tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81761799773797692502024-03-13T07:46:05.008-07:00Touch of God on a Mother's HeartThoughts from a mother's heart - comfort from the Father's hand.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-91385042324064425402023-07-02T11:24:00.001-07:002023-07-02T11:33:10.920-07:00You Alone Can Lift My Head, Now Bowed in Shame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSSzJ-jCbVfeao3CMJEosroWqju8bf7gP9oO-6CjHtXjyVmOvoxhf4rKbJRWg3MYwJ4zyRp1pXLysfCG0-Gx8NexCC1sZN_TRy1YKrywchld51lojX9BNCoCWlpFsuAFTT_e_ox4-XGTaEWop38gkWgoSPuH68h6g__pc_K_bmV-ol1fbb1C1fe2iAHw/s640/child-419447_640.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSSzJ-jCbVfeao3CMJEosroWqju8bf7gP9oO-6CjHtXjyVmOvoxhf4rKbJRWg3MYwJ4zyRp1pXLysfCG0-Gx8NexCC1sZN_TRy1YKrywchld51lojX9BNCoCWlpFsuAFTT_e_ox4-XGTaEWop38gkWgoSPuH68h6g__pc_K_bmV-ol1fbb1C1fe2iAHw/w326-h434/child-419447_640.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><p></p><p class="verse first-line-none"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"</i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-3-1">O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies.</span> <span class="text Ps-3-2" id="en-TLB-11880"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>So many say that God will never help me.</span> <span class="text Ps-3-3" id="en-TLB-11881"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame." </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Ps-3-3" id="en-TLB-11881">Psalm 3:1-3<br /></span></span></i></p><p class="verse first-line-none"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-3-3" id="en-TLB-11881"> </span></span></i></p><p class="verse first-line-none"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Ps-3-3" id="en-TLB-11881"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Shame....</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> We've all experienced it - that feeling of shame that comes over us when we've messed up and we know it. When we realize again that we fall short of even our own expectations. Shame comes with sin. It entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned.</span><span style="font-size: medium;">They immediately realized that they were naked and hid from God. Shame isn't only attached to our sin, we feel it when those we are close to sin, when our family is less than stellar and when our own children choose to live in sin. We hang our heads and hide.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm reading through the Psalms (again) in my quiet time and read Psalm 3 this morning in the Living Bible. I've read this Psalm many times and sung songs based on it, but for the first time, it was a living picture for me and I could picture Jesus, lifting my chin and looking lovingly into my eyes, reminding me that He has washed away all my sin and shame. <i>He is the one who lifts my head.</i> His love gives me courage to look up again. This Psalm was written while David was fleeing from Absolom. He understood what it is to be ashamed because of the behavior of your own child. But he looked to God who lifted his face and freed him from the shame. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>HE IS THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD! </b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><br /> </p>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-2624009477921297822018-05-23T07:52:00.005-07:002019-02-17T06:14:32.061-08:00Faith Outlasts Sorrow and Our Deepest Wounds Birth Wisdom<span style="font-size: large;">"When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 112:4 NLT</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Spring was so very slow in coming! The cold and the dark hung on like the tentacles of some dark many-armed monster and like those long nights when you can't fall asleep that seem interminable, I wondered if the cold of winter would ever pass or if we were under the curse of the White Witch as they were in Narnia before Aslan came - "always winter and never Christmas...."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart sometimes feels that way, that there is only more darkness around each corner, that evil is prevailing, that what I've known is only the tip of the iceberg and that there's no getting around this polar glacier. But then I soak myself in the Psalms and I claim with David the comfort of our forever faithful and victorious God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently read this insightful quote by one of the characters in Jamie Langston Turner's <u>By the Light of a Thousand Stars</u>: <em> "Maybe, she thought, the test of grief for a Christian was whether you stuck by what you knew was right even when you didn't feel like it in your heart yet. Maybe talking publicly about "God's will" and His "perfect plan" and the "assurance of His love" was okay even though your heart was aching so badly you hardly knew what you were saying. Maybe going through the motions of faith in a time of sorrow wasn't as bad as she had imagined....</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">… the habit of trusting God--could there be such a thing? Could such a habit be a lifeline when tribulation swept over you? Could you hang onto it during the worst of the storm without seeing any evidence that it was real? And then when the strongest waves and winds of sorrow had passed, could you realize that what you had held in your hands all along was genuine, and that it was your means of rescue?</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> Light moves faster than sound... Faith moves faster than feeling... no, that wasn't right...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> No, it wasn't a matter of the speed of faith so much as its power and permanence that was it -- faith outlasted sorrow. Grief might knock you off your high wire, but faith was your safety net."</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just started reading <u>The Broken Way</u> by Ann Voskamp and think I will weep through it! These quotes are from the first chapter<em>: "...maybe you can live a full and beautiful life in spite of the great and terrible moments that will happen right inside of you. Actually--maybe you get to become more abundant because of those moments. Maybe--I don't know how, but somehow?--maybe our hearts are made to be broken. Broken open. Broken free. Maybe the deepest wounds birth deepest wisdom." and …"'Never be afraid of being a broken thing.' I don't--I don't even know what that means. I am afraid. And I think this journey, this way, will not spare any of us. But maybe--this is the way to freedom? I've got to remember to just keep breathing--keep believing.</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> In Christ--no matter the way, the storm, the story--we always know the outcome,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> Our Savior--surrounds.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> Our future--secure.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> Our joy--certain.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> When we know Christ, we always know how things are going to go--always for our good and always for His glory.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"> Somehow love can lodge light into wounds.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Maybe the deepest wounds birth deepest wisdom."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, in my pain, I open my hands to receive His wisdom....</span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-46576408135669742242016-02-20T08:24:00.000-08:002016-02-20T08:24:20.146-08:00Worldliness - What is it?It seems the topic of worldliness has been coming up repeatedly in the past few months from the pulpit at our church, with our preaching elders alluding to and defining worldliness in various ways. I also have been watching one of my daughter's come of age, seeking to define her Christianity and dress standards for herself wondering who she is and where she fits in this world - asking what is modesty and who defines it.. <br />
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We all agree that worldliness is to be avoided, but what is it? The Amish feel that rubber tires and electricity are worldly. Our conservative Mennonite friends believe that ties for men, neck scarves for women, movies for entertainment, and current fashion trends are all worldly. Another church I know defines worldliness by the color of dress you wear - pink, purple and red and even some shades of blue and green being worldly and of course prints are definitely considered worldly. There are so many voices out there trying to define what worldliness is, in
fact each person or group seems to want to draw the circle to fit
themselves and exclude those who are not like them.<br />
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Often when I'm wrestling with an issue, insights will come in the early morning hours as if they were dropped there by God. The other morning a Biblical story came to mind and I knew that it applied to this issue of what is worldly! Esau came home from hunting, thinking he would starve if he didn't immediately have a bowl of the lentil stew Jacob was cooking! Jacob bargained with him for his precious birthright and Esau easily sold it off saying, "What good will it do me if I die of hunger?" There was nothing wrong with the stew or even with being hungry, but there was something terribly wrong with Esau's value system and priorities. He was willing to sacrifice the long term and spiritual for the present physical need. That was worldly! I don't think worldliness can be simply defined as what you do or don't wear or what you do or don't do, though those things will flow out of a worldly or spiritual heart, I think rather the root of it is defined by how we use the resources and things of this world. Do we use our earthly position and resources to further the Kingdom of God or do we sacrifice the Spiritual on the altar of meeting our immediate fleshly needs and desires. What are our priorities and where is our heart. Perhaps the outward expressions of a right heart will look different for different Christians according to their different cultures and settings and their specific gifts and calling by God. It's much easier to just set a standard and reject everyone who doesn't fit into my "circle" but God is the judge and He is able to make my brothers and sisters "stand" if they are seeking Him. <br />
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Years ago I read a book by Watchman Nee, <u>Love Not the World</u> I think I'll see if I can find it again and reread it. Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-42987135222918700302015-06-23T09:27:00.000-07:002015-06-23T09:27:34.267-07:00The Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall<span style="font-size: large;">I just finished a beautiful series of four books by Michael Phillips, The Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the first books I've read by Michael Phillips himself, though I've read many of the George MacDonald books he's edited. I was so blessed by the deep heart issues he raised and dealt with in a beautiful Biblical way. I related deeply to the prodigal, Amanda and her parents as they prayed and waited for her return. I identified with the beauty of her return to the Father and to her family as I am daily thankful for the return of our prodigal and the beauty God continues to mold into her life and the joy we share now that she is home! Pages and pages were filled in my commonplace journal as I read this book - Michael Phillips has a beautiful way with words, but even more powerful are the Biblical concepts easily taken to heart in story form. I found the introduction to the ideas and political climate behind World War I and the issues of women's rights and one of the character's explanations of the atonement. I can't wait to start another Michael Phillips series!! </span><br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-45746787008891267922015-03-10T17:55:00.003-07:002015-03-10T17:55:50.272-07:00God is Faithful<br />
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Just listened to this encouraging video of music by Jonathan Urie and text by Roy Lessin of Meet me in the Meadow. I hope it blesses you, too... <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9kwVLxYhtE">God is Faithful.</a>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-55166225636771308382015-02-19T06:58:00.001-08:002015-02-19T06:58:32.341-08:00He Holds Me By the Hand<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." Psalm 37:23,24NLT</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="goog_1323740544"></span><span id="goog_1323740545"></span>What a blessing to know that step by step we ARE being directed by the Lord. But even more than that, that He delights in EVERY DETAIL of our lives. When I am stressed or worried about some part of my life, not managing to "pull it together", </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">not sure which direction to take, or just overwhelmed with it all, I can reach for His hand and tell Him all about it, He <span id="goog_2074486301"></span><span id="goog_2074486302"></span>WANTS to hear the details - He's never too busy - He DELIGHTS in <u>EVERY</u> DETAIL! And even if I stumble, He is HOLDING ME BY THE HAND and he won't let me fall.... Beautiful picture!!! </span></span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-72367666671297831942015-01-31T11:44:00.004-08:002015-01-31T11:44:51.941-08:00Teaching the Young Women to Love Their Children<span style="font-size: large;">Titus 2:3-5 KJV says,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3 The aged women likewise, that
they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4<i> <b>that they may teach the young women</b></i> to be sober, to love their husbands, <b><i>to love their children</i></b>,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5 to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portrait of an Old Woman</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Years ago as a young mother, I cried out, "Where are the older women?!" I longed for a mentor to walk and talk me through the wife and mother issues. As I looked around me in church and even community, I found that most of the older women had quit with only two or three children and had sent those to the public schools for training. They were now free to pursue jobs and individual interests and had filled their lives full. They didn't have time or answers for me. I promised myself and the Lord then, that when I got "old" I would be an older woman to the younger women. I'll be 55 in March and my "baby" is nine years old. I'm thinking I might be entering that "Older woman" category. From this vantage point, I can see some of the reasons the older women of my younger years were reluctant to speak. From this position, my own failings seem much more apparent. Ideals have not always been realized and even when they have, I see how I missed other important things along the way. But there are certain decisions I made and stands I took, that I wouldn't go back on given the choice again. I'd like to talk about one of those here. When wrestling through how to plan our family we decided to trust the LORD to design our family and the spacing of our children (more on that story <a href="http://touchofgodonamothersheart.blogspot.com/2013/06/blog-post.html">here</a>). I want to encourage you too, to love the children God hasn't given you yet, to consider them a gift and to welcome them into your life and home. I have yet to hear a woman say, "I wish I hadn't had so many children." Even in my darkest moments with a rebellious teen, I never wished I'd had fewer children and now today with her walking with the LORD again she is a daily joy to me.
But I've had dear friends who with tears of regret bemoan the fact that
even reversal surgery wasn't able to bring them babies now, and their
arms are empty and their hearts barren. I can say that after years of
home schooling, though I am still learning I have years of experience that would be wasted if I had no one to educate and train at this point! You may feel that to welcome these yet unborn children is to love the ones you have less, but that has not been my experience. If you quit having babies, you won't necessarily spend more time with the children you have - other things will come in and fill your time and you may even end up eventually spending less time with your children as your focus is much more easily diverted outside the home, when you don't have small children to keep your focus there. Focusing on a baby or toddler doesn't need to exclude your older children from your attention, actually, it is something you can enjoy together, a wonderful way to train them for the future with their own children. Raising little ones is a wonderful training ground and discipleship opportunity, to be embraced together as a family team. When your first few children are born, you imagine that you will be continuing to add to this chaos exponentially and feeling at the breaking point yourself with the child/adult ratio getting out of control you may desperately decide to nip this disaster in the bud. I want to encourage you to plant liberally - you will turn the corner and begin reaping benefits of your love soon. It may take a few years, but eventually those older children become much more of an asset than the drain they seem in the early years. You turn a corner and those you served are serving alongside you and even serving and blessing you with spiritual insight and physical service. I looked around my kitchen the other day and there were six girls all working happily together. A team like that can accomplish a lot in a short time! I have gained more spiritual insight from my children than all the sermons I've ever sat under. As they share their spiritual journeys there is rich fellowship! Each of my eleven children is unique with unique gifts and I wouldn't want to be without a single one of them. The possibilities for the advancement of the Kingdom of God through your offspring is multiplied if you are willing to embrace the children God wants to give you and divided if you reject them. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 127:3 says, "Lo, children <i>are</i> an heritage of the LORD: <i>and</i> the fruit of the womb <i>is his</i> reward."<span class="p"></span> I do want to say here, that God doesn't give all of us big families and if he chooses to give you none or one or two - I believe He has special ministries for you and that this is a gift to be embraced and explored. He's not in a box. My friend and neighbor years ago conceived on her honeymoon, didn't have another baby for three years and then, though they didn't do anything to avoid children, they never had any more. This was God's plan for their family - all His plans are good! But if you choose to reject the children God would like to place in your family, it is a burying of your "talent" your resources, your life. If you embrace His gifts, it is true that you will be called upon to pour out your life. Even
though I don't have babies any more, I am still stretched thin - my Mom (Dad's already in Heaven) and my in-laws are aging, I am now a grandma to ten, add to that time
spent with my young adult children as well as the ones still in school and you have a very busy life. But as Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose." It is my belief that you won't regret the exchange of your life for a single one of the eternal souls God blesses you with. And remember, without Him we can do nothing, "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psalm 127:1 But as you allow Him to "build your house" and family in His way, walking with your hand in His, in obedience to His will, you will see that He does all things well. </span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-71524415278565851352015-01-17T07:48:00.003-08:002015-01-17T07:55:16.327-08:00Merciful wonder - I'm not afraid!<span style="font-size: large;">I don't feel afraid, that is the merciful wonder! Because God has been there in all my yesterdays and I feel His presence and know His power in today, I have confidence in tomorrow, whatever it may hold. But still I ponder and imagine what will happen if things continue to get worse, specifically with Rachael's health. She is now having blackouts several times a day. Her CT scan shows abnormalities deep in her brain. When she passes out, she can still hear and think - she is completely aware but also completely unable to respond, to open her eyes, move or talk - she is hidden away completely inside herself. I've been pondering what it would be if the damage to her brain continues and she ends up completely locked away from us. How would we encourage her and what would it be like for a person of words, an author, to be locked away completely unable to communicate? She chuckles when she can't come up with words or the end of a sentence, what would it be if she can't respond at all? I know she would continue to be a prayer warrior because that is how she has always used her sicknesses and being set aside, in bed or even nights awake in pain, she has spent those hours in prayer for others. So I have confidence that God's work through her will go on no matter what happens with her health! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> On a more positive note, I was thinking last night how God is the creator of everything. He can calm a raging storm, heal a man blind from birth or a cripple. This sickness is no mountain to him - it is easy. He could heal her in an instant and we've begged him for that! She is confident He will heal her at the right moment and I see no striving or worry in her that He won't - just quiet rest that this moment, this way, is His will for her, that His strength is made perfect in her weakness. She chooses rest in Him when her nature would be restless to be busy working on the writing projects she has with approaching deadlines and the discipling and building relationships with her siblings she had hoped to do this winter. But He is the LORD and we worship Him in trust that He is in charge of our moments and days. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I do feel stretched thin. Life is so busy! And medical things take hours and days, while the rest of life continues to march on. School still needs to be done with our four who are students, dishes need to be done, wood stoves to keep stoked, the house cleaned, conversations had with the other adult children in our household, stories to be read and that sweet grandbaby who is at my absolute favorite age (3 months) to love and talk to! I've been neglecting time with my Mom - which hurts - and my correspondence and reading have gone on the back burner. But I feel privileged to have these moments and hours for meaningful conversation and prayer with Rachael. She is a joy to be with and even in the E. R. last week we laughed and joked and shared deeply while we waited for her CT scan.... She had asked me the week after Christmas if I wanted to go out for coffee, but it was cold out and I had lots of projects I wanted to get done while school was out so I declined. When we wound up with those four hours in the E.R. I teased her that next time I'll go to coffee so she doesn't have to get my attention by going into the E.R. But truly, time with her is such a privilege! Conversations in the car, traveling to appointments and waiting for doctors, memorable moments, prayers, and conversations I'll treasure forever! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> And so the Redeemer shines! He continues to redeem our souls, to redeem our hours, to turn even our pain into joy! What's to be afraid of with a Lord like that?!</span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-23418490766990444982014-12-31T17:08:00.000-08:002014-12-31T17:08:06.529-08:00Light vs. Darkness<div class="poet2">
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<span style="font-size: large;">You don't fight darkness with a sword. Instead it is <i>dispelled</i> by light. Light overcomes darkness - ALWAYS! If you bring light into darkness, the darkness cannot overcome the light. Darkness is not a thing, it is the absence of the thing. Light is the true entity, darkness is just the absence of the presence of light. Therefore Light is stronger - Light displaces darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world. </span><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmVnBRFMMKlBs4-CfSOsyINOf5kamtQBf4-bdgfDhqbrqXeB4UNA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmVnBRFMMKlBs4-CfSOsyINOf5kamtQBf4-bdgfDhqbrqXeB4UNA" data-sz="f" name="hBelJDYDiPeexM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmVnBRFMMKlBs4-CfSOsyINOf5kamtQBf4-bdgfDhqbrqXeB4UNA" style="height: 188px; margin-top: 0px; width: 211px;" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome Him. <i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, too, fear is displaced by love. "Perfect Love casts out fear".<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Love is a person, Jesus Christ. Knowing him doesn't mean we're never afraid but the more present and fully we experience Him, the more our earthly fears recede. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When a child puts his hand in the trusted hand of another it's the protection and the care represented by that hand, not the hand itself that dispels fear. It is the love of the adult represented, their presence that brings comfort and subdues fear. </span></div>
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/48/6d/54/486d5454426cfc8da8af5fadabee473b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" id="irc_mi" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/48/6d/54/486d5454426cfc8da8af5fadabee473b.jpg" style="margin-top: 24px;" width="269" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In the words of a favorite childhood book character, Piglet, when they're lost in the mist trying to "unbounce" Tigger -</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And so, we reach our hand out to our mighty Creator, and we find that He, who is perfect love, replaces our fear with trust, that He who is light drives away the darkness in our lives. And His light kindles in us a light that shines out to others in their darkness. </span></div>
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Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-31833768861996655152014-12-26T13:14:00.003-08:002014-12-26T13:15:38.260-08:00TRANSFORMATION Beginning with Repentance<span style="font-size: large;">It has long been the prayer of both my husband and me that ALL of our children would walk with Him serving Him in the Kingdom wholeheartedly, working in the King's vineyard!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The following promise jumped off the page during my devotions yesterday and I feel that it is a promise for our family for the coming year.... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Zechariah 8:6-9a,<i> "This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God's people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? This is what the LORD Almighty says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west. I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God. This is what the LORD Almighty says: Take heart and finish the task!" </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been given a word for the year before like my daughter and some of my friends have the past few years, but this year I feel I've been given a word for the year - TRANSFORMATION and that it will begin with Repentance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I'm excited, filled with expectation over what God is doing in me, and what he will do in our wayward children as we "take heart and finish the task", which, for me at this time, means a spiritual battle - my own repentance (learning to love unconditionally with God's love, bringing healing in our marriage) followed by faithful and faith filled prayer for our children with God giving a 100% increase. The task won't be finished until not just 8, but all 11 are faithfully walking with their God and I feel the promise of this is for this year! A miracle only God could do!!</span><br />
<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-87672554529746966542014-12-26T12:43:00.000-08:002014-12-26T12:47:06.455-08:00Repentance<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">What is repentance? I have generally thought of repentance more as getting on the right path, a change of mind and heart, a seeing the truth and pursuing it, than as a grief over past sin. Perhaps these are two sides of the same coin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">I recently read a blog post by Misty at Simply Convivial. Here are two excerpts from <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/education-is-a-life-fortiter-fideliter-forsan-feliciter-or-repentance?utm_source=Simplified+Lists&utm_campaign=6552a26f85-SC+Daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a48f4e1be9-6552a26f85-68223457">her post on Repentance</a>: <span style="color: blue;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>“True education is a form of repentance. It is a humble admission that
we’ve not read all that we need to read, we don’t know all that we need
to know, and we’ve not yet become all that we are called to become.
Education is that unique form of discipleship that brings us to the
place of admitting our inadequacies.” – George Grant, </i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">and Misty's words, "</span>Repentance is bravely and faithfully changing our attitudes, changing
our perspective, changing our actions, whenever we are made aware that
they are not aligned with God’s Word, His revealed will. It is hard, but
it is <i>life</i>-giving." <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">and this: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">"These children and their problems are given to sanctify us. Let us embrace this life of repentance.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Let us bravely face our inadequacies, faithfully following the path
before us, trusting God and not our efforts for the increase. God can
feed 5,000 with 5 loaves, and He can take our dismal efforts to obey and
transform us, others, and the world through them." </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> finally had </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">so</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">me quiet time to pursue the Biblical meaning of the word Repentance this morning. I started with Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. (excerpts follow).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">As a verb it is the word METANOEO which means literally to perceive afterwards (<i>meta<span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">after, implying cha<span style="font-family: inherit;">nge, <i>noeo</i>, to perceive; <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>nous</i>, the mind, the seat of moral reflection, in contrast to <i>pronoeo</i>, to perceive beforehand, hence signifies to change one's mind or purpose, always, in the N.T., involving chan<span style="font-family: inherit;">ge for the better, an amendment, and always, except in Luke 17:3,4, of repentance from sin. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The<span style="font-family: inherit;"> second <span style="font-family: inherit;">verb</span> is <span style="font-family: inherit;">METALOMAI, <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">meta, </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">as in the first wo<span style="font-family: inherit;">rd means change<span style="font-family: inherit;">, and <i>melo<span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">to care for signifying to regret, to repent oneself. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The noun METANOIA, means after-th<span style="font-family: inherit;">ought, change of mind, repentance<span style="font-family: inherit;">. It correspon<span style="font-family: inherit;">ds to the first verb above. It is used <span style="font-family: inherit;">of repentance from sin or evil, except in Heb. 12:17, where the word "repentance" seems to m<span style="font-family: inherit;">ean, not simply a change of Isaac's mind, but such a change as would reverse the effects of his own previous state of mind. Esau's birthright-bargain <span style="font-family: inherit;">could not be re<span style="font-family: inherit;">called, it involved an irretrievable loss. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"As regards repentance from sin,<span style="font-family: inherit;">(a) </span>the requirement by God on man's part is set forth, e.g., in Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8, Acts 20:21; 26:20; <span style="font-family: inherit;">(b) The mercy of God in giving repentance or leading men to it is set forth, e.g., in Acts 5:31; 11:18<span style="font-family: inherit;">; Rom. 2:4; 2 <span style="font-family: inherit;">Tim. 2:25.<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">In the N.T. the subject chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a t<span style="font-family: inherit;">urning from sin and a turning to God. The parable of the prodigal son is an ou<span style="font-family: inherit;">tstanding illustration of this. Christ began His ministry with a call to repentance, Matt. 4:17, but the call is addressed, not as in the O.T. to the nation, but to the individual. In the Gospel of John, as distinct from the Synoptic Gospels, referred to above, repentance i<span style="font-family: inherit;">s not mentioned<span style="font-family: inherit;">, even in connection with John the Baptist's preaching; in John's Gospel and 1st <span style="font-family: inherit;">Epistle the <span style="font-family: inherit;">effects are stressed, e3.g., in the new birth, and generally in the active turning from sin to God by the exercise of faith....<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">New Unger's Bible Dictionary <span style="font-family: inherit;">includes the following:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">" In the theological and e<span style="font-family: inherit;">thical sense a fundamental and thorough change in the hearts of men from sin and toward God. Although faith alone is the condit<span style="font-family: inherit;">ion for salvation, repentance is bound up with faith and inseparable from it<span style="font-family: inherit;">, since without some measure of faith no one can truly repent, and repentance never attai<span style="font-family: inherit;">ns to its deepest character<span style="font-family: inherit;"> till the sinner realizes through saving faith how great is the grace of God against whom he has sinned. On the other hand, there can be no saving faith withhout true repentance. Repentance c<span style="font-family: inherit;">ontains as essential elements (1) a genuine sorrow toward God on account of <span style="font-family: inherit;">sin; <span style="font-family: inherit;">(2) an in<span style="font-family: inherit;">ward repugnance to sin necessari<span style="font-family: inherit;">ly followed by the actual forsaking i<span style="font-family: inherit;">of it; and (3) humble self- surrender to the will and service of God.<span style="font-family: inherit;">...<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Repentance<span style="font-family: inherit;">, it is thus to be seen, is the gift of God. It is so because God has given His word with its revelations concerning sin and salvation; a<span style="font-family: inherit;">lso the Holy S<span style="font-family: inherit;">pirit to impress the truth and awaken the consciences of men and lead them to repentance. Bu<span style="font-family: inherit;">t as with faith so with repentance--it is left with men to make for themselves the great decision. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So it a<span style="font-family: inherit;">ppears that indeed both sides of the coin are implied</span> </span></span></span></span>in the Biblical meaning of the word repentanc<span style="font-family: inherit;">e. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The current application in my life is coming through reading Larry Crabb's, <u>Men and Women <span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoying the Difference</span></u><span style="font-family: inherit;">, which spends the first half of the book explaining how our self<span style="font-family: inherit;">-centered natures are sinful and we need to repent and ask God to change us. I <span style="font-family: inherit;">first saw this <span style="font-family: inherit;">flaw in myself</span> almost 30 years ago when I realized that even the good I did was because it made me feel good and was saddened by it<span style="font-family: inherit;">, but felt that it was only God who could rise above such motivation. This is in part true, my nature is fallen and by mys<span style="font-family: inherit;">elf, I am unable to rise about my self<span style="font-family: inherit;">ish nature and self-<span style="font-family: inherit;">centered focus. <b> But</b>, </span></span></span></span></span>I now see that if I ask God to change me, <span style="font-family: inherit;">and yield to His Spirit's work in me, change is <span style="font-family: inherit;">not only desirable but possible<span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So as I asked God to give me love for our prodigal daughter, I am now asking God to love my husband and others through me<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Looking to Him for the remov<span style="font-family: inherit;">al of my natural self-serving goals and His supernatural love flowing through me. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So again to repeat Misty's word<span style="font-family: inherit;">s from a<span style="font-family: inherit;">bove: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"</span>Repentance is bravely and faithfully changing our attitudes, changing
our perspective, changing our actions, whenever we are made aware that
they are not aligned with God’s Word, His revealed will. It is hard, but
it is <i>life</i>-giving." </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> from <span style="font-family: inherit;">the New Unger's Bible Dictionary:<span style="color: #38761d;"> "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bu<span style="font-family: inherit;">t as with faith so with repentance--it is left with men to make for themselves the great decision.<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-78809922882672873182014-12-18T08:08:00.001-08:002014-12-18T08:09:37.929-08:00Motivation - Outcome or Relationship<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh my! I read this post from <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/simply-contemplate-wisdom-is-fearing-god-keeping-his-commandments">Simply Convivial's--Simply Contemplate: Wisdom is Fearing God & Keeping His Commandments</a>. I have read and reread it and want to weep - it touches something deep in my heart.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since a few years ago when several of our children started to rebel, walking away from the faith, I have wondered how to keep on with parenting and especially homeschooling with such an unsure outcome?! I had given 20+ years to the all out pursuit of godly fruit - including homeschooling. Now the fruit of our homeschooling efforts was all over the map - we have children who live the kingdom life with radiant countenances and lives fully alive, in love with Jesus, growing and serving others and we have those who are pursuing the world fast and furious - with immorality, alcohol, and a divorce. When you pour your life out moment by moment day after day, you want to know that it is a valuable pursuit that there will be a desired outcome. Hope has been deferred and I have become heartsick.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But in this article hope sneaks back in - mine isn't the outcome to look for, but the faithful obedience to my loving master - with complete trust in Him that He holds the outcome in His hand. I can do this - I can look into his loving eyes and navigate the wave-troughs walking on water. My inner motivation can't be pragmatic but rather relational (my relationship with God). It might look the same from the outside but my expected reward is the LORD's smile and "well-done" rather than the immediate harvest of children who all walk with the LORD. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">More coming soon on Repentance.... </span></span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-54686706425799058172014-12-13T17:44:00.002-08:002014-12-14T11:49:51.967-08:00Repentance and Brokenness<br />
<a 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" 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" style="height: 168px; margin-top: 0px; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I've been reading a book by Larry Crabb, <u>Men & Women Enjoying the Difference</u>. I'm halfway through chapter four and he hasn't talked about the difference between men and women yet at all. Instead he is talking about the way we deal with the hurts that inevitably come into relationships. He suggests two general ways Christians address these hurts and broken places, either through psychological counseling where we identify the hurts and sympathize with them or the traditional Biblical approach that says "just read the Scripture and DO what it says". He spends these first chapters explaining these approaches and showing how neither one really deals with our root sin of self-centeredness. Here in chapter four he discusses two ways of dealing with sin. "<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we realize we've done something wrong, we typically do one of two things: <i>either</i> we quickly apologize or we wonder why we did it. The first response looks biblical but often reflects a shallow repentance that leads to no enduring change. The second keeps counselors in business but like the first one, it rarely leads to joyful other-centeredness."</span> And then a few paragraphs later, <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"A moralistic approach that defines sin as merely wrong behavior fails to get at the root problem of justified self-centeredness any better than a more psychological approach that stresses damage as central. Whenever people proudly acknowledge that their problem is sin, you can be certain they have no idea what they are talking about. And when confession is easily made, followed by confident resolve to bear the fruit of repentance, you can conclude the same thing. Unless Christian teachers bear the marks of brokenness, their teaching will not highlight grace. More often, their study of Scripture will feed a harsh judgmentalism that enforces rules and delights to reprimand. Such teaching will entice few to follow Christ. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> "There is no such thing as 'easy' confession. True confession is always an agonizing process. Brokenness over personal sin is a necessary step in learning to love graciously. Routine confession of easily admitted sin does not deal adequately with our faults. <i>Neither a surface look at sin nor a deep look at damage will disrupt self-centeredness."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i>I am very much looking forward to the next section which is titled, "A THIRD WAY". <i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I think the LORD is speaking to me about brokenness and repentance - I need it! When a topic comes up in more than one place you can pretty much figure God is trying to tell you something. Last night after a ladies tea where the Berge family sang, I had a chance to talk with Becky. We haven't taken time to catch up for a very long time. She is a precious sister in the Lord and wise and godly. I asked her how she managed to pass on a certain value to her girls who have stood strong against culture in this area. Her answer really struck me, especially as I'm already reading the above book - she said, "Ken and I repented of our own sin and the girls saw our brokenness and chose the truth without our having to formally teach it to them." Wow! How much sin and error is in my children because I have failed to recognize my own sin and to repent in deep brokenness? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqIxl6B1hsw/VEk50JmXivI/AAAAAAAAJns/oZ0xm5_0Z9o/s1600/eustace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqIxl6B1hsw/VEk50JmXivI/AAAAAAAAJns/oZ0xm5_0Z9o/s320/eustace.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a> I also read this blog post yesterday by <a href="http://neyhart.blogspot.com/2014/10/c-s-lewis-undragoning-of-eustace.html">Jennifer Neyhart</a> about "the Un-dragoning of Eustace" from <u>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader </u>(click on her name to read her post - she says it so much better than I can). Eustace's experience with Aslan seems to go along with the ideas from <u>Men and Women</u>. The deep repentance that really brings transformation requires a touch of God on our hearts, a work that is deeper than we can conjure up on our own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I hear you, Lord! Show me the way and do the needed work in me!</span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-85557989036825930452014-07-31T14:49:00.003-07:002014-07-31T14:49:24.858-07:00Joy Comes in the Morning!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-popanbYQ08U/U9q4lnNVVUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/3w0ADJLDFWY/s1600/anna+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-popanbYQ08U/U9q4lnNVVUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/3w0ADJLDFWY/s1600/anna+2.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XnFbkPQdko/U9q4hQSgXHI/AAAAAAAABmI/B9Hf_hv_qNI/s1600/anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0XnFbkPQdko/U9q4hQSgXHI/AAAAAAAABmI/B9Hf_hv_qNI/s1600/anna.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking back to an old post <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8176179977379769250#editor/target=post;postID=8415362312833378779;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=16;src=postname">October 2012</a> and couldn't believe it is actually almost two years ago that I wrote that post. I compared our spiritual waiting for the return of our prodigals to labor and delivery, well I just wanted you to rejoice with me because DELIVERANCE has come!! Our sweet girl has returned to the Lord and I can't tell you the joy I have in the daily signs of healing and grace in her life! She recently joined us a day late for a family camping trip because she had to work the day before but it meant enough for her to be with us that she drove the four hours herself to join us. As we walked to the showers the following morning, sharing the joy of being together, I told her, "It's a tremendous joy and privilege to be given a child, but to be given that child back a second time is over the top!" I can't explain the joy I feel at the return of our prodigal. I thank God every day for the light in her eyes. I see signs of healing and marvel at the perfection of His work in her heart. If you are still laboring over a prodigal, don't loose heart, look up for your redemption draweth nigh and weeping may last for a night but joy DOES come in the morning! And it is joy beyond anything the darkness took from you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-51365440795271040432014-05-25T05:29:00.000-07:002014-05-25T05:29:17.200-07:00Nothing is WastedI found this beautiful song this morning and it speaks beautifully what I have found to be true - Nothing is wasted - even the pain and devastation - we have a Redeemer who can weave the pain and evil done against us and even the past sin and failure that has beset us into a beautiful tapestry of grace and good when we turn to Him. <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l26UoD-N2hA">Jason Gray - Nothing is Wasted</a>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-81782788164725575882014-03-22T08:29:00.000-07:002014-03-22T08:29:12.621-07:00The Little Way of Ruthie Leming by Rod Dreher<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DtfgE913L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DtfgE913L.jpg" /></a>I recently read <u>The Little Way of Ruthie Leming</u> by Rod Dreher. It was a very moving book and touched me deeply in several ways. It is the story of Mr. Dreher's sister, a teacher who was much loved in her community who died of lung cancer. Having lost my much loved Dad to lung cancer a couple years ago, I related deeply to this story and woke up with puffy eyes from crying while I read the night before on more than one occasion. I am not normally a crying person, but this really touched me. The wonderful thing about this book is that it isn't just a book about Ruthie but an intriguing book about family, community, roots and faith. Beautifully written and moving, this book left me with lots to ponder and rethink. I highly recommend it.Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-76618825051688408522014-03-09T12:59:00.001-07:002014-03-09T13:01:22.914-07:00God Shouts to Us in Our Pain<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>“God whispers to us in our pleasures,
speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His
megaphone to rouse a deaf world”</i></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God has been holding my heart in amazing ways the past few weeks and I am extremely grateful for the tight bonds and spiritual foundations established with my children by a life of home education and for a God who gives beauty for our ashes. One of Our daughters is in India to teach English as a second language to university students for six months. Actually she feels called to a lot more there, but this is a stepping stone. The spiritual battle has been extremely intense and she wound up in the hospital for more than a week. It culminated in her legs being paralyzed and finally a night of excruciating pain followed by erratic breathing, her heart going crazy, and the paralysis creeping up to her neck. None of the tests they did could reveal what was wrong and we were making plans to send a nurse friend with a current visa to help her fly home hoping she would be strong enough, with help, to travel by commercial flight. Our doctor here (who is a godly man of faith and a dear friend) prayed a beautiful prayer for her healing and God's glory one night on the phone with me and the following morning someone from the church there came and laid hands on her and prayed over her and of course all of our church, friends and relatives here have been praying. God has been faithful to answer those prayers and two days later she was able to walk and actually leave the hospital and go back to her apartment there. Now less than a week later, she has been back in the classroom teaching, traveling to school alone by rickshaw.... God is amazing and powerful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">About the same time another daughter found out she is pregnant. She is facing life as a single mother. Our hearts are wrenched by the pain and challenges she and her precious little one will face, but we rejoice that she has chosen life for her baby. Even in the face of pressure from friends and the baby's father to abort - she is outspokenly pro-life. It is this pregnancy that God is using to answer our prayers for her salvation - for she has returned to her God and His light is back in her eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We look for relief from pain, instead God chooses pain to shape us and to make a platform to display His love and glory. He doesn't leave us alone in our pain, instead he carries us. I have felt His arms around me and the sweet breath of His peace comforting me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The familiar Footprints in the Sand poem is so true....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> During the week when the above things were taking place in our lives, my Mom (not knowing about the pregnant granddaughter) shared <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc">Laura Story's song Blessings</a> with me and I played it over and over that week, weeping every time! "What if the trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I rest in His mercies - His wisdom to bring days of joy and days of pain - sometimes running on parallel tracks! He has good plans for us - His goodness supercedes any evil that can come our way - He uses it all for good. </span><br />
<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-34534004524341015942014-03-09T12:40:00.000-07:002014-03-09T13:00:42.257-07:00More on Scars and Pain as a Gift<br />
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" 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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">My sweet sister wrote to me after my last post on scars pointing out that there is a big difference between the first two examples who were victims of the sin of others and Jacob who was wrestling with God. I agree with her. I won't say that God causes evil, but He certainly uses it and even on several occasions takes credit for having plans in it. Joseph is one clear example when he said, Genesis 50:20 NLT says,<i> "</i></span><span class="text Gen-50-20" id="en-NLT-1527" style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><sup class="versenum"></sup>You
intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to
this position so I could save the lives of many people."</span></i> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course the cross is another case in point where people meant evil but God had it all planned from the foundation of the world for the good of all. So, though I admit that my example wasn't really fitting, I still feel that when pain or evil touches our lives, God has a hand in it and a plan for good. Where evil touches my life, leaving a scar - there, too, is the touch of God. I also have a hunch that it is the very things that cause us the most pain that God will use the most to bring about good in others' lives providing we don't turn away from Him and become bitter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I was thinking this morning about a couple of Biblical passages that relate to our scars and the gift of pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">II Corinthians 1:3-5KJV says, "<i>Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth in Christ."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The compassion born of suffering is deep. Someone who has suffered can bear our burdens and share our sorrows with just a look or a touch. One who has suffered doesn't give out simple platitudes and empty words in times of pain because they have already been on the other side. The comfort they found in their dark hour is the word or action they know to share with another. God means our sufferings to make us more compassionate and thus more useful in the body.<i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our earthly suffering is just temporary, though it can feel like forever in the middle of a dark night. They hold for us great benefit - </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> II Corinthians 4:17 KJV says, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">New Living Translation says it this way, <i>"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So if you are in pain - look up, take the hand of God and cooperate with His good plan for redeeming an ugly situation.The intensity of the pain is probably in direct proportion with the weight of glory He intends to bring about through it. And of course that good lasts forever!</span><br />
<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-92227091132208372152014-03-06T14:07:00.000-08:002014-03-06T14:20:00.007-08:00Scars - the Touch of God<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"To be human is to be beautifully flawed" </i>October Baby </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some random thoughts rattling around in my brain and connections being made. I don't know if I can get it into words, but I'll try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It started with a conversation with a dear friend who adopted a precious little boy as a toddler from an orphanage in his country of birth where he had spent his babyhood. He is grown now and trying to work through his feelings. He's not even really ready to admit that there are scars in his life, that his early experiences would necessarily have shaped who he is and how he processes relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of our precious daughters has just recently returned to the LORD after being wildly wayward for the past four years. Through those years bits and pieces have come out revealing childhood scars brought on by sexual abuse. I knew long before she was willing to tell us that something like this must have happened to her because of her responses to life. Her experiences colored how she thought about herself and how she related to others. I am confident that God will bring into her life the necessary instruments of healing, I am equally sure that He intends to use the scars in turn to touch others for good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scars, we all have them. They are what make us unique. The traumas they represent have been allowed by a good and loving God, a God who from the beginning plans to heal and redeem. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If I've learned one thing in the past four years it is that God isn't looking for perfect vessels, he is looking to redeem us broken ones - and we are ALL BROKEN. We all come with the sin nature and all have been touched by the sin of those around us. "There is none righteous (whole) no not one...." It seems that rather than draw back from these "flaws" in our lives, God weaves them into our story and uses them to bring glory to His name. Man may mean it for evil, but God means it for good - our good and the good of others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Jacob wrestled with God the story ends with God touching his hip and Jacob is never able to walk again without a limp - a constant reminder of God's touch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our scars are the touch of God on our bodies and lives. Painful perhaps but a reminder that we are not alone in this world - we have a God who is writing our story and wants to be the central theme. </span><br />
<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-1992324596254067352014-01-15T17:30:00.002-08:002014-01-15T17:54:57.375-08:00Habits of Physical Training Useful for the Kingdom<span style="font-size: large;">About a year ago I read <u>Laying Down the Rails</u> by Sonya Shafer. This wonderful book of quotes by Miss Mason about forming habits came to mind as I read this week's featured chapter from <u>School Education</u>.
It's fascinating how training our children in
good habits will benefit them all of their lives. The principles are
basic - train up our children in the way they should go and when they
are old they will not depart from it. A habit laid like a rail is a
gift that keeps on giving. This training applies to all areas of their lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've owned <u>The Original Homeschooling Series</u> for over a year but haven't started reading it until now. The suggested chapter, "Some Unconsidered Aspects of Physical Training", is the first I've read and I wonder now why I've waited so long, just getting by on other people's quotes from Charlotte Mason. She is a marvelous writer and held my interest throughout the whole chapter!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The part that jumped out to me is "Ye are not Your Own. -- But if children are brought up from the first with this magnet--'Ye are <i>not</i> your own'; the divine Author of your being has given you life, and a body finely adapted for His service; He gives you the work of preserving this body in health, nourishing it in strength, and training it in fitness for whatever special work He may give you to do in His world."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past week in our Women's Sunday School class we discussed the parable Jesus taught on the Ten Talents <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:12-27;&version=KJV">Luke 19:12-27 KJV</a>. We talked about what our resources are that God expects us to use for His Kingdom. Various things were suggested, money, relationships, our fertility, health and time. As I pondered the discussion I realized that I think of my time as my own to plan out and use. I give my time to my family and spend time daily in the Word of God and welcome people into my life and home, but if I have a few moments after the children are put in bed or a vacation day, I think of what I would enjoy doing with my time rather than asking the LORD how He would have it spent - I think of it as my own (after all isn't the rest given to Him?).... It has been very convicting to me this week as I have been sensitive to this issue to see that if someone takes time away from what I have planned or want to do, I resent it. I want to begin yielding my "right" to my time to the LORD <b>realizing that I am not my own</b> it's really been His all along, I just didn't realize it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a powerful idea this is that we are not our own, we have been bought with a price, therefore we are to glorify God in our bodies! It seems this applies to every part of our life and every use of our body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this chapter Charlotte suggests that ideas and stories inspire children to put their own efforts into the necessary self-disciplines. One of the categories of our reading this brought to my mind is the missionary biographies we read regularly. Special physical stamina is often needed by those who live and work in different cultures. I want my children to be prepared to serve the LORD wherever and however He calls them. I hope these stories will inspire them. Funny I had never thought of habits of exercise and fitness as a preparation for missions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I put exercise into our schedule this year, but it is the one area that we still consistently neglect. The connection between being physically fit and being useful to my King inspires me, maybe this will be the boost I need to make the new habits needed.</span><br />
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<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-14668530755162398652013-06-19T15:32:00.000-07:002015-01-31T11:14:15.109-08:00And What Does the One God Seek? Godly Offspring<span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Mal-2-15" id="en-NIV-23119">"...And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.</span>"</span></i></span> Malachi 2:15 <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in the 1980s when my husband and I got married we talked about how to plan out the perfect family. I did a little informal research asking people how many had been in their family, how they were spaced and how they felt about it growing up. I watched people and tried to decipher what made for the perfect family. One friend came from a large family and had loved it. Her husband also came from a large family and insisted that they have only two children because he had hated it. No matter how hard I looked there didn't seem to be a discernable ideal number of children and spacing. As we began our family we waited a couple years until my husband was almost done with school to start having children, so that I could work and make an income. I found it a hard wait - I was really looking forward to having children of our own. Our first two naturally spaced about two years apart with nursing. Sometime around that time I had a spiritual renewal. I had "asked Jesus into my heart" and sought to follow Him since I was a child of five but reading the book of Luke, I felt the LORD calling me to an intimate daily walk of obedience, of taking up my cross and following Him. Some months later as I was reading through the Old Testament story of Jacob I was struck by the wording in the story of the births of his twelve sons. Genesis 29:31 says, " And when the LORD saw that Leah <i>was</i> hated,<span style="color: #cc0000;"> he opened her womb</span>: but Rachel <i>was</i> barren." and chapter 30 uses the words, "<span style="color: #cc0000;">and God opened her womb</span>". At one point Jacob points out that our fertility is in God's hands, (Genesis 30:2 KJV) "And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said,<span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Am</i> I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb</span></span>?" This was a completely new concept to me. I asked my husband what he thought and we started searching the Bible looking up words in a concordance like woman, women, child, children and womb. It was a fascinating study and in the end we were convinced that we could trust God to plan our family. It really was a matter of trust. We didn't have much money (still don't) and some raised the question of how we would provide for all the children they assumed we'd have. Interestingly, by God's sometimes miraculous provision, we now own our own home and live debt free with those many wonderful children. He has proven himself faithful through the years, though we have sometimes had to alter our American ideas of the difference between needs and wants. Finding physical and emotional energy to do a good job of raising a large family (since that is what God chose for us - we have a friends who trusted God with their fertility and were given two children) has stretched us and we didn't always do it perfectly. One thing I have come to believe is that there are no perfect parents. Only God is perfect and worthy of worship. Children are amazingly resilient and in a big family there are many relationships ministering to children. It is wonderful gift to have older children who serve and love their younger siblings. Raising children in a large family is certainly a group effort. The comraderie of working together in this way is a blessing. Now that I am no longer bearing children I sometimes seek out "opportunities" for my younger children because they don't have as many natural opportunities to serve others. It helps now that Grandchildren are coming and we also seek out ways to serve other families in our home. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some years ago several of our children began to rebel against God and live in sin. The feelings of failure were overwhelming and I began to wonder if we had somehow missed God's will in having all these children and if we had been wrong in trusting God with our family planning. Would it have "turned out" better if we had had fewer children? This week I remembered that my parents were wonderful parents and had a small family and yet my sister was partying and pregnant in her late teens. She walks with the Lord and is in full-time Christian ministry now, but for a few years things didn't look too good. We idolized my dad! Her waywardness wasn't because of imperfect parenting. There are no perfect parents and our parents were some of the best! Even in a small family children sometimes rebel and reject the LORD.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Consider God's heart for a fruitful marriage as explained in Malachi 2:13-15. (NLT) <i><br /></i></span><br />
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</span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Mal-2-13" id="en-NIV-23117"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Another thing you do: You flood the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.</span> <span class="text Mal-2-15" id="en-NIV-23119"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>You ask, “Why?” It is because the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. <sup class="versenum">15 </sup>Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23119a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+2%3A13-16&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23119a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Mal-2-15" id="en-NIV-23119"><span style="background-color: white;">The
stated reason that God hates divorce is because it interferes with His
plan for Godly offspring. </span> What will we in America answer when we stand
before him and answer for all the Godly offspring we don't have because of our own selfishness and sin, because of our rampant divorce rates?! But then what about all those who stay married but have lost out on the opportunity to have Godly offspring because of the children they decided NOT to
have? I realize that just having children doesn't guarantee that they
will be godly, but if we don't have them there is NOT even the CHANCE for them to be godly. I think we disappoint the heart of God when we refuse to be fruitful.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Recently I have been pondering the parable of the ten talents as it applies to the issue of family planning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Luke 19:12-27KJV follows: (If you prefer an easier translation use this link: <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:12-27&version=NLT">Luke 19:12-27 NLT</a>)</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-12" id="en-KJV-25744"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-13" id="en-KJV-25745"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-14" id="en-KJV-25746"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-15" id="en-KJV-25747"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>And
it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the
kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom
he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had
gained by trading.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-16" id="en-KJV-25748"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-17" id="en-KJV-25749"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>And
he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been
faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-18" id="en-KJV-25750"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-19" id="en-KJV-25751"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-20" id="en-KJV-25752"><sup class="versenum">20 </sup>And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-21" id="en-KJV-25753"><sup class="versenum">21 </sup>For
I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that
thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-22" id="en-KJV-25754"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>And
he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou
wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I
laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-23" id="en-KJV-25755"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-24" id="en-KJV-25756"><sup class="versenum">24 </sup>And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-25" id="en-KJV-25757"><sup class="versenum">25 </sup>(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-26" id="en-KJV-25758"><sup class="versenum">26 </sup>For
I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from
him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.</span></span></i><br />
<i> </i><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-19-27" id="en-KJV-25759"><sup class="versenum">27 </sup>But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.</span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've often asked myself what are my "talents"? What is it that I have to invest in the kingdom of God? And <span style="background-color: white;">I believe that bearing and raising children is a major contribution I as a woman can make to the Kingdom of God. </span></span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-35501284327892842442013-06-02T19:30:00.003-07:002013-06-02T19:30:46.305-07:00<br />
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I've always wondered what the wedding garment signified in the following parable, as one would want to be sure that they had the proper wedding clothes....<br />
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<span class="text Matt-22-1"><span class="chapternum">22 </span>And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: </span> <span class="text Matt-22-2" id="en-NKJV-23875"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup><span class="woj">“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-3" id="en-NKJV-23876"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup><span class="woj">and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-4" id="en-NKJV-23877"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup><span class="woj">Again,
he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I
have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle <i>are</i> killed, and all things <i>are</i> ready. Come to the wedding.”’</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-5" id="en-NKJV-23878"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup><span class="woj">But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-6" id="en-NKJV-23879"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup><span class="woj">And the rest seized his servants, treated <i>them</i> spitefully, and killed <i>them.</i></span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-7" id="en-NKJV-23880"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup><span class="woj">But when the king heard <i>about it,</i> he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-8" id="en-NKJV-23881"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup><span class="woj">Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-9" id="en-NKJV-23882"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup><span class="woj">Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-10" id="en-NKJV-23883"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup><span class="woj">So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding <i>hall</i> was filled with guests.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span class="text Matt-22-11" id="en-NKJV-23884"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup><span class="woj">“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-12" id="en-NKJV-23885"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup><span class="woj">So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-22-13" id="en-NKJV-23886"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup><span class="woj">Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and</span><sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-23886a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-23886a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup><span class="woj"> cast <i>him</i> into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><span class="text Matt-22-14" id="en-NKJV-23887"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup><span class="woj">“For many are called, but few <i>are</i> chosen.”</span></span></span><br />
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The following quote from Randy Alcorn's <u>Safely Home</u>, suddenly made this clear for me -<br />
"Jin looked up, 'We are his church. We are that bride! We are dressed in the righteousness of Yesu. We wear the spotless wedding gown of his holiness." (Safely Home pg 136)<br />
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We don't get in on our own righteousness, but only clothed in His righteousness. I don't know how someone can be in the faith so long and not really understand simple truths like this - it all makes so much sense but somehow even though other Scriptures speak of being dressed in His righteousness and many hymns, it had never clicked for me before in this particular parable until I read the above quote. Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-67007506549406995682013-06-02T19:14:00.000-07:002013-06-02T19:14:14.118-07:00<i>I recently read <u>Safely Home</u> by Randy Alcorn and I can't recommend it highly enough. Following are a few of the many quotes I copied into my commonplace book of quotes:</i><br />
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"China is my place of service. It is the battlefield where LiQuan has been dispatched as Yesus' soldier. But this is not my home. Heaven is my home, my true country. I know that now. But it was a hard lesson to learn." Pg 88<br />
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""Dr. Martin Luther King said, 'If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare composed poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great sweeeper who did his job well.'" pg 89<br />
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"...Many students hoped they could change society and find meaning without God. That day, hope was dahsed (Tianamen Square) and no matter how painful, it is always good when false hopes are dashed. Since then, many have learned to trust not in man but in God. That evening as he wept in my arms because of what happened I led my nephew Li Yue to Yesu. He was only eighteen. I hope you will meet him. When men know they cannot hope in a country, in a political belief, or in themselves, they become free to hope in God." Pg 94<br />
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"...Who am I supposed to blame (for his mother's painful cancer death)? If I was all-powerful, I wouldn't let people suffer like that.<br />
You do not see the end from the beginning. You do not understand God's ability to use suffering for higher purposes.<br />
All I know is, I trusted God and He let me down. And you don't know the half of it....<br />
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..."I know something of suffering, Ben Fielding. I have learned God is not my servant. Did you think he was like the story of Aladdin? That he was your genie? That he is safe and tame, at your call to do tricks and entertain you? That is an American way to think, perhaps. But it is not true to Shegjing (Scripture). You cannot rub a magic lamp and comand God to do your will. You accepted blessing from his hand, and still you do--yet you reject him because of adversity?<br />
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..."Are we not the clay, and God the potter? When He refuses to conform to our wills, do we discard him? If you are looking for a religion centered around yourself, Ben, I must agree that Christianity is a poor choice." Pages 108-109<br />
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"An obedient man is free when in prison," Quan said, "A disobedient man is imprisoned when free." Ben didn't like the way Quan looked at him. Pg 119<br />
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"No. But it is not that the communists wish there were a God and have been convinced by the evidence there is none. It is that they fear there is a God and therefore reject the evidence for him. Believers comfort each other in their suffering by the truth that there is a God. Communists comfort each other in their prosperity by the myth that there is no God. So atheism is the real wishful thinking." Pg 107<br />
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"Did you not feel the forces today when we gathered and when we scattered? Are you so blind that you do not realize earth is the battlefield where two kingdoms wage a savage war for the souls of men?" Pg 158<br />
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"God is entitled to pass judgement - he is the judge. You think him judgemental? I do not think he cowers in fear of your opinion. He will not stand before you in judgement. You will stand before him." Pg 161<br />
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"The King sighed, 'Too quickly do they summon providence to the court of reason. The night will only last so long before it is swallowed whole by the morning. The longer their night lasts, the more they dream of the dawn.' He looked at Michael, 'This I whisper to my servants in their sleep.'" pg. 315<br />
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"They don't understand that I am not only working here, preparing a place for them, but I am at work there, preparing them for that place." Pg 315<br />
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"out of whose control? Ben Fielding's? Li Quan's? Of course. But Yesu does not cower before strutting dictators. He does not bow before petty warlords like Mao and Stalin and Hitler. Mao is responsible for his evil. But Shengjing(Scripture) says, 'The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he please. 'Mao could not thwart God. In a hundred ways he prepared the way for the spread of the gospel like no missionary could." pg 325 <br />
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"Remember the most common cause of stumbling is the fear of man. It is God we must fear, not men, you must learn to stand boldly for your LORD, regardless of what men may think of you." Pg 352<br />
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"'You sound like you think you're going to die', Ben said.<br />
'Of course I am going to die, Ben Fielding. As are you. The only question is 'Is this the day I die If it is, we should both be ready, should we not?"<br />
'Yes.' pg 354-355<br />
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"He looked not at others who turned their heads from the children, too busy to share a meal, a blanket, or a paycheck. They did little or nothing to help the children, and he (Jesus) regarded their failure to help as the inflicting of harm. 'To you who look the other way, saying my children are not your concern: Repent! For it is I you have turned away from. I will not forget." Pg 359<br />
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"I await you, loyal servant, In my presence is fulness of joy. At my right hand are pleasures forever more. I am the happiness you have always hungered for, the pleasure you have thirsted after, the peace you have sought in long shadowy nights. The darkness is nearly done. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Pg 369<br />
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"Every one of them realized something with undiminesed clarity in that instant. They wondered why they had not seen it all along. What they knew in that moment, in every fiber of the beings, was that this Person and this Place were all they had ever longed for...and ever would." Pg 395<br />
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<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-82921942951211398962013-05-10T10:18:00.001-07:002013-05-10T10:18:59.083-07:00<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332380885l/466270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332380885l/466270.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332380885l/466270.jpg" /></a><i>One of my Dad's favorite authors was George MacDonald. When Dad passed away I inherited quite a few volumes of his works. Recently I read <u>The Laird's Inheritance</u>. Following are some beautiful quotes from this book that I thought worthy to put in my commonplace book.</i><br />
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"If men's wishes are not always for what the kingdom of heaven would bring them, their miseries at least are all for the lack of that kingdom."<br />
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"...But generally, the rich do not have the same opportunity of knowing God-nor the same conscious need of him--that the poor man has.<br />
And when, so far as things to have and to hld are concerned, everyone is poor alike, and so far as any need of them is concerned, everyone is poor alike, and so far as any need of them is concerned, all are rich alike, the advantage will be all on the side of such as, neigher having nor needing, do not desire them. In the meantime, the rich man who, without pitying his friend that he is not rich also, cheerfully helps him over a stone where he cannot carry him up the hill of his difficulty rejoicing to do for him what God allows, is like God himself. The great lover of his children gives infinitely, though he will not take from man his suffering until strength is perfected in his weakness."<br />
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"Let us hold by our hopes; all colors are shreds of the rainbow. There is the rainbow of the waterfall, of teh paddle wheel, of the falling wave: none of them is the rainbow, yet they are all of it. But even should they vanish and even should the rainbow in the sky vanish, that hope which set it there, and will set it there again, will never vanish. By our hopes are we saved. There is many a thing we could do better without than hope, for our hopes ever point beyond the thing hoped for, the bow is the damask flower on the woven teardrops of the world; hope is the shimmer on the dingy warp of trouble, shot with the golden woof of God's intent."<br />
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"...Those who will not be taught through eye or ear must be taught through the skin, and that is generally a long as well as a painful process."<br />
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"To say that anything is too small to matter is of the devil; to say anything is too great to forgive is not of God."<br />
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"Cosmo had changed since first he sat behind such horses on his way to the university seven years earlier. It was the change of growth, but to him at this moment it felt like the growth of decay--as if he had been young then and was old now. Little could he yet imagine at twenty-three, what age means! Devout youth as he was, he little understood how much more than he his father felt his dependence on God, though his faith was real, many years had yet to pass before his faith knew the silent depths of his father's. It is the strength of God that gives life to every muscle and skill of the youth. But it looks so natural to him, seems so much his own, that in the glory of its possession, he does not feel it as the presence of the life-giving God. But when weakness begins to show itself--a shadow-background against which the strength is known and outlined--and the earthly begins to press against not only its own part but also upon the spirit within, then indeed a man must believe in God with an entireness independent of feeling. In the growing feebleness of old age, weakness is the matrix of divine strength, from which a great gladness shall before long be born--the life which it is God's intent to share with his children."<br />
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<i>There were many more wonderful passages, these are the ones I happened to record. Lot's for deep reflection! Maybe you'd like to read George MacDonald's <u>The Laird's Inheritance</u>. </i><br />
<br />Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176179977379769250.post-76397644344994316922013-02-11T07:16:00.001-08:002013-02-11T07:16:17.964-08:00Worshiping the Golden Calf<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My devotions this morning started with this passage from Exodus 32:1-33:23, "<i>When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. 'Look,' they said, 'make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don't know what has happened to him.' " </i>Then Aaron went on to make them a golden calf to worship. So often we think <i>WE</i> would never worship a golden calf! But in the stillness this morning I felt the Spirit warning me that in the disillusionment and instability I am feeling in many relationships, the temptation is to stop waiting for God and turn to my own devices to fill the aching void. Instead I must look up and quietly wait for God to reveal himself. We long for security and often find it in various places. When God allows those "props" to be pulled out in our lives, it is critical what we choose to fill the gap. People are good and necessary in our lives, but they are not our security. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Security is found in God alone.</span>Pattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880912530094417878noreply@blogger.com2