tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88905154031139020012024-03-13T06:04:22.074-07:00SAY TO THE WEARY ONE--INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, ENLIGHTENMENT, EXHORTATION--
ANCIENT WISDOM SEEN IN FRESH WAYS. GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-45769698844846554252021-02-14T06:04:00.002-08:002021-03-22T09:13:45.393-07:00STARGAZER<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background: white;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="background: white;">Do everything without complaining or
arguing, <b><sup>15 </sup></b>so that you may become blameless and
pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in
which you shine like stars in the Universe as you hold out the word of life.” </span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Philippians 2:14,15</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t know the names of many constellations or of many individual
stars but I like to look at them and try to imagine what it’s like there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I walk at night before bedtime. My best quiet time, best
Jesus time, best prayer time. I look up at the stars shining, appreciating the
One who made them, the One who walks the night here with me. I wish I could
know the names of them all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In the Millennial Kingdom, Earth will still be the old
Earth, the Universe the old Universe. I look forward to walking under the stars
there with Jesus, asking Him to name them all for me. I’ll be in my new body
then. I’ll have my sharp new mind, too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But on the New Earth, Jesus will be the only Light we’ll
have, the only Light we’ll need. No night sky. No visible stars. No beautiful
dark velvet setting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ll really miss that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But everything there will be way better than we can
imagine. I asked Jesus: “What can be better than walking under the stars with You?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And that verse above hit me. People!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Our new bodies will be like His resurrection body. He
could walk through a closed door anytime He wanted to just because He wanted
to. Same with us. If we want to go to the bottom of the sea, just think and we’re
there. If we want to go to the top of the sky, bingo! People all over the sky,
shining like the stars in the Universe! Because our new bodies might have a
glow to them. If not in themselves, then certainly as reflectors of His own
glow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What stories we’ll have to tell, individual stars and
constellations. How did you meet each other on Earth? How did you help others
to write their stories? How did you help each other to live them out?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My new eyes might be able to see them all at once. My new
mind might be able to wrap itself around all of them. I might have enough brain
power to know—and remember—every single name. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But we don’t have to wait until then to shine like the
stars. We’re not supposed to wait. Supposed to shine like stars into the
darkness of the world of here and now.<i> </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t leave anyone to wander around in the
dark here and miss the door, because the more who make it to Heaven, the
brighter that sky will be and the greater God’s glory will be. Don’t let Satan
rob Him of even one soul. </span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">I won’t have
to miss the stars, after all Avi. I’ll be walking there with You, looking up at
all the people who want to check it out! All the saints up there exploring the
new universe, the sky full of them, reflecting the light of the Son, shining
like stars in the Universe!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">But for now,
help me, help us. Wipe off any dirt we’ve picked up from this broken <a style="mso-comment-date: 20210211T1723; mso-comment-reference: GP_1;">world so we can
shine, shine, shine! </a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif">In Your Holy
Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="mso-element: comment-list;"><div style="mso-element: comment;"><div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
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</div>GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-3256917505823081372021-01-21T18:26:00.002-08:002021-01-21T18:26:45.586-08:00THE BEST IS YET TO COME<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…because God has said, “Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">News headline:
“2020—the worst year ever!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Definitely not.
Several years in my past give 2020 a run for the money. With the recent elections
going the way they did, the next few years also promise to be in the
running—but for me, no contest. 2020 was just a wrinkle in time. I’ve already
been through the worst I’ll ever have to go through—because I’ll never again
have to go through anything alone. Even if I lose everything I have here, even
if I lose the entire family God has rooted me in, I’ll still have my Heavenly
Hope. The love of the One who holds me so safe is way bigger and stronger than
anything or anyone else in the whole of His creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the meantime, He’s
got big plans for me, plans to prosper and not to harm. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Nothing can happen to me unless He lets it, and if He lets it, He has a good
reason. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">So, no matter how bad
it is or how bad it gets, I have this forever hope:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus loves me, He will stay</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Close beside me all the way</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He's prepared a Home for me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And someday His face I'll see</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, Jesus loves me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, Jesus loves me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, Jesus loves me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the Bible tells me so. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avi, so many today are chasing the
elusive little gods of money, fame and power, running over any and everyone who
happens to be in their way. So many are hopeless, looking for a way out that
just doesn’t seem to be there. Blind leading the blind, blind chasing the
blind, stumbling over the blind, no guide dogs in sight. You are the Light of
the World, Avi. You are the God who came to live among us, to heal the blind,
the deaf, the lame, the brokenhearted. Help us now, Avi. Heal our nation. Heal
our churches. Draw us back to You.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">In Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .5in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p><p></p>GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-83487964982424086472020-08-26T06:56:00.003-07:002020-08-26T07:06:03.902-07:00HOSPITALITY<p><span face="">“A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another.” John 13:34,35 NASB</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="" style="line-height: 107%;">J</span>ust listened on-line to a pastor who’s guest preaching for us next Sunday. His subject was the nature of the church, the mandate to fellowship, to communion, to hospitality. All true for all of us. But each of us is given different talents, different personalities, different pathways and opportunities to express and exercise that mandate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m thinking that preacher is going to be pretty
disappointed in me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">The basic difference in extroverts and introverts is in
how they re-energize and refresh themselves. Extroverts draw energy from social
interaction, introverts from quality solitude. Especially, for the believer,
solitude with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Every one of us finite beings has a bucket of social
energy, different sizes, different shapes. Every bucket loses energy through
evaporation. An extrovert’s bucket may be wide or not so wide, but it’s deep
and strong and tight. Even if a major kick should make a dent and slosh some
energy out, the bucket seems to have an inner pump that only fails in times of
too much aloneness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Introverts' buckets, on the other hand, are of a more
delicate material. While all are wide for maximum evaporation, they vary in
depth according to how severe the “disability”* is. All have pinholes, few or
many, that accelerate the energy loss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Normal—and doable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">But if someone comes along and kicks a hole in that
fragile bucket, especially if the kick lands low, all the energy floods out and
is gone. It can take a long time to let Jesus repair and refill it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I’m a strong introvert with a peculiar assignment: to
touch individuals with hands, heart, voice, pen. I like people, care about
them, enjoy them very much in small doses. But too many people at once, or just
one or two for too long, especially if they’re gathered in my only place of
solitude (no escape), or if they’re pressuring me to spend myself in ways <i>they</i>
see fit, then I’m flat out empty. The first thing to go (faster these days) is
my priceless creative energy. Too long without that and I’m sucked down a
whirlpool and spat out of my own bucket. Nothing left to give to anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">I’m a one-on-one person. When I hear stories of hunger or
abuse or persecution far or near it touches me—but it doesn’t <i>touch</i> me.
I can’t relate to faceless masses on an emotional level. But when it’s one
face, one heart, I go to a level so deep that many people would drown.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">My spiritual gift is mercy. My personality type is INFJ.
My focus is my God—but when I’ve permitted people to drain me, when I’ve failed
to allow for my own legitimate needs, when I’ve had no time or space or energy
to think and process whatever life has handed me (or thrown at me), I’m not
good company even for Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: large; line-height: 107%;">Hospitality wide and general, or hospitality more keenly
focused? Which is more important?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trick question. It’s neither.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="">Avi, toda.
Thanks. Seems like my vocabulary is pretty limited here, but since that’s one
of Your bestest, most favorite words, I’m thinking You’re OK with it. Thank You
for the way You’ve made me and gifted me with so much to share, too much for me
to carry. Thank You for carrying it for me, for doing the work I cannot do
(Psalm 138:8), and for pointing out people who need Your touch through me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="">In Your Holy
Name, Amen</span><span face=""> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="line-height: 107%;">* Myself, I consider this “disability” an amazing major
strength, an advantage that has drawn me into a deeper dependence on and closer
relationship with Jesus.</span><span face="" style="line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-66951035432022799582020-06-21T17:51:00.003-07:002020-06-21T17:51:59.837-07:00THE SONG IS WRONG <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because you
are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying,
“Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6 NASB</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Listening to an old Rusty Goodman song, “Who Am I?” * Two questions
in there. Who? And why? Who am I to deserve what my God did for me? Why would
He go to the cross for me? The song reaches a conclusion: “The answer I may
never know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The song is wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The answers to both questions are so simple that even the
youngest child knows them instinctively. The second question first. How could
he ever love undeserving <i>me</i> so? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How could He not love me? It isn’t about me; it’s about
Him. He <i>is</i> love and love finds its only true substance in Him. He can’t
not love. He cannot be untrue to Himself. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(II Timothy 2:13) </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The harder question is, “Why me?” Again, the answer slaps
me upside the face. I’m His kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I can hear my argumentative nephew now: “Well, tell me
this then. When He died, you hadn’t even been thought of. Your great, great,
great grandpappy hadn’t even been born. And after you were born, you weren’t
His yet because y</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">ou hadn’t accepted Him…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But I had been thought of. I was already known. He knows
my heart, all the way through. He made that heart, especially and on purpose,
and with a custom-made purpose. He gave it to me, taught me to feel and know
it. He knew me before He made me, and He knew how much I’d want and need a
Father. He knew that </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">in this world </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I wouldn’t find father or mother or friend able to
satisfy my deepest need. Way before I had any name for that hunger, I longed
for Him—and He’s always been looking for me, lost lamb, lost child. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I’ve always been his child. Now I’m his forever child all the
way through—and He knew all that before He even made me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, the answer is too simple for the wise. But the
understanding? <i>That</i> will take all of eternity--even for the simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Avi, it’s so
good to be known by You, and to know that in Heaven no one will ever again feel
misunderstood. No one will ever again feel invisible and written off. I’m
looking forward to learning who my brothers and sisters really are, to see their
hearts. But most of all, I look forward to spending eternity making new
discoveries about You. I can hardly wait to start. Show me more of You here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">In Your Holy Name,
Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
* <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFilnKaA8a4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFilnKaA8a4</a>GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-42476452343879763332020-01-10T17:29:00.001-08:002020-01-10T17:31:37.967-08:00WHOSE?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The LORD said
to him, “What is that in your hand?” </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“A
staff,” he replied. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
LORD said, “Throw it on the ground.” </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moses
threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then the LORD said, “Reach out your
hand and take it by the tail.” </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, Moses reached out and
took hold of the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.” </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Exodus 4:2-4 NIV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve been struggling with discouragement lately. Hard to
balance people and responsibilities in my life and have any creative energy
left over for these books that just keep growing. Counting down the days left
to me, counting up all I have left to write. Trying to come up with an answer
that equals productivity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, LORD,” I ask with Moses, “do You have anyone else
for this task? The older I get, the harder the writing gets (and the bending
over it long enough) and the less I can handle distractions, and the more
distractions there are. I want to run from it. Think I could catch Moses?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His answer to Moses: “What is that in your hand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His answer to me: “What’s that in your hand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This old hand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, duh.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“A pen—but, uhhh, I think it’s empty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Throw it on the ground.” Fertile ground. Holy ground. <i>His</i>
ground. I stand there barefooted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Listen!</span></i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Quit trying to do it
in your own strength. “<i>Throw – It - Down.</i> Rest under <i>My</i> wings while
I give new strength to <i>your</i> wings. Then pick it up by the tail, right
where you left off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank You for
scratching that cowardly prayer, Avi. I’d way rather You give me the RoundToIt
and the UpToIt to finish my job myself, and to finish well. So here it goes. “<i>Down</i>,
Pen!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Think my snaky
book can sneak up behind the enemy and bite his heel? No—but Your book through
me can. Thank You for not giving up on me, Avi, and for not letting me give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Your Holy
Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-34508298607203419442019-12-23T15:05:00.000-08:002019-12-23T15:06:54.408-08:00STAR KING <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="text" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For the creation waits in
eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-28137" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its
own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-28138" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">that the
creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought
into the freedom and glory of the children of God. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Romans 8:19-21 NIV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Can you imagine a perfect
creation’s pain when it was broken by man’s sin? Can you imagine how this
unceasing pain has plagued creation through the grinding centuries?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Close your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">See sudden light shatter the
darkness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When angels sang to shepherds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hear all creation cry,
“Hosanna!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To its Hope, its Redeemer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">See them dance, Abraham’s
holy stars,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dancing bright in the night sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They whirl to the music of
angels,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Glad light in broken darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The greatest star stoops to
the manger;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Soft glow caresses the Babe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mute voice of all, the
Star-King whispers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wondrous Child, my Creator…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then, hurled by
inexpressible joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Into the highest heaven,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He shouts, “Tremble, thou
Earth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the Presence of the God of Jacob!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
wise men draw near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Avi, thank You for the message of the stars.* Thank
You for putting eternity in our hearts, for giving us a hunger for what we do
not know. Thank You for giving us the small measure of wisdom we needed to seek
You. Give us more hunger, more wisdom, that we might draw even nearer to You. We
need You—and those of us who know You love You.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">In Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">*Romans 1:20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-71463413557704230602019-11-22T07:10:00.003-08:002019-11-22T07:13:41.751-08:00HOUND OF HEAVEN <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He answered and said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid
because I was naked, so I hid.” Genesis 3:10 NIV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was taken to Sunday School
and taught that God is love. I believed that—but I didn’t believe God or
anyone else could love me because I couldn’t live up to legalistic standards.
Love had to be earned, and the rules for getting it were always changing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God chased me through the
years, through all the brief pleasures and interests I tried to find purpose
and relationship in. (Mainly crafts, pets, books.) Still trying to live up to
legalism, I even tried church once when I first went away to school. Very bad
experience, long story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The last valley was my first
marriage at 40. Six years of control freak temper tantrums came close to
convincing me I really must be worthless. At the end of that time I wasn’t a
pile of broken pieces; I was a pile of dust. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two things got through to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One: my ex would watch the
beginning of Jimmy Swaggert’s TV program, then turn it off when the preaching
came on. I liked the music, but what really pulled at me was what I saw in John
Starnes’ face as he sang. Whatever it was, I wanted it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two: If something mattered
enough for me to talk back to my ex, he’d choose one small detail and hammer at
it for days: “Why did you use <i>that</i> word and not <i>this</i> one?” One
day I got so frustrated I just threw up my hands and said, “Oh, God!” He
snapped back, “You’d better call on somebody you know a little better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That cold shock was the end of
it. God had me up a dead end alley with nowhere else to run from Him—and I was
still scared of Him. But when I screwed up my courage to turn and face what I
knew was coming from this angry God, His arms were wide open, His tender hunger
for me unmistakable. What was left of me just finished crumbling. I didn’t yet
know Wayne Watson’s song, Rose-Colored Glasses, but I felt one line of it all
the way through me: “I am my God’s desire.” *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There were no words between
us, no “sinner’s prayer”, but He could hear the words of my heart. I was dead,
rotten all the way through, and I wanted to live. I wanted love, the real
two-way kind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now I know I’ve already been
through the worst I’ll ever have to go through—because I’ll never again have to
go through anything alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saint Patrick said, “Belong to
God and become a wonder to yourself.” That’s true. I’m real now; I’m what I was
supposed to be all along. And that pile if dust I was? He put His Light in
there, and the pile started glowing warm and bright, coming together in a clean
new vessel. It’s still inside this old jar of clay, but it’s <i>there</i>. And
one day after all the days are gone, <i>everyone</i> will get to see it. And
for now, other people get to warm up at His fire in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Avi, again I have no words but the words of my grateful heart. Hear me,
and know how much I love You. In Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEQ5jxLV14g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEQ5jxLV14g</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-8704805783039261212019-11-16T08:07:00.002-08:002019-11-16T08:08:18.262-08:00UNSEEN<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Truly, truly,
I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 NASB</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Preacher preached on faith. After the sermon he passed
out mustard seeds, potting soil, tiny clay pots, pens to write good stuff on
the little pots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We named our babies Faith and Hope. Faith like a mustard
seed. Hope in the One who gives life to all, new life abundant to those who
believe Him, believe in Him, and accept Him. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After a week or two, we transplanted Faith and Hope into
bigger pots. As I wrote on their new pots, I got to thinking about what God
might write on them, what He might write on me. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our faith is life, life in the One who created us,
grieved for us, sought us, bought us at an unfathomable price.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And our hope is in death! Because from death to self
comes true life in Him. And we get to live this new life instead of the old
broken one we traded in. Who can understand <i>that</i> mystery?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I took Faith and Hope to church—they begged to go, y’all—I
found only one whose plant was still alive, but stunted in its original tiny
pot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As those tiny mustard seeds need to grow, so does our
faith. As the tiny plants have needs to be met before they can grow—fertility,
good soil, water, sun, just enough wind to strengthen them, protection from too
much of anything—so it is with our faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But not to fear. The Master Gardener knows just what each
plant needs. He prepares the soil just so, plowing deep to show us our need and
awaken our hunger. He offers the good seed, plants it just so. He never plants
the seed too deep to find its way to the Light. He never leaves His plants too
long in tiny pots to cramp their roots. He never sits His plants in dark
corners (even if it sometimes feels like it) where they wither for lack of sun.
He never leaves our baby faith unprotected in storm winds too strong, flood
waters too deep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then He talks to the tiny plants, encourages them,
touches them tenderly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And yeah, He even names them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank You for
choosing me to receive Your seed of hope, Avi. Thank You for tending it just
so. Most of all, thank You for preparing my soil. I treasure all the lessons of
the past that showed my desperate need for You. Remind me over and over of my
own responsibility: To suck it up. To suck it all up, as much as I can hold of
You. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Your Holy
Name, Amen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-64539554610632306742019-10-22T11:47:00.001-07:002019-10-22T11:47:55.528-07:00PRAYER WAGON<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who then is
the one who condemns? No one. Jesus Christ who died—more than that, who was
raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Romans 8:34 NIV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I woke in the middle of the night wondering about the people
from years ago—15, 20, 25 +++ years—who have long since fallen off the back of
my prayer wagon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The gospel singer who woke in me a hunger for what I saw
in his face as he sang. The vicious ex-husband who pushed me to the end of
myself and into Jesus’ arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The speeding Walter Mitty (Google that, young’uns) off
duty fireman responsible for the fender bender I got the ticket for; praying
that the shame I saw in his face as he lied in court would work him all the way
to Jesus. The judge in that traffic court who pounded his gavel and said about
my defense, “I don’t want to hear it. Guilty!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">The guy who followed me into a parking lot to confront
me. His impotent road rage—angels, y’all—as he turned and pounded his fist into
his own truck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Long time members of our local congregation retired and
moved away. The “all faiths minister” who refused to hear of <i>the</i> Way, <i>the</i>
Truth, <i>the</i> Life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I didn’t dump them. New riders boarding in the front
crowded them back and back until they just fell off. Didn’t miss them right
away. Got my eyes front watching for hitchhikers, weary pilgrims on the road
ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prayer warrior? Me? Sometimes I feel like it isn’t a
warhorse pulling my wagon, but Balaam’s donkey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But I have access to my God’s ear and His heart. Gotta
use it, even when I’m weary and overwhelmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once in a while I remember to circle around and pick
those folks up again—but my wagon’s tiny and they just keep getting crowded
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sometimes I even fall off my own wagon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But Jesus has the granddaddy of all prayer wagons, room
for me and all the yous out there who ever were or will be. I’ll never be
crowded off His wagon, never fall off unnoticed. Nobody will. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">One day I won’t be here to drive this rickety wagon
anymore, but He’ll still be driving in style. Best ride ever. Get your thumbs
out there, y’all!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Avi, thank
You for my prayer wagon, splinter seat, wobbly wheels and all. Thank You for
the privilege of driving it for You. Help me to be faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">In Your Holy
Name, Amen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-35172946878017003502019-10-10T16:29:00.001-07:002019-10-10T16:38:40.064-07:00FLIGHT RISK<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Listen!
I will tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep but we will all be changed. In
a flash, in a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, the trumpet will sound
and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. I Corinthians 15:51,52</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t count on me. I might—make
that I’m gonna—skip out on you. You can count on me doing my best as long as I’m
here—but don’t count on me being here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m a certified,
dyed-in-the-wool flight risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What would happen if I stood
before a judge and said that? I don’t have money for the bond he’d jack up on
me, if he gave me any bond at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But my whole penalty is paid,
my whole sentence already served. I’ve got a ticket to ride, debt-free and
clear, bought and paid for and <i>given</i> to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This world is not my home. When
my Father comes to get me, there’s nothing stopping him (not even that earthly
judge’s jail cell) from taking this born-again flight risk outta here, all the
way to the Home He’s building for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ain’t workin’ no notice,
either! Don’t count on me. I’m outta here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But you know who you <i>can</i>
count on? The One who’s coming to take me to my real Home, the God of all Creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What
will it be like to fly with You, Avi? And without a plane!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When
I went for a glider ride, the pilot put me in the front seat, nothing between
me and the open sky but the glider’s nose and the tail of the tow plane at the other end of a heavy yellow rope. (No fear; I knew You wouldn’t drop me.) Then the pilot
told me to pull the yellow handle and we were free, soaring through the clouds,
looking down as we left this world behind, looking up and wondering how far it
was to Home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Time
too short. I wanted to stay up there, going higher and higher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But
that little flight memory can’t compare to the reality when You come for us and
we taste true freedom, flying with You into Eternity, Home at last. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even so,
come, Lord Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-31104989907055302432019-09-12T13:50:00.000-07:002019-09-12T14:21:23.372-07:00SECRET WEAPON<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He will cover you with his feathers, and
under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and
rampart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 91:4 NIV<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I might look at you and wonder how you can carry such a
load. I might look at you and wonder how you can get away with so little. You
might look at me and wonder about me. How can I ‘complain’ when my visible load
seems so small to you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The truth is that God customizes each of our loads. Heavy
not to crush but to build our strength. Heavy enough that we cannot carry it
alone. Heavy enough to encourage us to turn to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I cannot judge your load. I cannot judge your strengths
or your weaknesses. You cannot know mine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God gave me an intuitive awareness of the inner needs of
others. He gave me a spiritual gift: to touch people with His mercy. He gave me
people, purpose, pets. These things rub against each other like tectonic
plates. When the pressure is too great, the earth shifts and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>throws me to my face flat on the gritty
emotional ground, my load grinding into my spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last Tuesday my load shifted beyond balance. I spent the
day trying to decide whether to give up my dogs. True, Jesus entrusted them to
me. True, every dog I’ve ever had has been a much-needed emotional support
animal, whether vindicated by a certificate or not. True, I owe dogs big time,
long story. True, they’re sensate creatures with strong attachments who would
grieve deeply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without the dogs, no more friction from the canine
tectonic plate. I could give more to people, enjoy visitors without fearing for the dogs' sense of peace and safe</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">t</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">y. Without the dogs, we wouldn’t be
tied down, could travel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">to betray them would be to betray the God who entrusted them to me. (Proverbs 12:10) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t throw them back into the rescue system. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Frightened and confused, they wouldn’t show well enough to find new homes, and older </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">dogs rarely do as well with re-homing. I
can’t put them down without living with a tremendous sense of guilt and regret
added to my load—and the load would be even more off kilter without their love
and with the added weight of resentment at being forced to this choice.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But as much as they matter to God, people made in His
image matter more—and I cannot balance them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without my ESA’s, could I write? No more weight on the
pet corner, the purpose corner crashing down on the people corner, shattered. Two
legs gone of the three. How long can I teeter on one? Without them, would I
have anything left for people? People are very draining to us strong
introverts, more so without opportunity to refill with uninterrupted
solitude—and with ESA’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Avi, help! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Late that night, I walked down with my girls to secure
the gate. Looked up. A wide contrail, one edge blown into streaks by the upper
winds. Centered in the sharper edge, a waxing gibbous moon. Feathers! The moon
had wings! Wings like my Father’s wings, spread wide to shelter me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Satan doesn’t give up easy. One really bad day, a moment
of comfort, then another heavy day—but God doesn’t give up, either. I woke this
morning with songs in my head and a realization: the problem is my new pocket
tape recorder! When that old devil tries to sit heavy on my soul, I pull out my
pocket music and he has to scat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the new one has no music on it yet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David had to encourage himself with his psalms, reminders
of God’s faithfulness—and so do I. Without this secret weapon there’s a chink
in my armor, a crack in my helmet. I don’t doubt that Jesus has and will save
me—in the long run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I also have no
doubt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll let me feel as if my burden
will crush me—in the short run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I cannot walk on water if I take my eyes from Him. Music
focuses my gaze, pulls it from the stormy waters. He Touched Me—and I am
healed, whole. A Mighty Fortress—a strong, safe place to shelter in, to fight
from. Near to the Heart of God—where I belong as I’ve never belonged in this
world, where I will stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Avi,
how do I find words to thank You? I have none. Help me to live a life of
thankfulness. In Your Holy Name, Amen. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-76103524267436103582019-02-26T18:31:00.000-08:002019-02-26T18:56:56.928-08:00WHO AM I? <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through
faith,</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-29130" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">for all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"></span><span id="en-NIV-29131" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> Galatians 3:26,27 NIV <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ads for checking out genealogical sites. Ads for
checking out who you are and where you came from. Yeah, my mind is so weird
that I’m pretty sure there must have been some really interesting people back
there somewhere in my ancestry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I know a little. My folks are from England, Ireland, Scotland and
Wales. At least that’s what I’ve been told; I wasn’t there yet. My Irish
grandmother’s greatest source of pride was that she was born on Saint Patrick’s
Day. Don’t know what I’d find way back to be proud of—or ashamed of. Was Florence
Nightingale my great, great, great, great grandma? Was Abraham Lincoln my great,
great, great, great granddaddy? Or maybe John Wilkes Booth or Benedict Arnold? I
don’t look like the pictures of any of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Doesn’t matter. I don’t take other folks failures—or successes— personally,
no matter who they are. I’m responsible for my own reputation, and nobody else’s.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">But I’m curious, and I’d like to check it out someday. Maybe. I hear
there’s a downside to those sites. Privacy, discrimination from insurance
companies if there’s a history of health problems, the chance of a devastating
blow to your self-esteem, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m way more interested in my spiritual ancestry. Who told the
ones who told me? Who told those people, and who those, and who those? Does my
lineage trace back through one of the great revivals? One of Billy Graham’s
crusades? The 1904 revival in Wales? The First Great Awakening with Jonathan
Edwards in 1727? One of Paul’s missionary journeys? Pentecost in AD 30?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Were my spiritual ancestors giants of the faith, or simple,
saintly prayer warriors? Were their births easy or difficult? What were their
struggles? What were their successes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One day I’ll find out and get to thank them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avi, thank
You for all those souls who were faithful to share Your truth with those who
followed them. No matter the path, my lineage traces straight back to You. Now,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that’s</i> something to be proud of!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Your
Holy Name, Amen <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-78356049705576155652019-02-19T21:23:00.001-08:002019-02-19T21:26:11.436-08:00PASSION<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But be sure
to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what
great things He has done for you. I Samuel 12:24 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Squirrels run wild in our yard, which doesn’t suit our
terrier mixes. Or maybe it does. All three burn with passion to take them on—and
when a squirrel hits the ground on the other side of a fence, major
frustration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know that feeling. When I’m hot on the trail, trying to
capture a thought or insight or scene with pen and ink, but folks and
circumstances interrupt and those words escape to hide and taunt me, I am lost.
That frustration can burn holes in a soul, like in the Langston Hughes poem, A
Raisin in the Sun.* </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What’s a passionate soul to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wait on Jesus, because some of those interruptions <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> my work for that day. Sometimes the
small things are that day’s large things, because those interruptions are part
of my spiritual gift. I touch people, sometimes with my hands or a hug,
sometimes just listening, sometimes with the words I write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But still I count down the days of my life, wondering if I’ll
ever get to publish my series, or even finish one book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s His call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All I have to do is stay close to Him and let Him choose
each day’s assignment. Eventually He’ll make a way back to my God-given
passion, will help me to finish what He’s given me to write. But whether He
lets me publish in my lifetime or not, He will not waste these stories. Maybe He’ll
use them after I’m gone. Maybe they’ll be left behind to shine His light for
folks who’re still here after we’re raptured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little is much when God is in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Avi,
thank You. Thank You for the talent and stories You’ve given me, the desire to
write them well. Thank You for the compassion You placed in me, for the
awareness to see who needs You in me each day. Help me to be faithful. Help me
to be patient. Most of all, thank You for doing the work through me, for I cannot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 97.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-37741272326973601852019-02-10T20:44:00.000-08:002019-02-10T20:45:17.869-08:00EULOGY<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For am I now seeking the approval of human
beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to
please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1%3A10&version=ESV" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Galatians
1:10</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> NIV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Saturday
was a rare day for me. I don’t usually spend time comparing myself with others.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Crowded
funeral. Eulogy for a modest 91-year-old saint, a longtime member of our
congregation. Example after example of his Christ-like spirit and love for
others, his hospitality, his generosity with time, energy and resources.
Reflections on how he’s enjoying Heaven now in the company of friends and
family gone on, conjecture about his rewards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
sat there listening, wondering what the preacher might one day have to say
about me. My gift isn’t so visible. My labors aren’t so obvious and outward,
especially to casual observers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">But
you never know who’s watching, or how hard they’re looking, or what they’re
seeing, or what light they’re shining on you. Each person, no matter how open
or insightful or intuitive, interprets what he/she is seeing in the light of
his/her own ideas and life experience. Not something to fret about, unless you
notice they’re missing out on something great by not really seeing what’s
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
do I want folks to remember about me? Like Nehemiah, I’m a little more
concerned about what my God remembers me for: “Remember me, O my God, for
good.” </span><span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 8.0pt;">Nehemiah 13:31</span><span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">No
matter how small my task seems to me or to other people, little is much when
God is in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
Heaven, my rewards? Yeah, I want my new body and my new house and my white
horse and a good job and lots of rewards—but no worries. He’ll be fair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">So
the preacher can say whatever he wants. I hope by then our new preacher knows
me well enough to get it right. But it’s OK if he doesn’t. Jesus, my very great
reward, knows me all the way through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avi, like Abram, I cling to Your
comfort and Your promise: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very
great reward.” You are enough, Avi, both now and forevermore. In Your Holy
Name, Amen. </span><b><span style="color: #625529; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="display: none; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bottom of Form<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-78687898309371597572019-02-02T10:44:00.000-08:002019-02-26T19:03:04.213-08:00GOOD DIRT<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span class="red"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As (the farmer) was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and
the birds came and ate it up.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span class="red">Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang
up quickly, because the soil was shallow.</span> <span class="red">But when
the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had
no root.</span> <span class="red">Other seed fell among thorns, which grew
up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced
a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let
them hear.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 13:4-9 NIV</span></div>
<div class="reg" style="background: white; margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="reg" style="background: white; margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We haven’t gotten many blueberries for
the past couple of years. Besides birds stealing the fruit, too much rain
caused the berries to split as they were ripening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="reg" style="background: white; margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was excited when my Jelly
Bean blueberries came. Small enough to plant in one of my raised beds with a
wire frame to keep the birds from stealing the fruit, with a plastic cover to
keep out too much water when it rains too much. But that bed is <i>the </i>spot, no other, and the soil test
was way off from what they need. Lots of work, but the soil is amended and the
blueberries are in the ground, waiting for spring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A question in Sunday School:
Why does faith seem to come so much easier for some people than for others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some possible answers: Maybe
it’s because the Master Gardener plowed their ground a little deeper. Maybe He
moved most of the rocks out, worked that soil, fertilizing, composting,
building it up to make it ready to accept and nourish the seed. Maybe He
watered it just enough, gave it just the right balance of sun and shade, chose
the right season for planting, chose the right mulch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Soil preparation is
important. And after all that
preparation, even good soil needs tending. Weeds can grow there just as easily
as good plants can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Soul preparation can be even more important.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some soul weeds, especially young
ones, need only a gentle tug to dislodge them. But some—pride</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">s</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">elfishness, antipathy, indifference</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">greed</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">, prosperity</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">—send down deep roots so strong only the Master
Gardener’s plow can remove every piece of living root and keep them from
growing again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What
am I, Avi? Am I an orchard? Am I a tiny herb plot? Am I a broad, sun-kissed grain
field, or shaded for more tender plants? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How
am I to know? And what does it matter, anyway? I’m just the right size, just
the right texture and pH, with just the right amount of sunlight and water for
what You, the Master Gardener, have chosen to grow in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Grow
my faith in You even deeper, Avi. Let Your word in me choke out the weeds. T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ake Your hoe to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">those
that won’t choke and, for those still too large, bring on Your plow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In
Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-45292365827381762162019-01-23T18:59:00.001-08:002019-01-23T18:59:26.932-08:00MOONSHINE<br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the same way,
let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.</span><b><span style="color: #0092f2; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthew 5:16 NIV</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I sat outside one summer night because it was reported
that Mars would be visible just below the moon and a little to the right. I held
one hand just so, then both hands, to block the moonlight from both eyes and
let me see the sky field. But there was spotty cloud cover, and they didn’t say
how far below or how far to the right. I never saw Mars, so I sat there
watching the moon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My thinker turned on. Thinking about being a moon for
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The moon has no light of its own—but in the bright light
of a full moon, you can see well enough to walk without stumbling. You can see
to walk across the yard and not step in dog poopy, if the grass is short enough.
You can even see to read, if you stand with your back to the moon and the print
is large enough and close enough to your face, and if there’s enough contrast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The moon has no light of its own. Nor have we, citizens of
this broken world. Just as the moon reflects the light of our sun into Earth’s
night, so we, children of the Living God, are to reflect the Light of the Son
into Earth’s spiritual night, lighting it with His glory, His majesty, His
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But sometimes I don’t feel like light. Sometimes I feel
dark. When I get so tired I let my emotions overwhelm me, it’s time to step
back for some one-on-one time with the Son. Maybe even a nap in His arms,
working on my tan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Thank You for
bringing me in from the darkness to Your Living Light, Avi. Wipe away any
specks of dirt You find that sully Your reputation. Smooth the rough craters in
me that cast shadows and distort Your image. Let people see Your true Light in
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">In Your holy
Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-20711931257844764872019-01-15T11:11:00.000-08:002019-02-20T07:39:00.052-08:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">COOKIE WARNING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you do
warn (him) you will have saved yourself. Since you did not warn him… I will
hold you accountable for his blood. Ezekiel 3:19,20 NIV</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m a reasonably good cook with most things I take the
trouble to cook. Can’t get fancy with it. But hey, cookies are simple and easy,
and I do pretty well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now there’s a law somewhere far away, as far as my posts
can go, that says I have to warn people if I’m serving up cookies on my blog site.
I don’t know how to get the cookies from the oven to the Internet, and the ingredients
are too expensive for me to send cookies to everyone, anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Old ladies shouldn’t have to learn all this computer
stuff. There are far more important things to spend what’s left of my time and
brainpower on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I should resent having to warn people about my cooking—I really
don’t think it deserves a warning—but I’m not that sensitive about it. Taste
for yourself, pick and choose and eat what you want, don’t eat what you don’t
want. Just assume you’re invited to the cookie party and, if you don’t like mine,
cook your own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the notice said that, while Blogger did me the
courtesy of taking care of this, in the end I’m responsible for being sure the warning is there. So, here it is: There might be some of my own
delicious cookies on my site; they have a way of disappearing, like socks in
the dryer, never to be seen again. There might be someone else’s cookies there,
dark, burned ones. How am I to know? I can’t see them or smell them or taste
them, but they might be there, wrapped in foil to keep them safe or to hide
them from the diet police. And, Heaven forbid, someone might be allergic to the
peanut butter ones or someone might not be able to handle the
sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If anyone can’t eat peanut butter or sugar, this is a
warning: STAY AWAY! Because if my cookies got in there, I don’t know how to get
them out. Maybe some kind readers can eat them all in time to save the rest of
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To me, there are other things more important to be warned
about, like missing the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t</i> want to miss <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>!
You can eat all you want of anything you want from that table, every kind of
cookie there is, stuff we can’t even imagine, no allergies, no dieting. And the company is out of this world. You
have a standing invitation from Jesus, the God who made you, paid your spiritual
debts, stamped your ticket to your own personal abundant life of real peace
with God both here and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All you have to do is RSVP your acceptance directly to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">OK, now I’ve warned you of my cookies and of the danger
of missing out on abundant life in Jesus here, missing out on Heaven forever. Now
I’m innocent of your blood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Avi, I did
what I could here. Now, will you fill in the blanks for each and every one who
reads this? Show them who You really are, and how much You love them, how much
You want them. In Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-9765243057332173382019-01-11T08:49:00.000-08:002019-01-11T08:49:00.280-08:00MOUNTAIN CLIMBING SONG<br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
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<span class="verse-1"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be
shaken but endures forever. </span></span><span class="verse-2"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">As the mountains
surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. PSALM
125:1,2 </span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s all still up in the air. Three weeks into the
government shutdown, people needing their money to live on, pawns in this
political battle. Thousands of hopefuls making the deadly trek to our southern
border, ready to break our immigration laws—those laws Congress hasn’t already
hamstrung. Many dangerous types infiltrating their number with an eye to
harming us, many of our citizens robbed, raped, tortured, killed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Will our President use his emergency powers to build this
wall of purpose and compassion?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Me, sometimes I think Congress—the stonewalling for
personal ambition part—is a national emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God doesn’t have to use His emergency powers to protect
us. He has none, needs none. He has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i>
power. What He says He can do. What He says He will do. What He says He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wants</i> to do. (Not like Congress.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No one can say to Him, “What do You think You’re doing?!”
No one, no politicians, no liberal judges, can say, ‘No’, to Him and make it
stick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The US border wall may or may not happen—but what is that
to us, the children of our God? Whatever the world may plan or attempt, He surrounds
us with His love, His power, His protection. And, He doesn’t have to summon up emergency
powers to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pray for His wisdom, His purpose, His plan. Thank Him for
the wall He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> around us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hit the link to hear the verses above sung. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPC7JpBx_w">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPC7JpBx_w</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Avi, what a privilege You are to us. I
have no words. In Your Holy Name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /><br />
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-78767072962371669402016-06-10T19:02:00.000-07:002016-06-10T19:02:05.971-07:00WHERE WERE YOU?
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">The city does not need the
sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb
is it lamp. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night
there. Revelation 21:23, 25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Another good thing about
Heaven: nobody will ever be late—because there won’t be time anymore. That
concept is beyond me. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">But it’s fun to play with.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I used to never be late,
hate, hate, hated it. But my husband hates to waste that five minutes before we
have to leave for somewhere. Yeah, you know what he uses it for. A ten minute
task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">So I’m a little
desensitized to it, but I still hate it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">What about waiting all day
for someone who doesn’t show and doesn’t call to cut you loose to spend your
day on something besides waiting, and you can’t get them on the phone? And what
about waiting for computer repairs so you can post your blog on time? Or how
about sitting forever on hold because it took too long to get to the
(hopefully) right person and you can’t afford to hang up and start over? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Not so with You, Avi. When
You say You’ll be here, You’re here. Anytime I call on You in prayer, You hear.
And when it’s time to go home, I know You’ll be here, not one nanosecond late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">I can hardly wait.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">In Your holy name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-6938403573119751722016-05-30T20:15:00.001-07:002016-05-30T20:20:30.365-07:00LEGACY<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Remember
me with favor, O my God. Nehemiah 13:31 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">As
my mother’s health failed, she worried that no one would long remember her,
that no one would visit her grave. She was worried that, after a short time,
we’d forget her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">No,
she isn’t forgotten. Things remind us of her. We reread her poetry. We mention
her more often than we visit her grave, but we get there, too. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">But
I believe the sight of our heavenly home blew that concern right out of her
mind. Especially since she knew loved ones would be joining her there. I
believe she laughs now at this earthly concern for the frequency of our
memories and visits. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">And I believe she saw more clearly the greater
responsibility we have to spend most of our time and energies on the living. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Three
times Nehemiah asked God to remember him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">What
do you want God to remember you for?</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">What
do I want Him to remember me for?</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">That
I’ve believed Him and believed in Him. That I’ve trusted Him and sought His friendship, and been a
friend to Him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">That
I’ve honored Him and served Him faithfully. That I’ve fed, comforted and
encouraged His sheep. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">That
I’ve been salt, light, and a voice whispering to those stumbling in darkness,
“Here. This is the way. The Shepherd hasn’t forgotten you.” </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Fruit
matters, and I want to see bushels and bushels when I get home. But I want Him
to remember me not so much for what I’ve done, but for what I’ve been. Not so
much for what I’ve accomplished, but for who I am: His kid. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Avi,
Your memory is long and strong, but Your forgetter is just as strong. Please
remember the things in my life that have pleased you, and forgive me where I’ve
sinned and fallen short. Remember that I am dust. Remember how much I want to
please You. In Your holy name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-74266164509987273872016-05-28T19:41:00.002-07:002016-05-28T19:41:21.966-07:00JONAH
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">If it is possible, as far
as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NIV<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">My husband left me. For
three days and two nights, alone in the belly of a whale. That’s in case anyone
has been wondering where I was this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">But the sun has come up
this third day, and I’m beginning to see daylight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">When he told me his plans,
I asked if he realized how very dangerous it is for him to leave me here
unsupervised for that long. I know where the Good Will store is, and I have a
truck, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m not afraid to use it</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">But I didn’t have much
time for collecting stuff for Good Will. Instead, I went through this house and
collected every scrap of paper I own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The paper storm is finally
abating, y’all. The whale has found its way to shore and is about to spit me
out. I’ve filed and organized, and have almost finished filling the third dog
food bag with jetsam. Big bags, three dogs, packed tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">That ‘everyone’ in the
verse above that I’m to live at peace with includes me—and I feel so much more
peaceful. I’ve found things I’d forgotten about—short stories, ideas, letters, journal
notes, study notes, insights. I’ve found things I’d wasted time and energy
puzzling over and searching hopelessly for. I found my Jim Conway letter, the
one he told me (in his book, Friendship) to write to myself from God telling me
how much He loves me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Somehow, that whale just doesn’t
seem so big now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Avi, You are the God of
order, the God who makes things happen, the God who’s never at a loss because
He can’t find what He needs to work with. Make me like You in this, too. Help
me to reclaim my purpose. In Your holy name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-43039562903294054422016-05-18T20:52:00.000-07:002016-05-18T21:17:20.311-07:00AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">…God has said, “Never will I leave
you; never will I forsake you.*” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my
helper; what can man do to me? **” Hebrews 13:5,6 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Riding in the car. I was maybe
4 years old, maybe less. Small enough to stand behind the driver’s seat. My daddy
was speeding down a narrow dirt road through a thick forest. I leaned forward
to stare upward, chattering my wonder at the giant trees towering high against
the overcast sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Too much for my mama. She turned
and snarled, “If you don’t sit down and shut up, we’re going to stop this car
and put you out and leave you here.” Just then the car skidded around a bend
and slammed to a stop. A dark, wind-whipped lake stretched far and wide to the horizon.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Terror.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Fast forward. I’m 21,
driving her somewhere, my 5 & 6 year old niece and nephew in the back seat.
Déjà vu. She turned to them and said, “If y’all don’t sit down and shut up,
Grace is going to stop the car and put y’all out.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">“No, I’m not.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Stunned, she stared at me. I’d
never in memory talked back to her. I said no more, nor did she.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Nothing is more terrifying
to a vulnerable child than the threat of abandonment. And, once our eyes have
been opened to the war raging around us, nothing could be more terrifying to a
child of God than the threat of abandonment in the middle of this spiritual
battlefield called Earth.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">“But fear not,” He tells us.
“It ain’t gonna happen. You know why? It’s because I love you, and I want you.
It’s because I worked too hard to make you, came to far to save you, paid too
much to redeem you. Add to that, I LOVE YOU!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Avi, thank You for this promise, and
thank You for teaching me how very much it’s worth. In Your holy name, Amen</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">* Joshua 1:5<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">** Psalm 118:6,7<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-77396618113453412982016-05-11T20:17:00.000-07:002016-05-11T20:24:43.816-07:00THE PROXY<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">When the sun had set and darkness had
fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the
pieces. On that day, the LORD made a covenant with Abram… Genesis 15:17, 18 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">One of my favorite
scriptures. I’ll tell you why. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">In Abram’s culture, the
strongest covenants would be sealed by butchering sacrificial animals and
laying the halves opposite each other on the ground. Then each party to the
covenant would walk between the pieces. In effect, each was saying, “May what
happened to these animals happen to me if I fail to keep this covenant.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Serious god, serious covenant.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Notice something? Abram didn’t
walk through the pieces. He slept through the whole thing, nothing worse than
some pretty bad nightmares. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">But God knew Abram, sinful
like every one of us, could never keep that covenant—and the wages of sin is
death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">So what did our loving God
do? He took upon Himself both sides of the covenant, passed through the pieces
in smoking firepot and blazing torch. He took Abram’s part—and ours—both responsibility
and penalty, and carried it all the way to Calvary. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Avi, the darkness around us deepens
every day, so much so that sometimes it feels like we’re living through Abram’s
nightmares. It’s hard for weary pilgrims to keep on keeping on when the path is
rough and the load grows too heavy. Remind
us again, Avi: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> are the Light of
the world that darkness cannot overcome. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i>
are the One within us who is greater than the prince of darkness who is in the
world. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> are the God who began Your
good work in us, the God who will complete it. In
Your holy name, Amen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-4969788838429937392016-05-05T20:01:00.000-07:002016-05-05T20:02:24.060-07:00ALL NEWS IS GOOD NEWS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">The king’s heart is in the hand of
the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Proverbs 21:1
NIV <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Been watching the
news lately? Or, is it too discouraging for you? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Ted Cruz
suspended his campaign Tuesday. Big disappointment after many disappointments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Yesterday, John
Kasich suspended. One left, the presumptive nominee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">We need strong
leaders. We need fighters. But we need godly leaders. We need godly fighters
with godly wisdom. Which is why I can’t understand why so many evangelicals are
so on fire for Donald Trump. Can anyone explain that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Sounds like bad
news to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">But you know
what? Even this news is good news, even if it doesn't feel like it. God is in control, and will always be in
control, and His purpose is the ultimate good of those who love Him. No matter
how long that takes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">My comfort is
that God not only has the king’s heart in His hand, He has yours and mine, and
every heart that lives, that ever lived, that will ever live. Every politician,
every statesman—and no, they’re not the same thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">It really sticks
in my craw to think of having to vote for Donald Trump—but God not only moves
the hearts of our leaders, He chooses our leaders, too. And if this man is God’s
pick for us—especially if the alternative is so much worse—well, that’s a
no-brainer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana";">Avi, today is National Day of Prayer,
and we really need it. I wonder how many people prayed. Me, I forgot until
later in the day, but I’m praying now. Please help us, Avi. You still have a
remnant here, and we need You. Please make it right. Real right, that will end with
true healing for our nation. In Your holy name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0.5in 10pt 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></div>
GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8890515403113902001.post-16761695060795337012016-04-26T12:46:00.002-07:002016-04-26T12:55:14.238-07:00A PATHWAY OF SONG<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and fasting,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians
4:6,7 NIV</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Our
Sunday School teacher urged us to make time in our hectic mornings to give
Jesus the first moments of our day. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Wednesday
night, he asked how it had gone. Well, if I go to bed after some quality time
with Jesus, I wake up with Him on my mind, too. But, my morning still starts on
the run with fixing breakfast while the morning souls on TV—not my choice—yell
at me. And no, I can’t get up any earlier. Even if I could, I’m on automatic
pilot, nothing much to give to anyone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">This
Sunday, the teacher gave us each a slip of paper. At the top was written, MY
PRAYER; at the bottom, THE MASTER IS LISTENING. We’re to write in whatever’s
most pressing to us, and post it in a prominent place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">A Wayne
Watson song popped into my head: “Do you miss Me, child, when you’re running,
the way that I miss you.” I wrote it down. Then a Faith and Melanie song: “Slow
me down, Lord.” A praise chorus, “I will seek You in the morning.” A Michael
Card song: “When the morning falls on the farthest hills…”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">But
I’m still tangled in the rush, no time for myself or for Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Found
another song on my computer yesterday. I love, love, love Celtic music, so I
had to check this one out. “I heard the voice of Jesus say, come unto me and
rest…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I’m
about to wear my pocket tape recorder out on that one.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">This
morning I woke with that song in my head. Then, when I stepped outside, I realized I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> have a few minutes most mornings.
While my dogs sniff around the yard and take care of business, I’m just
standing there looking for peace—and breathing in the new day the Lord has
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">“Oh,
what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Avi,
please fill my head with Your song again today, and give me rest in You even as
I work. Give me words to tell this lonely world who You are. In Your holy name,
Amen. <o:p></o:p></span>GraceSPottshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15649455026011173454noreply@blogger.com1