640-h426/Christmas+gifts-4678018_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Why not gift Christ with a heart of great expectation this year? Seek Him with a whole heart, and stay close to Him. Follow in His ways, waiting patiently for His return. He's preparing His next gift for you and me right now! I can hardly wait! Can you?</p><p><i><b>My Pleasure,</b></i></p><p><i><b>Melanie</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-78705969544261043602020-11-02T15:07:00.000-05:002020-11-02T15:07:04.033-05:00Will You Take the Letter Writing Challenge?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EjQSZfyrrHAMllmak73IY6meXhyphenhyphenNlPzdZKvVbGtXKpXgeFHQMkCFBjmKizJRFTnHBBH-oCV_kaVqYdGZ416qKWc_rVxb1OsF5RmQz6YA_k_VWCTRC11z-2g5ix-EUhSqqTIgf5BRhzY/s2048/Blog+Letter+Writing+Challenge+11-1-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EjQSZfyrrHAMllmak73IY6meXhyphenhyphenNlPzdZKvVbGtXKpXgeFHQMkCFBjmKizJRFTnHBBH-oCV_kaVqYdGZ416qKWc_rVxb1OsF5RmQz6YA_k_VWCTRC11z-2g5ix-EUhSqqTIgf5BRhzY/w480-h640/Blog+Letter+Writing+Challenge+11-1-20.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Don't you love to receive a letter or card in the mail? I sure do. It makes my heart smile to know someone is not only thinking about me but also took the time to tell me so.</p><p>This Thanksgiving season, I'm challenging myself to make 30 hearts smile by selecting 30 people to write and mail letters to. Each person represents one day in November. </p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">30 people + 30 letters = 30 blessings! </span></b></p><p>I've seen all sorts of challenges for the season of counting blessings. Some give up something for the month to focus on God and being grateful for what He has given. Some people make gifts lists. Some count and post a blessing per day. These are all great ideas.</p><p>Instead of simply being inwardly focused on the blessings God has so graciously given me, this year I want to honor my Gift Giver by gifting others with a piece of my heart. And there's nothing more personal than a handwritten letter.</p><p>Will you take this challenge with me? Think of some people who've poured into you in some fashion or another. A friend, family member, someone in your church family, at your office, in your school. A baby-sitter. A neighbor. Show them in a very tangible way how much they mean to you, in your own words and in your own handwriting.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Letter writing is fast becoming a lost art.</i></span></b> Technology has replaced the personal touch for the sake of convenience. But it doesn't mean we have to allow it to be our only means of communicating. </p><p>Our handwriting is like our fingerprint. It's a piece of our identity. I have some of my mother's recipe cards written in her exquisite handwriting. Each one is a piece of her on an index card. These are priceless treasures to me. </p><p>Have you seen the Hallmark movie where Betty White plays a war widow? Her late husband's body was never returned to the United States. A journalist falls in love with their love story. The letters written back and forth between them while he was overseas are key to the journalist making it her mission to bringing him home. I cry every time. </p><p><i style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Letters matter to people. </i>They're something to hold onto for years to come even after the person who wrote it is gone. Letters can take you back to a sweet time and encourage you over and over again. </p><p>Letters bring comfort. </p><p>Letters bring joy. </p><p>Letters connect people in a tangible way like technology will never be able to do.</p><p>Will you take the challenge with me? You don't have to write a letter a day. Carve out some time to write several letters at a time during the month. Before you know it, you'll have 30 handwritten letters in the mail ready to bless those who've blessed you. </p><p>Let me know if you plan to take the challenge, and then at the end of the month, we'll celebrate!</p><p><i>Jesus said, It's more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b).</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><b>My Pleasure,</b></i></p><p><i><b>Melanie</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-886167117716088332020-09-11T19:21:00.000-04:002020-09-11T19:21:04.729-04:009/11, Nineteen Years, and Two Options<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr2kSHyWB_Q8QObhL-UqBKORGwaCMHTZx-aS2oTGHM7nXOVAwH48pe85C3pAKhqDq4mebUgsSDO6eV1-g6CST7CLqZmLJ8eVl8cBuV4JUfLGA00jlYz0AhAUhkV8_rh4EubhyphenhyphenDjXeM10/s1920/nine-eleven-2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1920" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr2kSHyWB_Q8QObhL-UqBKORGwaCMHTZx-aS2oTGHM7nXOVAwH48pe85C3pAKhqDq4mebUgsSDO6eV1-g6CST7CLqZmLJ8eVl8cBuV4JUfLGA00jlYz0AhAUhkV8_rh4EubhyphenhyphenDjXeM10/w625-h414/nine-eleven-2020.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">Watching the 9/11 attacks play out again in real time on American soil, tears spilled. For the past 19 years, I've watched, reflected, remembered, and revered those who willingly gave their lives to save others on that beautiful blue sky morning. </p><p style="text-align: left;">My mind is reeling, and my heart is racing as God not only continues to speak but continues to shake the pillars of our very foundation. Have we forgotten already?</p><p style="text-align: left;">Why does America continue to dismiss or ignore God's divine warnings and alarms, signifying that judgement is imminent if we do not return to Him and our spiritual roots? </p><p style="text-align: left;">Do we even care?</p><p style="text-align: left;">When the door to 2020 opened, I had no idea I would read all of Jonathan Cahn's books, but I believe God drew me to choose them <i>for such a time as this</i> to open my eyes to deeper things and to further examine His Word. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Throughout history, God has proven He's a covenant-keeping God. Throughout Scripture, He has displayed very vividly that He takes covenant making very seriously. He's revealed to me again and again that when a nation, who is called by His name, is defiant towards Him and rejects the truth, He will allow calamity to fall. Not out of hate, but out of extreme love, seeking to turn their hearts back to Him and avoid judgement. </p><p style="text-align: left;">God's heart is mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness, but His character is also righteous and just, and when it comes to a nation who has turned her back on Him, He doesn't mess around.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Through the Father's mercy and grace, His patience, and His ever-narrowing window of opportunity, America has arrived at a crossroads of vast significance. We have only two options:</p><p style="text-align: left;">1. We can <b>choose life</b> through repentance and restoration or...</p><p style="text-align: left;">2. We can <b>choose death</b> through judgement. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The choice is ours.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d0ojZ71bDfz4RFlqEoMfshI1b13LhAf87dPSb3rpIMc48uTsHWn6FmF2Ijrdo1jlX9ZBgv2m7rxYum7KRAyeGQQCkHn7D7MhT5tRNfPAdMD6lRXuKB-Amc2Xml_CwRbCc4eQiPvIEUg/s1920/Restoration+or+Judgement_+September+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d0ojZ71bDfz4RFlqEoMfshI1b13LhAf87dPSb3rpIMc48uTsHWn6FmF2Ijrdo1jlX9ZBgv2m7rxYum7KRAyeGQQCkHn7D7MhT5tRNfPAdMD6lRXuKB-Amc2Xml_CwRbCc4eQiPvIEUg/w625-h416/Restoration+or+Judgement_+September+2020.jpg" width="625" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The spiritual blueprint of modern day America overlays the spiritual blueprint of ancient Israel in unprecedented ways. We're not an exact replica, but we do have impressive similarities. The Biblical warnings for Israel's return or God's promise of judgement are unveiled throughout the pages of Cahn's books. The re-playing of these warnings today in America are uncanny. From the first harbinger of this century (9/11) to the plague of 2020 (COVID-19) nineteen years later. As a nation, America has literally been playing with fire. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ksr3kwb09EJ2stFaIfb1OvRmcZT1ulSZ6BI76Zit-Q8z7GoxRJ-22ynGdA5HCUlRYDlbhtBKj2o1pa2t4CT1Yz6VkvCvfP2mKRFC2GGSpV6qJprhiFzq_W92ArmH-vlkB394cMbo60/s1920/blueprint-human-heart+9-11-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7ksr3kwb09EJ2stFaIfb1OvRmcZT1ulSZ6BI76Zit-Q8z7GoxRJ-22ynGdA5HCUlRYDlbhtBKj2o1pa2t4CT1Yz6VkvCvfP2mKRFC2GGSpV6qJprhiFzq_W92ArmH-vlkB394cMbo60/w625-h625/blueprint-human-heart+9-11-20.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A breach in our defense, pounced on by the terrorists plotting to destroy us, marked God's first shaking of America in the 21st century. A wake-up call for a nation to return to where she began. </p><p style="text-align: left;">And where did America begin?</p><p style="text-align: left;">America was consecrated with a God-covenant much like Israel, set apart for God's purposes and glory, to live and follow in His ways. Just like Israel, we were placed on this earth to be a light - <i>a city on a hill</i>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">President Ronald Reagan spoke of America being a <i>city on a hill</i>, a representation of what Israel was set-apart to be. But Reagan also noted another who spoke of this metaphor, John Winthrop. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Winthrop was the first to speak out loud the God-covenant over a small band of settlers just arriving in America, landing on the island in Massachusetts's Bay (where Logan Airport now sits). <b>The exact place where the <span style="color: red;">first</span> terrorist got on the <span style="color: red;">first</span> plane to destroy the<span style="color: red;"> first</span> tower on 9/11/2001. </b></p><p style="text-align: left;">According to Cahn, and his tireless research of the ancient pattern and prophesies in the Scriptures, <b>God's warnings of judgement begin in the place where a nation was consecrated to God. </b>(<i>The Harbinger II, The Return</i>, chapter 33, The Island)</p><p>This is a portion of Winthrop's sermon/covenant proclaimed before God and everyone on the ship, the <i>Arabella</i>, as they landed on that island in Massachusetts's Bay. </p><p><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" style="font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">Thus stands the cause <hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight">between God and us</hypothesis-highlight>. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work. </a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...<a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as His own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when<hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight"> He shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations</hypothesis-highlight>, “may the Lord make it like that of New England.” <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.</em> We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God’s sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God’s worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going.</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">And to shut this discourse with that <hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight">exhortation </hypothesis-highlight>of Moses, that faithful servant of the Lord, in his last farewell to Israel, Deut. 30. “Beloved, there is now set before us life and death, good and evil,” in that we are commanded this day to love the <hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight">Lord our God, and to love one another, to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments and his ordinance and his laws, and the articles of our Covenant with Him, that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whither we go to possess it. </hypothesis-highlight><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But if our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our pleasure and profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it.</em></a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">Therefore let us choose life,</a> </em><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">that we and our seed may live,</a></em><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him,</a> </em><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/colliding-cultures/john-winthrop-dreams-of-a-city-on-a-hill-1630/" target="_blank">for He is our life and our <hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight">prosperity.</hypothesis-highlight></a></em></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> John Winthrop, “<hypothesis-highlight class="hypothesis-highlight">A Model of Christian Charit</hypothesis-highlight>y,” in <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Library of American Literature: Early Colonial Literature, 1607-1675</em>, Edmund Clarence Stedman and Ellen Mackay Hutchinson, eds. (New York: 1892)<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, </strong>304-307.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Remarkable, isn't it? A faith-filled covenant with the Almighty, complete with the acknowledgement of blessing or curse, life or death, obedience or disobedience. The choice is us up to us. Which path will we choose?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For the past nineteen years, America has continued her refusal to adhere to the warnings, the shakings, and the on-going call to return. Nineteen years was a particular window of time given to Israel. When she dug in her heels and became even more defiant, God had no choice but to allow judgement to fall on them. Are we going to follow Israel down the same path toward destruction? If we don't humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways, our great land will not be healed ( 2 Chronicles 7:14), and we will find ourselves staring into great judgement head on. </p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Doom and gloom is not the heart of God. He wants His people to live life with abundant joy inside His will where real joy exists. His love is deeper than the ocean, wider than the heavens, and stronger than anything you can imagine. His story has always been about redeeming love. Healing can happen if we will humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and turn our hearts back to follow His. </p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0cMVwJUad37bGvaXKPxjcoQJ1tqSxv680Ypqu_UF1YQn4Z7s9FAzOBEDmvqnazZEkZD76Gq9b1wA1pJGR-WR1sOR_83IggXQrIp-0kkDN_BzzCUehnNJa51zyU19rzpWGmIUzXQ6kqI/s2048/The+Harbinger+II+book-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0cMVwJUad37bGvaXKPxjcoQJ1tqSxv680Ypqu_UF1YQn4Z7s9FAzOBEDmvqnazZEkZD76Gq9b1wA1pJGR-WR1sOR_83IggXQrIp-0kkDN_BzzCUehnNJa51zyU19rzpWGmIUzXQ6kqI/s320/The+Harbinger+II+book-cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />I highly recommend Jonathan Cahn's books. I promise they are eye-popping, mind-boggling, and will bring you to your knees.<p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My Pleasure,</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: merriweather, "eb garamond", "times new roman", times, georgia, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 1.71429rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Melanie</i></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-75192714185439831982020-09-01T18:25:00.001-04:002020-09-01T18:25:24.163-04:00REAL Climate Change: a matter of the heart<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeOFn-j8ET5hZwJCFUU3rr7VE6D_CGCtDSdySKkVA5aa1H_Euawlj1KgAOyCbxPZf-bzsEI7x0YAdFzimOQ_m-Q4ykCDeldZ60FiEEH4sLRZjg0klOkAKPHk_EdD62bgOwzbU-Mlrcos/s1280/Real+Climate+Change-a-matter-of-the-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeOFn-j8ET5hZwJCFUU3rr7VE6D_CGCtDSdySKkVA5aa1H_Euawlj1KgAOyCbxPZf-bzsEI7x0YAdFzimOQ_m-Q4ykCDeldZ60FiEEH4sLRZjg0klOkAKPHk_EdD62bgOwzbU-Mlrcos/s640/Real+Climate+Change-a-matter-of-the-heart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">What's the climate like where you live? Here in humid, sticky South Carolina, Autumn seems light years away, even if a twinge of color is peeping through the trees and pine needles are being sprinkled all </span><span style="text-align: left;">across our lawns. </span></div><p>Fall is my absolute favorite time of year (mostly because it opens the door to Christmas!), but I'm not talking weather/climate today. And besides, those of us who know truth know we have no control over the climate anyway. It is what it is people, and there's nothing we humans can do to raise or lower the world's temperature. Only God can do that.</p><p><i>You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter (Psalm 74:17,</i> ESV).</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Real climate change is a matter of the heart.</span></b></p><p>The temperature in our country is rising, but not because of the weather. It's rising because tempers are flaring and out of control. The hate towards people who refuse to give in to the false premise of BLM, Inc. is jaw-dropping. I'm not sure these people have ever heard of the English language. They seem to only understand perverted language filled with vile, four-letter words. I've witnessed some evil things in my 50+ years, but nothing compares to the hateful rhetoric being spewed today. </p><p>Besides destroying private property, federal property, looting businesses of their own people in their own cities, and setting buildings and vehicles on fire, they are also calling for the assassination of a sitting POTUS, accosting congressmen and family members right outside the White House, all while they call for more abuse of authority and destructive behavior. </p><p>Why? Because their visceral hate toward anyone who doesn't agree with their hatred of America has tipped the boiling point. </p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Real climate change is needed now! </span></b></p><p>Law and order were not created by America's forefathers. Law and order was created by God, Almighty. He, in His infinite wisdom, knew if boundaries were not set in place, and if there was no law with built-in consequences for breaking the law, a nation would crumble from the inside out. I know that the goal for the extreme leftists and Marxists inside this country is to destroy America from the inside out, but if we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have anything to do with it, we will contend for the faith and future of this amazing experiment called The United States of America, with everything in us.</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">How can we change the climate? How do we fight back?</span></b></p><p>First, we don't stoop to their level and throw hate back at them. Every person is created in the image of God with a hole in their soul. We are to show people Jesus every way possible, but trying to reason with people who don't want to listen, is a complete waste of time. So, we fight like those who've gone before us. We bow our knees in prayer for them and ourselves, we stand up for religious freedom, we don't give up our <i>inalienable rights endowed by our Creator</i>, we worship in spirit and in truth together, and we vote our God-given conscience.</p><p>There will always be right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, left vs. right, until Jesus returns, but until then there are three major things we must conquer: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhYvfkfCz4jEmr3kS8whP2LTNzv5dgrbQeZEH2Hh4eYE_6ibq5o9YOR03IAjzi7Ocw-i2QunJXO4Zh9YrtXHdH2RpCj4-bgrEkyp7sf9Qd_3m6gFR9gjDj-wEjCUI8CfRfYj216EoWok/s1280/Real+Climate+Change+3+Destructive+Sins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhYvfkfCz4jEmr3kS8whP2LTNzv5dgrbQeZEH2Hh4eYE_6ibq5o9YOR03IAjzi7Ocw-i2QunJXO4Zh9YrtXHdH2RpCj4-bgrEkyp7sf9Qd_3m6gFR9gjDj-wEjCUI8CfRfYj216EoWok/s640/Real+Climate+Change+3+Destructive+Sins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>1. Lawlessness and disorder </p><p>2. The mass sacrificing of the unborn </p><p>3. A refusal to acknowledge the one true God, from Whom all our blessings flow. </p><p>These three things are destroying us while simultaneously pushing the hand of God away from and off of this great nation. We must fight hard to correct these wrongs, but how?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sp1qO1I7nx0IETH96xcvhzmR1jN0VaQJEn6_Lf2mEpfWzZeqVx3bla7hag80G0I2PonWOgYD88cyM3IMeiKAgna53FvbuDmt9tQ9ccJcMPMZegrrOX6UiYQ9lt4eWDtsKSE5RZl7N1k/s1280/Real+Climate+Change+3+Remedies+to+Heal+America%2527s+Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sp1qO1I7nx0IETH96xcvhzmR1jN0VaQJEn6_Lf2mEpfWzZeqVx3bla7hag80G0I2PonWOgYD88cyM3IMeiKAgna53FvbuDmt9tQ9ccJcMPMZegrrOX6UiYQ9lt4eWDtsKSE5RZl7N1k/s640/Real+Climate+Change+3+Remedies+to+Heal+America%2527s+Heart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>1. Repent of our sins and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)</p><p>2. Fix our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)</p><p>3. Love God with a whole heart. (Deuteronomy 6:5)</p><p>Our American way of life, our Christian faith-based freedoms, our shining light on a hill in this world depends on how we respond to the spiritual climate of our nation. The hole in our hearts can only be filled by <b><span style="color: #e69138;">a whole-hearted bend</span></b> toward the Savior and loving the Lord our God with all our soul, might, and strength. </p><p>Real climate change, my friend, is a matter of the heart. Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately? How is the climate in and around your city and state, your local church body, your family, your friends? On bended knee, beg God to calm the climate where you live, work, and play. Ask Him to help you change the climate back to where His hand will cover us, work in us, and move among us again. </p><p>May God bless you as you bless Him.</p><p>My Pleasure,</p><p><i>Melanie</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-75428690561241230332020-08-25T12:18:00.000-04:002020-08-25T12:18:39.334-04:00Marriage Matters, No Matter What<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwSljONXbKOoFLGtGStAkNhBQmFVZLSU9ZcaVQGjpAufj2BRc9TeKjXm4RwqBxnHwHa7vthr67VL8KYDs9asJU_3saMp5GeIrfoN3hCG8024fNc1_D1FfG8X8hi7cz-LfiC2zvfaCJVc/s1600/marriage+matters-no+matter+what.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwSljONXbKOoFLGtGStAkNhBQmFVZLSU9ZcaVQGjpAufj2BRc9TeKjXm4RwqBxnHwHa7vthr67VL8KYDs9asJU_3saMp5GeIrfoN3hCG8024fNc1_D1FfG8X8hi7cz-LfiC2zvfaCJVc/s640/marriage+matters-no+matter+what.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Tis' the season for summertime weddings. Though it's hot, humid, and miserable here in the south, many still choose this time of year to tie the knot. From the piano/organ bench or behind a choir railing, I've witnessed countless numbers of couples over many years vow to one another, "I do, til death do us part." <div><br /></div><div>Rick and I celebrated 35 years of marriage earlier this year. Since we live in South Carolina, we chose not to get married in the summertime. Thinking winter would be a much more pleasant time of year to marry, we chose February. Though it was not a sweltering SC day, the temperature was still in the 80's.</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, </i>we promised to love one another '<i>til death do us part</i>.<i> </i>We went into marriage with a <i>marriage matters, no matter what </i>mindset, and God has honored and blessed our vows as we have sought to live as one for Him. We've had our share of struggles and disappointments for sure, but praise God He has seen us through. Our love for one another has deepened with each year, and I cannot imagine life without my guy. </div><div>
<br />Lately though, Rick and I have felt as if we've been given tickets for front row seats to an all-out assault on the institution of marriage by the enemy - the one seeking to steal, kill, and destroy anything that brings honor and glory to our Lord, Jesus Christ. The enemy has ravaged a significant number of marriages of people we know and love. Some have been couple friends we've served alongside in ministry.<br />
<br />Many of these friendships developed during our dating years as we were being discipled together under the same biblical teaching. We were bridesmaids and groomsmen in each other's weddings. We all went through a study called <i>God's Blueprint for Biblical Marriage </i>by Dick Belcher. We stayed up late at each others homes talking and laughing so hard we could hardly breathe. We taught the truth of God's Word to young people, college students, and adults. We cried together, worshiped together, ministered together, and grew in our faith together. We did life - together.<br />
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<i>What happened?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Some moved on to other places, joined other churches, began serving in ministry elsewhere. Life happens, and change is a given. Though we lost touch with some and only saw others on occasion, God continued to use us in ministry in the church where we began our life together. It's where we still serve today.<br />
<br />Many of these recent break-ups have been with couples married for over 20 years. Their children are grown, or almost grown, and, in most cases, the husbands chose to walk away from the life they had built together and move on to someone else. Others haven't been married as long, but have suffered serious heartache and destruction with young children still at home.<br />
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The enemy despises the <b>sacredness of marriage, </b>and he is attacking its beauty with a vengeance. No marriage is exempt from enemy attacks, so we must be prepared to fight for what truly matters. Over the last several years, I've walked the path of divorce with a number of heart-broken wives who have fought to keep their sacred vows only to be beaten up by the enemy and left alone. As they've graced my home for Bible study, searching for answers, I've listened to their stories, wept along with them over what's been broken and torn apart, but I have also rejoiced with them as God continues to heal, reclaim, and restore their hearts. God is a covenant God. His design for a one man, one woman marriage covenant is serious business.</div><div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Why does marriage matter?</b></i><br />
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<b>Marriage is God's design. </b>(Genesis 2:18-25)<div><br /></div><div>The first and most sacred union initiated and ordained by God was between Adam and Eve. God designed marriage between a man and a woman with clear boundaries for our protection and benefit, and for His glory.<br />
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<b>Marriage is a mirror. </b>(Ephesians 5:22-33)<div><br /></div><div>Marriage built on God's truth reflects His character - holy, devoted, and unblemished. Marriage between a man and a woman, firmly planted on the foundation of Christ, mirrors the union and oneness of the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.<br />
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<b>Marriage is a shadow. </b>(Revelation 21, 22:17)</div><div><br /></div><div>Marriage on earth is a silhouette of what's to come between Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (His Bride) when we're united with Him in all of His glory.<br />
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<b>Marriage is a sacred covenant.</b> (Hebrews 13:4)</div><div><br /></div><div>Marriage vows spoken out loud in the presence of God and witnesses are not to be taken lightly. Marriage is an honorable institution and must be held as so by all.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Marriage matters, no matter what.</i></span><br />
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From the time we're introduced to fairy tales, most of us dream of having the perfect wedding, the perfect marriage, and the perfect family. Aside from Christ, nothing on this earth is perfect.<br />
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With a revered love for God and for each other, a couple should enter this very serious and sacred relationship with a <b>marriage-matters-no-matter-what </b>mindset. This is much easier if you're <i>equally yoked</i> in Christ (have the same belief system and values). A marriage can only succeed as our Creator designed it if both husband and wife are willing to love unconditionally and serve one another with joy, honor, and respect. It's definitely hard work, but it's so worth it!<br />
<br />Because we live in a fallen, sinful world, marriages have failed and more will fail, but that doesn't mean marriage doesn't matter to God. It matters a lot.<br />
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Some of our friends' marriages were filled with brutal abuse (physical and emotional). Those women are better off now in their safe spaces, but still devastated non-the-less. Another friend, years after divorce, has drifted into a homosexual lifestyle. Divorce leaves a wave of destruction in its path. Divorce has long-lasting repercussions, but it's not the end of the world. There is hope through Christ after divorce. I've witnessed many journey through the devastation and find restoration and healing through Christ. Many of their hearts are filled now with more joy than they ever imagined.<br />
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Marriages fail because of a shift in focus. The focus moves from wanting what's best for our spouse to focusing on wanting what we think is best for ourselves. <i>I</i> becomes more important than y<i>ou</i> - more important than the one we vowed to love and to put before ourselves for life. If the focus doesn't change, the <i>I </i>will<i> </i>jump ship and abandon what really matters for eternity. Sure it takes two to make or break a marriage, but it only takes one to give up, walk away, looking for something they deem better elsewhere. <i>The wages of sin is death</i>, and I believe one of those wages on this earth comes in the form of divorce - the <i>death</i> of a marriage. When sin is not dealt with, repented of, and if reconciliation doesn't take place, <i>death</i> is inevitable.<br />
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My heart is broken over broken marriages. Signed divorce papers replacing signed marriage certificates. So much unnecessary grief, heartache, and pain.<br />
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Praise Jesus, He never leaves us or breaks His promises. I am His, and He is mine forevermore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm1Qdx2e1TQ8CY4-w-0MaQ_kLTch84eMbO3YlH5Mwh4qCXTGMfcQESLyMxZt9hOVgWMAYmyL0LwhjGvTX3k48poMl9kS2WMTBcaYrTWUAZnLNP5yEtvlIpki-5QTR5s3e1grLt7MbBGY/s1600/Rick+and+Me+Sept.+2014.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm1Qdx2e1TQ8CY4-w-0MaQ_kLTch84eMbO3YlH5Mwh4qCXTGMfcQESLyMxZt9hOVgWMAYmyL0LwhjGvTX3k48poMl9kS2WMTBcaYrTWUAZnLNP5yEtvlIpki-5QTR5s3e1grLt7MbBGY/s320/Rick+and+Me+Sept.+2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
None of us are immune to this assault by the enemy. If we are to thrive in our marriages, we must love God with a whole heart, remain in His Word, and obey His commands. We must also love our spouse more than we love ourselves, serve them with a joyful heart, practice the art of forgiveness often, and confess and repent of our sins. When temptation comes knocking at the door, don't answer, because <i>marriage matters, no matter what.</i><br />
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<i><b>My Pleasure,</b></i><br />
<i><b>Melanie</b></i></div></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-53311436764987468702020-06-30T13:17:00.000-04:002020-06-30T13:17:15.131-04:00All Hearts On Deck (There's more to Jonah's story than the obvious)<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqcPybN6pZJDyZ6_y4fUED-41WYcHhko-jr2-NGGvxO3U2DyFv7WucbF2ygprtWsfT7jwNr_0mWCPBjCnAvaYflqXry6g_LRYhB9sh7ZnBV2nH5219bicX47z-Q_mettWaOxhck2cqko/s1200/All+Hearts+On+Deck+-+blog+6-29-20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqcPybN6pZJDyZ6_y4fUED-41WYcHhko-jr2-NGGvxO3U2DyFv7WucbF2ygprtWsfT7jwNr_0mWCPBjCnAvaYflqXry6g_LRYhB9sh7ZnBV2nH5219bicX47z-Q_mettWaOxhck2cqko/w625-h625/All+Hearts+On+Deck+-+blog+6-29-20.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When I was in the 5th or 6th grade, Jonah's Tale of a Whale was a musical we spent a week learning at a South Carolina Baptist music camp called Camp Harmony. The week was filled with swimming, games, making new friends, and taking a variety of music classes. Every camper was also a part of the camp choir. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last day of camp was performance day, the highlight of the week, where we all participated in telling the story of Jonah through song. All of these years later, Camp Harmony is still on my list of favorite childhood memories.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrP1Yu-Qoo2p6nVZpK6s-pMOHsqsa192yQAr1niFo5DjhELEf2hoZ8nkohzb3k3SwiD_Cn-XE4fWqJ22c-sVFw6bBQd0xNRDNxqG7HEhzK5fEE1wvG1R7y7kyle_jQ5fCACny-8N2oAk/s346/Jonah%2527s+Tale+of+a+Whale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="247" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrP1Yu-Qoo2p6nVZpK6s-pMOHsqsa192yQAr1niFo5DjhELEf2hoZ8nkohzb3k3SwiD_Cn-XE4fWqJ22c-sVFw6bBQd0xNRDNxqG7HEhzK5fEE1wvG1R7y7kyle_jQ5fCACny-8N2oAk/w356-h500/Jonah%2527s+Tale+of+a+Whale.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The ancient book of Jonah from the Scriptures tells of a defiant, called, messenger of God who seeks to escape the presence of the Lord by purchasing a fare on a ship that's about to set sail. God prepares to deal with Jonah's heart by swelling the sea waters into massive waves and turning up the wind speed to severe storm levels. Other pieces of the story include the ship's tossing to-and-fro, a big fish which swallows Jonah, the wicked people of Nineveh Jonah should be delivering God's message to, and God's saving grace. </div><div><br /></div><div>While listening to a sermon on this familiar story, the Holy Spirit exposed something more, nestled underneath the obvious.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who else was there? Who else is part of this redemptive story?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Ship-men! The "all hands on deck" guys. </b></div><div><br /></div><div>The life of a ship-man was hard. They weren't simply taking a joy ride, sailing across the ocean blue. These men were loading, transporting goods, manning the ship's sails, battling treacherous waters and weather only to return to the docks, prepare to unload and load the ship again, and sail back out to sea.</div><div><br /></div><div>On this particular day, Jonah had paid the fare to sail along with them. As these ship-men were going about their business, they were completely unaware of what was going to take place over and under the deep waters. Not only would a vicious storm arise, the very foundation of what they believed in would be shaken to the core. Their false gods, their worthless idols, were about to be exposed for what they really were and destroyed by the one true God right before their very eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Salvation was not only coming to the repentant people of Nineveh in chapter three, it was coming to <b>all hearts on deck</b> in chapter one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jonah chose to flee Tarshish because he didn't think the people of Nineveh deserved God's mercy and grace. He was angry with God for wanting to save such a wicked people. Little did he know that his own rebellion and the consequences of his disobedience would be used by God to save <b>all hearts on deck.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't that just like God to call the lost to Himself even while His children are pitching hissy fits?</div><div><br /></div><div>Aren't you glad this is the God we love and serve? One of justice for sure, but who's also filled with extreme compassion, mercy, and grace. One who does not wish anyone to perish. (John 3:16) </div><div><br /></div><div>When God orchestrated a dangerous storm which threatened all of their lives, the ship-men cast lots to determine who the culprit might be in bringing this calamity to their ship. The lot fell to Jonah. They knew he was fleeing the presence of the Lord because he had already told them that much. <b>The severity of the storm was proof that the Lord was not pleased with Jonah, and the ship-men were afraid of getting caught in the cross-hairs of God's dealing with Jonah's disobedience.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Crying out to their man-made gods did not help, so they deferred to the God that was not thought up by the human mind and began calling out to the Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you (Jonah 1:14, ESV).</i></div><div><br /></div><div>After crying out in desperation to Jonah's God, the ship-men<i> hurled Jonah into the sea, and the sea immediately ceased its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows (1:15-16).</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b>They feared the Lord exceedingly! They offered a sacrifice to Him. They made vows.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We aren't told what those vows were, <b>but we can infer that these ship-men's lives were changed forevermore. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Have you ever examined this piece of the story before? When we only focus on the obvious - the storm, the throwing of Jonah overboard, the big fish, the escaping judgement for a repentant people, we can miss the <b>more</b> - <b>the whole heart of God.</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>God's plan for redeeming hearts is never thwarted, even in the midst of His children's rebellious behavior. The hearts of the ship-men were just as important to Him as the struggling heart of Jonah. Just as God was warning the rebellious hearts of the people of Nineveh, so is He calling back the rebellious hearts of the people today in cities all across America and around the world. God is moving and dispensing His love on so many levels at the same time, it's mind boggling.</div><div><br /></div><div>God not only has a message for the wicked, a message for His own people who are running away from His presence, but He is also continuing to move His Redemption Story forward, to prove Himself faithful and true in all circumstances. Until Jesus returns, God will continue to seek and soften hardened hearts, break through the walls of unbelief, trample false worship, crumble weak foundations, and heal hearts. God is still the God of hope, love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, new beginnings, and second chances. In Him, our foundation is secure, built on the Cornerstone of Christ who is worthy of our worship and who we will reign with forevermore. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>When God saw what they </i>[the people of Nineveh]<i> did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it (Jonah 3:10, ESV).</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Calling all hearts on deck!</b> </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Are you running from what God has called you to do? Are you living a rebellious life? Have you succumbed to false teaching, false worship? God is calling you to repent and to turn back to Him now. He's waiting for you, my friend, to come home.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>My Pleasure,</i></div><div><i>Melanie </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-7930722188745380632020-06-04T16:16:00.000-04:002020-06-04T16:16:33.924-04:00Something's Off<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe8tjxxYcg96clwwwGZlykUNqAUzsyqJokqFeOeE_DAcZrHFA6yxHnP3_wXqmL_UzfDYdYjkyAI5qd34KPb-4HboHD0oPTf6ISqdGR9iZYKhMuwEpOdtroGfmisy7MpeTGSEDFYD16bw/s1600/Something%2527s+Off+-+Peanut+Butter+Cookies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe8tjxxYcg96clwwwGZlykUNqAUzsyqJokqFeOeE_DAcZrHFA6yxHnP3_wXqmL_UzfDYdYjkyAI5qd34KPb-4HboHD0oPTf6ISqdGR9iZYKhMuwEpOdtroGfmisy7MpeTGSEDFYD16bw/s640/Something%2527s+Off+-+Peanut+Butter+Cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have you ever taken a bite of something thinking it would taste like one thing and it tasted shockingly different?<br />
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When my younger sister and I were teenagers, she decided one afternoon to bake some peanut butter cookies all by herself. I was thrilled. She would have the satisfaction of baking, and mom and I would be content to eat the fruits of her labor.<br />
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After declaring her grand intentions, she ventured into the kitchen, got out the mixing bowl, spoons, measuring cups, the recipe, and all of the ingredients.<br />
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Next, she preheated the oven and attempted to follow the step by step instructions of our mother's scrumptious peanut butter cookie recipe. Then, after spooning them onto the cookie sheet, she made those famous criss-cross markings with the fork before placing them into the oven.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEd7fAIUzjcqWUyQYmizZCQtF6Kst-09rLO465IZlpuKc7AfopPntz-oAnLRgr0zceKE7LQzZlhdty4FpR2RPEOMfViSOQwamq3BSMm7HlaGGzkSu-IK8cagJAAtFBywhGzKmap4rNQU/s1600/peanut+butter+cookies-fork+press.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEd7fAIUzjcqWUyQYmizZCQtF6Kst-09rLO465IZlpuKc7AfopPntz-oAnLRgr0zceKE7LQzZlhdty4FpR2RPEOMfViSOQwamq3BSMm7HlaGGzkSu-IK8cagJAAtFBywhGzKmap4rNQU/s640/peanut+butter+cookies-fork+press.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the aroma of nutty, buttery cookies wafted through the house, we could almost taste the sweet, golden treats.<br />
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DING! The timer announced that the cookies were ready. My sister was so proud of herself. We were proud of her too. They looked and smelled delicious.<br />
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<b>But something was off! </b>My mom and I barely got the cookies to our mouths before we were gagging and sputtering. They were so salty your tongue began to shrivel before the cookie ever touched it.<br />
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When my sister saw our reaction, she read back through the recipe and discovered she had misread a very important ingredient amount. She read <b>1/4 tsp. of salt </b>as a<b> 1/4 <i>Cup</i> of salt.</b> Need I say more?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmREMDNkUwxC1VN8ZmbkVGTlBR0fUt1n-HPklpB8lxxO9JZZwNoOjTewyRim1oSehxU0BnIELt3e2l5Lyo58ye0iEmbl7VSGSqdDJgqBFOtU0J0qGZVWKzBve6bcb33NSuogS8lAw6c7g/s1600/salt-4418749_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmREMDNkUwxC1VN8ZmbkVGTlBR0fUt1n-HPklpB8lxxO9JZZwNoOjTewyRim1oSehxU0BnIELt3e2l5Lyo58ye0iEmbl7VSGSqdDJgqBFOtU0J0qGZVWKzBve6bcb33NSuogS8lAw6c7g/s640/salt-4418749_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This humorous recipe fiasco illustrates how important following directions is. We also cannot live a life of faith well if we're not using the right amount of God's specified ingredients.<div><br /></div><div>Y<i>ou are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5: 13-16 </i>ESV).</div><div><br /></div><div>We, disciples of Jesus Christ, are set apart as salt and light. A balanced blend of both. Too much salt, and the fruit of our lives shrivels up. Too much light, and the good fruit burns up.<br />
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So, how can we be sure what we're serving up is mixed properly and well-balanced?<br />
<br />Although we still live inside a fleshly body, when we received Christ as Lord, a very important ingredient was deposited into our spirit. That essential ingredient is <b>The Holy Spirit</b>. His guidance, power, and strength gives us what we need to live a life well-balanced and pleasing to the Lord.<br />
<br />So how do we become a tasteful mix of salt and light in the world?<div><br /></div><div><font color="#3367d6"><b>SALT</b></font> has the ability to enhance or destroy the taste of foods. Too little salt, the food is bland. Too much salt, the taste is repulsive.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><font color="#3367d6">SALT</font></b> also contains healing properties. Salt draws out infection so wounds can heal. It's not always a pleasant experience, but the healing is worth the few moments of pain.</div><div><br /></div><div><font color="#3367d6"><b>LIGHT</b></font> reveals what is hidden in the dark. Too little light and we struggle to see. Too much light and our eyes are blinded.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><font color="#3367d6">LIGHT </font></b>also contains healing properties. Vitamin D, for instance, is an ingredient our bodies must have for strong bones, teeth, and muscles. Sunlight contains vitamin D. Not enough Vitamin D, we can become anemic, feeling tired, weak, and even pain. </div><div><br />
Placing too much or too little emphasis on one or the other will mean something's off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBTh-fPOLnJeyR_vvTzJoqY80un0i8BoDQlmW5pHGXNEAIaPZ6s8HqfwKLzfvHOiM9_5rB4Ub8kzrFsi31Maw3WunLRIaZBoT5jwaaH3uxiwFDVIMF0T2Zs1pqdK7XMHoEIbPytwvOSo/s1600/heart-candy-candle+3111760_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBTh-fPOLnJeyR_vvTzJoqY80un0i8BoDQlmW5pHGXNEAIaPZ6s8HqfwKLzfvHOiM9_5rB4Ub8kzrFsi31Maw3WunLRIaZBoT5jwaaH3uxiwFDVIMF0T2Zs1pqdK7XMHoEIbPytwvOSo/s640/heart-candy-candle+3111760_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What are people "tasting" from your life as they get up-close and personal with you? Is your life serving up a well-balanced blend of God's kindness, goodness, and mercy, drawing others into the healing presence of Jesus Christ? Are the luscious fruits of the Spirit, dipped and drizzled with unconditional love, filling you with the pleasing aroma of Christ? Or are we pushing people away from the presence of Jesus because our lives are spiritually out of balance?</div><div><br /></div><div>Something's really off in our society today, and God's people need to be salt and light more than ever before. Emotionally-driven chaos is never the answer to any kind of unrest. What the world needs right now and every day is real Gospel-driven love, served up to everyone we come in contact with. It's not the color of our skin that God is concerned with, it's what's baking inside our hearts. The only hope we have of turning hearts and minds toward a good, loving, and just God is to be the hands and feet of Christ, living out a balanced life of salt and light, empowered by the Holy Spirit. <br />
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<i>Lord, make my life pleasing to You and tasteful to others. Change whatever's off in me so what I offer to people will cause them to want more of You, not less. Stir up in me what You want others to taste and see. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.</i><br />
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<i>O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).</i><br />
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He is good.<br />
He is good.<br />
<b>He is good!</b><br />
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<b><i>My Pleasure,</i></b><br />
<b><i>Melanie</i></b><br />
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<font size="4"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Peanut Butter Cookies </b></font></div><div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b></div><div><b><font size="4">Ingredients:</font></b></div><div><b><font size="4"><br /></font></b>
<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style: none; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 and 1/3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup </span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">all-purpose flour</span> </font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tsp</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">baking soda</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tsp</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">baking powder</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tsp </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">salt</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">unsalted butter, </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box;">softened</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2 </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">granulated sugar</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">packed light brown sugar</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">creamy peanut butter</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">large </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">egg</span></font></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tsp </span><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">vanilla extract</span></font></li></ul>
<br />
<h3 class="wprm-recipe-header" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: #2a3741; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia" size="4">Instructions:</font></h3><div><br /></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="background-color: #f8f8f8; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0px;"><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; list-style: none; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px; table-layout: fixed; width: 540px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. </font></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Line baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil, or parchment paper. </font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="georgia">In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.</font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.</font></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="georgia">Mix in peanut butter, then blend in egg and vanilla. </font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="georgia">With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. </font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Scoop out approx 2 Tbs. of dough for each cookie. Shape into balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet.</font></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Using a dinner fork, press prongs to flatten each cookie ball slightly then turn fork and repeat, creating a criss-cross pattern.</font></p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Bake cookies <span style="font-size: 1em;">for about 9 minutes. Cookies should be light brown, not golden brown, when removed from oven. </span></font></p></div></li><span style="font-size: 1em; position: relative;"><font face="georgia"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"></li></font></span><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 1em;">Allow cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.</span></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><font face="georgia">Store in an air-tight container.</font></p></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><br /><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: table-ol 1; display: table-row; font-family: inter, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></div></li></ol></div>
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<br /></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729335929194245237.post-43307244597894828042020-04-01T17:11:00.000-04:002020-04-01T17:11:05.933-04:00May I Have Your Attention, Please?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I love a good show. Don't you? A really good show makes you laugh, cry, gasp, anticipate, and applaud. It touches on all of our emotions.<br />
<br />
In Columbia, SC, we have a nationally renown theater called Town Theater which recently celebrated 100 years of bringing excellent stage drama to the Midlands community. My husband and I have enjoyed many shows in that beautiful old building. Our town is also fortunate to have the Koger Center for the Arts (where we recently saw the performance of C.S. Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert), The Colonial Center, and several other venues where talented performers grace the stage to razzle and dazzle audiences of all ages.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been waiting for a show to begin and someone steps up to the microphone and says, <b><span style="color: red;">"May I have your attention, please?"</span></b><br />
<br />
Everyone immediately looks toward the person making the announcement. It's a natural response. Sometimes it's a <b>call to order</b>. Sometimes there's an<b> emergency</b>. He or she may ask people to move in towards the middle to <b>make more room</b> for others waiting to get in. My favorite, though, is the announcement that <b>the show will be starting soon.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Lately, I'm hearing another amplified voice announcing, </span></span><b style="color: red;">"May I have your attention, please?"</b><br />
<br />
No, it's not the voice of an emcee. It's the <b>voice of the Lord</b> calling His Church to turn her heart back to Him - Her first Love. It's <b>an urgent call </b>to get our lives in order<b>,</b> to <span style="font-weight: bold;">move our hearts back</span> into alignment with His,<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">to make room </span>for His holy presence because we're closer than ever to the day of His return.<br />
<br />
Is it evident to you that we have strayed away from what matters most to Jesus Christ - devoted hearts who worship Him in spirit and in truth? How our minds have drifted away from the Person of worship and are focused on distractions deemed essential?<br />
<br />
If you're not convinced of a major shift in focus, think about when you attended worship services - before the crisis of COVID-19. Where was most everyone's attention centered? The stage.<br />
<br />
In many of the places we gather on Sundays, it's become all about everything but Who we've come to worship. Our eyes, hearts, and minds have become so distracted with non-essentials, we've lost sight of what is truly required to worship the King of kings -<b> a broken and contrite heart. </b>(Psalm 51:17)<br />
<br />
Maybe our church buildings are empty <b>for such a time as this</b> so God can deal with His people.<br />
<br />
<i>Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Father is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.</b> These are the true worshipers. (John 4:23)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Spirit.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span>When our spirit is one with <b>t</b>he Holy Spirit, we're uninhibited, unleashed, and free to offer our spiritual act of worship before the Lord (Romans 12:1-2): a life of sanctification, filled with praise, thanksgiving, confession, prayer, songs, and the reading/hearing of the Word of God.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Truth.<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span></span>Jesus Christ. <i>I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me, </i>(John 14:6). No matter what else we think we need to come into the presence of the God, spirit and truth are the essential ingredients. Without these, there is no worship.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">True worship</span> </b>occurs when we view and exalt Jesus as our Savior and Lord - holy and just, full of love and grace, wisdom and power, forgiveness and mercy, strength, honor, and glory... and see ourselves as we are -in desperate need of a Savior every moment of every day.<br />
<br />
But, instead of recognizing<i> </i>Jesus and ourselves in light of who He is, we've become distracted with all the stuff which crowds out the Spirit's voice calling us to repentance, revival, and renewal.<br />
<br />
Christ has invited you and me into a personal relationship with Him, not into a building or a brand or style of worship. Being in the presence of Jesus, relishing in His glory with grateful and faith-filled hearts is what He desires from us. God is searching for hearts full of love for Him and each other. Hearts bowed in gratitude toward the Son who gave up everything to save our souls. But, by the time we've focused on<b> </b>all of the distractions, there is<b> little to no room in our hearts or minds for the overwhelming, glorious presence of God. </b>And we've missed Him...again.<br />
<br />
<b>It's time to sit up and pay close attention. God is shaking His people. His voice is crying out to you, to me. Will we choose to give Him our undivided attention?</b><br />
<br />
<i>But this I have against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first (Revelation 2:4, </i>ESV).<br />
<br />
God's Spirit presses in to those who are seeking after Him by faith believing, wanting to know Him more. He's drawing near to those who love Him with a whole heart, who are walking in obedience, following His example and teachings in His power and strength.<br />
<br />
God is calling to His Church, louder than ever to turn our hearts back; back to our first love, back to what we were created to be - His Bride - His most cherished possession. The Church has been set apart, declared holy for a divine purpose - to display the glory of God.<br />
<br />
We are to be ready, on full alert, waiting and watching with great anticipation, for the Groom's return, seeking His face and learning to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And when He makes His grand entrance, every emotion we have will be on full display as He will have everyone's full attention.<br />
<br />
What is God teaching you about Himself during these days while the church doors are closed?<br />
<br />
<i><b>My Pleasure,</b></i><br />
<i><b>Melanie</b></i>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916221533890908277noreply@blogger.com0