tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90509280592937913692024-03-13T14:54:17.001-04:00Heading Home<strong>FOLLOWING GOD'S COMPASS AS IT POINTS TO THE RIGHT PATH HOME—</strong>
<br>
<em>"Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note
of the highway, the road that you take."
<br>
(Jeremiah 31:21 NIV)</em>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.comBlogger491125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-39304018952147580092012-10-06T21:28:00.002-04:002012-10-06T21:29:19.953-04:00Come See Me!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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***If you haven’t read about it, I’ve moved! I know the
majority of you have not signed up for the new posts. I hope you will hop over and remedy that. If not, I'll surely miss you!</div>
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You will only receive one or two more notices to sign up. I
don’t want to hound you. But if you do not want to miss any posts, please come
over to the new site and subscribe. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for being such loyal followers. You have blessed
me. May the Lord bless you!</div>
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See you at <a href="http://lynnmosher.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">lynnmosher.com </span></a></div>
lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-73554504694378969772012-10-01T20:42:00.001-04:002012-10-01T20:49:54.317-04:00I'm Leaving Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOnbV0MrxEMbpntDlFksYmdgXTNsPxQ7Rpc5PVDsdUNz6_ncvE7iIbPuzTP_cTus0_qxDxGxTx-5jJJNRQ9k9OHZcVOzazX-rFm_Hd4umC3YWh0MS-nCZisROmSS6s1TSL11wM4KtJ00/s1600/Stuffed+suitcase+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOnbV0MrxEMbpntDlFksYmdgXTNsPxQ7Rpc5PVDsdUNz6_ncvE7iIbPuzTP_cTus0_qxDxGxTx-5jJJNRQ9k9OHZcVOzazX-rFm_Hd4umC3YWh0MS-nCZisROmSS6s1TSL11wM4KtJ00/s320/Stuffed+suitcase+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Yup. I’m leaving home! I’m leaving the old Heading Home behind and moving into a brand, new place.<br />
<br />
This is a new journey. One of my words for this year.<br />
<br />
Will you celebrate with me?<br />
<br />
Come on over and see what all the hoopla is about. I’m giving away a <span style="color: #93c47d;">$100 gift card</span> to celebrate. To be entered for the giveaway, leave a comment here or on the new site. Registration will close at midnight October 10.<br />
<br />
I know I will probably lose followers and subscribers, but I’m praying those of you, my precious readers, will follow me over to my new home and sign up for continued service of Heading Home from the new digs. I hope you will sign up for future posts either by RSS feed or email.<br />
<br />
There may be a hiccup or two in the transfer, so please bear with me as I get it all straightened out.<br />
<br />
I wanted to take a little space here and tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you. You warm my heart with your comments and by being a follower or a subscriber...or both! I praise the Lord for you all.<br />
<br />
What I write is for you, for your encouragement on this Christian journey, this Pilgrim’s Progress, to that Eternal Home, the Celestial City.<br />
<br />
What was your word for the year? Did you have one?<br />
<br />
Have you left anything old lately and moved into the new?<br />
<br />
Come join me at the new address: <a href="http://lynnmosher.com/"><span style="color: blue;">lynnmosher.com</span></a> <br />
<br />
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-16828351591790180662012-09-27T20:58:00.000-04:002012-09-28T17:11:33.097-04:00Forward or Reverse?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Imagine this scene with
me for a moment. </b></div>
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You’re floating on a beautiful, crystal blue river in a
raft. You’re stretched out. Relaxed. Hands tucked in behind your head. You’re
looking up at the cloudless expanse of an azure sky.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Question: Which way
are you going? Forward or reverse?</b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
This is not the river of life that rushes you along with
the current, taking you to some unknown destination and sweeps you over the rocky
edge to destruction. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
No, this is The River of Life, “a river with the water of
life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Rev.
22:1 NLT) Those eternal waters of refreshing that take you where God wants you
to go. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
When we go with God’s flow, we find The River of Life
flows so freely and we have a Helmsman to navigate for us. Though we encounter an
occasional storm or billowing wave, the Helmsman guides us when we cannot see a
way. He steers us away from crashing into the rocky shore. He anchors us when
we feel as though we drowning.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
However, if it seems so easy to go <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with</i> the flow, why then do we insist on going in reverse and making
it so hard for ourselves? The struggle mainly comes when we try to go against
God’s flow.</div>
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Maybe we should pay attention to what God said to Jeremiah
about the Israelites, “But they would not listen to and obey Me or bend their
ear [to Me], but followed the counsels and the stubborn promptings of their own
evil hearts and minds, and they turned their backs and went in reverse instead
of forward.” (Jer. 7:24 Amp)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reverse rides on the whispers and way of the world; forward
flows with God’s commands and blessing of His kingdom.</div>
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<br /></div>
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May your heart and mind be willingly bent to follow the
Lord’s every command. And may your River
of Life be effortlessly
navigated.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Question: Which way are
you going? Forward or reverse?</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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Hooking up with...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<center>
<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="katherines corner" border="0" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/10ft72d.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
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<center>
<a href="http://www.emilywierenga.com/" target="_blank" title="Imperfect Prose"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3s5KmhxpIYU/T4Inziu4R4I/AAAAAAAAENk/LTq221viFVc/s144/imperfectprose.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
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<a href="http://reflectionsofhisgrace.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Reflections of His Grace" src="http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Grace-Cafe-Button-copy1.png" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://Intentional.me" target="_blank"><img src="http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq107/mosherlynn/Intentionalme.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a></center>
</div>
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-81860946827962239442012-09-23T21:00:00.000-04:002012-09-23T21:00:03.452-04:00Take the Bread with You, Even If It's Just the Crumbs!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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You’re excited, filled with praise and thanksgiving. Why?
Because God miraculously answered your prayer for some sudden situation. He
remedied it, fixing your emergency. And now, you feel full and satisfied, just like
the disciples. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
A great crowd gathers in a fishing
village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Thousands
of people cover the grassy valley. Moved with great compassion for them, Jesus
heals the sick and teaches them about the kingdom of God.
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The day is about to shut its door; the
sun begins its descent. The people are hungry. How are the disciples to feed
all these people? Something needs to be done. </div>
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With the meager offering of five loaves
and two fishes of a young boy, the Lord takes it and provides an answer by
multiplying it. The disciples witness the miraculous feeding of a multitude. </div>
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They all eat and are satisfied.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Not wanting anything to go to waste,
Jesus tells the disciples to g<span class="textjohn-6-12">ather up the fragments.
They</span><span class="textjohn-6-13"> fill twelve baskets with leftovers.</span></div>
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Immediately, Jesus sends the disciples out
in a boat while He sends the people away and He goes up the hill to pray. <span class="textjohn-6-12"></span></div>
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But wait! What’s that appearing just over the hill? A storm
is churning and it’s headed your way. You’re stuck out in the middle of roiling
waters in a little dingy. Your life-boat begins to rock as the waves of
circumstance crash over you. Your heart is overwhelmed, just like the
disciples.</div>
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As the sun slips down into its western
bed for the night, it leaves a trail of shimmering gold across the sea. The
disciples row for several hours in the dark. </div>
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Springing out from behind the hills is
one of those quick and brutal storms that develop at the snap of the fingers on
the Sea of Galilee. </div>
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From His place on the hill, Jesus sees
the men at sea. Shards of lightning flash against the black of night, silhouetting
the disciple crew as they fight to row the canting vessel against the surging
waves and hostile wind. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In the light of one lightning shaft, another
silhouette appears. The men scream in terror, supposing they see the ghost of a
dead one spewed up by the sea. </div>
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“It is I! Don’t be afraid!” calls Jesus
across the growl of the squall, climbing into the boat with them as the storm calms.
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In your storm, do you cry out to God in terror? Do you
quickly forget what God has done for you in the past and you harden your heart
as the disciples did?</div>
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The disciples fail to understand the
meaning of the miracle of the loaves. Lacking insight into its significance
hardens their hearts that Jesus has the power to do whatever they need.</div>
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With the smell of the fish still
clinging to their fingertips and the bread crumbs still resting in the folds of
their garments, they do not remember how those things got there. The bread
merely filled their stomachs.</div>
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Even though they take the baskets of
leftover bread with them into the boat, they do not take the Bread of Life with
them into their hearts. </div>
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The next time a storm blows into your life, don’t let your
heart harden. </div>
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<br /></div>
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*Remember to welcome Him into your boat of circumstance; He
will bring the calm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Remember the miracle of The Bread of Life was broken and
multiplied to overflow in leftovers just for you.</div>
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*Remember the aroma on your fingertips for your last answer
to prayer. </div>
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*Remember to take the Bread with you to rest in the folds of
your heart.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken
for you; </div>
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do this in
remembrance of Me.” </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1 Cor. 11:24 NKJV</div>
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Tuesdays...</div>
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<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g5wyqs5PNvFDz0a1BPbV8IUG-n6E6UafsDuyzRWlcaIS0pV7AoZVx-GT3EICfKVBYo_RRunx93oXqp6r2Bd36hxOp-e5GkKu4iRBrWNk64ZqAYnrabz_7mpnjmhW4Z-NicyaCLlvG0A/s1600/TuesdaysButton.jpg" /></a></center>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-4499865441089967552012-09-23T00:30:00.000-04:002012-09-23T00:30:00.517-04:00The Deliverer ~ book tour<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
Today, I bring you an interview with Kathi Macias, author of
the Freedom Series books on human trafficking entitled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Deliverer</i></b>. Leave a
comment at the end if you’d like to be entered in the drawing for the book.</div>
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<b>Q: While this is the third and final book in the
Freedom Series, I’m sure there are people who are just learning about it. Would
you please share what prompted you to write these books on such topic as
relevant and difficult as human trafficking? </b><br />
<br />
I was finishing up my previous fiction series for New Hope Publishers (the
Extreme Devotion Series, dealing with the persecuted Church around the world)
when Andrea Mullins (the publisher at New
Hope) asked me what topic I wanted to tackle next. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We discussed a few possibilities, and then she suggested
human trafficking. I was aware of it and thought it was terrible but had no
idea how widespread it was. I agreed to do some preliminary research and get
back to her. </div>
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When I discovered there are more than 27 million people held
in various forms of human trafficking (sexual slavery, forced labor or military
conscription, involuntary donation of body parts/organs) and that many of them
are children (including an estimated 100,000—300,000 MINORS held in sexual
slavery in the US today!), I was horrified. </div>
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I was also convinced that I had to do everything possible to
help educate others about this widespread horror and to call them to join the
fight. Not only have I now written/released the Freedom Series on human
trafficking, but I’m speaking on it everywhere/every chance I get.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>What was your original
objective in writing these books, </b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Deliver Me From Evil</span></i><b>, </b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Special Delivery</span></i><b>, and </b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Deliverer</span></i><b>? And, what
are you hearing back from people who have read the books? How are they taking
action? </b></b><br />
<br />
Originally, my plan was to see the books alert readers to this horrific crime
and, hopefully, challenge them to get involved in fighting it some way. That
seems to be happening but on such a larger scope than I had imagined. </div>
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The response from readers is overwhelming! Pastors have
written to say they are challenging their entire church to get involved on some
level, and I’m being invited to speak all over the country on this topic. I am
thrilled to see the Light being shined in this terrible darkness at last! </div>
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As for specific actions, pastors and civic leaders are
inviting me (or others in this ministry) to come and speak to their
congregations/groups to help educate them on this massive tragedy. Readers tell
me they are posting about my books all over the net to help snag people’s
attention. </div>
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I’m getting invitations to speak on radio and TV as well.
I’ve also been contacted by readers who are getting involved in setting up safe
houses for rescued victims, which is a huge need. I was even contacted by the
Department of Homeland Security and invited to participate in group conference
calls on the topic. Overall, I’m thrilled at the way God is using these books
to help sound the alarm and to “rescue the perishing.”<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>It seems there is always
someone in your books who is an intercessor. Why is that important for you to
include? </b></b><br />
<br />
This is vital to me, and as you said, I almost always include an intercessor in
my novels. I know there were intercessors in my own life who prayed me through
some incredibly dangerous and difficult times, and I appreciate those heroes of
the faith more than I can express. </div>
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Highlighting their importance in my books accomplishes two
things: it enables me to honor those faithful intercessors that often get no
recognition in this world, and it also calls others to get involved in
intercession as well.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>You write books as you often
call them, parables with a purpose, on topics such as human trafficking, the
persecuted church, illegal immigration, and your Christmas 2012 book is about
homelessness. Some might call you an advocate. Why is it important for
Christians, and the church as a whole, to discuss these issues?</b></b><br />
<br />
You’re right that I call my novels “parables with purpose,” because I believe
Jesus is our example and that’s what He told to His followers—parables with
purpose. He didn’t just tell them “nice stories” to entertain them. He told
stories that would grab them right where they lived, and then challenge them to
change their hearts, their minds, and their lives. </div>
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The church has always been at the forefront of serious
social change, leading the charge to abolish slavery for instance, and leading
the charge on these other issues is right where the church needs to be now. The
first step is to discuss the issues, to make people aware of them, and then to
call them to action. I believe gripping fiction is one of the most effective
ways to do that.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>Will you give us a glimpse, a
taste of things to come -- without getting too far ahead -- of what’s in store
for your next series and books on the horizon? </b></b><br />
<br />
In addition to the 2012 Christmas novel, <i><b>Unexpected Christmas Hero</b></i>,
dealing with homelessness in America,
I will be releasing a new series starting in January. The first of the three
novels is called <i><b>The Moses Quilt</b></i>, and it deals with a
contemporary interracial romance, set against the background of a quilt that
tells the story of the courageous, faith-filled woman known as Harriet Tubman. </div>
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A contemporary novel dealing with the issue of abortion will
follow, with the first woman doctor in America, Elizabeth Blackwell, as
our backdrop heroine. The final book will be built around the much beloved
Fanny Crosby, as we deal with the issue of people with disabilities. </div>
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That series is from New Hope Publishers, but I also have a
book releasing in the spring of 2013 from B&H Publishers called <i><b>Last
Chance for Justice</b></i>. It’s part of the multi-author Bloomfield Series,
and I’m very excited about it.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>You also write a devotional
blog. Can you tell us what the focus is and where we can find it? </b></b><br />
<br />
I started writing a weekly devotional several years ago in response to a
request from the then newly formed group CAN (Christian Authors Network). I
sent it out as a group email and had about 40 recipients then. The devotional
mailing quickly grew and expanded beyond the CAN group with countless readers
signing up to receive it. </div>
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I also started posting it each week on <a href="http://kathimacias.com/category/devotional-2/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">my devotional blog</span></a>,
a part of my<a href="http://www.kathimacias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> primary website</span></a>, where you will also find my “Easy
Writer” blog, which is more writing-related. (You can also sign up there to
receive the weekly devotional in your inbox.) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, the devotional has been picked up by
Crosswalk, Black Christian News, Latino Christian News (I offer it in Spanish
as well as English), Believe.com, Christians in Recovery, etc., so the
readership has mushroomed beyond anything I ever imagined. God is amazing,
isn’t He?<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <b>Finally, we know you as an
award-winning author, but you also enjoy speaking for women’s events and other
groups as well. On what areas or topics do you focus your speaking
presentations? How can a church or group find out more about having you speak
for their event? </b></b><br />
<br />
I speak on various topics, including the issues I address in my books, but on
other topics, too. One of my most requested topics is “When Passion and Purpose
Collide.” That, along with several other popular topics, can be found in the
speaking section of <a href="http://kathimacias.com/speaking" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">my website</span></a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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To see my current speaking schedule and/or to explore the
possibility of having me come and speak, just go to <a href="http://kathimacias.com/speaking/speaking-schedule/" target="_blank">http://kathimacias.com/speaking/speaking-schedule/</a>
and click on the Christian Speakers Services button to make contact. You can
also see some of my speaking endorsements at <a href="http://kathimacias.com/speaking/endorsements/" target="_blank">http://kathimacias.com/speaking/endorsements/</a>.
<br />
<br />
For more opportunities for free copies of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Deliverer</i></b> by Kathi Macias,
please visit <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1123450832" target="_blank">F</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1123450832" target="_blank">acebook.com/CSSVBT.KathiMacias</a><a href="http://./">.</a><br />
<br />
*<i>I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange
for posting the author’s interview and/or book review on my blog. This blog
tour is managed by <a href="http://christianspeakersservices.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Christian Speakers Services.</span></a></i><i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></i></div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-13503667494501439152012-09-20T21:00:00.000-04:002012-09-20T21:00:03.165-04:00Robbed!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeGCCvTd0Ylsp7Ta_nYSQBfbkNqIQ1_vkMMfn8U8eNyF7sCB8LZjUXiemi4P0uEpeO0_u6xQ7XWa4aCR6xSduU-Rze1sFKS-S5sIEG_gZnwRp7ujkphVMVHog75WiT7D0zQhib9uqb5g/s1600/Surrender40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeGCCvTd0Ylsp7Ta_nYSQBfbkNqIQ1_vkMMfn8U8eNyF7sCB8LZjUXiemi4P0uEpeO0_u6xQ7XWa4aCR6xSduU-Rze1sFKS-S5sIEG_gZnwRp7ujkphVMVHog75WiT7D0zQhib9uqb5g/s320/Surrender40.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See the broken glass? A robber did that. He broke in and
stole from one of God’s ministries, Surrender40.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five robberies have occurred in sixty days in the area,
including the Pentecostal church down the street from Surrender40.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only did the perpetrator rob ministries but he also
robbed the ministries’ recipients, like himself, of what God’s workers could
have done for them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trachena and Steve Muchnick run a wonderful ministry to the
homeless in drug-infested Miami.
At the time of the robbery, Trachena was in the building and able to hide in
the bathroom and escaped harm, thanks to God’s mighty hand of protection.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT37iX68Ws35t9h0yqxaMd8Tzu2cJ9Ot4vrm_tFiXsnM-Ey-p-2NvpAUxtRGMJ-fuF_NuQiwdwk5_-AKgw1jmgMwcyWabnnhyphenhyphenbiQstnsv2OKXOGC24wDD1phiYTnk2QbIQyLLWG6hjj5o/s1600/Surrender40+6+see+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT37iX68Ws35t9h0yqxaMd8Tzu2cJ9Ot4vrm_tFiXsnM-Ey-p-2NvpAUxtRGMJ-fuF_NuQiwdwk5_-AKgw1jmgMwcyWabnnhyphenhyphenbiQstnsv2OKXOGC24wDD1phiYTnk2QbIQyLLWG6hjj5o/s1600/Surrender40+6+see+info.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through the ministry, they give out meals, <b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">shirts, </span></b>socks,
<b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">sweaters,
blankets, jackets, </span></b>Bibles,<b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></b>hygiene items, and <b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">many other items, feeding </span></b>over
200 people every two weeks and preaching the Gospel to them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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They also minister to the inmates in the Florida prisons and visit the sick and
suffering in local area hospitals. Devotionals are written on a weekly basis
and sent out to over 100 women, a large majority of them are incarcerated for
life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The city of Miami
recently outlawed all homeless feeding ministries. Anyone violating the
ordinance will be arrested and fined $300 for each occurrence. Because of this,
Trachena and Steve planned to move north within 30-60 days.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60L-WOUO9_SqZEO11ikUM3lFLYxqTBJYJ657TfqnZZHewKm4Dxpd_vnY8WPJJ0mOsard17rZBDPj_TToHn0TNa-7CyMMaDFPoKNfh9DuOe-eIzVe6TbDDDxq_PrttW5_dgO99LOejwe8/s1600/Surrender40+see+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60L-WOUO9_SqZEO11ikUM3lFLYxqTBJYJ657TfqnZZHewKm4Dxpd_vnY8WPJJ0mOsard17rZBDPj_TToHn0TNa-7CyMMaDFPoKNfh9DuOe-eIzVe6TbDDDxq_PrttW5_dgO99LOejwe8/s1600/Surrender40+see+info.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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It has also been their dream to open a homeless shelter for
those who desire to get off the streets and a transitional shelter for inmates
coming out of prison. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Unfortunately, their dreams are smashed. In less then four
minutes of ransacking and burglarizing, everything is gone. Now, they must start
all over again at the bottom. Their financial coffer is empty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Never defeated, they keep their coffer of faith full. They know God will
restore and replace what the enemy stole from them.<br />
<br />
The culprit who did this was arrested days later and is now in jail, facing a
life sentence for being a career criminal. At the moment, he is in one of the
jails in which the Muchnicks have preached. If you feel so led, please pray for
him. His name is Kevin. <br />
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I’ve never asked my readers to support a specific ministry,
so I hope you will not mind. I believe strongly in Trachena and Steven’s work. They
are now turning to others to ask for donations to get to the $10,000 mark that they
need to move the entire ministry. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Would you prayerfully consider donating to their cause? If you
feel so led, you can donate on their website through PayPal or you can send a
check to the address listed on<a href="http://surrender40.com/help_the_ministry.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> their website</span></a>. <a href="http://surrender40.com/help_the_ministry.aspx"></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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As everyone’s finances are strained in these times, if you
are not able to help financially, would you please pray for them? Anything you
can do would be greatly appreciated. </div>
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<br />
May the Lord bless you!<br />
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-3066222287732936692012-09-17T20:30:00.000-04:002012-09-19T19:42:52.928-04:00The Living One Who Sees Me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYL8aHwV9DzKmrSJzkOWJuWM_dXqmHBD7eGgNeBRRFQfjaHKOq_teUZ3kKmClMzku9UUFbFa9udobHIt3wjaQ4QGtIJtcgYdAYZWnaCiwvg3s_W5DFBx-0iCM-zYgApW-kzHbiv3KL48/s1600/Eye+of+God+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYL8aHwV9DzKmrSJzkOWJuWM_dXqmHBD7eGgNeBRRFQfjaHKOq_teUZ3kKmClMzku9UUFbFa9udobHIt3wjaQ4QGtIJtcgYdAYZWnaCiwvg3s_W5DFBx-0iCM-zYgApW-kzHbiv3KL48/s320/Eye+of+God+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The players: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mistress</b>: Sarai,
Hubby’s wife</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hubby</b>: Abram,
Mistress’ husband</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Maid</b>: Hagar,
Sarai’s servant</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Angel</b>: Angel of
the Lord</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 1:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Childless through many years of marriage, Mistress is
frustrated. One night, she turns to Hubby in their tent:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mistress: “The Lord has held back children from me. Go,
sleep with my maid. Maybe we can have children through her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hubby hearkens to Mistress. Listening with interest, he
willingly grants her request.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maid becomes with child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all backfires. Besides a big belly, Maid gets a big head.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maid, singing taunts to Mistress: “I’m pregnant and you’re
not! I’m pregnant and you’re not!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later, Mistress to Hubby: “It’s all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> fault!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hubby: “She’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i>
servant. Do what you want with her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mistress, then, treats Maid harshly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 2:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Treated severely, Maid runs away to the wilderness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling forsaken and utterly alone, Maid, in tears over her
plight, sits by a spring of water, somewhere on the way to Shur (meaning a
wall), where she encounters an Angel of the Lord.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angel: “Where did you come from? And where are you going?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maid: “I am running away from my Mistress.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angel: “Return to her and humble yourself to her. Then, I
will greatly multiply your descendants. The Lord has heard your cry of
distress.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 3:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maid names the Angel: The Living One Who Sees Me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She also names the well: The Well of the Living One Who Sees
Me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Finale:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maid goes back where she belongs...serving her Mistress, the
one ruling over her. And she is blessed with a multitude of descendants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Personal application:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 1: The problem</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Question 1: Have you ever had a situation that just wasn’t
working out right? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Question 2: Have you ever had a problem, or been a part of
someone else’s problem, and you, or the other person, did something without thinking
it through?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Question 3: Has someone treated you so badly that, in your
hurt, you wanted to escape?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 2: The consequence</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1): Maybe, like Sarai, you got tired of waiting on God. You tried
to help Him out by acting on your own, doing something that wasn’t His plan, and
you suffered overwhelming consequences.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2): Maybe, like Paul, when those around you struck out on
their own, not consulting God, you got caught in their aftermath, and you felt as
if you were shipwrecked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3): Maybe, like Hagar, you ran from your situation to the wilderness,
where you sat down all alone, forsaken, and cried a bazillion teardrops. Maybe
you ran up against a Shur-wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Act 3: The application</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At one time or another, we have all experienced at least one
of the above three scenarios.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When circumstances become overwhelming and our heart is
aching, we all want to run to the wilderness to escape our problems, whether of
our own or someone else’s doing, and cry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We might feel alone and forsaken, but are we? No. God is
with us. It’s not like the song, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Guess
the Lord Must Be in New York City</i>! He’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
somewhere else. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Old Testament, God’s name and His presence were
synonymous: Jehovah-shammah, meaning the Lord is present or there. In the New
Testament, it is the same; Jesus’ name is Immanuel, God with us.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God is present; He is with us. He sees our tears; He sees
our heartaches; He sees our struggles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He says, “I will be with you. I will not leave you nor
forsake you.” (Josh. 1:5 NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cannot run to a place so desolate, so forsaken, that the
Lord will not find us. For wherever we go, there He is! No running away from
any circumstance can ever separate us from God’s presence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">*Denouement
(conclusion)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Running to your prayer closet to seek the Lord is preferable
to running away from your trials. In God’s presence, you will receive His
guidance, comfort, provision, love, forgiveness, joy, and His peace. Whatever
your heart needs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you sit by the well of the One Who sees you, you are
filled with courage and strength to return to where you belong...to serving and
submitting to the One ruling over you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No matter where you go, what you do, what your need, or what
happens to you, God is there and you will encounter Him. And you will be blessed
in your returning to Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In your tears and your heartaches, in your wilderness times
of distress, remember...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">...The Living One sees you.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://scribingthejourney.com/"><img src="http://scribingthejourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ds-button-200px-01.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-42622807432376826562012-09-13T21:00:00.000-04:002012-09-13T21:00:02.430-04:00I Am So That You...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T_dOvEUKAhPLOoYwQXfPblbacCopXGeyj0bTqYafv7fdWvcH1XliuNS7GWxYtwTw9ijr0NY7b5q-V23GFPd_7u2n83k30xinYTGuJXiCEY5-XLPXHxaKvaQRu-jm63-Kk6ycIoxQ4Js/s1600/I+am+so+that+you+4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T_dOvEUKAhPLOoYwQXfPblbacCopXGeyj0bTqYafv7fdWvcH1XliuNS7GWxYtwTw9ijr0NY7b5q-V23GFPd_7u2n83k30xinYTGuJXiCEY5-XLPXHxaKvaQRu-jm63-Kk6ycIoxQ4Js/s320/I+am+so+that+you+4b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...Abiding Love... </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that as you abide in Me, you abide in love. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...Mighty and Strong...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that you may have My strength and power for your
weaknesses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...the Joy-giver...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that your joy may be filled to overflowing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...the Provider, Jehovah-jireh...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that you may have provision for all you need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...Life Everlasting...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that you may have Eternal Life within you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...the Lord of Peace...Jehovah-shalom...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...so that you may be filled with My peace in a chaotic
world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...the One Who whispers to your soul...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God once said to me, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
name is I AM, not I WAS or I WILL BE. If My children insist on living in the
past with regrets and unforgiveness, then I am not there, for My Name is not I
WAS, even though I was to others, yet I still am. If My children insist on
living in the future, I am, in essence, not there yet, for My Name is not I
WILL BE, even though I will be what they need when they get there. If they want
to change My Name, change it to TODAY, for that is where they will find Me. I
am where My Name is. My Name is My Presence</i>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the New Testament, Jesus is Jehovah-shammah, as Matthew,
quoting prophecy, said of His name, “‘They shall call His name Immanuel,’
translated as, ‘God with us.’” (Matt. 1:23b NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The last thing Jesus said to His disciples was, “And lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20 NKJV) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...always with you, intimately involved in all you do...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">...Jehovah-shammah, Immanuel...</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">...so that you may know Me in your innermost being.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am...so that you can be!</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="katherines corner" border="0" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/10ft72d.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<a href="http://reflectionsofhisgrace.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Reflections of His Grace" src="http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Grace-Cafe-Button-copy1.png" /></a></center>
</div>
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<center>
<a href="http://www.emilywierenga.com/" target="_blank" title="Imperfect Prose"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3s5KmhxpIYU/T4Inziu4R4I/AAAAAAAAENk/LTq221viFVc/s144/imperfectprose.jpg" /></a></center>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgide2Y7duhrOAimNPWvstk2l6yGoSjuw48jjo0AklKtOK7c2Pum7BRT0WZfXC_0Ot3wisqSejMUKOHLmpZpXN8qowoOCyS5hDkKeEaImbkwKXkiAjgpXe1ErV4l6cFUqww7ZyOxP1EIN4/s1600/Intentional+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgide2Y7duhrOAimNPWvstk2l6yGoSjuw48jjo0AklKtOK7c2Pum7BRT0WZfXC_0Ot3wisqSejMUKOHLmpZpXN8qowoOCyS5hDkKeEaImbkwKXkiAjgpXe1ErV4l6cFUqww7ZyOxP1EIN4/s320/Intentional+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://intentional.me/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Intentional.me</span></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.beholdingglory.com/" target="_blank" title="Beholding Glory"><img alt="Beholding Glory" src="http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/laurakrokos/fff1.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-72925942883628077422012-09-09T19:46:00.000-04:002012-09-10T22:28:50.601-04:00Follow Me!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY-Mte7cN1j-ev_Fdte6QQwLr2MBFG7d1ysCdVy9xJmQJdGzORFvrZeFGE6bCuKWd3MQ3UvSfX4q2MLCGEAouwoBugVW6iOyDNyMkGdM4tkbgktX3Zfz7gWBrXgyRb1eRUdrHzmFcOJ8/s1600/Follow+2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNY-Mte7cN1j-ev_Fdte6QQwLr2MBFG7d1ysCdVy9xJmQJdGzORFvrZeFGE6bCuKWd3MQ3UvSfX4q2MLCGEAouwoBugVW6iOyDNyMkGdM4tkbgktX3Zfz7gWBrXgyRb1eRUdrHzmFcOJ8/s320/Follow+2e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let’s play follow the leader!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember saying that? We’ve all played that age-old game.
Running around the yard, doing exactly what the leader did. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you played that game years ago, could you have imagined
saying it many years in the future but in reference to your life?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul was a leader and encouraged the Philippian believers to
follow him, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and
learn from those who follow our example.” (Phil. 3:17 NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In essence, Paul said, “Be co-imitators of my life.” “Learn
from those who shape their lives after us.” “Mimic us and observe those that
live as we do.” “We” meaning Paul and his other followers who were living
exemplary lives. They were setting an example, a pattern of living, something
worthy of being imitated. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->He also told the Corinthians, "<span class="text 1Cor-11-1" id="en-NIV-28602">Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.</span>" (1 Cor. 11:1 NIV)<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why was Paul a good leader? Why was he able to tell others
to follow him? Because he truly followed the Lord. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can we say the same about our lives? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our lives will more than likely be a disappointment to
others at some time or another. The Lord never said we were perfect. But He
said He is. And our lives should point to Christ as the Perfect One to follow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus has always entreated others to align themselves with
Him. He started by calling the Disciple Dozen to follow Him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day on the lakeshore of Capernaum, as Jesus walked through the crowd
gathered there and was teaching them, He saw Levi, a tax collector. He looked
at him and said, “Follow Me.” No other conversation. Levi got up, left his old
way of life, and followed Jesus. He is otherwise known as the disciple Matthew.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew as they
fished. He called James and his brother John as they mended their nets. One day
in Galilee, Jesus found Philip and called him
to follow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the disciples left their old way of life and followed
Jesus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On one occasion, Jesus spoke to the disciples and a crowd,
saying, “If any of you wants to be My follower...you must put aside your own
pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow Me closely.” (Mark 8:34 TLB) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And He speaks the same to us. “Leave it all behind and
follow Me!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and
where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father
will honor.” (John 12:26 NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By definition, if anyone is serving Jesus by being an
attendant, ministering to one, waiting at a table offering food and drink to guests,
supplying food and the necessaries of life, taking care of the poor and the
sick, serving as deacons, serving another’s interests, s/he is to also follow
Jesus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we’re going to serve Him, we must walk as He walked, do
as He did, follow His lead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In other words, we can’t just “play” follow the leader. We
must be sure that what we are doing in service to Jesus is truly following Him
and not just doing works. “To follow” means to be in the same way with, to
accompany as a disciple. A disciple is one who imitates Jesus’ example by
serving others. True service brings honor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we follow Jesus, Paul urges us, “Above all, you must live
as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good
News about Christ” (Phil. 1:27 NLT), to walk “worthy of God who calls you into
His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12 NKJV), and “now, just as you accepted
Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.” (Col. 2:6
NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to ask ourselves...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I “playing” follow the leader? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is my life worth imitating? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I left my old way of living to follow Jesus?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I truly serving others?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Am I living my life for God’s glory? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Our prayer should be as David’s, “Lead me by Your truth and
teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.”
(Ps. 25:5 NLT)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Are you like this... </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or can you say to others with confidence, “Follow me”? </div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-34668325618448371052012-09-05T20:42:00.000-04:002012-09-05T20:45:07.061-04:00At the End of the Driveway<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDbk8pfu4rt4eXyXWkXVVm2jB5_6wRqK7_l6BB8phIfO93bLJAcGgfb2DJnORf0Xzt-2JgL5ykssPawcHDM8VIBDOwAZWuHB2V5Fc5JouTQEIln3EpRKSNYvkpmiyrG0Ids5h3QfTgHg/s1600/Driveway+3k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDbk8pfu4rt4eXyXWkXVVm2jB5_6wRqK7_l6BB8phIfO93bLJAcGgfb2DJnORf0Xzt-2JgL5ykssPawcHDM8VIBDOwAZWuHB2V5Fc5JouTQEIln3EpRKSNYvkpmiyrG0Ids5h3QfTgHg/s320/Driveway+3k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As soon as hubby drove out the driveway, I started my daily
housewifely duties: picking up his socks and turning them right side out,
turning off the lights he left on, closing the doors and cabinet doors he left
open, putting his dishes in the sink, and whatever else I could find that he
had done or left undone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, it started: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why does he leave his
socks all balled up? Why can’t he turn off the lights? Why can’t he close the
cabinet doors? Why can’t he put his glass in the sink? Why can’t he...</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On and on, I mumbled, all in my heart and under my
breath. I grumbled while I washed the clothes. I complained while I did the
dishes. I murmured while I vacuumed. This negative attitude seeped into other
areas of my thinking. Its tentacles grabbed my thoughts and slowly began to
suck the life out of me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I noticed negativity taking a foothold. I started to frown
more often. My heart became two sizes too small, just like the Grinch’s heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mumbled to myself that...<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...my children wouldn’t clean up their rooms or make the
right choices.<br />
...my server brought my salad after my entrée, didn’t fill my water glass,
brought me someone else’s meal, or ignored me altogether.<br />
...the person in the car in front of me drove too slowly in the fast lane.<br />
...the nosy neighbor across the street was always watching to see what we were
doing and why couldn’t she mind her own business.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oh, the endless list!
I stumbled over all the negative pebbles I flung in my own path.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All this happened many years ago until it finally dawned on
me: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is my grumbling and complaining
doing to me? What is it doing to my marriage?</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How is it affecting others?</i> I knew that if I did not change the
thoughts in my mind and heart, my negative attitude would spill out as poison
on my husband, the kids, and everyone else, if it hadn’t already.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The Bible says, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt.
12:34b NIV) What would be the outcome if I continued? I certainly did not want
negative criticisms to roll off the end of my tongue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Canadian preacher A. B. Simpson once said of the apostle
Paul, “Paul did not carry a cemetery with him, but a chorus of victorious
praise; and the harder the trial, the more he trusted and rejoiced, shouting
from the very altar of sacrifice.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So, I learned to give
that sacrifice of gratitude, sometimes even through gritted teeth.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned that thankfulness and praise are the best
replacements for any complaints, turning each negative into a positive. For
instance, if my husband does something that irritates me, I replace it with a
positive, like having a husband who loves the Lord, or having one who isn’t an
alcoholic, who doesn’t fool around, who isn’t an addict, or whatever. And I do
the same for anything else.<br />
<br />
I found that, if I am constantly negative and boo-hoo my circumstances more
than being thankful and positive, I magnify my circumstances above everything
else. And if I am not careful, I will be just like the Israelites thousands of
years ago, as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, whining and
complaining, which resulted in dire consequences. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is my response
today?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, when my day is darkened with a multitude of problems
that cause my gratitude to stick in my throat, I strive to remain positive
anyway. When my eyes spill over with the tears of heartache, I attempt to find
a way to be grateful. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do my best to focus my thoughts on what is “true and good
and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine,
good things in others.” (Philippians 4:8 The Living Bible)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When faced with circumstances beyond my control, I try not
to respond with feelings but try to purposely choose to be positive, thus
invalidating the negative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I do not want my
gravestone to read: Died from too much whine!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, as I watch my hubby leave the end of the driveway,
nothing fills my heart but gratitude!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***I originally wrote this for Chicken for the Soul’s
upcoming book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Power of Positive</i>.
It never made it {sniff-sniff} so I’m using it for this month’s Christian
Writers’ blog chain topic of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">change</i>. Please visit the other participants are in the right sidebar.</div>
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<a href="http://intentional.me/"><span style="color: blue;">Intentional.me</span></a></div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-11751110367324372292012-09-02T19:00:00.000-04:002012-09-02T22:52:21.445-04:00Come, Thou Weary Souls!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Come to Me, all you
who labor and</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest.”</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Matt. 11:28 NKJV</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* ...all you who labor:</b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to feel fatigue, to work hard, to labor
with wearisome effort, to toil, to grow weary, exhausted, tired.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Exhaustion plagues many people after a long day’s work at a
job they hate. Stress consumes the worker as the economy serves up less and
less for each dollar. Everyone toils to stay afloat, to make ends meet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is the return for the strain of intense labor? Solomon
asked, “What does a man get for all his hard work?” (Eccl. 1:3 TLB) He
lamented, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not
satisfied.” (Eccl. 6:7 NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stomach may be full but the soul is not satisfied. The
body is sapped of energy. So many are just plain wearied and tired. It hits all
of us at one time or another. And just as it is possible to get weary
physically, it is equally possible to get weary emotionally and spiritually. <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you ever feel tired, overburdened, and weary? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* ...and are heavy
laden: to load up as a vessel or animal, to bear, something carried, to heap
on.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you encounter heavy burdens from...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* relationships that are strained to the breaking point,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* the job market being almost non-existent, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* prices on everything continuing to climb,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* family problems that loom, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* a death in the family,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* daily schedules,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* the attacks of the enemy and you feel like giving up, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...does the stress overwhelm you? Do you need a rest?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* ...I will give you rest:
to repose, refresh, to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor
in order to recover and collect his strength to give rest, intermission from
labor.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work is not always laborious; it can also be fulfilling.
Solomon also said, “Every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all
his labor - it is the gift of God.” (Eccl. 3:13 NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how many enjoy their work? How many realize it is a gift
of God? Enjoyment of our labor comes much easier if we praise God for what we
have, keep a positive attitude, and take a break to rest from it once in a
while to avoid burnout. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even God rested on the seventh day. Jesus got weary and
rested. He took time to enjoy Himself. He attended weddings and dinners with
friends. He laughed and teased and had a good time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He also spent time in prayer to recharge Himself. He took
time to slow down and be with the Father, going off to the solitude and
serenity of the mountainside or the gardens to pray. One day, Jesus sat by the
well of His forefathers to rest and recuperate, to quench His thirst.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you do before every last drop of your physical,
emotional, and spiritual vitality have evaporated?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you rest from your work? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you take a vacation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you take a day off now and then (especially if you
cannot take a vacation), just to enjoy yourself and your family?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you relinquish your will, surrendering to God’s
leading?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you keep a positive attitude?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do you spend time in prayer? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When labor becomes arduous and circumstances burdensome, sit
by the well of the Father, lowering your bucket into His spring of Living Water
to quench your parched spirit and soul, and regain your strength and power,
pausing until every thought of stress is lifted.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rest in God’s promise, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy
the faint.” (Jer. 31:25 NIV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Those who trust in
the Lord will find new strength.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
They will soar high
on wings like eagles.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
They will run and not
grow weary.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
They will walk and
not faint.”</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(Is. 40:31 NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Come to Me, all you who labor and</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(You might find encouragement in these two posts entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-down-your-wings.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Let Down Your Wings</span></a> </i>and <a href="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com/2009/04/come-sit-by-well.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come, Sit by the Well</i></span></a>.) </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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Hooking up with...</div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<code><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></code><br />
<center>
<code><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
<a href="http://www.lauraboggess.com/"><img border="0" src="http://anahnauwr.smugmug.com/photos/i-P9wn5Qq/0/O/i-P9wn5Qq.jpg" /></a></span></code></center>
<code><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">
</span></code></div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-30011932927261000132012-08-29T20:51:00.000-04:002012-08-30T18:50:57.755-04:00I Passed Your Way Today<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rsLmSrYHkndfw16od67gJMRqLuwk2SHuO90CphBl4PakTxO2dNL7Olq8cKEsWtMnK6yRlwQbxhlq2RqBMSPOL2uhJeOSdfrLbUoIoeD_t0CNB5A5L6d1mhQydL8GYYwpYPlH6-2iQs/s1600/Jesus+passed+by+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0rsLmSrYHkndfw16od67gJMRqLuwk2SHuO90CphBl4PakTxO2dNL7Olq8cKEsWtMnK6yRlwQbxhlq2RqBMSPOL2uhJeOSdfrLbUoIoeD_t0CNB5A5L6d1mhQydL8GYYwpYPlH6-2iQs/s320/Jesus+passed+by+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Night? Day? I could not tell. A shroud of darkness prevailed.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ground before me appeared to be a soft, sandy loam.
About fifty feet ahead lay an unending area of burning flames, its origin unknown.
The lapping flames were not the typical orange, yellow, or even white-hot
flames. They appeared almost an invisible bluish-black, as ebony flames of
hell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some figures stood at the edge of the flames, talking. A
thick veil of evil filled the air.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was frightened. So frightened, I could not move. I could
only watch what unfolded before me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of the corner of my right eye, I could see a figure in a
flowing, white robe slowly walking along, moving from my right to my left, at a
distance between me and the line of flames. He said nothing. Never turning to
look at me or the others, he walked with his eyes focused before him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew in an instant it was Jesus. Every ounce of me wanted
to reach out, to call to Him, to have Him stop and wait for me. But some
unknown force held me in place. My feet felt shackled to the ground; my parched
lips stuck together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Jesus moved almost out of the scene, it appeared He would
leave me behind. He was going on without me. I ached to go with Him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stop, Jesus! Don’t go without me! Jesus! Jesus!” the words
finally blurted out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He stopped. He turned and looked at me. Never saying a word.
I could hear my own sigh of relief. All was well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was all. I woke up, frightened, yet relieved. Saddened,
yet overjoyed. Tears would come later in the recall of this scene.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many times each day does Jesus pass our way and, yet, we
do not call out to Him? We are too busy, too preoccupied, too self-centered, trying
to do our own thing, to go our own way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus says...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
passed your way today. You heeded Me not. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My
child, you’ve called on My Name, needing help, guidance, or supply. I draw near
in your times of need, but My Presence goes unnoticed. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
pass by, My Voice unheard. You pay more attention to pressing demands without
realizing those demands would be met so much the readier if you only came to Me
first, trusting Me to have My way.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
draw near to speak when your ears pulse with the deafening sound of raging storms.
But you do not quiet yourself to hear My Still Small Voice. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
draw near when you heart is overwhelmed with stress, grief, or disappointment.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
so long to touch your fretted brow, to take your trembling hand and gently
guide you, to wash your tired feet, to whisper comfort to your hurting soul, to
supply your every need.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 5.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am full of tenderness and care, forgiveness and love, strength and comfort,
provision and peace.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 5.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 5.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I drew near to share it all with you today, but you were too busy. I passed
by, undiscovered.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 5.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 5.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, do not miss Me, My child. I am always near. Only a whisper away.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Jesus of Nazareth
passed my way,<br />
Redeemed me by his pow’r;<br />
Oh, hear the cry, “he passeth by,”<br />
Give him thy heart this hour.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
~<span class="chorushead">chorus of the </span>1897 hymn </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus of Nazareth
Passed My Way </i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
by John J. Hood</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">May you not miss His
presence as He passes your way today. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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Hooking up today with...</div>
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<center>
<a href="http://joyinthisjourney.com/category/memes/life-unmasked/"><img alt="Life: Unmasked" border="0" src="http://joyinthisjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/unmasked_New1501.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
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<center>
<a href="http://gettingdownwithjesus.com/"><img src="http://anahnauwr.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZHVkDz8/0/O/i-ZHVkDz8.png" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://mydailywalkinhisgrace.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/Teekaytee2/bloghoplollipop.jpg?t=1318088616" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://journeytoepiphany.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="JourneyTowardsEpiphany" height="125" src="http://journeytoepiphany.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/pp-e1328715484812.jpg" width="125" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="katherines corner" border="0" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/10ft72d.jpg" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.emilywierenga.com/" target="_blank" title="Imperfect Prose"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3s5KmhxpIYU/T4Inziu4R4I/AAAAAAAAENk/LTq221viFVc/s144/imperfectprose.jpg" /></a></center>
<center>
<a href="http://reflectionsofhisgrace.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Reflections of His Grace" src="http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Grace-Cafe-Button-copy1.png" /></a></center>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://intentional.me/"><span style="color: blue;">Intentional.me</span></a></div>
<br />
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-82632582421426042002012-08-25T21:00:00.000-04:002012-08-25T21:00:01.478-04:00Shhh! Listen! Can You Hear It?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8_nWAHVU65ebO9EcD52_qCCnuEu_XLNdF7-AA6mCrhe-44D-c-YaZC7E-zyDZNa4-Zb9QvyX0yMsLfFfRnAgXWEjg0NLsUZtX3ykGf2WLUEwyKu8hyM51eCPlAgZtKV1a3C287WwHVQ/s1600/Shhh+2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8_nWAHVU65ebO9EcD52_qCCnuEu_XLNdF7-AA6mCrhe-44D-c-YaZC7E-zyDZNa4-Zb9QvyX0yMsLfFfRnAgXWEjg0NLsUZtX3ykGf2WLUEwyKu8hyM51eCPlAgZtKV1a3C287WwHVQ/s320/Shhh+2b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shhh! Listen! Can you
hear it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
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Can you hear God’s voice in your surroundings? In things like...</div>
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* bubbling streams and surging oceans</div>
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* turbulent storms and calm, clear days</div>
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* glowing sunsets and breath-taking sunrises</div>
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* majestic mountain heights and verdant valleys</div>
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* the lives of ants, butterflies, rabbits, and squirrels</div>
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* the beauty of snow and ice and the desperation of droughts</div>
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* the melodies of birds and the rustling of breezes through
the leaves</div>
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* the explosive hues of fall trees and the vibrant variety
of spring and summer blossoms</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What about your
thoughts? What do they convey to you?</b></div>
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What do your eyes “say” to your brain about what they see?</div>
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What do your hands “speak” to your heart as they touch objects?</div>
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What do your feet “tell” you about where you walk? (And no,
not that they hurt!)</div>
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God communicates with us in immeasurable ways, but our busy
schedules, other interests, and circumstances numb us to them. We become
inattentive to His voice spoken through others, our circumstances, His Word,
and His creation. His voice is available to us every second of every day as He continuously
speaks to us through all that He has created.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God created all
things,</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">commanding them to exist by
His Eternal Word. </b>The writer of Hebrews tells us that “the word of God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> living, and powerfully working,
and sharper than every two-edged sword.” (Heb. 4:12 Received Greek Text) The
Amplified Bible states it this way, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and
full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective].” </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">By the definitions
of the words in that verse, God’s Word is<i> alive </i>and <i>powerful, active </i>and<i>
working, keen </i>and<i> cutting. </i></span>Not ordinary words, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">His words are unseen,<i> living entities</i></span>,
actually working energy and living matter of the dynamic kind that creates.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God’s Word creates because
it is a part of Himself,</b> “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NKJV) and Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> that Word of God, “His name is called The Word of God.” (Rev.
19:13 NKJV)</div>
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John 1:3 says that, through Jesus as the Word, “all things
were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” (NIV) He is “the
Origin and Beginning and Author of God’s creation.” (Rev. 3:14b Amp)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Scripture also says, “He is before all things, and in Him
all things hold together” (Col. 1:17 NIV), that creation is “being held
together by the word of God” (2 Peter 3:5 RGT), as Christ the Word is
“upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3 NKJV).</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God’s Word is
everlasting.</b> It never dies, for “the word of God which lives and abides
forever…the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:23, 25 Received Greek
Text) </div>
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David said, “What You say goes, G<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">OD</span>, and stays, as permanent as the
heavens.” (Ps. 119:89 Msg) And Jesus declared it, “My words won’t wear out; My
words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 Msg) </div>
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Whether those spoken words were preserved as the written
Word or preserved in creation, they are still alive. Therefore, if that Living
Word never dies and echoes throughout the endless halls of eternity, then its
power is continuously and permanently active in what it has created, being
perpetuated from one generation to the next. </div>
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All atoms and molecules of living matter circulate in resonation, pulsating, as
the dictionary says, with the same frequency as their source. Within that
living matter is God’s voice imprint, His DNA, as the Source of all life, still
resounding in the entire universe.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That same echo of the
Living Word working in creation operates also in our hearts to create eternal
life within us.</b></div>
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If God’s voice still resonates in creation and in us, are we
sensitive enough to hear His Still Small Voice? </div>
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Oh, my sweet friends,
God is speaking.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Do not miss His sweet
whisper.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shhh! Listen! Can you hear it?</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Hooking up with... </span></div>
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<center>
<a href="http://www.danapittman.com/sister-to-sister/" target="_blank"><img height="250" src="http://www.danapittman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/dana-pittman_sister-to-sister_saturday-blog-hop.jpg
" title="Sister to Sister Blog Hop with DanaPittman.com" width="166" /></a></center>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><center>
<a border="0" href="http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll236/Ettolrahcoj/sss.png" /></a></center>
</div>
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<a href="http://www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com/?page_id=459"><img alt="Beauty in His Grip Button" border="0" src="http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx26/Beautyinhisgrip/MondayMemeSmall.jpg" /></a></center>
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<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>
lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-70358625783821797292012-08-21T21:39:00.002-04:002012-08-21T21:39:57.065-04:00Beauty Injections
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_NZI_xR8sNg_BIfMM-ZgvkT9ml9B88aa40irtuD31dQT_3LUA4AHdAT5WD-wV60J5b6bBH8OblY7UkmTItZ8Ae_Sx5zxDJWGlDI18rxf9CKYhi6dbCtWjC3DT6iN-08Rrtyqn16cG1k/s1600/Beauty+injections+3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_NZI_xR8sNg_BIfMM-ZgvkT9ml9B88aa40irtuD31dQT_3LUA4AHdAT5WD-wV60J5b6bBH8OblY7UkmTItZ8Ae_Sx5zxDJWGlDI18rxf9CKYhi6dbCtWjC3DT6iN-08Rrtyqn16cG1k/s320/Beauty+injections+3c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you know about <a href="http://www.groupon.com%20/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Groupon</span></a>? You probably do. It’s a website that offers a deal-of-the-day feature with a
paid, discounted gift certificate for a specific amount of service or product
redeemable at local or national companies. And when you sign up with them, they
will send you daily announcements for your locality.</div>
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I got one the other day that made me laugh out loud. In the
subject line was this...</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beauty Injections</b></div>
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Wow! Now, wouldn’t that be nice? We could all get shots and
be beautiful! {giggle}</div>
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Isn’t that what the world tells us? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Look like this celebrity. Look like this model. Do this, do that to renew
your youth! </i>Heaven forbid I should develop wrinkles or bulges!</div>
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That reminds me of a 1976 movie called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logan’s Run</i>. It takes place in the year 2274, as the world has been
decimated by some kind of holocaust and the remnants of civilization now live
in a sealed, domed city, a utopia controlled by a master computer that manages
all aspects of their lives, including reproduction. </div>
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On the surface, all seems to be an idyllic society. These survivors live a
mostly hedonistic lifestyle. With little work for them to perform, they are free
to pursue a life of pleasure and self-gratification. </div>
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They have been told that in order to maintain the city,
every resident at the age of thirty must undergo the ceremony known as Carousel
with the promise of being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">renewed.</i> </div>
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Actually, thirty was as old as they got. There was no
renewal. They just got zapped. Vaporized in the unknown.</div>
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The world elevates youthfulness and beauty with its pleasures
and self-gratification. It offers renewal of youth to the sagging, wrinkling,
and aging with its rituals of creams, lotions, hair dyes, lasers for all sorts
of things, operations to enlarge this or diminish that, liposuction, nose jobs,
weight loss, you name it! Oh, and, of course, don’t forget...beauty shots of
botox.</div>
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Have you ever seen those who have endured too many plastic
surgeries and other body modifications? They skin is so tight that, if they
smiled, their skin would rip? Or those who have had so many botox injections
that they have no facial expressions any more? </div>
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Some have gone to these extremes, being addicted to facial
or body “corrections” that they no longer look like themselves. Their desire is
to look like a real-life Barbie doll. And it’s not just women. Some men do it
as well.</div>
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There is no sin in wanting to look our best, to be pleasing
to our spouse or to others, by having some cosmetic surgery done. And of
course, sometimes, it is essential to have certain types of operations done. However,
there is a limit. </div>
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Where we get into trouble, where we lose our sense of self,
our self-worth and our self-respect, is in comparing ourselves with the physical
attributes of others. We begin to think negatively about our own outward
appearance.</div>
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But as Mom always said, “Beauty comes from within.” These
people agree... </div>
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<span class="huge">Beauty is how you feel inside, and it
reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.</span> ~ <span class="bodybold">Sophia Loren</span> </div>
</blockquote>
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<span class="huge">Beauty without grace is the hook without
the bait.</span> ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson</div>
</blockquote>
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Beauty pleases the eyes only; sweetness of disposition charms the soul. ~ Voltaire </blockquote>
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People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and
shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is
revealed only if there is a light from within. ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross</div>
</blockquote>
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One of my favorite beauty quotes is by Audrey Hepburn... </div>
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<blockquote>
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for
beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the
knowledge that you are never alone.</blockquote>
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Scripture tells us that “Our beauty should not come from
outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and
fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used
to make themselves beautiful.” (1 Peter 3:3-5 NIV)</div>
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The best <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">injections</i>
of beauty come from the Lord. He gives us beauty to replace our ashes. He gives
us the beauty of nature to infuse our souls. He gives us beauty from His Word.
His gives us the beauty of Himself, from being in His presence.</div>
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Your beauty comes from your soul, your heart. It is what you
are; it is what you do; it is what the Lord makes you.</div>
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Whoever you are reading this – man or woman – you are
beautiful! God doesn’t make ugly. Only man knows how to do that! You are a
delight to the Lord, just as you are.</div>
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So, how is your beauty-self-worth quotient today? </div>
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“Let the beauty of
the Lord our God be upon us.” </div>
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(Ps. 90:17 NKJV)</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Hooking up with...</div>
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<a href="http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g5wyqs5PNvFDz0a1BPbV8IUG-n6E6UafsDuyzRWlcaIS0pV7AoZVx-GT3EICfKVBYo_RRunx93oXqp6r2Bd36hxOp-e5GkKu4iRBrWNk64ZqAYnrabz_7mpnjmhW4Z-NicyaCLlvG0A/s1600/TuesdaysButton.jpg" /></a></center>
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<br /><em><a href="http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/CEOLIVOS/onyourheart.jpg" /></a></em></center>
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/subalbumone/walkwithhimwednesdays2-1.jpg" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://joyinthisjourney.com/category/memes/life-unmasked/"><img alt="Life: Unmasked" border="0" src="http://joyinthisjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/unmasked_New1501.jpg" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://gettingdownwithjesus.com/"><img src="http://anahnauwr.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZHVkDz8/0/O/i-ZHVkDz8.png" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://mydailywalkinhisgrace.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb412/Teekaytee2/bloghoplollipop.jpg?t=1318088616" /></a></center>
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<a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/category/women-living-well-wednesdays/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/courtneylivingwell/LivingWell.png" /></a></center>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-91919463826505921112012-08-19T21:08:00.000-04:002012-08-19T21:08:16.479-04:00A Friend, A Book, and A Scary Story<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a6rbqZmzMCPBmoHjos4kRP01NtRg8hLggsbRk7Ov7IkjJQV9EbEkSPZgWdEbou5SATcmChYrQ3NCHuJd6HLMDMyty6qXl3p260CskhwhbxjwlvCpi2zbCefjd14K7yb6l8gm57ZbuWU/s1600/Lisa+Buffaloe+Char-Baked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a6rbqZmzMCPBmoHjos4kRP01NtRg8hLggsbRk7Ov7IkjJQV9EbEkSPZgWdEbou5SATcmChYrQ3NCHuJd6HLMDMyty6qXl3p260CskhwhbxjwlvCpi2zbCefjd14K7yb6l8gm57ZbuWU/s320/Lisa+Buffaloe+Char-Baked.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Today, I’m sharing a friend with you, Lisa Buffaloe. </div>
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Lisa<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span>is an author, speaker, happily married
mom, and host for Living Joyfully Free Radio. Her past experiences—molestation
by a baby-sitter, assault, rape by a doctor, divorce, being stalked, cancer, death
of loved ones, seven surgeries, and eleven years of chronic illness from Lyme
Disease—bless her with a backdrop to share about God’s unending love and that
through Him we find healing, restoration, and renewal. She is the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prodigal Nights </i>and a contributing
author of<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span style="color: black;">The One Year Book of Joy
and Laughter.</span></i></span></div>
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At the end of the post, you can read about her new book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace for the Char-Baked.</i> I know you’ll
enjoy Lisa’s scary adventure and surprise ending. I hope you’ll leave her a
comment. </div>
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Ice, Painters, and Angels</div>
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By Lisa Buffaloe</div>
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Gray-green clouds billowed on the evening horizon. With a
quick goodbye to my co-workers, I hurried to my car. Rain fell and quickly
morphed into sleet. The windshield wipers flapped at full speed, and I gripped
the wheel as I drove the winding back roads to my parents’ home in the country.</div>
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Slowing down for a curve, my tires lost traction. The car
spun out of control, skidded sideways and crashed into a deep ditch. Rattled
but unscathed, I sat praying, wondering what to do. My car was stuck. </div>
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Thirty minutes from home and without a cell phone, I had the
option to walk or sit and wait. If I waited, my parents wouldn’t know I was
missing for at least an hour, and they wouldn’t know which country road I had
taken. </div>
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Several farm houses sat off the road but even to reach them
would be a long walk. The only person within walking distance was a young man
who had his checking account at the bank where I worked. I didn’t know him
well. I was a teenage bank teller, and he was a flirt. </div>
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Thinking perhaps he might be my best opportunity, I made my
way up the ditch.</div>
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A beat-up, old station wagon stopped next to me and the
passenger window rolled down. “Can I drive you somewhere?” The driver was
an elderly man wearing stained painter’s coveralls. </div>
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The freezing rain picked up in intensity. I hesitated and
glanced at the abundance of paint brushes, rollers, and paint cans spread
throughout his vehicle. Cold and with limited choices, I opened the door and
sat in his car. “I know someone nearby. He lives in a trailer up the road.
Could you take me there?” </div>
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<br />
He looked at me, his gaze unwavering. “How well do you know him?” Somehow, I
could see my dad asking the same question. </div>
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I squirmed at his fatherly scrutiny. “Not well, he has an account
at the bank where I work.” </div>
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He shook his head. “I won’t take you there. How far do you
live?”</div>
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“About thirty minutes. But you don’t have to drive me that
far.” </div>
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Again his gaze locked into mine. “Do you have anyone you know well, or your
parents know who lives closer?” </div>
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I couldn’t think of anyone for a few minutes, until I
remembered a family friend. “Yes sir. One of my mom’s friends lives about ten
minutes away.”</div>
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He nodded and we drove in silence. </div>
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The house stood nestled off the road in a stand of trees. The
man pulled down the wet pine-straw covered driveway and stopped. I thanked him
and offered to pay for his trouble. Declining my offer, he waited as I ran to
the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My mom’s friend greeted me with open arms. A breeze filtered
through the trees. I looked back. The pine-straw was undisturbed. My rescuer
was gone. </div>
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Life is full of unseen dangers. Thankfully, we have a God
who protects, guides, and holds our hand through the storms of life. And
sometimes, He even sends someone wearing painter’s coveralls to carry us safely
home.</div>
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You can find Lisa blogging on her site <a href="http://lisabuffaloe.com/"><span style="color: blue;">LisaBuffaloe.com</span></a> and her radio program <a href="http://www.livingjoyfullyfree.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Living Joyfully Free</span></a>. <a href="http://www.livingjoyfullyfree.com/" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"></span></a></div>
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About <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace for the
Char-Baked</i>...</div>
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With “Char” as a nickname, Charlotte Wilson’s cooking skills
are more incendiary than culinary. Charlotte
is the last person on earth who should run a bake sale. But when her plans of
running in a charity marathon are sidelined by a broken foot, her old flame’s
suggestion becomes a challenge amidst her friend’s simmering doubts. </div>
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Luke Hammond has spent the last five years studying and
preparing to travel overseas as a medical missionary. When his high school
sweetheart unexpectedly comes back in his life, Luke wrestles with what he
feels God calling him to be and what he wants to do. His reappearance rekindles
an attraction that could char Luke and Charlotte’s heart or cook up the perfect
romance.</div>
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Lisa's book can be found at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Char-Baked-Lisa-B-Buffaloe/dp/0985929502/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345397961&sr=1-1&keywords=lisa+buffaloe" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon</span></a> and <span style="color: blue;">CreateSpace</span>. Her other book, <i>Prodigal Nights</i>, can be found at<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Nights-Lisa-Buffaloe/dp/0985929510/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345401490&sr=1-1&keywords=prodigal+nights" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> Amazon</span></a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prodigal-nights-lisa-buffaloe/1112368058?ean=9780985929510" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Barnes & Noble</span></a>, and<a href="https://www.createspace.com/3927689" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> CreateSpace</span></a>.<a href="https://www.createspace.com/3952142" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></div>
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-78833885522144763932012-08-15T21:00:00.000-04:002012-08-15T21:47:29.879-04:00The Sweet Aroma of Crushing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aEbVACchkT4WUHtgXPkXhjxBknjL8m3LpcAMtaikDM04ipgpiuZNlBOg9IlxeOc3EjT79BqmSgkQQMwsBPvnCkh18CBFIcbrU9lPc33Ohsn7EMSL9HODH122DhU3c1KSQWiwC3ORYw8/s1600/Crushing+grain+2d.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aEbVACchkT4WUHtgXPkXhjxBknjL8m3LpcAMtaikDM04ipgpiuZNlBOg9IlxeOc3EjT79BqmSgkQQMwsBPvnCkh18CBFIcbrU9lPc33Ohsn7EMSL9HODH122DhU3c1KSQWiwC3ORYw8/s1600/Crushing+grain+2d.png" /></a></div>
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Have you ever experienced a devastating circumstance in your
life? At one time or another, we all go through trials that attempt to crush
us, squeeze us, bruise us, or set us on fire. Though these difficulties strike
us, many times their impact will bring beauty out of chaos, if we allow it.</div>
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Some things only achieve their greatest design through
crushing blows…</div>
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*The squeezing of grapes produces sweet wine.</div>
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*The pressing of olives extracts their delectable oil. </div>
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*Only when wheat is ground is it useful for making bread. </div>
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*The crushing of flower petals releases their oil for
fragrance. </div>
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*Incense is useless - its purpose not fulfilled, its odors
not set free - unless touched by fire. </div>
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*Only through great pressure, heat, and time does coal
produce the gemstone of a diamond.</div>
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Just as all of nature suffers contrary conditions in order
to be expanded, strengthened, or enhanced, so, too, do we. Crushing, squeezing,
and suffering remove the unnecessary things in our lives, allowing the fragrance
of holiness and sweet graces to be released. </div>
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But during these trying situations, how do we behave? Do we
whine, kick, scream, question God, or tell Him it isn’t fair? Or are we still
before the Lord, allowing His power to work in us, as we bow to His divine
purpose by submitting our will to His and as we offer Him praise from lips of
thanksgiving? </div>
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Which behavior do you believe is the sweet aroma to the Lord?</div>
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Did
you know God has sensitive sinuses? During those times of adversity, do we
present Him with <span style="layout-grid-mode: line;">a pleasant aroma in His
nostrils or a stench stuck in His throat? Are we like Estee Lauder’s Beautiful
perfumery or a men’s locker room? Like a flower shop or a machine shop? Like a
bakery or a fertilizer plant? </span></div>
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Some of God’s children in the Bible were stinkers and others
were sweet-smellers. How did they each react when they experienced crushing
blows or fiery circumstances? Many times, Israel was a stinky bunch of whiners.
Others who experienced great trials came out smelling like, well, like a rose. </div>
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One is Paul. Of the multitude of afflictions he experienced,
he said, “We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never
live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to
help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of
God, who alone could save us, for He can even raise the dead. And He did help
us and saved us from a terrible death; yes, and we expect Him to do it again
and again.” (2 Cor. 1:8-10 TLB)</div>
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One group is the Three Amigos. You know, Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-Nego. While they were in the fiery furnace, they believed their God
would deliver them, and, even if He didn’t deliver them, they believed He would
still save them from Nebuchadnezzar. </div>
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As those flames lapped up around them, God walked among them
and rescued them. The smell of smoke did not even cling to them when they came
out. Their sweet aroma of faith had not changed.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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When trials linger incessantly, lapping their flames around
you, do you reek more of the smell of smoke or the sweet aroma of faith? </div>
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Is your trust and devotion as that sweet aroma of the
alabaster passion box, lovingly poured upon Jesus’ head, which seeped into His
beard and gently trickled down upon His shoulders, saturating His garment?</div>
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I pray that the things attempting to crush you will release that
dormant, precious fragrance lying deep within your heart.</div>
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Prayer: Lord, may each burden of my life work as a weight to
crush my disobedience, my instability to stand on Your Word, and my inability
to be used by You. </div>
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Crush me, for then am I made useful. Crush me as flower
petals are compressed for their fragrant perfume. Crush me as olives squeezed
for their valuable oil. Crush me and let my life overflow with that delectable
wine. </div>
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Crush me for my rightful purpose that I may be useful in
Your hands, that I may be that readily available vessel for Your use, that
passion box ready to be broken open and poured out with the sweet-scented oil
of Your Holy Spirit.</div>
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I pray that the things crushing each reader’s life right now
will only work to bring out the holy aroma of obedience and sweet-smelling
graces of Your will. Amen!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*A rerun remixed</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> **</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">15 more posts </span><br />
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lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-37445031539409033742012-08-11T19:27:00.000-04:002012-08-11T19:27:04.947-04:00Did You Ever Hear a Memory?<br />
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The house is quiet; silence reigns.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I listen. I hear...</b></div>
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...in the distance, birds serenading and a lawn mower whirring
its seasonal buzz.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I listen more closely.
I hear...</b></div>
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...a light bulb and my computer humming in unison. </div>
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...the refrigerator joining in the harmony. </div>
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...the fan on the furnace making it a quartet. </div>
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...and the tinnitus in my right ear? Well, the usual droning
makes it a quintet. </div>
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Quiet? Silence? As close as it gets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Again, I listen. A
wave of nostalgia overwhelms me as I hear...</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...the sound of two teenage brothers arguing over who knows
what. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...groanings from sucker punches. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...laughing and sounds of slapping on backs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...the “Hullo” of smiling son #2 as he blasts through the
back door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...the heartwarming sound of sweet giggles from a young girl
playing games. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where are these sounds coming from? This is an empty nest. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those teenage boys are now 43 and 39. That young girl is now
36.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those sounds come from reminiscent echoes within the walls,
the cherished sounds from days long passed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My heart fills with the overwhelming joy of precious memories.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I listen again. This
time, I hear...</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...sadness, the sobs and weepings of heartaches from hard
times gone by, of broken friendships, of mournful news, of jobs lost, of lack
of necessities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Afraid to but I
listen once more. I hear...</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...my heart say...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You
didn’t do it right! You failed so many times!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the precious sounds of children echoing from the kitchen
to the family room, down the hall to the bedrooms, and down the stairs to the
basement, and I know I did some things right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With bittersweet memories echoing in the halls of my heart, I
choose to listen to the laughter and the giggles, the good sounds of the past.
Maybe, just maybe, I did some things right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, new memory sounds of future wall-echoes come as two
little and one not-so-little grandgirls run memories up and down the hallway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What memories will I hear years from now? What happenings
will bring laughter? What happenings will bring tears?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will those left behind hear the memories?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> ever hear a memory?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">*I'm hooking up with the monthly <a href="http://christianwriters.com/index.php?/page/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">ChristianWriters.com </span></a>blog chain on the topic of memory. Check out the other participants in the right sidebar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Also hooking up with...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<a href="http://www.danapittman.com/sister-to-sister/" target="_blank"><img height="250" src="http://www.danapittman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/dana-pittman_sister-to-sister_saturday-blog-hop.jpg
" title="Sister to Sister Blog Hop with DanaPittman.com" width="166" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-22577396178608956352012-08-07T21:10:00.000-04:002012-08-07T21:10:36.872-04:00Bury Me With...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfKms5-EEfP5RLgsBrFMGMNL6JFn4oNc5_nO3sTGjs-Kip-Xuw8dR91GuYhy-AYOta6wtOV4uWCe3xCJ-fEMeOTlZhCZiT5k7ZP5jYotcAsYPbXxJYyjXcxuVPOkaXk9YgHeeR1G9BHs/s1600/Burial+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfKms5-EEfP5RLgsBrFMGMNL6JFn4oNc5_nO3sTGjs-Kip-Xuw8dR91GuYhy-AYOta6wtOV4uWCe3xCJ-fEMeOTlZhCZiT5k7ZP5jYotcAsYPbXxJYyjXcxuVPOkaXk9YgHeeR1G9BHs/s320/Burial+c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you read my last post, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hold Onto Your Fork...The Best is Yet to Be</i>, then you know about
the fork I hung on the refrigerator with a red ribbon. (You can read it <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://bit.ly/OxmbWJ%20" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here </span></a>if
you missed it.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a comment on that post, my friend Carol said that she had
heard the same story, but the version she heard ended with the man being buried
with the fork in his hand. I don’t remember if the version I heard had that
ending or not. Too long ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t occur to me until I read Carol’s comment that I
should have included something I told my husband. I told him that I wanted to
be buried holding onto that beribboned fork. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned that to Carol in my comment back to her which triggered
one of those idea bulbs: what else do I wish to have buried with me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it another object, like the fork? Or is it something more
intangible, like the good thoughts of others? If that’s the case, then how did
they see my life? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made this little image and have it on my site (if you’re
reading this by email):</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj0hTL-jWUXvxJWrQIDXcBfqdEbhyphenhyphenetYrB-V5A3yh6jo6JhhUoKoXE7pFrzTRtvbC1lwYrmCI22A0riSSrsc_3Y1Nzqhyphenhyphenkr-aWgryt8IlTF1CdrFSKGIVGrcTKP7bSVrepzH1ESQnKPQ/s1600/Saying+for+blog+4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZj0hTL-jWUXvxJWrQIDXcBfqdEbhyphenhyphenetYrB-V5A3yh6jo6JhhUoKoXE7pFrzTRtvbC1lwYrmCI22A0riSSrsc_3Y1Nzqhyphenhyphenkr-aWgryt8IlTF1CdrFSKGIVGrcTKP7bSVrepzH1ESQnKPQ/s1600/Saying+for+blog+4c.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, am I living a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parrot</i>
life? Will I be buried with others’ whispers of animosity or words of a life
well-lived? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of years ago, I wrote another post called <a href="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com/2010/03/dash-days-wasted-or-worthwhile.html%20" target="_blank"><i style="color: blue;">Dash Days: Wasted or Worthwhile?</i></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote about that dash between the dates on one’s gravestone. In part, I wrote
this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians
is also for us. He pointed out that their “daily lives should not embarrass God
but bring joy to Him Who invited you into His Kingdom to share His glory.” (1
Thess. 2:12 TLB)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
How, then, do we make the right
decisions to honor the Lord within us? What will keep us within His safe
borders? The answer? Knowing the Lord, staying rooted in His Word, and trusting
Him to help us make the right choices.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Scripture tells us how to make our days
worthwhile through the words of Solomon, “I, Wisdom, will make the hours of
your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful” (Prov. 9:11
TLB), and Isaiah, “I shall walk carefully all my years.” (Is. 38:15b NKJV)...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
The effects of the decisions you make
in your lifetime leave telltale signs of your character, and that is what
people will remember about your dash days. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That thought prompts this thought: How do I live my life
now? What does my life say to others? What telltale memories will I be buried with?
Will others remember me as selfish or selfless? Loving or unloving? Honoring
God or honoring self?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul told the Ephesians how to live, “So live as people of
light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and
true.” (Eph. 5:8b-9 NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He also told the Colossians to “walk worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God.” (Col. 1:10 NKJV)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I fail at times but that verse is my life’s goal. May
it be your life’s goal as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* What is your life’s
goal?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* Are you living a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parrot</i> life? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">* What memories do
you wish to be buried with?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
*Twenty more posts to go!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
**Today, I’m hooking up with
the monthly blog chain through <a href="http://christianwriters.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Christianwriters.com</span></a> on the topic of “memory.”
Check out the rest of the great posts by the chain gang in the right sidebar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<a href="http://gettingdownwithjesus.com/"><img src="http://anahnauwr.smugmug.com/photos/i-ZHVkDz8/0/O/i-ZHVkDz8.png" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<br /><i><a href="http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/CEOLIVOS/onyourheart.jpg" /></a></i></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<center>
<a href="http://joyinthisjourney.com/category/memes/life-unmasked/"><img alt="Life: Unmasked" border="0" src="http://joyinthisjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/unmasked_New1501.jpg" /></a></center>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-65240925887285886872012-08-03T21:29:00.000-04:002012-08-04T10:03:51.194-04:00Hold onto Your Fork...The Best is Yet to Be!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR8K1p3NMBDav_LD9Z4BoZ3TBa0011Jl4pplpWgOfpodgg9v-FRO6X6Mpit1NMZtGVARKOzX1P0hHU_dZ3q31jXmSgMGSwjp8WuxA4CLlbWTFM4iPLHIdSfqIi1hX3dGGpgSSuX1OM30/s1600/fork+and+dessert+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR8K1p3NMBDav_LD9Z4BoZ3TBa0011Jl4pplpWgOfpodgg9v-FRO6X6Mpit1NMZtGVARKOzX1P0hHU_dZ3q31jXmSgMGSwjp8WuxA4CLlbWTFM4iPLHIdSfqIi1hX3dGGpgSSuX1OM30/s320/fork+and+dessert+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Years ago, our preacher at the time gave a sermon about a
married couple. I don’t remember the details, only the basics. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A wife had served her husband a great meal, and as she cleared
away the dishes, she announced to her husband her usual comment, “Hold onto your
fork. The best is yet to be.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the sermon, that saying stuck with me. As we were
suffering financial difficulties, I took an old fork, tied a red ribbon around
it, and hung it on my refrigerator in hopes of God’s promise of the best is yet
to be. I never removed it. It’s been there for years. It reminds me that, no
matter what the trial, heartache, or pain surrounding my life, God is still
faithful to the promises in His Word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First Kings 8:56b says, “There has not failed one word of
all His good promise.” (NKJV) Abraham knew this. He never doubted, for
scripture says he was “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also
able to perform.” (Rom. 4:21 NKJV) He held on and God fulfilled His promise to
him of the best that was yet to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even with great faith attached to it, a promise of God
sometimes stalls in its appearance because of God’s time schedule. What happens
when inactivity occurs, when a promise seems to drift farther and farther away,
when circumstances linger incessantly and patience wears thin? Are we more
concerned about the problem or God’s promise? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we hold onto that Word, as that scarlet cord of promise,
God will <i>always</i> be faithful to keep it, for the One Who breathes His promises
into our hearts will not fail to serve up the sweet ending.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever your trials might be this day, hang on to God’s
promises. Go now, find a fork, tie it up with a pretty bow, and hang it on
your refrigerator, for...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">YOUR BEST IS YET TO BE!!!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0px none ! important;" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
***Hope you don't mind a rerun! <br />
<br />
Today, I’m hooking up with...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beholdingglory.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> Beholding Glory/Grace Filled Friday</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy_r9Ir-8LgqWPT-uM05HscbWsoMPEmwV8IdMuZPJnsL4fGTg3MlJRuG7NZyYeauI4vzeRuuf2JvhzAYc4KXgsV6xTH1wJFiWnXq_2g-soJSRE3LuP42dn4p-DUuTQSffjZxYuT5PlSA/s1600/Faith+filled+Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy_r9Ir-8LgqWPT-uM05HscbWsoMPEmwV8IdMuZPJnsL4fGTg3MlJRuG7NZyYeauI4vzeRuuf2JvhzAYc4KXgsV6xTH1wJFiWnXq_2g-soJSRE3LuP42dn4p-DUuTQSffjZxYuT5PlSA/s1600/Faith+filled+Friday.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.danapittman.com/sister-to-sister/" target="_blank"><center>
<a href="http://www.danapittman.com/sister-to-sister/" target="_blank"><img height="250" src="http://www.danapittman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/dana-pittman_sister-to-sister_saturday-blog-hop.jpg
" title="Sister to Sister Blog Hop with DanaPittman.com" width="166" /></a></center>
</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-41365478695854155392012-07-30T21:53:00.000-04:002012-07-30T21:53:13.259-04:00An Embarrassing Moment Before a Crowd<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlXocqU4C9bZoK9KxanQm7K0FRRecFNbtZnv8mw3chK97xcWKPIU8-Ipu-tPISOfiHpeP_GhQeGJBdb4dPXdeqycodQIZOAks550tyOzP-Ktx9-KefBPK0-Ho5eGRnGhhvFtW70Nfb_Q/s1600/Woman+caught+in+adultery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlXocqU4C9bZoK9KxanQm7K0FRRecFNbtZnv8mw3chK97xcWKPIU8-Ipu-tPISOfiHpeP_GhQeGJBdb4dPXdeqycodQIZOAks550tyOzP-Ktx9-KefBPK0-Ho5eGRnGhhvFtW70Nfb_Q/s320/Woman+caught+in+adultery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lift the flap of the tent of time with me and we’ll peek in...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Morning is breaking on the Mount of
Olives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A gentle breeze caresses the grass, evaporating the dew. The
birds awake from their slumber with sweet songs to greet the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the horizon releases the sun, soft wisps of amber, rose,
coral, and tangerine mingle with the delicate blue sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The blush of light filters softly through the leaves of the
olive trees, pooling on the ground as ethereal stepping stones, as if welcoming
a special visitor to the seclusion and serenity of the mount. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this morning, a special visitor does come. Jesus spends
time in prayer with His Father, and, when He is finished, He leaves His beloved
mount of prayer and strolls down to the temple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People from all around fill the temple to sit in His
presence, to listen to Him teach. He sits in their midst but is halted by a rude
interruption of the Pharisees (those who are not fair-you-see) and the teachers
of the Law who thrust a woman before Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They say, “Teacher, this woman was seized in the very act of
adultery!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ripped right from her private bedroom and dragged into
public view. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Was she still naked? And how did they
find her? Did someone see her solicit her paramour? Did they peek in a window?
Did they eavesdrop? Was this a set up to trap Jesus since the male counterpart
of this tryst is missing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing there in the midst of the crowd, she hangs her head
to hide the embarrassment turning her face red. Tears fill her eyes as hatred
fills her heart. Every eye in the crowd focuses on her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These self-appointed vigilantes of virtue continue, waving rocks
clutched tightly in their fists, and bracing themselves to hurl the missiles of
death at her. “Moses’ Law says to stone her. What do you say?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah, it is a trap. In their minds, they wonder if He will let
her go, abandoning the Law, or throw the first stone, upholding the Law. They seek
no justice, merely some evidence to use against Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No answer from Jesus. Just silence. Instead of responding,
He squats down and begins writing in the dirt with His finger, ignoring their
continued questions. Is He making a list of sins? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Pharisees and teachers stand there, steaming with spite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus stands upright, looks accusingly at them all, and
commands, “Whoever has not sinned, hurl the first stone!” Again, He stoops down
and continues writing in the dirt. This time, it looks like He adds each of
their names beside the sins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Convicted by their consciences, they stumble over their own
feet as they backtrack. One by one, they slip away, as a flurry of thuds is
heard from stones hitting the ground.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Jesus straightens up this time, He sees no one but the
accused woman standing there, tears streaming down her relieved face. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Woman, where are those who accuse you? Does no one condemn
you?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looking into His loving eyes, she says, trembling, “No one,
Lord.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now, what will He say to me?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gently, He says to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, now,
and leave your life of sin.” And He smiles that glorious, forgiving smile at
her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With sighs of exoneration, she thanks Him profusely as she
turns around to leave and start a new life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you have a secret sin that would cause public humiliation
for you if others knew about it? The Lord is always waiting, ready to forgive
and pardon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus says to you, “Neither do I condemn you; go, now, and
leave your life of sin.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text1john-1-9">“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text1john-1-9">us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</span>”
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text1john-1-9">1 John 1:9 ESV</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<center>
<a href="http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/"><img alt="On In Around button" height="69" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5217906589_c7120874ca.jpg" width="308" /></a></center>
<br />
<a href="http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center -9.0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</a><center>
<a href="http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/"><br /><em></em></a><em><a href="http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/"><img src="http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/CEOLIVOS/onyourheart.jpg" /></a></em></center>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<center>
<a href="http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/ae88/jenfergie2000/BloggButton.jpg" /></a></center>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">
a2a_linkname=document.title;a2a_linkurl="http://lynnmosher.blogspot.com";
</script><script src="http://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-91995713354134974222012-07-26T21:21:00.000-04:002012-07-26T21:21:24.474-04:00Smeared Glasses<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DtszPRBCtTc_oe09MzNNf8eIUKAif9s_ImIa3zQyqofd8S0O3y_S26VAx5bcMhX8aooHf0_LoauwK9p9hPj_pJfUlQDYvy1oaOlf6L0lz8ZcETiKbJ-PImsKjrH-EXdJ_dtF-srJ4nA/s1600/Eyeglasses+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DtszPRBCtTc_oe09MzNNf8eIUKAif9s_ImIa3zQyqofd8S0O3y_S26VAx5bcMhX8aooHf0_LoauwK9p9hPj_pJfUlQDYvy1oaOlf6L0lz8ZcETiKbJ-PImsKjrH-EXdJ_dtF-srJ4nA/s320/Eyeglasses+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ackk! My glasses are dirty again! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I reach for my specially-treated, purple cloth and wipe off
the yuck. How does that stuff get there? Always amazes me that it just appears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Usually, I don’t notice that my glasses are dirty, and I
don’t realize I’m squinting. Sometimes, I get a headache. The change is so
subtle that it’s overlooked. After removing the film and spots from my glasses,
my eyes relax and I can see better. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Trapper John said to Radar on M.A.S.H, “Clean your
glasses and you’ll know where you are!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aren’t we like this spiritually? I know I am. Looking through
spiritual lenses, I don’t realize the build up of smudges, spots, and blemishes
caused by the things I say, do, see, hear, etc. Things get blurry. And get
worse. It’s like gradually drawing down a blackout shade. So imperceptible that
it isn’t detected. Until it is pitch black and I don’t know where I am!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tolerate those tiny, subtle spots and unconsciously overlook
them. I end up with a squinting spirit and instead of a headache, I develop a
heartache. And the disconnect from the Lord slowly takes place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus died for those spots and blemishes in the lives of His
Church Bride, “He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed
by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to Himself as a
glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she
will be holy and without fault.” (Eph. 5:25b-28 NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I need to ask the Lord to search me, to bring those things to
my attention of which I may be unaware or have ignored. Praying David’s prayer
would be a good start, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know
my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me
along the path of everlasting life.” (Ps. 139:23-24 NLT)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you been seeing clearly lately? If not, clean your spiritual
lenses and you’ll know where you are!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85750/lynnmosher/7777e9031a46422a4c706d928d021e18.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Hooking up today with...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<center><a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="katherines corner" border="0" src="http://i43.tinypic.com/10ft72d.jpg" /></a></center><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
...and</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Reflections of His Grace/Grace Cafe </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-J0RJw8f4mYD-eOQFXFrAwLbzVzZXYUPC-rRO_tCb2gSxgxooosnNH9tbALgrclWOkGeEwc15V0xwocTOWXIXiNW582Y3yxDL8731hNqpvMBiuYUjDeyCCu5huDYlRBw-UsyGYAzgOQ/s1600/Grace+Cafe.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-J0RJw8f4mYD-eOQFXFrAwLbzVzZXYUPC-rRO_tCb2gSxgxooosnNH9tbALgrclWOkGeEwc15V0xwocTOWXIXiNW582Y3yxDL8731hNqpvMBiuYUjDeyCCu5huDYlRBw-UsyGYAzgOQ/s1600/Grace+Cafe.bmp" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a class="a2a_dd" href="http://www.addtoany.com/share_save?linkname=&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Flynnmosher.blogspot.com"><img alt="Share/Save/Bookmark" border="0" height="16" src="http://static.addtoany.com/buttons/share_save_171_16.png" width="171" /></a><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-62363677029497811192012-07-23T11:37:00.001-04:002012-07-23T11:37:39.093-04:00Are You Suffering from Wilderness Fatigue?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlMNuwAoqOKEkxXNdT5oVDLMtoeQXho9jbO0zEII9A6I0ZqaQZU8NPEOp6u1mOQTeyzcHTqN3sFRckYh5FVJWpJgjfhjRmA-Y4JJRJsqSCv_67ycRHCqOtmmywJ_thUYdDeoooKdz4S8/s1600/Wilderness+5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlMNuwAoqOKEkxXNdT5oVDLMtoeQXho9jbO0zEII9A6I0ZqaQZU8NPEOp6u1mOQTeyzcHTqN3sFRckYh5FVJWpJgjfhjRmA-Y4JJRJsqSCv_67ycRHCqOtmmywJ_thUYdDeoooKdz4S8/s320/Wilderness+5b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out of work.</div>
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Loss of insurance.</div>
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Temperatures soar.</div>
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Bankruptcies abound.</div>
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Foreclosures proliferate. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Things are drying up all around. Feels like the hot sands of
the Sahara sometimes, doesn’t it?</div>
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<br /></div>
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What drives you into the desert? What vehicle takes you for
a spin to the backside of the wilderness? No, I don’t mean an SUV, bus, or
pickup truck. Circumstances, doubts, fears, and disobedience drive us there.
However, some of us use a dump truck! </div>
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Moses sinned by killing an Egyptian and fear of death drove
him to the wilderness. And for forty years, Moses “kept the flock of Jethro his
father in law, the priest of Midian.” One day, “he led the flock to the
backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God,
even to Horeb.” (Ex. 3:1 KJV)</div>
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Let’s look at that for a moment. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kept</i> in Hebrew
means to shepherd, to tend a flock or pasture it, to graze, to rule, to
associate with (as a friend), to be companions, or to be a special friend.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The meaning of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">led</i>
is to drive forth (a person, an animal, or chariot), lead, carry away, proceed,
and so on. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wilderness</i>
means a pasture, open field, desert, uninhabited land, mouth, and speech. Its
root word means to arrange, to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn,
sing, talk, teach, tell, utter, etc.</div>
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Mount Horeb is in the Sinai Peninsula.
In Hebrew, Horeb means a dry, wasted, and desolate land. So, why did Moses take
the flock there to pasture them? And if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kept</i>
means to graze, then there must have been fodder for the flock to feed on.</div>
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We know for sure there was a little growth…a bush.</div>
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While Moses was there, an angel of the Lord appeared to him
in that bush appearing to be on fire. Moses purposely drew near the flare of
this non-burning bush. After calling Moses by name, God spoke to him.</div>
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Hmmm…in the wilderness, a dry place where God communes.
There, God told Moses His plan for him and encouraged him, “I will certainly be
with you.” (Ex. 3:12 TLB)</div>
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Years later, Moses, speaking of Jacob, said God “found him [Jacob]
in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him,
He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.” (Deut. 32:10 NKJV) </div>
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God met Jacob in the wilderness, encircled him, guarding him
from danger, taught him, and watched over him as the little man (reflection) of
His eye. And He will do the same for each one of us when we are in our own
wilderness, whether self-imposed or otherwise.</div>
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<br /></div>
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* Have your circumstances created your own private
wilderness? </div>
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* Have you run to the wilderness to escape the consequences
of something you’ve done?</div>
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* Have you been wondering around in it so long that fatigue and thirst
have set in? </div>
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* How long has it been? Two weeks, two months, two years? Or
maybe it’s been twenty or even forty years like Moses?</div>
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* While in that barren place, do you hear the Lord? </div>
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* Do you listen to His plan and purpose for your life? </div>
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<br /></div>
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There is a bush burning in the midst of your situation. God’s
presence burns to commune with you. Purposely turn aside from your distress and
draw near to the Lord. Tune out the frazzled racket of the world to hear those
sweet whispers of heaven. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hidden in that wilderness are the words of comfort you so
long to hear. God will give you springs of living water for which you have long
been thirsty. <span style="color: black;">He </span>“will even make a road in the
wilderness <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> rivers in the
desert.” (Is. 43:19 NKJV)</div>
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<br /></div>
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He will encircle you with His love, guard you with His
strong arms, teach you, and keep His watchful eye on you, never letting you out
of His sight. </div>
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<br /></div>
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That living hope He imparts is greater than your
circumstances, greater than your depression, greater than your grief, greater
than your debt, greater than your yourself.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Lord is with you, no matter how dark or how dry your
situation becomes. </div>
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<br /></div>
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If you are suffering from wilderness fatigue, I pray you
find that peaceful, resting place of encouragement and thirst-quenching in the
midst of your circumstances. May you know God’s encircling, His protection, His
teaching, and His watchful eye upon you.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81B7WW-xoZXYOExdgjFsjAwo6I8R2340gL6Fi2Z5ecyQKIf3Pihn1eXFMrgM5QxnTaGRPDFfi3CZnYkeuxaOvzTCUMsJZMFN8EMxm-RR7QTxtfuJI_C6j-j69LO2F97SybIqIswBbRPo/s1600/Jesus+transfiguration+2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81B7WW-xoZXYOExdgjFsjAwo6I8R2340gL6Fi2Z5ecyQKIf3Pihn1eXFMrgM5QxnTaGRPDFfi3CZnYkeuxaOvzTCUMsJZMFN8EMxm-RR7QTxtfuJI_C6j-j69LO2F97SybIqIswBbRPo/s320/Jesus+transfiguration+2d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where:</b> The mountaintop.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Who:</b> The lucky
three: Peter, James, and John. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What:</b> Jesus leads
the three on a climb up the mountainside. </div>
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A climb that will change their lives forever.</div>
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They trudge their way through trees and rocks hundreds of
feet up the lofty mountain, a long and arduous climb. The men labor to breath;
their lungs work overtime. Small beads of sweat expand into streamlets emptying
into their beards. Their leg muscles feel heavy and begin to burn. </div>
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Each step puts more distance behind them and the swarming
crowds, the hypocritical Pharisees, and the demands on Jesus. </div>
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Yet, in their climb, they enjoy softly brushed clouds
against a swash of blue sky, a cooler temperature, and the fresh smell of pine
trees.</div>
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Finally reaching the top, they sit down to rest and allow
the gentle breeze to refresh them as they look out on the remote valley below
them. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Jesus falls to His knees to pray. The disciples follow His
posture, but tired from the strenuous climb, they fall asleep.</div>
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As Jesus prays, His appearance alters. A divine radiance transfigures
Jesus, as if heaven has sent blazing rays of firebolts to shoot out from Him.
His face glows with a dazzling luster, shining as the light of a torch; His
robe glistens with an ethereal white.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Awakened by the blinding light, the men shield their eyes,
not believing what they see. Pinching themselves, they murmur, “Is this a
vision? Are we still asleep?”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a privileged sight for the three disciples! Privileged
to see the glory that has been pulsing within Jesus’ human form, now bursting
forth from its concealment. In that aurora of light, all else fades into a
vaporous void - trees, rocks, grass, all blanched by the glory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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But what’s this? Squinting and rubbing their eyes, they see
Moses and Elijah standing and talking with Jesus. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Moses, the representation of the Law.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 1.0in; margin-top: 0in;">
Elijah, the representation of the
prophets.</div>
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Jesus, standing between them, the
fulfillment of both. </div>
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Oh, how He must have wanted to go back
to heaven with them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But Peter...always the impulsive Peter...sullies this
hallowed moment by blurting out, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If
you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah.” (Matt. 17:4 NLT)</div>
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But as he speaks, a luminous cloud overshadows them in a
haze of brightness, encompassing all of them. </div>
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A mighty voice booms out of the cloud, “This is My beloved
Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 17:5a NKJV)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The resonance of the voice cleaves through the rarefied air.
The mountain quakes. The disciples slump to the ground as if struck by a bolt
of lightning. Too terrified to look up.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, the voice, “Hear Him!” (Matt. 17:5b NKJV) And it was
gone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus draws near in compassion and touches them. They feel
that familiar gentle and reassuring hand on their shoulders, “Get up; don’t be
frightened.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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When they look up, there is no Moses. There is no Elijah. No
more bright cloud. Just Jesus, as He’s always been. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Still in a daze, they descend the mount of glory to the
valley of what is to come. On their way down, Jesus says, “Do not mention to
anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
(Matt. 17:9 Amp)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those two words, spoken in glory, echo throughout eternity,
to all generations to follow, “Hear Him!”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What about us today? When the Lord leads us to the top of
the mount of circumstance, to look out over the reality in the valley below...</div>
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<br /></div>
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* Do we follow Jesus’ example and pray or do we fall asleep?
</div>
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* Do we enjoy the climb, or do we complain with every step? </div>
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* Does the climb change our lives forever?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Do we listen to the Lord’s voice and consider what He
says? Or does a lightning bolt have to strike us before we will listen? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In your life, do you ever climb with Jesus? What pales in
the light of Christ? Do you hear Him? </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span> </span></div>
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<span>Today, I am hooking up with... </span></div>
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<center>Reflections of His Grace/Grace Cafe</center> <br /><br />
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Have you ever done the chicken dance at a wedding reception?
</div>
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If so, you got out on that special foundation installed just
for dancing. You scheduled time just to be there. No, not to do the chicken
dance but to attend the wedding and reception. Why? To share in the joyous occasion
of celebrating the marriage, right? You made time to celebrate. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What inspires and excites us to praise the Lord and dance
before Him? Do we wait for special occasions, or do we schedule time to
celebrate our relationship with our Beloved Bridegroom? And on what do we dance?
The fragile fabrication the world offers or the firm foundation God gives us?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ is our Rock, our Foundation; therefore, our hearts
rejoice and dance on that firm footing of faith in Him and the truths in God’s
Word. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are times for dancing, times for celebrating, as the
author of Ecclesiastes tells us, “A time to laugh...A time to dance.” (Eccl.
3:4 TLB) Oh, we love to dance when there’s a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> reason to celebrate, like times of triumph and happiness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We love to “trip the light fantastic,” as the saying goes.
We frolic light-footed and graceful on the peak of gaiety, but what about those
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other</i> times in our lives, those times
when our hearts suffer the pangs of trials and heartaches? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the Bible says, there is also “A time to weep...A time to
mourn.” (Eccl. 3:4 NKJV) But sometimes in our mourning, rather than pirouetting
in twirls of glee that the Lord is with us, we spiral down into a valley of
gloominess and our dancing feet feel like they are made of lead weights.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In those times of heartache, God will revive us, just as He
told Israel
through Jeremiah, “I will rebuild you...You will again be happy and dance
merrily with your tambourines.” (Jer. 31:4 NLT) </div>
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In one of those times in David’s life, he rejoiced in the
Lord, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my
sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” (Ps. 30:11 NKJV)</div>
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<span class="textps-68-3">Another time, he said, “But let
righteous people rejoice. Let them celebrate in God’s presence. Let them
overflow with joy.”</span> (Ps. 68:3 <span class="textps-68-3">GW)</span></div>
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Do you set aside other activities and schedule time to be in
the Lord’s presence to praise Him and celebrate with Him? Do you enjoy dancing
with your Beloved Bridegroom?</div>
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Just think: when we get to heaven, we’ll dance with Him on
that eternal foundation, those streets of gold. There’s a song our church loves
to sing called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We Will Dance</i>. It
always gives me goosebumps. If you’ve never heard it, I hope you’ll listen to
it.</div>
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<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Sing a song of celebration, lift up a shout of praise</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">For the Bridegroom will come the glorious one...</span></pre>
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rfjT-R17qck" width="420"></iframe></center></div>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We will dance on the streets that are golden,</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The glorious bride and the great Son of man;</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">From ev’ry tongue and tribe and nation</span></pre>
<pre style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We’ll join in the song of the Lamb.</span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></pre>
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Bride, your
Bridegroom waits to dance with you!</div>
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* Today, I celebrate, with my
hubby, our 46<sup> </sup>th wedding anniversary. Thank you, my dear sweet one,
for every year. I love you!</div>
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** This post is part of the
monthly Christianwriters.com blog chain. This month’s topic is celebrate.
Please check out the other great posts in the right sidebar. </div>
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</script></div>lynnmosherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05150393635514942267noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050928059293791369.post-80670331263243659422012-07-10T21:17:00.000-04:002012-07-11T09:20:32.152-04:00Digging Up Graves!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5pcJX28vx_VtFHw6iFuZulr1uaDGd6NWosPXI-9gDMEi6Sh2kRHlzGBj_XiV9SfvPXt8TCEnFXp7AlT2QdRzF-O6vdF8UF2ywThOlQebkzbEimLYEecRSk2-Kvon7pkFpC1TSn5ou4I/s1600/Dig+hole+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5pcJX28vx_VtFHw6iFuZulr1uaDGd6NWosPXI-9gDMEi6Sh2kRHlzGBj_XiV9SfvPXt8TCEnFXp7AlT2QdRzF-O6vdF8UF2ywThOlQebkzbEimLYEecRSk2-Kvon7pkFpC1TSn5ou4I/s320/Dig+hole+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>“For you died, and
your life is hidden with Christ in God.”</b></div>
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(Col. 3:3 NKJV)</div>
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I died! </div>
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Yup. I died. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The old self? Buried.
Left behind. Forgotten.</b></div>
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“My old self has been crucified with Christ.” (Gal. 2:20a
NLT)</div>
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Calvary’s cross lays atop
that grave of the old me and I’ve said toodles!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The new me? Alive and
hidden in Christ. </b></div>
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“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I
live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20b NLT)</div>
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And if you are in Christ, your old self is dead and buried
also, right? “Your old, evil nature died with Him and was buried with Him.” (Col.
2:12 TLB)</div>
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Therefore, you and I are “a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV), because “Those
who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful
nature to His cross and crucified them there.” (Gal. 5:24 NLT) </div>
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But are we content to leave well enough alone? Nooooooo! We
have to go get our handy-dandy, Lowe’s special, heavy duty, grave-diggin’
shovel and dig up our old selves again because self wants to come out and play.
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oh, we welcome that
rugged cross to rest upon our sins, but we won’t let it rest upon our nature. </b></div>
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Paul assures us through his letter to the Roman church “that
our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away
with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” (Rom. 6:6 NKJV) </div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9050928059293791369" name="OLE_LINK27"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9050928059293791369" name="OLE_LINK26"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But watch
out! That old man likes to be dug up! </b></a></div>
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Unfortunately, after becoming a new creation in
Christ, that old man has a stubborn propensity for raising his ugly head and
yoo-hooing us from the grave. He likes to dangle his friends...impure thoughts,
words, attitudes, sights, and feelings...right before our eyes. </div>
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And what do we do? </div>
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Yup. We reach for the shovel handle and start
digging to accommodate him!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Then, we
find ourselves saying...</b></div>
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“Well, halllloooo there, old pal negative
attitude!” </div>
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“Howdy there, pardner selfishness!” </div>
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“Welcome back, ol’ addiction!”</div>
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“Glad to see ya, lust!”</div>
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But if “The Spirit of God, who
raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you,” then, “dear brothers and sisters,
you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to
do.” (Rom.
8:11a, 12 NLT) Because “now you are free from your old master, sin” (Rom. 6:18
TLB), so “let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what
your sinful nature craves.” (Gal. 5:16 NLT)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Therefore, no more reaching
for the shovel! No more grave digging!</b></div>
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And “That means you must not give sin a vote in the way you
conduct your lives. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t even run little
errands that are connected with that old way of life. Throw yourselves
wholeheartedly and full-time—remember, you’ve been raised from the dead!—into
God’s way of doing things. Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re
not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of
God.” (Rom.
6:<span class="textrom-6-12-rom-6-14">12-14 Msg)</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do you have a
handy-dandy, Lowe’s special, heavy duty, grave-diggin’ shovel?</b></div>
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