tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768129825068869812024-03-13T23:09:12.957-04:00By Virtue - Romans 8:28 LivingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-85032148590222303442016-01-10T21:12:00.001-05:002016-01-10T21:16:00.835-05:00Are you living for your future or in the past of others?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESjFXsvy3PUy-BzArM2flhRxYlFbYmnR2gt0mxR0JuEn0vgxwSbz6sZqIRTbopFY1tu0JK7B-R4JNAdM7RcuWwv73vsEW14MIrW3tVJ75E3bEUhAsXzNbNeVL24F_N85US6jpFp8OXPs/s1600/IMG_4005.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESjFXsvy3PUy-BzArM2flhRxYlFbYmnR2gt0mxR0JuEn0vgxwSbz6sZqIRTbopFY1tu0JK7B-R4JNAdM7RcuWwv73vsEW14MIrW3tVJ75E3bEUhAsXzNbNeVL24F_N85US6jpFp8OXPs/s320/IMG_4005.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
If you knew there was a ticking time bomb about to explode would you do something about it? Let's explore if there may be one on your night stand...<br />
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The alarm goes off....weary eyed with feet not touching the ground yet, a black object lingers in the background as your eyes adjust to locate it. You realize if you do not reach for it, the world may come to an end...a tragedy could occur. Before moving from the comfort of your covers, you reach for it....press four digits, tap an icon and at last, you are awake. With the scroll of a finger you can visit the amazon (or just visit amazon to shop), enjoy your friends lives, and explore the lives of hundreds of others. With a grin, you realize the world did not come to an end, you did not win the lottery, and your life savings did not disappear in the stock markets.<br />
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But wait... as you enter the shower your mind races wondering why you did not get invited to that event, realizing you must not be a good mother---I mean you haven't had family photos in years not to mention the need to lose ten pounds---<br />
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Is that your morning routine? If so, you are not living purposefully for your future but unintentionally in the past of others.<br />
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Thus, on the horizon is an explosion of your spiritual well being...score, Satan has stolen your joy for the day. Mission accomplished. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He knows he cannot steal your salvation but he can steal your joy.<br />
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As a side note, I am not opposed to social media...I am on Instrgram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat...I have played around with Brighten explored Yik Yak neither of which am I a fan of.<br />
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<b>Ask these questions to yourself in first person....</b><br />
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<b>How do I know if I am living in the past of others unintentionally?</b><br />
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1. I scroll statuses more often than I talk to my spouse, children, or best friend.<br />
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2. I scroll before I get out of bed.<br />
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3. I spend more time scrolling than reading God's word.<br />
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4. Envy arises when I see what others are doing.<br />
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5. I covet what I see as I scroll.<br />
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6. My mood changes for the worse when I scroll.<br />
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7. I cannot attend an event or eat a meal with others without pausing for a quick scroll.<br />
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<b>How do I know if my social media time is part of my purposeful living?</b><br />
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1. I enjoy keeping up with family and friends on social media--I love to see what they are doing...and I am ok if I was not included!<br />
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2. I pray for things I learn about on social media.<br />
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3. I celebrate things I learn about as I scroll.<br />
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4. I would survive without social media but I am smart enough to know I will be left behind if I don't have these apps...not to mention I need to keep up with my children!<br />
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5. I openly express my faith using social media as a witnessing tool.<br />
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God intends for us to have a joy and a peace in our lives- peace that is filled with a longing for Him and His goodness. He desires us to be content where He has placed us. He wants us to long and hunger for Him. <br />
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Paul was in prison in Rome and he was still joyful. He was thankful for those that shared his faith. He<br />
had a thankful heart for his friends. He spoke of their kind hearts, he did not point out they were indebted to him for their souls but he exhorted them to good deeds. He desired for them to grow closer to God, he turned them to prayer and did not covet their material possessions because what he had in his relationship with God was so much more valuable. May we be like Paul, rejoicing always regardless of our circumstances, and always rejoicing with others always remembering to pray for others. <br />
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Phillipians 4<br />
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<span class="text Phil-4-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29447F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29447F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Phil-4-5" id="en-NIV-29448" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29448G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29448G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Phil-4-6" id="en-NIV-29449" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>Do not be anxious about anything,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29449H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29449I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29449I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Phil-4-7" id="en-NIV-29450" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>And the peace of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>which transcends all understanding,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29450K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29450K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text Phil-4-8" id="en-NIV-29451" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-9" id="en-NIV-29452" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29452L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29452L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> And the God of peace<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29452M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29452M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will be with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">May we keep in check how social media impacts our thoughts and service to God. If it is a ticking time bomb eating away at your joy, take some time to pray for God to redirect your affections towards Him and not the things of this world. </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-15240328587669200192015-08-22T18:12:00.000-04:002015-08-22T18:17:54.439-04:00You Know You're A Social Worker When...I had just got out the pool and told my daughter not to stay in the water because I needed to take a shower. She assures me she is fine and not to fret...she's not a baby anymore. After I get out of the shower, I look out the window and don't see her.<br />
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I call her name to see if she is in her room...no answer. I open the door, don't see her. Glean the bottom of the pool...empty. My heart races, my mind in ten seconds has more horrible thoughts than most mothers would ever even fathom. Now, mind you, I am wrapped in a towel and ready to sprint through the neighborhood this way if necessary. Yes, I am not very practical at times. <br />
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I decide I should put on something more than a towel while I call her cell. Ummm. She is in the garage measuring something for her dad...he was at Lowe's and needed measurements for something. I shake my head at myself and laugh. <br />
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You know you are a social worker when....<br />
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Your daughter is not in the pool and immediately she has been kidnapped in your mind.<br />
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Your head itches and you are sure you have head lice.<br />
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You always check the mattress for bugs before you lay on it when you travel.<br />
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You never open the door without looking through the peep hole.<br />
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You wouldn't let your children go anywhere with anyone without a background check first.<br />
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On another level....<br />
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You know you're a social worker when....<br />
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You see hope in the eyes of the hopeless and that is enough to make your entire career worthwhile.<br />
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You have more room in your heart than in your home....if only you could bring them all home.<br />
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You always look for the good in people....everyone has strengths to build on.<br />
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You never say never because there is always a way.<br />
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You believe in change and want to be the agent to bring it about.<br />
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You know when you are cussed out, it really means I am stressed and thankful for your help.<br />
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You don't let emotions drive decisions.<br />
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You believe in moving mountains to help someone you have never met before.<br />
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You wouldn't trade your career for anything in the world!<br />
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Love being a social worker!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-26013381024180751692015-08-18T21:31:00.002-04:002015-08-18T21:42:24.895-04:00Friends....<br />
Random thought for today...<br />
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Friends...the thought of friends always makes me think of the song Friends are Friends Forever....some of you have heard me break out and sing that song.<br />
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Someone asked me, "what is a true friend?" -- my answer.<br />
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Friends are people who are with you no matter what.<br />
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They don't judge you.<br />
They don't use you.<br />
They don't snub you.<br />
They don't ignore you.<br />
They don't mind you.<br />
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They do love you unconditionally.<br />
They do care about you.<br />
They do want to be around you.<br />
They do share your passions.<br />
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They get your jokes.<br />
They laugh even when they don't.<br />
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They forgive you.<br />
They know you.<br />
Yet, they still love you.<br />
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They may disappear for a while.<br />
But they always come back.<br />
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Some friendships are seasonal.<br />
Others last a lifetime.<br />
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I am thankful for my friends!<br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John 15:12-15 </strong><em style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-23683741351971523342015-07-27T15:31:00.001-04:002015-07-28T08:45:25.490-04:00Out with the Old...In with the New...Annie Sloan Chalk Paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWtOl9rZP4wqQ0BipSyx3GOYoCTOCLCfm6dXBjXpLrbyJpmHnLkM5BiHPyl55aSrC-NI1V4uFxlrVofAVorpjdIGOZYsQ3YlOa74R09zdMd_-uq_sGsRfdO6cPLsKairQUdHty866-IA/s1600/IMG_2035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWtOl9rZP4wqQ0BipSyx3GOYoCTOCLCfm6dXBjXpLrbyJpmHnLkM5BiHPyl55aSrC-NI1V4uFxlrVofAVorpjdIGOZYsQ3YlOa74R09zdMd_-uq_sGsRfdO6cPLsKairQUdHty866-IA/s320/IMG_2035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my old kitchen table. I have had it for ten years. I loved it for years...then it began to show wear. It had nicks on it, some scratches not to mention a few homework answers where the kids wrote too hard. It had developed sentimental value. I wanted a change but lost interest after a little while. This summer I decided I should get a new table. I shopped around, and I found a piece I loved. I almost purchased it until a friend said, "Why not paint this one? It is perfectly fine-it just needs a little touch up." I decided to go for it.<br />
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I am a contractors daughter BTW but other than that, not a creative person. Thus, I was introduced to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. No prep work just brush that paint on and it will stick!<br />
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No prep work...I can do that...here are the results....<br />
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Old White Annie Sloan Paint<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn1KQeGKY-4cLqZXKKWGeJACkpePh3eWfRsDIVmXzamcdslji2Cc9nd_SKVFaP1KgrduqBu_ih4wO6PKY43PK4GLHKyNTTHnF8quJizQC33lXIKf5iy4TJsqex9_hZhBpy98VmivPWVc/s1600/IMG_2075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn1KQeGKY-4cLqZXKKWGeJACkpePh3eWfRsDIVmXzamcdslji2Cc9nd_SKVFaP1KgrduqBu_ih4wO6PKY43PK4GLHKyNTTHnF8quJizQC33lXIKf5iy4TJsqex9_hZhBpy98VmivPWVc/s320/IMG_2075.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkibHLtfAfb5Re7T3yiN4nZ84BmpxnS8YmOCLq6LZ3i36uaS69Nhz6DWY97JZ5viq9y-VXZu0fWbX0CuPAE0-3wL_qAJ4skx1gqOkiMdGjpt_GZSnySBR5otWFpMPVeGBF0wm_2FPVlqA/s1600/IMG_2069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkibHLtfAfb5Re7T3yiN4nZ84BmpxnS8YmOCLq6LZ3i36uaS69Nhz6DWY97JZ5viq9y-VXZu0fWbX0CuPAE0-3wL_qAJ4skx1gqOkiMdGjpt_GZSnySBR5otWFpMPVeGBF0wm_2FPVlqA/s320/IMG_2069.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now to clear wax it....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZclkZgli4ZQ9pgE5J8xtgq4AF-7FoxaQujCmGAV-t9o6bX1DoqrpcRY76b0IKEoeAJmvgYXkOZCEy3LBgUCHJrHqnj4RDvGtz4ZZy78pDKUVfYRYlIGRxAy50w56-_qS3rvhhhyXNhQ/s1600/IMG_2122_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZclkZgli4ZQ9pgE5J8xtgq4AF-7FoxaQujCmGAV-t9o6bX1DoqrpcRY76b0IKEoeAJmvgYXkOZCEy3LBgUCHJrHqnj4RDvGtz4ZZy78pDKUVfYRYlIGRxAy50w56-_qS3rvhhhyXNhQ/s320/IMG_2122_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Now, the regret sets in and I have a brain freeze. I did not want white...I thought this was going to be cream. So I quit. A friend comes over (isn't it great to have friends to cheer you on?). She says I am too far in to it to quit (no I am not, that nice table is still available at the furniture store). But, I decide to move forward and add Dark Wax. </div>
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Here are the results....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfI2gx6dLQI-0Oxat4lEDjmGqi4QFFhktyYtHz3RH4pvT3fyN94eVERxNYasHLfA0Ev_2DH-UQIDcp9ZkA-pKbt1bSCl4fNG8nowcgFmf5sfiWDlzp8Is4FjcUmfKq-9pEmnFkQjxas/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfI2gx6dLQI-0Oxat4lEDjmGqi4QFFhktyYtHz3RH4pvT3fyN94eVERxNYasHLfA0Ev_2DH-UQIDcp9ZkA-pKbt1bSCl4fNG8nowcgFmf5sfiWDlzp8Is4FjcUmfKq-9pEmnFkQjxas/s320/IMG_2129.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenVH_JkKDpBe39jDARaoDzk7xRy6Yaq5pc0HEXh4SUHlLpQBcNmWRyRRgh_7npCAQ2XkNVEQSju_16gL3sstm0U4D8YPaVwU33mhc5eTGdyLsBWt_MBxdsCcQbW3q81GJFTWtuCmdCAU/s1600/IMG_2116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenVH_JkKDpBe39jDARaoDzk7xRy6Yaq5pc0HEXh4SUHlLpQBcNmWRyRRgh_7npCAQ2XkNVEQSju_16gL3sstm0U4D8YPaVwU33mhc5eTGdyLsBWt_MBxdsCcQbW3q81GJFTWtuCmdCAU/s320/IMG_2116.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy again, I decide to move forward and paint the table. </div>
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This is Coco Annie Sloan Paint. </div>
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I add some Dark Wax and decide I am pleased so I paint the base to match the chairs.<br />
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Beyond the fact that I learned Annie Sloan paint is easy to use and the wax is the hardest part, I learned some spiritual lessons. My mind is always thinking what lesson do you have in this for me Lord. I use to love using those lessons when I taught Sunday School, now they teach me and I share them with you!<br />
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I thought my old table was unworthy and ready to be trashed. It was used up, marked up, and gave me a dreary feeling when I looked at it. Wow. That is what sin does to our lives. It consumes us and makes us think we are unworthy. Romans 3:23 says we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. However, when God looks at us, he sees purity because Jesus Christ washes away that sin and purifies our souls. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." He makes us white as snow...like my chairs. <br />
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God never gives up on us. He knows we will make mistakes, we are a sinful being but His forgiveness leaves us grace filled. Beings created to bring hope to this world. Romans 3:24 ... <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;">and we are justified</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;"> freely by his grace</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;"> through the redemption</span><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: #333333; line-height: 28px;"> that came by Christ Jesus.</span></span><br />
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When I looked at my black table, that is all I saw, a black table. Now, when the blinds are open, I see so much more. The table does not draw my eye to it like the black one did. It simply is just the beginning of my perspective when I look in that direction. I see the birds, the pool, God's creation. I hardly notice the table. May we be like that to others. Not someone hard to be with but someone who draws others eyes to Christ. A light in darkness. 1 Corinthians 10: 31 says "<span class="scripture" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."</span><br />
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<span class="scripture" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">What a blessing to realize we are created purposefully by our God to bring glory and honor to Him. Live each day knowing He has a purpose for you today. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-58405084612521638262015-07-13T16:40:00.000-04:002015-07-13T16:40:00.967-04:00Scammers and Temptations...A Spiritual LessonI have spent the last week pondering how this happened....(being scammed that is--check out my last two blogs if you are not sure what I am talking about). As I have reflected, many spiritual lessons have come to mind.<br />
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One thing I have not mentioned is that I got the IRS scam call recently. I immediately shut the caller down. I knew I did not owe the IRS money. The difference was this scammer -- maybe just from pure coincidence -- happened upon something I was not 100 percent sure of. Maybe I had been mailed a summons for Grand Jury. I was certain I had not seen such summons but could not be confident it did not get lost in the mail or tossed in the junk mail pile. I won't rehash the details of the what ifs vs what actually did happen but I will give it another spin.<br />
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The scammer, like Satan, caused me to doubt something. He used fear as a tactic to get my guard down and wa-la---I was hooked. I began to doubt my instincts and to some degree ignored my better judgement. <br />
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Satan is just like this. He does not tempt us with something he is 100 percent sure we would never fall for. He dangles a carrot we might actually eat...meaning he tempts us with sin that is more appealing to us based on our own weaknesses or is more plausible for us to fall for. He then hooks you so that you are not clearly in tune to God given discernment.<br />
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I shared on my last post how to be prepared for the scammer...now, let's talk about how to be prepared for something much worse -- a wolf in sheep's clothing.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>Watch out for false prophets</b>. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Matthew 7:15</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The word speaks for itself. Satan does not start with blatant temptations you are not likely to fall for. He disguises himself in other ways. The scammer convinced me he was a trusting law enforcement officer. It was much later that he revealed his darkness. Satan does the same thing. We all know the story of Adam & Eve in the garden...the apple seemed innocent enough. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b><i>How are you going to watch out?</i></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>Be alert and of sober mind</b>. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MF6qHClTNEgYT5oCp9tGvOsXjWHyKrxQOlgtpv5c7JezNRUZrbTNrhGq5mGXAseyQoW0ro8JNsEzJ5C64y4iwjLWHjm3Idmf46Zk8-FbAYovGiXpHoq8pVWJoLM7Pl-6sD_dXD5TOgQ/s1600/roaring-african-lion1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MF6qHClTNEgYT5oCp9tGvOsXjWHyKrxQOlgtpv5c7JezNRUZrbTNrhGq5mGXAseyQoW0ro8JNsEzJ5C64y4iwjLWHjm3Idmf46Zk8-FbAYovGiXpHoq8pVWJoLM7Pl-6sD_dXD5TOgQ/s320/roaring-african-lion1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Be alert and of sober mind. This means to be keenly aware of your surroundings. Don't allow your mind to be influenced by people or things that are not godly and wholesome. To be alert, you have to know what you are looking for. You can only be in tune to what is godly and wholesome if you are reading God's word and communicating with Him. Thus, prayer and daily Bible reading are essential.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Be mindful of who you are looking for....he is not in a red cape or all black attire. He is disguised as a lion. Prowling around seeking whom he may devour. He is lurking in the background of your life waiting for the opportunity to jump. Like a lion who longs to satisfy his hunger, Satan has no regret when he attacks. The exact opposite, he is roaring with satisfaction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">As Christians, we are to be vigilantly aware but not fearful. We are not weak but are to be strong in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-91-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-91-11" id="en-NIV-15407" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative; text-align: start;"><b>For he (GOD) will command his angels<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> concerning you </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to guard you in all your ways;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-12" id="en-NIV-15408" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>they will lift you up in their hands,</span><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15408N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15408N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-13" id="en-NIV-15409" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>You will tread on the lion and the cobra; </span></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><span class="text Ps-91-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b>you will trample the great lion and the serpent.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">This is an exert from a passage in Psalms I cherish...read it, it will satisfy the longings of your soul; stand firm in who you are as a Christian. Oh, and when you fall to the tempter (you will, you are human), get back up and remember you serve a mighty God, let that define you, not one poor choice. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-91-1" id="en-NIV-15397" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Psalm 91</span></h3>
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<span class="text Ps-91-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">1 </span>Whoever dwells in the shelter<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15397A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15397A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Most High</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">will rest in the shadow<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15397B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15397B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Almighty.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-2" id="en-NIV-15398" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>I will say of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “He is my refuge<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15398C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15398C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and my fortress,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15398D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15398D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-2" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">my God, in whom I trust.”</span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-91-3" id="en-NIV-15399" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Surely he will save you</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">from the fowler’s snare<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15399E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15399E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-3" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and from the deadly pestilence.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15399F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15399F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-4" id="en-NIV-15400" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>He will cover you with his feathers,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and under his wings you will find refuge;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15400G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15400G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">his faithfulness will be your shield<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15400H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15400H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and rampart.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-5" id="en-NIV-15401" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>You will not fear<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15401I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15401I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the terror of night,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor the arrow that flies by day,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-6" id="en-NIV-15402" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">nor the plague that destroys at midday.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-7" id="en-NIV-15403" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>A thousand may fall at your side,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">ten thousand at your right hand,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-7" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">but it will not come near you.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-8" id="en-NIV-15404" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>You will only observe with your eyes</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and see the punishment of the wicked.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15404J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15404J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="poetry top-05" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative;">
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<span class="text Ps-91-9" id="en-NIV-15405" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>If you say, “The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my refuge,”</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and you make the Most High your dwelling,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-10" id="en-NIV-15406" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>no harm<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15406K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15406K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> will overtake you,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">no disaster will come near your tent.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-11" id="en-NIV-15407" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span><b>For he will command his angels<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> concerning you</b></span><b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-11" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">to guard you in all your ways;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15407M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15407M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-12" id="en-NIV-15408" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>they will lift you up in their hands,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15408N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15408N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-13" id="en-NIV-15409" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>You will tread on the lion and the cobra;</span></b><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"><b> </b></span><span class="text Ps-91-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><b>you will trample the great lion and the serpent.</b><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15409O" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15409O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="line" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
<span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-NIV-15410" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>“Because he loves me,” says the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “I will rescue him;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-15" id="en-NIV-15411" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span>He will call on me, and I will answer him;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will be with him in trouble,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I will deliver him and honor him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15411P" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15411P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="text Ps-91-16" id="en-NIV-15412" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>With long life<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15412Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15412Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> I will satisfy him</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and show him my salvation.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-15412R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15412R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>”</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-11257305387752559612015-07-10T12:16:00.000-04:002015-07-11T07:44:53.221-04:00Why I Couldn't Let the Scammer Win....If you read my earlier blog "I was 'held captive" for two hours and scammed out of $1500," this is the rest of the story...<br />
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I won't recap that story but you can visit the post before this one if you didn't see it earlier. I remained appalled that after 20 years of social work experience and as much involvement with law enforcement that I would become a victim so easily. But, we all know I did. As soon as I had my ah-ha moment I knew I had to come up fighting.<br />
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My personality is that of a fighter. I never quit. I always fight for right. I tell others we do what's right even when it's hard to do. I guess I should have been preaching to the choir aka myself. So at the moment I realized I had been "hoodwinked" I knew it was not time to quit.<br />
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I went in to overdrive. I won't bore you with the details but I will say with the power and spunk of the Tasmanian Devil I started trying to protect myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuCKhr1_6hmPcYh0tRXxnGdCJZeO70ACXu98J_WFMlyfL5Gg5eaaf_ge3xgCenlNKMXKjKlc4IG8J4GgpIXzs8F9SgZpYSB0xKRqxe6xtrzO9hGydrBudIUoO-JysjGj950gVLeKN4eA/s1600/tasmanian-devil-tornado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuCKhr1_6hmPcYh0tRXxnGdCJZeO70ACXu98J_WFMlyfL5Gg5eaaf_ge3xgCenlNKMXKjKlc4IG8J4GgpIXzs8F9SgZpYSB0xKRqxe6xtrzO9hGydrBudIUoO-JysjGj950gVLeKN4eA/s320/tasmanian-devil-tornado.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found out this morning that I had been able to get back $999 of the $1,500 I was scammed out of. I reported the case to law enforcement to attempt to find the scammers and to attempt to get the rest of my money back. That is their job and I will let them do it. </div>
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I found some satisfaction that I had out scammed the scammer and retrieved some of the money. I know I still lost some but I am getting my money's worth out of it. I have had over 5,000 hits on my blog and spoke about it on the morning drive yesterday with Chris Beckham to reach hundreds or thousands more. </div>
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I don't need (or want) the attention but I did need to make sure other people do not fall prey to this. I needed people to understand it is so much more than a call asking for personal information but a ploy to get in your head and cause you to do something you would never dream of. Remember my trust in law enforcement was used as a way to get me to "drive to the sheriffs department" to write a statement. Only after my "departure" did the manipulation begin. </div>
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I have spoken to dozens of people who called me after this to tell me they were in the process of being scammed or had been scammed. Seven people called me the next day and said they received the same call that day some of which were ready to hand over money because it was so convincing. Another person told of having a spouse purchasing cards before they realized it was a scam. The awareness from the sheriffs office and my blog stopped these people from falling victim to this. Mission accomplished. People understood and could reflect on what I had written. </div>
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Knowledge is powerful. I am thankful I could pass the knowledge on. </div>
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What to do? </div>
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1. If someone claims to be law enforcement -- even if you think you know them -- remember he gave me a name of a true law enforcement officer --- hang up, call 911. If they are legit, they won't fault you for verifying.</div>
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2. If someone tells you they have your address & they are coming to your home, be safe not sorry. Call 911.</div>
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3. Trust your instincts. Remember I had that "this doesn't feel right" kind of feeling more than once but doubted myself.</div>
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4. Never give your location to anyone. I allowed the impostor to convince me I had to share where I was since I was "turning myself in." I could have been abducted anywhere along the route. Scarier thought than losing money.</div>
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5. Remember knowledge is power so if you make a mistake let others learn from it. Scammers aka criminals want you to feel embarrassed or afraid so you will not issue a warning. Don't let them control you. </div>
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My blog has always been just a way for me to share my story, a way to share insights. It does not meet most ELA rules. Its title Romans 8:28 Living was derived from that verse..."and we know all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." How could I consider letting this not be used for good? Shouting it from the rooftops to help others protect themselves and those they love. It doesn't just happen to elderly (which is truly what many of you were thinking)-- it could happen to you, be ready to rock if it does! </div>
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You are now armed with the knowledge of how to protect yourself. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-24551145077915637122015-07-08T00:43:00.000-04:002015-07-08T08:23:32.730-04:00I was "held captive" for two hours and robbed of $1500--BEWARE OF SCAMI am the most skeptical person you will meet. I question almost everything and analyze most things from all angles. This being said, I am still in shock that I fell prey to this scam.<br />
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I was threatened with jail, accused of missing grand jury duty, and manipulated by one skilled con artist. <br />
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It was 4:40pm when I received a call that a bench warrant had been issued for my arrest. This was allegedly issued because I missed grand jury summons on June 23rd. I was told if I hung up the phone, I would be interfering with an arrest and jailed for the night. I was told I was being "done a favor" to keep this off my record since I had a clean criminal record, therefore, if I produced $1,500 and brought it to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, I would get to go home tonight.<br />
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I protested and asked for the deputies name and sergeants name. I was given legitimate names of officers I knew by name. I told the deputy I was not comfortable with this conversation and insisted on speaking to someone else. Another person, posing as a Captain, gave me a name of an officer that I also knew of by name through my work. When I resisted stating I had worked with the sheriffs department for 20 years and I wanted to speak with the sheriff, I was told if I disconnected the call, I would be arrested and spend the night in jail.<br />
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When I protested and said I had not been served jury duty, the alleged captain told me I could come to the sheriffs department and write a statement as such but I must present the $1,500 or go to jail for the night. I argued that you can't wait until 5:00 pm to call someone and expect them to produce that much money. He said he will walk me through how to get Reloadit Cards so I can go home to my family tonight. <br />
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Multiple times I asked for confirmation, he mentioned other officers names I knew, he referenced judges who I told him I had cell number to so I would call them to verify; impostor said he had worked with the sheriff (whom he called by name) for so many years. He told me if I attempted to call any of them he would not release my warrant which he was in complete control of and have me in jail for the night. I said I have a right to an attorney etc. He told me if I wanted to call people, I could come there and he would let me spend the night in jail. He knew my address. I still tried to call a judge I knew. No answer. The "captain" called back said deputies were en route. I hung up, called my husband. "Captain" calls back.<br />
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I hesitated but then decided if he is telling me to come to the jail with the money, what do I have to lose? I would go get the cards and go to the sheriffs department. I was not being asked for any personal information or anything. He knew my address, knew names of officers I knew, threatened me with jail, accused me of trying to use my connections to avoid consequences for which he would make me spend the night in jail. I caved.<br />
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I was told my calls were being recorded, I had a limited amount of time to get to the sheriffs department, I could not use a bondsman because of the time of day. I was threatened if I sent a text or tried to call anyone else, I would be interfering with my arrest which would be another charge. <br />
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I went to Winn Dixie. I bought the cards. They only come in $500 increments. I was told I had to stay on the phone. I was told if I mentioned to anyone at Winn Dixie why I was buying the cards, I would not be allowed to purchase them so I would not have the money to get out of jail so I again would spend the night in jail. At 5:20pm, I buy the first card. I got disconnected. He called back immediately and told me I was trying him and he was about to refuse to drop the warrant. I bought card number 2. I then was told by the cashier I was not able to buy the third card because of limits. Alleged officer tells me to walk to my car. He tells me to read him the card numbers to include a private scratch off serial number. I hesitate, tell him this does not feel right. I tell him it feels like a scam. He tells me I am going to be arrested...a deputy would be on the way....this was protocol.<br />
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I am sure it is part of their intention. I am nervous at this point, not thinking as clearly as I normally do. Therefore, my guard is down. I have been "held hostage" on the phone for an hour at this point.<br />
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I drive to the sheriffs department. I tell him I am in your parking lot and state if you want this, come outside and get it. He tells me I am trying him. If I contact any officer or come in without the money, I will be arrested. I hesitate. I pray. I determine in my mind, I can't spend the night in jail. I decide the worst thing that can happen to me is I lose the money which I came to terms was better than sitting in jail for the night. I would take my risk.<br />
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I give him a false serial number. He tells me it is wrong and he is beginning not to trust me (hello!). He tells me to go to the bank and get the other card. He asks me to give him the serial numbers. I tell him I am driving and cannot. He threatens me. I cave and give him one. I pretend not to find the second one. I am threatened continuously with jail time. Mind you the entire time, he is answering a radio, answers another call stating Lowndes County when he answers the phone. He talks to officers by name who I know to be legit names. He talks on the radio using Valdosta addresses as if he is talking to other deputies on the radio. He tells me over and over again names of the clerk, judges, officers and basically dares me to hang up unless I want to be arrested. <br />
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I return and get the third card. I begin to get scared. I am scared of a scam, but I honestly was more scared of going to jail. I give him the cards. He then tells me there are technical difficulties so I can go home but I must stay on the phone to him for 45 minute since I have an active arrest warrant. I must mail him the receipts where I bought the cards. He gives me the name of someone to send them to at the clerks office. I go to Dollar General which is close. I mute him. I ask to use the phone. I call a detective I know who says I have been scammed. I return to Winn Dixie. It is too late. Nothing I can do. I come home and hold for almost four hours with Reload it who opens a scam case. <br />
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I am savvy enough to open a reload it account online rapidly and attempt to outsmart the scammer. I think I grabbed the last two cards back before he cashed them out. I am waiting to see. IF that is the case, I am out $500. If not, I am out $1,500. <br />
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I am warning you because this felt real. I work with the sheriffs department all the time at work and I fell for this. I have multiple judges cell numbers in my phone. I have the sheriffs cell number. I know the detectives and have their numbers. I drove to the sheriffs department and let him scare me in to not going inside!!! Yet, I FELL FOR THIS! It scares me who else will. Thus, I warn you. The cell number was 229-206-8660. It said Sylvester, GA on my phone. I googled it, and the number is out of Worth County. I am sure it is a burner and there may be nothing that can be done but I can warn you. BEWARE! <br />
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I felt like I was a prisoner on the phone for two hours. I believed I could not hang up. I am shocked at myself. I am embarrassed on so many levels but I knew I needed to share to protect others. This consumed SIX hours of my time by the time I got on the phone to Reloadit. It is as much a mind game as it is anything else. I NEVER believed I would allow something like this to happen or that I would be able to be manipulated! Therefore, don't say I would never let something like this happen to me. Believe me, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you! <br />
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In the beginning of this call, I would never have agreed to give a serial number or any personal information. They know this. They spent two hours playing with my mind and emotions so that my guard was down and I would fall prey to this. Never say never. You will eat those words---and that will be the most expensive meal you ever have.<br />
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I believe there is a reason for everything so I knew I could not just sit over here embarrassed and not tell people because of my pride. I knew I must need to warn someone. I am on a mission to find out who did this but even more so to keep anyone else from falling for this.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-52999955482558310812015-06-16T13:13:00.003-04:002015-06-16T14:15:09.427-04:00Baseball Clay---How do I get those pants white as snow? Is there a spiritual lesson in this?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0M_ydB_ji1Ipiv35Lkbfmquk-woKN8VjjFyPpgccesbiWByioMMSdCD1ZTb_xSXRHA9fccBrp6s3ua-uz-IafrRXz_djoBBpLjA2pxDZwc32HhDobXLPTS9Lcl2gaUTnE1SSyl7Xz6E/s1600/IMG_1495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0M_ydB_ji1Ipiv35Lkbfmquk-woKN8VjjFyPpgccesbiWByioMMSdCD1ZTb_xSXRHA9fccBrp6s3ua-uz-IafrRXz_djoBBpLjA2pxDZwc32HhDobXLPTS9Lcl2gaUTnE1SSyl7Xz6E/s320/IMG_1495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dirt...my son has that nick name for a reason...since pictures speak louder than words, I will let these pictures explain it---<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tsBK8RSt9Wf7Jl9YToY9OXa4kMIXqJrqGuJpN0D_7g2sBQar2eeDD7XLYgVoF5h72TZrxnDfX6kCiAcsXOGuAEM8uUKIz-YRZuGjQgsreu_bCOn5RrCR42_QcafjRiU__VkMHCZLdxg/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tsBK8RSt9Wf7Jl9YToY9OXa4kMIXqJrqGuJpN0D_7g2sBQar2eeDD7XLYgVoF5h72TZrxnDfX6kCiAcsXOGuAEM8uUKIz-YRZuGjQgsreu_bCOn5RrCR42_QcafjRiU__VkMHCZLdxg/s320/IMG_1941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-elZEDQXvfE5i4HGHQUaiVyBGb4MfD5KzB4zFzUtS-wpXt11838VnYiRUmvA6NpSFCkNhurR2hUL1CjOINFUlkQ6nW2rh1yZTy7kZ3I1Njjjn2ZxOuTPvxHTgTkdSb_EWCxYLG9pokOI/s1600/11403502_10207318897960329_2133423735357340953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-elZEDQXvfE5i4HGHQUaiVyBGb4MfD5KzB4zFzUtS-wpXt11838VnYiRUmvA6NpSFCkNhurR2hUL1CjOINFUlkQ6nW2rh1yZTy7kZ3I1Njjjn2ZxOuTPvxHTgTkdSb_EWCxYLG9pokOI/s320/11403502_10207318897960329_2133423735357340953_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcp4jgFH01sSURAucZViIHOh1aoh4idPQ2UpzZrVuIKzilXKkU_Z6Xx96uxe82QpJ9DG6inKM3xjkW4W0j1-LyQ6wfiELmRCfY4V6KECRCPI5Y6d3IDac_LDPIca2UOMqC60lPkKEn_E/s1600/IMG_1953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcp4jgFH01sSURAucZViIHOh1aoh4idPQ2UpzZrVuIKzilXKkU_Z6Xx96uxe82QpJ9DG6inKM3xjkW4W0j1-LyQ6wfiELmRCfY4V6KECRCPI5Y6d3IDac_LDPIca2UOMqC60lPkKEn_E/s320/IMG_1953.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We play baseball all out, no holds barred. As a baseball mom, I would never say don't get dirty...instead I find a formula to work. I have been asked many times how I get these pants white again, so here is my formula! I realize this is all over the internet in various versions but just in case you have a need to know, here is my version!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMqvKMLVeTYk8zQhLDCaEkgrjZMsU_bOWtNpJPYajmUDiRJFeMNZw-Z5Ovy3fk_JMbWhY0y9F_9N9LtUtfWPgcGvTSULvkijQphhNAzZn6jubRf0-JAt_j-QK1WPuFEFyiK93Cs5376M/s1600/71-zZtk7yTL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMqvKMLVeTYk8zQhLDCaEkgrjZMsU_bOWtNpJPYajmUDiRJFeMNZw-Z5Ovy3fk_JMbWhY0y9F_9N9LtUtfWPgcGvTSULvkijQphhNAzZn6jubRf0-JAt_j-QK1WPuFEFyiK93Cs5376M/s200/71-zZtk7yTL._SL1500_.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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As soon as possible, I soak these in Iron Out...the powder formula only ($13 on Amazon). I put the pants in a sink in my laundry room, pour about a cup or so of this over the pants, run luke warm water over the pants, and I let them soak. I usually leave them over night.<br />
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After I drain the sink, if there are darker spots left, I wet the end of my fels naphtha bar ($1 at Walmart), and I scrub that spot with the bar of soap. I don't always do this but if we have played REAL hard, I add this in for good measure. </div>
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I then spray the spots remaining with a mixture I keep in a spray bottle. I add half blue Dawn Ultra to half hydrogen peroxide. I keep this in my laundry room marked Ball Pants Only. </div>
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After theses steps, I wash the pants, alone, on white cycle. I do make sure not to wash in hot water. I do warm/cold just to avoid any stains setting in if something does not come out. You can use any good detergent with stain fighting properties. I will admit I also have a home made laundry detergent I often use but any detergent works. </div>
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The outcome...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it seems like lots of effort but it really is little effort...soaking, a little rubbing, spraying, and washing...the results are worth it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We all know I find spiritual applications in most things, so it should come as no surprise that washing pants is no different! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">White as snow...that is how Jesus washes our souls. Like these pants, our lives are often covered in impurities because "we live all out"...we have imperfections because Jesus is the only one to live on earth perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. </b>Romans 3:23</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The glory is Jesus paid a ransom for our sins because He knew we are born sinful. </span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we repent of our sins, he washes us white as snow.</span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He soaks us in his goodness and glory so the impurities are gone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #444444; line-height: 20px;">That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.....</b><b style="color: #444444; line-height: 20px;">For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. </b><b style="color: #444444; line-height: 20px;">Romans 10:9-10, 13</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We are purified so we can glorify our Lord and Savior. May we remember that we are saturated by the Holy Spirit in our lives and may we clothe ourselves with dignity exemplifying whose we are. This does not mean we won't sin or make mistakes but it does mean forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We are sinners saved by grace washed as white as snow. May the old be gone and all things new shine through. Claim it, live it and shine bright like a diamond for our </span>Savior and King!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-79612483057083414312015-04-18T19:33:00.002-04:002015-04-18T19:47:30.641-04:00Nobody Better....A batters lesson to all of us! My son loves baseball...we play school ball and off season we play travel ball. I love to watch these boys play. Yes, I love to see them win, but mostly I love to see the passion they have for the game and to watch friendships grow on and off the field. One thing you would know if you ever go to a game with me is I yell "loud and proud" for those boys....my boy, his teammates and wait for it---the other teams boys. After all, these games are about more than a win or a loss. They should be about building character, growing friendships, teaching work ethic, and keeping them out of trouble! Not to diminish my passion to win but I realize win or lose life goes on...but the rest of the lessons learned, we remember for life.<br />
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Last weekend, we were playing in a tournament. As I mentioned, I had a cheer for each boy as they batted. Suddenly, a parent behind me started laughing at me (ok, nothing new, I laugh at myself regularly). He said, "Sandra, you have said 'nobody better' the last four batters." I looked at him and laughed at myself. Quick witted, I said, "well, in that moment, at that point in the line up there is nobody better." I went on to justify my comment with that batter is what we have to work with at that moment so there is nobody better in that moment in time -- those pitches were formed for them because nobody could take their place...no matter what was thrown at them it was meant for them in that moment to do with what they could. I continued with "nobody better" until we ended that game.</div>
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What a life lesson! In whatever moment God has placed you, there is no one better. There is no one God formed for that position other than you. Whatever curve ball is coming your way, there is no body better to face off with it. If it doesn't come at you just like you thought it should, God knew you needed to wait on something better. If you strike out, God doesn't want you to give up. If it comes easy and you get a walk, God needs you moving for a reason. If it's perfect and you knock it out of the park, God wanted you to shine to glorify Him. So whatever you are facing today, stay in the batters box. Keep your head down on it, wait on it and when it's your pitch, take it. God has nobody better in that moment than you!</div>
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Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells us God has a plan for our life, to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future, not to harm us...God wants us to glorify Him in the good times and during our struggles. In Exodus 35:30-35, Moses talks to Israel about what skills God has given them which were for His glory. Maybe you have never heard of Bezalel and Oholiab but in that moment in time there was nobody better to begin to build the tabernacle. </div>
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Whatever God has blessed you with, benefit God's kingdom with it. Don't underestimate why God has you where you are in this season of your life. There is NOBODY BETTER! And when you get that walk off, we will celebrate with you because at that moment in time, there is nobody better!</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-26892453760520535072015-01-12T22:23:00.003-05:002015-01-12T22:23:58.793-05:00Four C's of a Relationship with Christ<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sandra Wit her....well, that is the name that randomly started appearing on emails sent from my phone recently. You can imagine the jokes that ensued and the hashtags I started receiving from my clowning co-workers. "U either wit her or u against her," they said. "We wit you." #Inotagainstyou #Iwityou</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I didn't realize is when my work phone was set up, my name autocorrected to Wit you. Once again, we can be humored by almost anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Ah, the spiritual lessons I gleaned from this. We are either Wit God or we are against God. Oh, I desire to be "with" Him. I believe that's all of our hearts desires, to be close to Jesus, to shine gloriously bright for Him. So, how do we do this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />To be with someone, you have to be compassionate, connected, committed, and able to communicate. Let's look at these from a spiritual context.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The C's of a Realtionship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>1. Compassionate: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />To be in a meaningful relationship, you have to know the other persons mind-set and be passionately committed to the relationship. As a Christian, we must know why we believe what we believe and be passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>1 Peter 3:15</b> <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30440A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30440A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30440B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30440B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>2. Connected:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We find time for relationships that are important to us. As Christians, we will spend time in God's word and rid ourselves of things that interfere with that relationship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-119-105/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Psalms 119:105"><b>Psalms 119:105</b></a> - Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Timothy-3-16_3-17/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="2 Timothy 3:16-17">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a> </b>- All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-4-4/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Matthew 4:4">Matthew 4:4</a> </b>- But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>3. Commitment: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>We have an unwavering commitment to those we love and are connected to. We stick by them through thick and then. Nothing can break that tie. Such is the case as a Christian. Jesus died for our sins and committed to forgive us for our sins. In turn, we commit our lives to Him at the point of salvation. We are not to let anything get in the way of that relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>1John 4:10 </b>This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>1 John 4:19</b> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">We love because he first loved us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><b>4. Communication:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>We spend time talking, texting, tweeting those we love the most. We don't let time go by without communicating. We complete each others sentences and know the good, the bad and the ugly...yet we still love. Oh, so much more, we should communicate with God. Pray without ceasing, seeking Him first in all we do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b><b>1 Thessalonians 5:17</b> Pray without ceasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Matthew 6:33</b> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May we be more compassionate, connected, committed and communicative with Christ than ever before!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-59047511774005104352015-01-12T22:00:00.001-05:002015-01-12T22:14:01.996-05:00Four C's of a Relationship With Christ<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sandra Wit her....well, that is the name that randomly started appearing on emails sent from my phone recently. You can imagine the jokes that ensued and the hashtags I started receiving from my clowning co-workers. "U either wit her or u against her," they said. "We wit you." #Inotagainstyou #Iwityou</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I didn't realize is when my work phone was set up, my name autocorrected to Wit you. Once again, we can be humored by almost anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Ah, the spiritual lessons I gleaned from this. We are either Wit God or we are against God. Oh, I desire to be "with" Him. I believe that's all of our hearts desires, to be close to Jesus, to shine gloriously bright for Him. So, how do we do this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
To be with someone, you have to be compassionate, connected, committed, and able to communicate. Let's look at these from a spiritual context.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
The C's of a Realtionship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<b>1. Compassionate: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
To be in a meaningful relationship, you have to know the other persons mind-set and be passionately committed to the relationship. As a Christian, we must know why we believe what we believe and be passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<b>1 Peter 3:15</b> <span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30440A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30440A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30440B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30440B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><b>2. Connected:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We find time for relationships that are important to us. As Christians, we will spend time in God's word and rid ourselves of things that interfere with that relationship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-119-105/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Psalms 119:105"><b>Psalms 119:105</b></a> - Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Timothy-3-16_3-17/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="2 Timothy 3:16-17">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a> </b>- All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-4-4/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="Matthew 4:4">Matthew 4:4</a> </b>- But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<b>3. Commitment: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>
We have an unwavering commitment to those we love and are connected to. We stick by them through thick and then. Nothing can break that tie. Such is the case as a Christian. Jesus died for our sins and committed to forgive us for our sins. In turn, we commit our lives to Him at the point of salvation. We are not to let anything get in the way of that relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>1John 4:10 </b>This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>1 John 4:19</b> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">We love because he first loved us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<b>4. Communication:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>
We spend time talking, texting, tweeting those we love the most. We don't let time go by without communicating. We complete each others sentences and know the good, the bad and the ugly...yet we still love. Oh, so much more, we should communicate with God. Pray without ceasing, seeking Him first in all we do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>1 Thessalonians 5:17</b> Pray without ceasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Matthew 6:33</b> <span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May we be more compassionate, connected, committed and communicative with Christ than ever before!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-19334679614272117542015-01-03T20:05:00.000-05:002015-01-03T20:05:44.200-05:00Sweet as Tea! Jesus sweeter than Tea!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweet Tea....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's southern and it's energizing. Many mornings I wake up wondering if there is enough in the refrigerator to give me that kickstart I need. Of course there is, I always make sure tea is brewed before I go to bed. In South Georgia, having tea in your refrigerator is as necessary as milk is to a new born baby. It has to be just sweet enough, not too much sugar but definitely not too little! Brewed just dark enough but not too dark. Cold always --- never hot tea for this southerner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sweet as tea we say in the south. If you are a sweet tea drinker, you know what that means. A glass is never far away, always hits the spot, and cannot be substituted! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus....always by my side, always knows what I need, and cannot be substituted. Just taking a minute to say how thankful I am that He loves me enough to never forsake me or leave me, to meet my every need, and to be the ONE way. Sweeter than tea!</span></div>
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<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">Joshua 1:5 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">No one will be able to stand against you</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5857A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5857A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> all the days of your life. As I was with</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5857B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5857B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-5857C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5857C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"> you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Philippians</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">John 14:6 </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px;">Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-16580641705396073292014-12-28T18:41:00.001-05:002014-12-28T18:44:24.471-05:00A thought on leaving Christmas lights up all year long....do you look like a Christmas tree!?Christmas lights...some people leave them up all year. I for one began taking our decorations down on Christmas night! I began to box ornaments once the last guest closed the door. The eight trees in my home are proof we love Christmas. This is proof it's not for lack of love for the holiday that we start to un-decorate but because we know it won't be long before we are back to our regular schedules. <br />
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This year, I have a new thought on these lights. I almost regret breaking them down. I have enjoyed the last 32 days with my halls decked so bright. Every corner was decked with bright Christmas colors since the week of Thanksgiving. No doubts on our street we are children of the one true King. Remember my Tim the Tool Man manger scene? It makes the statement loud and clear we are CHRISTians, right? <br />
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So back to un-decorating....our internal lights should not only shine those 32 days but all 365. Thus, as we undecorate that tree, let's make sure we don't lose our decorations!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prayers that our life lights don't go dim now that shouting Jesus is the Reason for the Season and defending Merry Christmas over Happy Holiday's is 333 days away. May we keep that light shining bring within us for Christ so there is no doubt to those who cross our paths that we are children of God the Father-Elohim. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How do we keep those internal Christmas lights shining bright all year long other than sporting this homemade sweatshirt all year? We do this through the decorations in our lives----our words, wisdom, and works. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">WORDS</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">May our words be a reflection of The Word. May we build others up in our words. Avoid tearing others down. The old adage "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all" applies. I am certainly not saying we don't confront issues with one another biblically but I am saying as Christian brothers and sisters we are to lift each other up not tear each other down. When we see our sisters and brothers in need, we encourage them. We take time to listen to one another and to speak life in to one another. I challenge us to let others see the light of Jesus shining bright in our life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">1 Thessalonians 5:11 </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Encourage one another and build each other up...</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Ephesians 4:29 Do</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. </span><span class="p" style="color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>WISDOM</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">May we follow and give godly wisdom. This wisdom comes only from God's word. May we ensure advice we follow or give lines up with God's word. We may have lots of knowledge and thoughts on what someone should do, before we speak it, may we seek the Lord to ensure it is His direction and not ours.</span></span></span></div>
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Hebrews 4:12 <span style="background-color: white;">For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.</span><span class="p" style="color: #001320; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">P</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">roverbs 15:31-33 </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>WORKS</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">May our works aka our deeds exemplify the hands and feet of Jesus. Now, we are clear it's not our works that get us in to heaven, but they do demonstrate who we are in Christ. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Colossians 3:17</span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="p" style="color: #001320; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.</span></span><br />
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In Sandra Wilcher vernacular....If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck...it must be a duck. So, if you are a Chrisitian, you should look like one, walk like one and talk like one all year long! May we all shine bright this year! I don't wanna look like a duck! I wann</span>a look like a CHRISTMAS tree...shining bright for CHRIST! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's leave our internal Christmas lights on all year long! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #faf9f6;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-8534510471958627212014-12-23T08:24:00.003-05:002014-12-23T08:44:17.467-05:00I don't know who she is....Let others know you KNOW Jesus!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At my office, I hear my name what feels like hundreds of times a day. Sometimes when I hear someone call out to me or ask where I am, I call out, "I've never heard of her." For some reason, that never stops people from walking in, starting to talk, asking for help or sharing something with me. Usually, the only thing it does is cause a brief chuckle or get a response like this "you are crazy." However, it never stops people from approaching me or continuing with their purpose! There are few places I go in our town that someone doesn't know who I am because of my job. Ah, the joys of being a social worker. Never a dull moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I tried this the other day at home when my kids called out "where's mom?" I said "I have never heard of her." They both ran to me, told me I was a nut, and continued with what they needed from me. So denial clearly is not working for me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Escaping who I am is never going to happen even on my craziest of days. God created me to serve others, to be His hands and feet, and to tackle some of the craziest of problems. I actually love it but sometimes a spa retreat seems appealing! Last night, in my quiet time, I pondered my comment. "I've never heard of her." Clearly, a misnomer since I am her! It took me to a much deeper place...how many times have we denied Christ if not in our words but our actions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I began to think what is my response to the cross. When I hear people talking about Jesus do I call out "I KNOW HIM!" or do I remain silent. When I hear people deny Christ, do I remain silent, do I have a Peter like moment and imply that I do not know Him? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In Luke 22-After being asked if he knew Jesus, <span class="text Luke-22-60" id="en-NIV-25925" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">60 </span>Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” We all know Peter knew Jesus well, He loved Jesus, He served beside Jesus. But suddenly, he was caught in a dangerous place...to know Jesus may cost him his life so in his moment of weakness, denial gripped him.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I suddenly thought of all the times I have seen posts on social media and hesitated in responding because I wanted to be politically correct or avoid offending others. I thought of times I have sat silent when I had plenty of words to say. Conviction of my silence and lack of actions being indicative of "I do not know Him." May we not be silent during this CHRISTmas season -- our silence or actions say we don't know Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SO, I do KNOW HIM! I cannot deny who I am in Christ, I will not deny who I am in Christ. May we exude who He is in us everywhere we go. It is Merry CHRISTmas not Happy Holidays, it is Jesus' birthday we celebrate. On someone's birthday, we only celebrate them so let's remember that this is Jesus' birthday. The song says it so well...Happy Birthday Jesus, we're so glad it's Christmas...all the tinsel and lights and the presents are nice but the real gift is you!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-22-60" id="en-NIV-25925" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Luke continues---Just as he (Peter) was speaking, the rooster crowed.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Luke-22-61" id="en-NIV-25926" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">61 </span>The Lord<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-25926E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25926E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-25926F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25926F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Luke-22-62" id="en-NIV-25927" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">62 </span>And he went outside and wept bitterly.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-22-62" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-22-62" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Let's live with no regrets...JESUS we DO know you! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-22-62" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Luke-22-62" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Peter didn't stop there...he went on to win 3,000 souls to Christ in his first sermon and he was the leader of 12 apostles of Christ fulfilling this truth </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Matthew 16:17: "</span><i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #707070; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">."</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Regardless of any mistakes we have made we can still fulfill God's purpose for us!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-47245013106093022882014-11-25T10:14:00.002-05:002014-11-25T10:19:36.336-05:00Guilt Ridden or Grace DrivenI know it's been a while ---- not for lack of ideas but lack of time to let the words flow. Does that ever happen to you? So much you want to accomplish but no time to make it happen. I wonder if it's because there is no time or is it just not a priority. I ponder and realize I have found time to do lots of things over the past few months besides write.<br />
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I have couponed almost every week.<br />
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I have shopped many sales....I mean Winn Dixie lowered prices 10 percent a week until it closed!<br />
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I have watched many Netflix videos with my children.<br />
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I have attended every basketball game my son played in.<br />
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I have spent quality time with my man! AKA Hubster<br />
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I rush out on time from work to make sure I get to see some of the tumbling class my daughter takes... (thanks Grammy for taking her).<br />
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I have started decorating for Christmas.<br />
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I have liquidated my closet.<br />
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I have spent time with my family and friends just hanging out.<br />
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I have mindlessly searched Foxnews at least once a day.<br />
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I have spent time helping those less fortunate.<br />
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Then the list of things I have not done....no, that I will skip.<br />
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AH now that sounds like a list that would be driven out of guilt. I use to beat myself up for all that I didn't accomplish instead of all that God allowed me to live out. That was mostly an inspired guilt driven by legalism that offered me a list of rules of do's and don'ts, musts and must nots. What can I do, instead of how can I bring glory and honor to the Lord who created me.<br />
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So, today, I may not live up to the standards of some. I have not made everyone happy because of my no's. I have ignored some requests, openly defied others. But, I was not created to be all things to all people but to be one of His children, created for His purpose. What that is to me is something different than what that is to you.<br />
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Just yesterday, a sweet friend said to my daughter that she and I are wired differently. Guess what? We all are. That is the beauty of being fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14. Live in the season God has given you, not exile--not the season others want to create for you. He is the one true creator or all things, all places, and all seasons. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1 Corinthians 10:31 <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">Isaiah 43:7 </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">And these verses always seem to fit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, and<b><u> I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. </u></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-87381095217911560182014-09-10T19:43:00.003-04:002014-09-10T20:11:22.783-04:00Is this a good or bad pest?Subtle hints from others are not always enough....have you ever walked away from someone just to have them follow you? Have you changed the subject just to have someone change it right back? Have you shifted your focus to something else just to have a person force you to focus back on them? <br />
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We have all had these friends, moments, episodes...some of us have been these pests! Sometimes I can be like a gnat in someone's ear when I am on a mission. I admit, when I need to help a family or child, I can be relentless if I think I am on to something!<br />
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Hmmm...tonight I thought about how I had annoyed someone today. I will admit ultimately the outcome was helpful to someone else, so I would say it worked out okay In the end, the person I annoyed was thanking me for what I did (ironic in some ways). The lesson in this is sometimes pest grow on you....so maybe I have grown on this person.<br />
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This is a pest that has lived outside of my office for a long time....he or one of his relatives was even there last year. He sits in this same spot and stares at me. Sometimes he nestles under the seal and I only see his tail. I use to knock on the window to scare him away. Now, I expect him to be there. When he isn't, I look closer for his tail. He has grown on me...so much, I went outside and took a picture this week (I humor myself in so many ways....). <br />
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I stop and ponder wondering how would God describe me? Am I a pest to Him? I want to be! <br />
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Think back...if a pest is someone who constantly nags at you, desires to be with you all the time, desires your guidance, wants your attention, desires to mirror you then that is what we should desire spiritually. I want God to want me around...to notice when I stray away....<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>As pest, may we desire to:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nag God</b>... Praying without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Be with God</b>...<span style="background-color: white;">But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">added to you. Matthew 6:33</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Have God's direction</b>...</span><span style="background-color: white;">Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Mirror Him</b>....</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are </span></span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">being transformed</span><span style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 25px;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #191919;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; line-height: 25px;">2 Corinthians 3:18</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Know more about Him</b>....I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:111</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-48581617637064308742014-09-08T20:49:00.002-04:002014-09-08T21:26:30.322-04:00Are you a talker or listener? BlahblahblahToo many words....blahblahblah....<br />
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I have always been a talker...my children are talkers....I am sorry to all of their teachers; they got it honestly!<br />
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I am trying to minimize my words. I have a lot to say and I am usually in a hurry. I rush through because my to do list is mammoth. Not to complain, I do like it that way. God created me as an Energizer Bunny. I have long lasting batteries, but they still need recharging at times. In an effort to save some of my juice, I have been trying to minimize my words. <br />
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Sometimes I say so much, I know I lost people at hey and they tune back in at bye! I know the extraneous details are not always necessary.<br />
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Why am I telling you this? To say, we have so much to say that we often forget to listen! God wants us to be still and listen. So I am tuning in and trying to listen more...shhhhhh....enjoy the quiet, for in it, God has a still small voice...wait on it 'cause it is bound to be good!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">"Be still before the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;"> and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7 </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-29200192689244209812014-08-24T22:58:00.001-04:002014-08-24T23:14:58.197-04:00How many friends do you have? Social Media tells all! A true Christian Friend is so much more...How many friends do you have? We can start with a simple math equation.<br />
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Facebook friends +Twitter followers + Instagram + Phone contacts + Snapchat, Vine, etc contacts = your friend count. Wow, according to that equation I am 1,500 strong! <br />
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Let's define who these friends are since modern technology defines a friend differently than I did in high school (GO VIKINGS!).<br />
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1. Facebook friends: high school friends; college roommates; work associates from every job you ever had; anyone you ever heard of or someone you know has heard of; someone you have a friend in common with so you think you should know them --maybe you did back in the day so, just in case, you friend them.<br />
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2. Twitter followers: anyone with access to news, details, 411 that you might be interested in or opposed to.<br />
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3. Instagram: anyone you know that is still in middle or high school; friends of your children; foes of your children you think you need to be in the know about.<br />
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4. Telephone contacts: anyone that ever called you; anyone you are afraid will call you so you need to know not to answer; peeps who love to talk in emoticons via instant messenger.<br />
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5. Others that you love enough to keep up with even though they are:<br />
a. of an older generation not interested in social media <br />
b. anti social media <br />
c. out of minutes and data for the month <br />
d. friends who live so far on the back side of no where cable companies & cell towers refuse to go<br />
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<b>Now let's talk about a deeper friendship</b><br />
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<b>Some of my 1,500---from church, family, community, childhood, work, baseball & football...</b></div>
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<b>6. Being a Christian Friend:</b></div>
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<li>Faithful, constant--unwavering, helps in time of stress </li>
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<li>Pro<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">verbs 17:17 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">A friend loves at all times,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-17-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">and a brother is born for a time of adversity. </span></li>
<li><span class="text Prov-17-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">Proverbs</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Prov-17-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"> 27:10a </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family...</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prover</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">bs 18: 24 </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">but there is a </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">friend who sticks closer than a brother.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Merciful, kind, relentless </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Luke 11:5-8 </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Then </span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="text Luke-11-5" id="en-NIV-25411" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Jesus said to them, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;</span></span> <span class="text Luke-11-6" id="en-NIV-25412" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’</span> <span class="text Luke-11-7" id="en-NIV-25413" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’</span> </span><span class="text Luke-11-8" id="en-NIV-25414" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.</span></span></li>
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<li>Inspires you to be a stronger Christian; does not encourage you to be worldly</li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">James 4:4 </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">You adulterous</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342A" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> people,</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">don’t you know that friendship with the world</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342B" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> means enmity against God?</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30342C" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30342C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Prays for you </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Philemon 1</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Phlm-1-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">I always thank my God<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29943I" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29943I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span> as I remember you in my prayers,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29943J" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29943J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Phlm-1-5" id="en-NIV-29944" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">because I hear about your love for all his holy people<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29944K" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29944K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span> and your faith in the Lord Jesus.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29944L" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29944L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Phlm-1-6" id="en-NIV-29945" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Phlm-1-7" id="en-NIV-29946" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Your love has given me great joy and encouragement,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29946M" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29946M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span> because you, brother, have refreshed<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29946N" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29946N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span> the hearts of the Lord’s people.</span> </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Prov-17-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Ponder these thoughts and try to be a better friend to those God has allowed to cross your path during this season of life. There is no way you can be a true friend to 1,500 people but you can be a true friend to those God has chosen to surround you with the most. Now for the other 1,475, be an example for Christ, inspire them, love them, serve them as you can but don't spend so much time browsing social media you forget about those closest to you. Love you my friends! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Prov-17-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">All verses are from the New International Version of the Bible</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-81129635371663454392014-07-25T23:39:00.002-04:002014-07-25T23:52:02.229-04:00How do you kill snakes??<div>
Snakes are clearly on the move! I have seen multiple FB comments about snakes today alone! I am not a fan of snakes but I do understand they are on the move so I expect to see them outside. Recently we had a ring neck black snake in our pool....that day we excercised catch and release. HOWEVER, I do draw the line. This week while Lance was at work, I hear a scream....SNAKE! What?? Everyone is inside, this must be a joke! No! A small black snake is inching his way around my son's bathroom.</div><div><br></div>
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Panic did overwhelm me, but as any good woman would do, the first move is to grab the closest weapon! Going for a gun means the snake has a chance to slither away. Calling the neighbor is how we ended up playing catch and release last week. Therefore, the snake was sucked up in to the infamous Electrolux vacuum cleaner which was sitting nearby! </div>
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The story becomes more comical...I throw the vacuum in to the yard. It is trash pick up day; isn't it time for a new vacuum? My frugal side realizes I am about to trash a very expensive vacuum (yes it is old but it still works wonders) so I send my child for scissors! Yes, I cut the vacuum bag open. I need to make sure the snake is inside before I decide if I should keep the vacuum.</div><div><br></div>
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He is inside the bag. I need to know if a mommy snake is likely to be nearby and if she is, is she poisonous. I send for a trash bag. I tie the snake (and the vacuum bag) up and call Lance to come id him! He does...it is a baby ring neck black snake -- probably one whose mommy we sent packing last week!</div>
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What lesson have I found in this? First, do not call neighbors or they will not kill the snake. KILL the snake because they come back! <br>
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Secondly, I put a great deal of effort in to eliminatiing this snake, identifying his threat level, and then I mutilated him to make sure he could not give me a second heart attack! </div><div><br></div><div>I wonder if we put this much effort in to sin in our lives. When we know it is present, do we just push it off to the side knowing it may come back (a nice game of catch and release)? Or, do we look for the closest weapon available to get rid of it? Once we know the threat is secured, do we assess the threat level, and ensure there is no chance of return? </div>
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As Christians, this means understanding spitirual warfare, and exercising our right to it! Ignoring problems and thinking we can tackle them on our own is like playing catch and release. Grabbing our sword (the Bible) and letting the serpent know we will not tolerate his presence is the only way to assure Satan we will not stand for his temptations. According to 1 Peter 5:8, he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He doesn't just show up in obvious places (outside)...he enters our homes and our comfort zones and poses a threat hoping we won't think fast enough to act. So, be equipped to act fast. Keep the Bible close to your heart (Psalm 119:11) so you don't have to go roaming off looking for answers. God will bring scripture to our memory if we hide it in our heart! (Proverbs 2:1) </div><div><br></div><div>I hope not to see another snake inside, but I can promise if I do, the vacuum is ready! In the same way, I challenge each of us to memorize at least one verse a week so we can pull that sword out fast when the serpent comes lurking!</div><div> <br>
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More on spiritual warfare:</div>
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Ephesians 6:10-12</div>
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. <span class="highl">Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.</span> For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.…</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-69379421296157240832014-07-24T15:35:00.001-04:002014-07-24T20:29:29.942-04:00Problem solver...are you one? Have you ever had something in your life you knew wasn't just right but never cared enough to fix it? Well, look at this picture....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH_NQA8iRkoKTY7cn_fhb8KEoITmABC3ByZ6wWbBXgInaOkdtUvIZCg0aKIXBIdpnLtv-poFx17BP5aDO9AqI8ZrJkst1SpsQW-DaTIi5wRAMz5JHrJAeYiwKvg8SfT_Jt6KC05n1y6Y/s1600/IMG_7135.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH_NQA8iRkoKTY7cn_fhb8KEoITmABC3ByZ6wWbBXgInaOkdtUvIZCg0aKIXBIdpnLtv-poFx17BP5aDO9AqI8ZrJkst1SpsQW-DaTIi5wRAMz5JHrJAeYiwKvg8SfT_Jt6KC05n1y6Y/s1600/IMG_7135.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have stood many people in this foyer and asked....do you see anything wrong? Most people stare, analyze, look at me like it's a trick and say no....<br />
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I have lived in this house for ten years. I am not sure how many years I lived here before I noticed the panel to the right is white and the one to the left is yellow like the wall. I have spent the last ten years using it as a conversation piece when people come over. But, I never cared enough to do anything about it...even though it is wrong in every decorators book!<br />
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Today, I happened to be at the paint store and thought about it...I bought a can of paint and thought "one day, I will fix this." However, within ten minutes of the can entering the house, this happened....<br />
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My problem solver took the task on! The paint is drying and the sides match for the first time in ten years! We both laughed. She said she wondered how long it would take daddy to notice --- maybe another ten years!</div>
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This made me wonder how many other "small" issues we have in our lives that are not significant enough for us to stop and give our attention to even though in the divine decorator of our lives book...the Bible...it is clearly wrong or in need of repair. How many "small" seemingly insignificant issues do others have that we could minister to yet we ignore even though it would take us less than ten minutes to fix? </div>
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I was convicted by this eleven year old who took on the task just because....may I look for the small ways to serve others even if it never gets noticed!</div>
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Matthew 25 </div>
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<span class="text Matt-25-35" id="en-NIV-24044" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">35 </span>For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24044A" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24044A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-36" id="en-NIV-24045" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">36 </span>I needed clothes and you clothed me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24045B" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24045B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> I was sick and you looked after me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24045C" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24045C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> I was in prison and you came to visit me.’<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24045D" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24045D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-25-37" id="en-NIV-24046" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">37 </span>“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</span> <span class="text Matt-25-38" id="en-NIV-24047" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">38 </span>When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</span> <span class="text Matt-25-39" id="en-NIV-24048" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">39 </span>When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">40 </span>“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24049E" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24049E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-85237347918906819112014-06-08T13:54:00.001-04:002014-06-08T14:26:35.323-04:00One dark night...we did it!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was late one night when my old roomie and I decided to do it. It would start with several days of contemplating and making jokes about should we do it, should we not? Then the night would come when we would make that journey down the stairs from our apartment in to the darkness of the night. We would meet in the middle and turn our backs to each other and start walking in the opposite direction....then we started to run in opposite directions until the final pop occurred. It was over! Anyone thinking of an old Western yet? Well, we did not step off to start a gunfight. We started a "tape war." See it went something like this....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For years, I listened to music that filled my head with what/who I deserved, what emotions have to do with it, what color I should like (Black is really back now) and what adventures I should pursue. I could quote lyrics to soft love songs all the way to hard rock. I loved all music. What I found was I could quote you a lyric to any situation you faced and maybe even break out in song if the notion hit me just right. Not all the music was bad but it all left lasting impressions on my mind. I am sure that is why I say huh so much today...some of that music was really loud! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The point is once I became a Christian, I realized it wasn't all about me, my mind should not be focused on anything but Jesus 'cause He does have something to do with it, and the adventures would be plenty when He ordered my footsteps. So I set out to clean my mind - Romans 12:2 "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." I desired to learn more about God's word than I knew about anything else. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I wanted to live out Psalm 119:11- "</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">I have hidden your word in my heart </span><span style="background-color: white;">that I might not sin</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-15910B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> against you." So I set out to memorize scripture! I was 18 years behind some people since I was 18 when I confessed Christ as my Savior. I can no longer quote you the lyrics to any of those songs but I do have God's word hidden in my heart. Today, His truth is what comes to my mind instead of those song lyrics. Now, I still have lots of song lyrics to spurt out but the kind playing on KLove not the 1980s station....and yes, I still break out in song at times but singing along with KLove or at least what I heard on KLove!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Again, I am not knocking all other music but I am saying what I desire to fill my heart and mind with are the things of the Lord. I encourage you to remove anything that does not spur you on to good deeds. Maybe it is not music for you but something else...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So back to the earlier story....we always did things with a little drama added in just for fun. We started off in the middle of the parking lot. One of us grabbed the cassette and the other grabbed a piece of the tape. We took off in two separate directions until pop---the tape came out! Dozens of tapes later and lots of laughter, we dumped the trash where it belong...the "dipsy dumpster" as we called it. So I challenge you to dump your trash today. It will be freeing and may even give you a few good </span>laughs! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-59163917245291853152014-06-07T20:31:00.002-04:002014-06-07T20:35:08.430-04:00WOW-zers! Tonight I enjoyed dinner with my family laughing hysterically about some things from days gone by. I won't linger long in this post but to say I laughed so hard I almost cried. I enjoy those good times with my mom and siblings. I will say I am a little concerned that some of my memories are not the same as theirs....denial might be my coping skill! With that being said, after settling down from the laughter and hysteria...I had a thought. It was----are you ready?? It was just this one word, "WOW!" <br />
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This one word encompasses so much. WOW--thank you God for all you protected me from, thank you for where I am today vs where I could be. Thank you for ordering my footsteps and for doing whatever it took to bring me on the path I am on today. Thank you for the roadblocks, stumbling blocks, and 180 degree turns I experienced along the way. At times I did not understand those obstacles but WOW today I do!! <br />
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So if you are not sure why something happens...it's okay. Just know God knows better than we do and sometimes we are too hard headed to listen. He loves us enough to change our direction, slow us down, or pick us up and move us to a whole new place. So to use an old cliche...Let GO and Let God! Years from now, you MIGHT understand why! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-15055410782392060592014-05-10T07:56:00.001-04:002014-05-10T08:24:54.997-04:00Let it Go Let it GO! How many of you are singing the song from Frozen just because of the title of this blog?! <br />
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I couldn't imagine letting something go that I had for so long. After ten years, you get attached even to objects---having personfied this object and even giving it a name. Many of you knew Sally and even spent time with her. She had seen her better days. How could you give up "someone" you have grown so attached to? I was comfortable with her and had no desire to make a change. But the day had come to walk way...it would be hard to say goodbye. The final moments would seem awkwrd. Abandonment....how could I? Wait, we are talking about an automobile...something I was about to replace with a newer model with more bells and whistles. But for a brief moment, I was caught up in the emotion of naming a car ---something that could not talk back. When I think of such craziness, I remember Knight Rider named his car Kip (dating myself) so I must be in good company...ah...satire.<br />
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So, I trade in Sally for Princess. She is a more stylish version of the large SUV. She is known as a crossover. She is smaller, can't hit a pot hole quite as fast and won't take the Klampets on vacation. However, she is more reliable and a little snazzier. It has been a month (I know because Bank of America reminded me :) )! I have not forgotten Sally. Crazy as it is, I wonder who has her and how many more miles she has in her (156,000 strong when I let her go).<br />
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Life is like that. We get attached and comfortable in places so much that we keep on keeping on even when a change is needed. I needed another vehicle for some time but I was content and satisfied. Time came when a few visits to the mechanic would cost me as much a month as a new payment so it was time. Sometimes God has to move us to another place in our lives with a gentle nudge - at other times he has to take us through some trials to get our attention. I know we should be content where God has us but we should also be open to Him when He wants to move us. <br />
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<em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa. 55:9</em><br />
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Changes are taking place and sometimes they can be scary but God says to trust Him. He is clearly in tune with all elements of this world so certainly He has an interest in His children.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! Luke 12:28</span><br />
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Ask God, "are you ready to move me?" If he is moving you (not geographically but spiritually), are you waiting for a road map or trusting He has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. Are you trusting He takes care of His children? These are easier said than done. He won't let the snares of the devil consume you. (Psalm 91:3). God will protect you and bless your future more than you can fathom. Join me on the journey to live out Jeremiah 29:11-14a <br />
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<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">1 </span>For I know the plans<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span> I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></span> you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jer-29-12" id="en-NIV-19648" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>Then you will call<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span> on me and come and pray<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span> to me, and I will listen<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span> to you.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jer-29-13" id="en-NIV-19649" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>You will seek<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19649Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span> me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19649AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Jer-29-14" id="en-NIV-19650" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>I will be found by you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-68552054390023757212014-05-07T21:03:00.001-04:002014-05-07T21:03:25.946-04:00Closed Doors & Broken Toes!What are your thoughts on closed doors? Regularly, my husband will ask me to slam the car door harder (sarcastically of course) because I have a lot of power in my closures! :) My children inherited this gene from me. So our house doors and car doors get a great deal of exercise. Two summers ago, I mustered up all the energy inside my little body and closed my bedroom door. Within a snap of a finger, I knew hubby was right! I do close doors too hard. I fell to the ground and let out a wail as if weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth would help! Yep...my little toe was not fast enough to clear the perimeter as the door swooshed closed!<br />
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I am on the ground in my room laughing, crying and screaming. Mind you, my two children, one dog and husband are hearing me. Nothing. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! The scream becomes a bellow and the door opens slowly. Long story, short...Lance tells me my toe is broken and he "breaks" it back in to place. Fast forward. I ask why nobody came to my aid. The answer..."we did not know what to think." They heard the door slam and heard my "racket" but had no idea what was behind that door. They were startled and frozen for a minute. Needless to say, I need to scream more so this family knows what to do when someone has a melt down! I quickly gave them a lesson on what to do when someone is yelling out in pain! :)<br />
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Closed doors....sometimes they are painful. Sometimes we are unsure what has happened. We may be like me on one side, clearly aware of what happened yet encumbered with pain. We may be like my children and husband...on the outside unsure what is going on but clearly aware we better be careful before we go where angels dare to tread! Either way, ignoring the call is not an option. Maybe a door is closing in your life and you are very aware of what is ahead. You know the terrain may be rough but you are willing to face it. Maybe you are not sure what is ahead. God knows what is before you. Proverbs 3:5,6 "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Trust in the </span><span class="name" style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">with all your heart </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">and lean not on your own understanding; i</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">n all your ways submit to him, </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">and he will make your paths straight." I think of the old Sounds of Liberty Song..."when you can't trace His hand, trust His heart." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Doors are closing and I am excited. Not because the journey won't be treacherous at times but because He has been faithful before. He will be faithful again. </span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-876812982506886981.post-3459153341101099742014-05-04T23:24:00.000-04:002014-05-04T23:31:51.074-04:00He wasn't very hungry...New York New York!The ambience of New York City consumed me as soon as we drove in to Times Square. Thirteen South Georgia Gals descending on NYC...it would never be the same! If you have ever been, you understand how the lights dance in your eyes and just being in the city is exciting! It had been thirteen years since I set foot in NYC and I was so excited to bring my daughter. Since we only had three days, we had an action packed agenda that most travel agents would plan a week to acomplish. Well, since I think the Energizer Bunny is my twin...who needs a week? Days would do. <br />
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We set out to take NYC in three days. We had so much to take in! I carried a back pack for essentials...mophie to charge the phone, umbrella (forecasting rain), scarves (it might get colder), and of course...granola bars for an extra punch between meals. It became a running joke when others said they were hungry---I would say, "do you want a granola bar?" No time to stop! We might have one more thing to do before dinner. I guess you had to be there but just don't be surprised if one of us falls on the floor laughing when someone says, "you can have a coke or do you want a granola bar?" <br />
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By day three, we had covered the 9-11 memorial, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Wall Street, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, two shows, China Town (along with a few side streets), Little Italy and several local eateries. Nine of us were out and knew it was getting close to midnight - the 3am shuttle would come early. So knowing we had covered it all, we began our journey back to our rooms. Unable to hail a taxi, and knowing we had money left on our subway cards, we journey down the first subway tunnel we pass. <br />
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Dark and isolated is an understatement. Maybe we should have paid closer attention. Who knew a journey down an old, musky subway hall would leave such a mark? Worn out, rushing down the passageway are nine naive South Georgia moms and daughters. We are alone except for one weary eyed, tattered and torn man. All of those ahead of me rushed by him. He is holding a sign begging for money so he can eat. One step past him, I am convicted to step back. I pause along with my ten year old and begin to dig in the backpack....remember the granola bars? That box had been hauled all over NYC so now was time to depart from this iconic box that had taken on a life of its own...btw, do you want a granola bar? OK, you are right...you had to be there. Back to the man. I take out the box and offer it to him. After all, I was cashless at this point (ummm...a female in NYC for three days, of course I was!). <br />
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I was feeling so proud inside...I mean I am going to feed the poor, right? Isn't this what Jesus would do? Well, maybe the pride was why the story went the way it did. Those empty, blood shot eyes filled with rage and looked at me as if he could see through me. With a strong tone in his voice, he tells me no...he wants money. Of course, I am a social worker so I can convince him granola bars are just as good, right? He tells me his teeth are rotten so he cannot eat them. Am I seriously debating a homeless man? Well, yes. I explain I have no cash. He reaches for something. For a minute, I swallow the lump in my throat glancing at my 7 friends who are far ahead and looking at me as if I had lost my mind (again). What is he reaching for? I urge my daughter to go ahead and she moves on to the safe place...the 7 other gals. My heart racing, not sure what to expect. He pulls out....nope, not what you are thinking....but a phone. He tells me he can take my credit card. Trying hard not to laugh out loud, I say, "you're not very hungry." I drop the box of granola bars by him in case he wises up and I go on. I was saddened by the rejection but I never look back. The offer for food stood long after I left. <br />
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I have no idea what the man did. I do know I didn't give him my credit card. However, if he really got hungry, he had food to eat. He just had to choose to eat it. He had to open the box and take the food out. He may truly have rotten teeth but if he was hungry, maybe he could gnaw the food or wet it in a bathroom to make it palatable. Either way, he could satiate the hunger if he wanted to. I will never know the outcome but I had no regrets. I didn't let his rejection end my offer.<br />
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Wow...what a long story to get to this....the world is a place hungry for God. Sometimes people are in such need, they don't know what it is they are longing for. It is up to us to share the gospel even if we do not reap the harvest. <br />
<br />
John 4:35-38 tells us<br />
<span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/4-36.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>36</b></a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/4-37.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>37</b></a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/john/4-38.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>38</b></a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Somebody had to sow the seed before the harvest came in. Sharing the gospel is sowing </span>seeds. S<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">ometimes, we will offer God's word and message to people to simply get rejected. Other times, people will accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Regardless, our message cannot change. Jesus came to the world to feed the hungry souls...to offer salvation. Sometimes we plant seeds and don't know the outcome. It is ok. We leave the tools behind, God will do the rest. Drop that box wherever you are. Even if it is uncomfortable! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;">Luke 10</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/luke/10-2.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>2</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">He told them,</span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></div>
My lesson in this...be a worker...a missionary wherever God has placed you. Acts 1:8 says<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/1-8.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>8</b></a></span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” </span>This means your town, your state and, yes, all the world. Don't forget the first part of this. I have served in foreign missions, so don't get me wrong, I do have a heart for foreign missions. But, people need the gospel right where you are. There will most likely not be a missionary at your place of employment tomorrow, at the grocery store with you or walking your streets. Wait! Yes, there will be. Who? You! <br />
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The harvest is plentiful right where you are. Carry out the Great Commission.... It is ok if you don't know the outcome. I have been blessed to see my seeds reap a harvest an abundant amount of times...those are some happy times. But I have also been ignored, mocked and ridiculed when I have shared my faith. It doesn't stop me. Don't let it stop you!<br />
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THE GREAT COMMISSION<br />
Matthew 28<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NIV-24214" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24214B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </span>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NIV-24216" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">20 </span>and teaching<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span> them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span>always, to the very end of the age.”</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-28-20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-28-20" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj">Where are we to take this message? Wherever you are! People are hungrier than you think! (Do you want a granola bar?!)</span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16442160129652543216noreply@blogger.com0