tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72138837879605567142024-03-05T09:29:59.773-08:00Thoughts of a Mind GrowingLife is a journey.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-23438938786342701682010-11-30T08:34:00.000-08:002010-11-30T08:39:49.639-08:00On Rehearsing Regrets.<!--StartFragment--> <div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">How often do we chain ourselves down with the “doh”s of life? I cannot even begin to count how many times my palm has made contact with my forehead in the gesture of disbelief and shame at my own actions. I can’t believe I said that. I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe I believed that…after the initial doh comes the haunting. The late night recollections of all the errors I’ve made, all the people I’ve hurt, all the friendships I’ve damaged, and even the pain I’ve caused myself because of regrettable actions.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It can get weighty. Carrying around all you should have done, and bearing the weight of all that you shouldn’t have done. Like vines choking off a tree, so too can these regrets choke the vitality out of you—if fed. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We are told that if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). Yet, we are so reluctant to forgive ourselves. I know that I have often beat myself up over things that I have repented of years ago, yet I still regret that I ever was at a point of immaturity that I did such a thing. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In doing so, I waste so much energy looking back at all my failures. It drains me of energy and depletes my confidence, so much so that I have no strength or motivation to look forward in life. This very truth is enough to convince me that it is not God behind the nagging in the back of my mind about how I messed up and how I should have done this or that differently. These thoughts PREVENT me from doing his work, and who would want that? Certainly not God, but it would suit the devil just fine if he can convince us all that we are so terrible that we cannot be trusted to do God’s work, therefore we should just leave it to “someone else”. If everyone becomes convinced, nothing will get done. How convenient for the devil. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, though I do struggle, I challenge you to make things difficult for the devil. Serve the Lord in your brokenness, and allow him to equip and grow you. You don’t have to have it right today, or tomorrow, or the next day. Life is a continual journey of growth, and being such, each day we will see that some of our actions from the day before were not all that they should be, that we were not all that we should be, but God CALLED us, he wants a relationship with us. He could use the trees, the rocks, the sky to do his work, yet he wants it to be you. He wants it to be me. He loves us and wants us to be co-workers with Him in spreading the word of His love. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, I say; </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energy on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13 NLT) </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m going to fight the temptation to pour too much of my energy into what I failed at in the past, instead praying for the strength, wisdom, knowledge, and courage to move forward—living for Christ and growing in Him. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></p> </div> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:21.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Isaiah 43</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Israel’s Only Savior</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But now, this is what the LORD says— </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> he who created you, Jacob, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> he who formed you, Israel: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I have summoned you by name; you are mine. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When you pass through the waters, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I will be with you; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and when you pass through the rivers, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> they will not sweep over you. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When you walk through the fire, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> you will not be burned; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> the flames will not set you ablaze. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">3</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For I am the LORD your God, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I give Egypt for your ransom, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Cush</span></span></span><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi- font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></u><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and Seba in your stead. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">4</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Since </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you are precious and honored in my sight</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and because </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I love you</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I will give people in exchange for you, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> nations in exchange for your life. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">5</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Do not be afraid, for I am with you</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">; </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I will bring your children from the east </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and gather you from the west. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">6</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Bring my sons from afar </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and my daughters from the ends of the earth— </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">7</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> everyone who is called by my name, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> whom I created for my glory, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> whom I formed and made.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">8</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">9</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> All the nations gather together </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">10</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">11</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">12</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">13</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">14</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> This is what the LORD says— </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“For your sake I will send to Babylon </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">15</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I am the LORD, your Holy One, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Israel’s Creator, your King.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">16</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">17</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">18</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> “</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">19</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">See, I am doing a new thing!</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">20</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">21</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">22</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></sup><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">me, Israel. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">23</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">24</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">25</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">26</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">27</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">28</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-17017331398269839052010-11-29T12:27:00.000-08:002010-11-29T17:50:22.934-08:00On Having Superpowers.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 13px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:9px;"><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It is my belief that every little kid, at some point, imagines being big and powerful, having special powers, and being able to change the world—at least their world—for the better. These are the childhood fantasies that lead to scraped knees, bruised arms, and broken bones. We are let down by what be believe will give us these magic powers. That sheet around your neck doesn’t make you fly, nor does it even help break your fall. That wand in your hand doesn’t freeze your angry neighbor kid into a block of ice, but your taking the time to point it at them and say your magic words gives them enough time to kick you in the shins. Correct me if I’m wrong, but we’ve all day dreamed special powers and played pretend as a child. Searching for that magic power, that source of strength, that will allow us to save the world!</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For Popeye, it was spinach, for Green Lantern it was his Ring, for Superman the sun. Batman relied on himself, and his own resourcefulness. A lot of times we try to find our power in things external. If we eat a certain way, we’ll be so powerful, able to change and win the world over. If we just try harder, study more, stay in school longer, we can do it on our own. We buy things, make things, covet things that we believe will give us more strength and power to change things in this world. More money, more status, more things.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yet, we so often feel so empty and weak. We try to change things—even just for ourselves, and fail miserably. It is like we’re Superman with Kryptonite tied around our necks. Instead of gaining more power and strength, we get weaker and weaker. Our world gets more out of control. The enemies we work so hard to keep at bay, fear, loneliness, shame, regret, etc., grow stronger and stronger as our strength diminishes.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We do have super powers—beyond measure. We’re just tapping all the wrong sources. In John 12:14 Jesus says, </span></span><strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father</span></span></em></strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, just think on the life of Jesus—think of all that he did on earth, and this verse declares that we will do greater things. How? Well Jesus, in the same chapter in verses 10 and 11 says that the Father dwells in Him, and He in the Father. The source of power is there, in our relationship with the Father. This verse also tells us how we use the power to bring about change. It says in verses 13 and 14 that whatever we ask in His name, that brings Glory to the Father, he will do. So, our strength is not our own, it comes from the Father and our relationship with him, and we can change the world by asking for things according to His will. His loving, infinitely wise, will.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So next time you’re feeling helpless and weak, remember you do have superpowers. You just have to daily dedicate yourself to improving your relationship with the Father, claim the promises, and surrender all your attempts and searching for strength anywhere other than at the feet of Christ (sounds easy, right? J It’s not always…but it is worth it). Nothing is impossible with God, and the one who created the universe longs to bless you and strengthen you. He thinks of YOU. So, seek Him. Seek his kingdom, and live boldly as one with superpowers on your side.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God." 2 Cor. 10:3-5a</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class=" fbUnderline" style="text-decoration: underline; "><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A Few Verses on the Source of our Strength:</span></span></strong></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Exodus 15:2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> “The LORD is my </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and my defense ; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Exodus 15:13</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> you will guide them to your holy dwelling.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Deuteronomy 8:</span></span></strong><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></strong><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">17</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">18</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2 Samuel 22:33</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> It is God who arms me with </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and keeps my way secure.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Isaiah 41:10 </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Isaiah 45:24</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone are deliverance and</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Isaiah 58:11 T</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">he LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">en</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.</span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style=" text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1 Peter 4:11</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the</span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">strength</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.</span></span></p></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-13762925015039126942010-11-29T12:26:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:27:17.869-08:00On Growing Up.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Growth.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The spring winds blow, and like a shower whirly seeds spiral down from their places high up in the branches of the Maple tree. They fall on the road, the roof, and the soil. Soon the spring showers follow, gentle and long. The whirly seeds are torn and battered, they begin to rot away, but from within them springs forth growth. No, not the day they fell, not while the seeds were being scattered, but after they were watered and the seed’s shell itself broke and gave way to the growth that was occurring within.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We have much in common with these little seeds, yet we have one advantage over them—we can come to the water source ourselves and ask for him to Grow us, water us and tend us.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">However, we must be aware that growth requires brokenness first—a casting off of masks, a surrendering of our battle stance, an acknowledgment of our inability to do it on our own. Sometimes it takes a good long look in the mirror, to realize our incompleteness. The simple truth is, if nothing changes…nothing will change. We have to be broken in order to grow, in order to be made whole.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I have often prayed the prayer, asking for God to grow me so that I produce the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). You know how we grow in those things? By being tested in those areas. If I ask for more patience, my patience will be tested so that I may grow in patience. If I ask for joy, I will be challenged to find joy in the midst of gloom. Joy is easy when all in life is well, it’s when the clouds roll in that you learn if you have the fruit of joy.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Just as the whirly Maple seed did not bring forth life the moment it fell, so our growth may be slow. God is gracious enough to bear with us, loving us, tending us, as we have to be broken time after time (often because of things of our own doing) because we have failed to learn the lesson we need to learn in order to grow and eventually bear fruit.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Some plants, once sprouted grow faster than others. Did you know that some varieties of bamboo can grow approximately a meter a day? Also, were you aware that the Saguaro Cactus can take up to upward from 40-75 years to mature enough to have it’s first branch or produce it’s first bud? Do you know what determines this rate? It largely depends on the precipitation the plant receives as it grows.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What hope, then can we find in this, while we go through a storm of chaos in order to become peaceful? We can know that God doesn’t give up on us, and that he is with us, let him water you, let him give your broken spirit birth to good fruit. </span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-21461191611259470232010-11-29T12:25:00.001-08:002010-11-29T12:26:02.734-08:00On "The List".<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 13px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:9px;"><p face="'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif" size="11px" style=" line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px; line-height: 13px; "></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Girls often have, what is termed shortly, “the list”. It is a list of qualities a man must possess in order to win her heart—or at least that is the ideal she has in mind as she writes it.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This may sound like a most excellent idea, if you have a list, you will not settle for less than your perfect match, right? It will limit the playing field down so that you do not waste your time or emotions where your happiness will not be found, or so I was told when I was encouraged to write mine.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I have found it to be quite the opposite. It, though specific to the point of being laughable, created false positive matches. Yes, there will be more than one guy who fulfills the list. And if you so believe that it will whittle down the choices to one, you take the risk of believing you have found the one—multiple times.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Also, I discovered that one “side effect” of the list is an increased “other” focus—looking and evaluating others, looking for strengths and weaknesses [going down the checklist, ticking off all the favorable qualities]. This side effect seemed to result in self-blindness.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Now, some of you may say—aren’t we supposed to be other-focused and not focus on ourselves? Yes, when it comes to love and nurture, guidance and care—but this wasn’t that. This was pointing out the speck in my brothers’ eyes while ignoring the plank in my own sort of “other-focused”. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You know what the whole thing ended up resulting in? Me feeling utterly lost. I didn’t know myself as well as I should. I was praying to God what would be the perfect guy for me as if I knew better than He? I was wandering around purposeless, holding on the dream of finding my purpose…..in a perfect match.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What is a perfect match? Who would be my perfect match. That’s how I looked at the world, if I am really honest with myself. I had very good intentions, they were just incomplete and lacking of a certain degree of maturity.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">See, I was uncomfortable making a list of expectations and traits I was looking for in a man, without making sure I was up to the standards I was holding for the guy. No, I’m not saying you have to be a clone of your ideal guy, that would be boring and weird. Let me, for this instance, take a shallow example. One of the things on my list is that I want a guy who is musical. I, however, considerably lack musical talent. If you ask me to sing, you’ll only do it once. Trust me. However, I love listening to people play music, to express themselves through song. It speaks to something inside me, and moves me. However, in the list making for yourself, one must be careful what your motives are behind each item.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I want to learn to play an instrument. So when I can afford to do so [and the time is right], I will take lessons. This is where the list can throw you off, once again. I could take lessons in order to make myself desirable to a guy who is musical, and this would be a derailment.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In other words, I should not make myself into a musical person to get a musical man. Nor I should I pray for the sake of winning the heart of a praying man.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">One further question, since when do we earn love? Going through your list becoming the things on it so that you may get a person with those qualities supposes that you can earn love. I believe God is the ultimate example of Love, and what can we do to earn his love? Nothing, it’s a gift. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Now, I need you to catch this. I’m not saying living up to those standards is wrong. It’s the motives behind them that make the difference. I should pursue music because it gives voice to that deep place within me, because it provides yet another way to praise my Lord and bring glory to his name; and prayer must be an expression of our heart, more specifically our heart for God and his people. Not for just one of his people.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Instead, I would urge you to work on your relationship with God. Let the relationship with HIM change you and make you long to be a better you, because you love HIM endlessly. That way, who you are, who you become, will be matched with someone who is on the same journey toward God. This will result in you finding a match, maybe not who meets your every minute specification and preference, but one whom is headed the same way as you. And thus, your relationship can become a ministry to others built on true devotion to God, and a solid identity forged by the intimate relationship you have with HIM.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I still consider a list, of sorts, to some degree. Men and women, read the ones for your gender and see if that is where you are or where you are headed because of a true and passionate love for God.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Women, is this woman you? </span></span><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her. (-UNKNOWN)</span></span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">" Men, is this where you are looking for a woman? </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">To all:</span></span></strong></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> (Consider; are you these things? Do you possess the following traits? Do you honestly want to be these things because of your great Love for Christ?)</span></span></strong></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Galatians 5:22-23</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.</span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Matthew 26:41</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Corinthians 7: 33-35</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Corinthians 11:8-9,11-12</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man..... In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ephesians 5:21-28</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">21</span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.</span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">22-24</span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Wives, </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">25-28</span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Husbands, </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 4:23-27</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or left; Remove your foot from evil.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Spirit filled:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ephesians 5:</span></span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">18</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">God is number 1:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Mark 12:30</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">30</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a]</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Broken (of self) rely fully on God:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Philippians 4: 13</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I can do all this through him who gives me strength.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Faithful:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Corinthians 4:2</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ministry Minded: Concerned about lost souls:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">14</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Caring:</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Galatians 6:2</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">A disciple (both a teacher and the one taught):</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Matthew 28:19-20</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">19</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">20</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Prayerful:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Colossians 4:2</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Put others before self:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Philippians 2:3-4</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">3</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">4</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Finds joy in the Lord:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">John 15:11</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">11</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Pursue proper and peaceful relationships:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Hebrews 12:14</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">14</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Finds peace in God and waits for God’s timing:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Psalm 37:7a</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">7</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Kind and Compassionate, emotionally sensitive:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ephesians 4:32</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">32</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Colossians 3:12</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">12</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">To Women:</span></span></strong></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The book of Esther</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The book of Ruth</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 31 (select verses, see below)</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Peter 3:</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">3</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">4</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Rather, 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. </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">5</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">To Men:</span></span></strong></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Chronicles 28:9</span></span></strong></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">And you, my son [insert your name], acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 20:6</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 17:27</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 29:23</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.</span></span></li><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1 Timothy 5:8</span></span></strong></li><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "></strong></span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><ul style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; "><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 25:28</span></span></strong></li><li style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.</span></span></li></ul><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 31:</span></span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 31 </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(For men, Leaders, and all)</span></span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">2</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">3</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Do not spend your strength<span> [or wealth] </span>on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">4</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> It is not for kings, [insert name] — it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">5</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">6</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">7</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">8</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">9</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "></strong></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-decoration: underline; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Proverbs 31 </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(For Women)</span></span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The Wife of Noble Character</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">10</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> A wife of noble character who can find?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She is worth far more than rubies.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">11</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Her husband has full confidence in her</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and lacks nothing of value.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">12</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She brings him good, not harm,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> all the days of her life.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">20</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She opens her arms to the poor</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and extends her hands to the needy.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">21</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> When it snows, she has no fear for her household;</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> for all of them are clothed in scarlet.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">23</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Her husband is respected at the city gate,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">25</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She is clothed with strength and dignity;</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> she can laugh at the days to come.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">26</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She speaks with wisdom,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and faithful instruction is on her tongue.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">27</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She watches over the affairs of her household</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and does not eat the bread of idleness.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">28</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Her children arise and call her blessed;</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> her husband also, and he praises her:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">29</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> “Many women do noble things,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> but you surpass them all.”</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">30</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">31</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Honor her for all that her hands have done,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-33435107729801579842010-11-29T12:22:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:24:08.613-08:00On Growing Roots.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; ">The Oak and the Amaryllis</strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">by Rebecca Turk</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><blockquote style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); color: rgb(128, 128, 128); "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. Col. 2:7</p></blockquote><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The warming spring sun awakens life beneath the earth’s surface. Two tender shoots break free of the binds of the winter hardened soil. Faces lifted to the sun, they make their introductions.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Hi, my name is Amaryllis. What is yours?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’m oak. What will you be?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’ll be a glorious flower, elegant beyond words. What about</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don’t know, I’ve never done this before. Last year I was</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">an acorn.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You’re very little, Oak.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So are you, Amaryllis.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Gentle showers began to fall on both the Oak and the Amaryllis.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Oak, you’ve lost one of your leaves. You’re too tender, too</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">weak. You’ll never make it if even the rain breaks you down. Look at me, see how fast I’m growing, see how thick my stem is?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The rain cannot touch me.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For a moment Oak became discouraged, maybe he would never be anything grand. He certainly hadn’t grown as much as the Amaryllis had. In fact, he was half as tall and about a forth as wide as the Amaryllis was.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">A month past, the weather was mostly fair, but when it did storm, Oak always seemed to take the greater damage. But within him, beneath the surface, he had a hope he couldn’t explain. He felt that there was more to this story than what met the eye.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Amaryllis was now very tall, at the top of her long slender stem was a bud growing nigh to unfolding. She was beautiful already and she had not yet bloomed.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ammy, how come you’re so beautiful? How did you grow</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">so fast?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Oak, I just am made more beautiful than an oak. I grow</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">faster, so that people can see my lovely flower without</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">having to wait so long.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Yeah…I suppose you’re right.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The next morning as the sun began to filter down upon the two, Oak opened his eyes to see a spectacular sight of color and elegance. The petals of Amaryllis’ flower had opened.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Wow!</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I know. I’m beautiful--so tall and elegant.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Amaryllis, I feel the wind blowing my tiny leaf. I think it is</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">about to storm.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It is. You better take care to stay safe. You’re so little.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">That night it rained and rained. Oak lost his other leaf. He was now nothing but stem. Amaryllis faired better that night, she only took a small tear to one of her petals.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Oak, you really must grow faster, or you’ll never survive</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">these rains.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’m trying, but I’m not seeing anything change. I’m not</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">pretty, I don’t even have my leaves anymore!</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I feel the wind moving in again, the sky is growing dark. I</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">don’t know what else you have left to loose…if this is the</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">last time we talk, I’ll miss you Oak.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Oak’s tiny heart was heavy, he was consumed with the fear of what this storm may do to him. How did Amaryllis have such confidence? How was it fair that she had grown so tall, so thick stemmed, and beautiful in the time it took him to barely make his presence known on earth.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The night was long, Oak’s tiny boughs bent. Extreme pain was sent through him as he was forced downward, the rain so heavy he couldn’t even see Amaryllis next to him.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When morning came it revealed the damage—many of plants around them had not survived the night. A grown poplar tree was lying on the ground, splintered.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">And then there was Amaryllis…Her glory lay wilted and rain battered on the ground.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ammy! Are you alive?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Yes, Oak. I am—but I just don’t understand. I was made to</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">grow tall, I had a strong stem, and I was so beautiful. How</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">do you still stand?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don’t know. I’m sorry your flower broke off.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I am too, but I’m still taller than you--my stem is still thick.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The rains gave way to summer heat. The ground grew hard and scorched. Oak had not grown any new leaves since loosing them, and Amaryllis still stood tall, though broken.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’m thirsty, Oak.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’m hot and burned, too. It’s miserable.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I’m turning brown.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I </span></span><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">am</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> brown.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">No oak--I’m sick. I’ve been thirsty too long.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Sink your roots down into the water reserve from the</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">previous rains.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">My roots are as far as they will go. I will soon die, but I’ll</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">be back next year.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Will I also die?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don’t know. We will have to wait and see.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">A few days passed and Amaryllis began to look less and less like the beautiful, tall, thick stemmed flower of elegance that she had once been and more like a dried, twisted, hallow shadow of her former self.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Ammy? Are you going to make it?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">No, Oak. I won’t. This is going to have to be our goodbye.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">With that Oak watched the last of the green fade from Amaryllis’ leaves and stem. While alone Oak had much time to reflect and look around, he noticed something he had not before. About 100 feet away stood a mighty tree with branches that spread, as wide, he guessed, as the tree was tall.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Great Tree, why did Amaryllis die and I survive?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You survived because your roots sink much deeper into the</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">life giving reserves of water.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">But Amaryllis was so beautiful. She grew so quickly. She</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">was so tall.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Amaryllis spent her energy to grow upward, your energy</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">was well spent sinking your roots downward. They will</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">sustain you through the drought and keep you anchored in</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">the storm.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The season continued on, and Oak grew a little. He even grew two tiny new leaves. The rain began to fall again, and he wasn’t so scared of the rain anymore. He had survived it before--he would survive again. The wind grew colder, and his leaves began to change color. At first it scared him, but then he saw some beauty in it. One day the wind began to blow and his two tiny yellow leaves blew off of him and floated away.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Great Tree, my leaves are gone. I have nothing left. You </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">have your height and breadth; I am just a tiny sapling.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Be still, Oak. Your time will come.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Wha—what’s that supposed to mean?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You will see.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Oak felt all within him begin to grow still. He feared that this was what it felt like to die. Was he dying? All he knew is that he was very tired. He fell into a deep slumber, without ever coming to any conclusion on what the Great Tree meant…nor knowing if this was the end of his tale.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The winter winds blew around Oak’s cold, leafless, tiny trunk, and all was still within.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">After months of nothing but winter, it began to rain again. The rain was warm, and slowly Oak began to feel life restored. He opened his eyes one morning to see the sun shining bright.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Wh-ere am I? Oh, I’m still here…and I look the same.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Just wait.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Came the reply from the Great Tree.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The days grew gradually warmer and soon Oak noticed a change, he had new branches growing, and if he wasn’t mistaken the ground seemed further bellow. There were tiny buds on the ends of each of his branches--six to be exact. He was growing, while Amaryllis had not yet broken through the surface.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">That year, Amaryllis came up later than normal complaining that the winter had been too harsh and that her shallowly planted bulb had taken some damage—yet she grew. Oak grew as well, though he did not catch up to the height of Amaryllis he got close to it. There were many storms and high winds throughout the year, and again they took damage. Oak lost a leaf; Amaryllis flower was torn. Amaryllis still lacked roots of any real depth. So again, as the dry season fell upon them, she began to die. Oak, held on through it all, through the rain, through the wind, and the drought. Growing slowly, but growing none the less.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Years passed. After several years, Oak was finally looking down when talking to Amaryllis. His trunk began to grow thicker, and his roots grew continuously deeper. The winds barely touched him anymore, and he survived every drought. The same could not be said of Amaryllis. Nothing really changed with her. Each year it was the same. She would take damage in the storm and die in the drought.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">If you were to visit them now, you would find them close friends—just as they were before. Now during the scorching days and blistering winds, Oak can offer some shelter to Amaryllis. But the drought still brings upon the end for Amaryllis. Oak now stands at least 50 feet tall. His trunk is gnarled and twisted. He bares scars from the damage of the storms, but he </span></span><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">is</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> grand. His branches spread as wide as he is tall, and many creatures take refuge in his branches. He knows now what the Great Tree was saying when it told him to be still and wait--that his time would come. </span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-5344317333615283522010-11-29T12:21:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:22:19.498-08:00On Painful Healing.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This week I was busy trying out a new craft idea, cutting away with a cheap pair of scissors, when a metal bur from them embedded itself in my finger. I don't know how many of you have had metal slivers, but they are very painful. They are sharp so they slice through your skin like a little knife when they get bumped.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It was sticking out of the skin on the surface and appeared to be something I could easily remove myself. But each attempt caused so much pain, and ultimately left the sliver in place. I tried tweezers, I tried Elmers Glue, I tried duct tape, I tried masking taping, I tried pinching and pulling....everytime I touched the area, in an effort to remove the sliver, I caused myself pain. It hurt just being in my finger, it hurt when it was touched....</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(and you know what? The sliver remained in place until I quit trying and let someone else do it). </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">While attempting to get it out, a thought crossed my mind.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This is how it is, with the things in our lives that do not belong. With our own plans, our own dreams, our hurts...our stubborn sins we hang onto, our self-reliance. They hurt us just by being IN our life. They do not belong, they are a foreign object, with sharp edges. Life bumps and bruises us, pushing these slivers of the soul deeper in, causing us additional undue pain...</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, it makes sense to just get rid of them. To let them go, right? However, the letting go, the removal of these sliver is painful too. We have to be prepared to endure the temporary, more extreme, pain caused by the removal of these slivers. We have to come to a point of realization that for healing to ever occur, we must surrender to the Healer, and let go of our soul slivers. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">There is pain in the Healing. But as one who has allowed the sliver to be removed, I can testify that once healing occurs, nothing is better--no bandage to cover, no garment to hide, no pain killers or brave face.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">True healing is worth the pain.</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-48023706321662345492010-11-29T12:20:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:21:04.140-08:00On Praising God.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When my heart breaks,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">when my spirit is weak,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">when the rain falls on my face,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.......(yet) I will praise.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When my eyes fail,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When confusion clouds my view,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When my feet stumble </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">along the way,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.......(yet) I will praise.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When my hope crumbles,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">when my faith is shaken,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">when the blessings I believed in</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">get delayed,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">.......(yet) I will praise.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For you alone are God,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you move the mountains in the night,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you calm the raging sea;</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you are strong and mighty.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to my brokeness you give healing</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to my blindness you offer sight,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you are loving, kind, and gentle.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When I am lonely, you are my companion.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When I am afraid, you are my refuge...</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">My friend in troubled times..</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In confusion, you are my guide.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(for you alone are God).</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So after the rain departs,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">after the healing of my broken heart, </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I will continue to praise. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(for you alone are God).</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">You have rescued me from my despair,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you have proved to always be there,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you have strenghtened me in my weakness,</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">and saw me through the storm.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So I will praise.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For you alone are God,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you move the mountains in the night,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you calm the raging sea;</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you are strong and mighty.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to my brokeness you give healing</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">to my blindness you offer sight,</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">you are loving, kind, and gentle.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When I am lonely, you are my companion.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">When I am afraid, you are my refuge...</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">My friend in troubled times..</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In confusion, you are my guide.</span></span></em></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">(for you alone are God).</span></span></em></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-42921732477144416432010-11-29T12:17:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:19:14.745-08:00On Seeking Revival.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I keep seeing it. A repeating of themes. Grace. Prayers. God's power. God's love. Revival. Knowing Jesus rather than just knowing the rules....and the list goes on and on...(and no, I don't think it is just that the pastors are running out of things to talk about, or this is just part of the standard fair of church...this is different.)</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Is it just me? Or does it seem like every time you have a thought about a message you think needs to be shared, that either a) you end up in a position to share it with someone yourself or b) you enter a vespers or church service and that--your very thought--is being preached?</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It's beyond coincidence that people's hearts seem to all be turning to be on the same page. It's beyond chance that so many people are feeling a restlessness, a stirring up--to serve, to minister, to prepare. God is calling us out inactivity and slumber, he is redirecting our paths from paths of our choosing to the path of His will. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Daily, I feel more and more convinced, that there is a large group of people feeling the stirring of the Spirit in their lives, yet they may not know what this uneasy and unsettled restlessness is about.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I sense a revival. No, not one of those feel good revivals at the end of a week of prayer, that last for approximately 2/3s the length of the week of prayer. I'm talking about a serious life changing, devil crushing sort of revival. The type where the people move forward, knowing the risks, and knowing the rewards may not be for their eyes to see--but acting anyway. Acting because they are so deeply, truly, unshakably in love with Christ. A revival that transforms each individual who is receptive to the spirit so much so that others will look upon them and say, "something has changed. You're different." A revival where others will hunger for that change to happen in their life by looking at your transformed life.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">And I believe that revival is near...but it will not happen on it's own...</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. . . . A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer” (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 121).</span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Are you praying? Is your heart prepared to be set on fire? Do you feel a restlessness within? I certainly do. I've spent the last few days feeling God calling, tugging, pulling me into prayer and a closer walk with Him. It's like He wants to reveal something to me, so I am asking. "God, what is it. Speak, your servant listens." </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Revival doesn't happen on its own. Pray. Seek. Go.</span></span></strong></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-77439620740210172152010-11-29T12:15:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:17:25.370-08:00On Waiting Patiently.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 13px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes you've been waiting for what seems a life time, for something you KNOW is promised you. Maybe you can't see the promise land yet, and sometimes you can see it, just on the other side of the river. Discouragement may threaten to take a foothold. You may wonder what the delay is, but could it be that your promised land is occupied and not yet ready for you to settle in? Could it be that the Lord is preparing you, by forcing you to rest, before the battle? Not just for your own good, but so that you can fight while your brothers rest, and rest while your brothers fight.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, while waiting, we must remember the command to be strong and courageous, we must meditate on the word of God day and night, and not allow ourselves to be overtaken with discouragement.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For God's plan is complete, not lacking anything, only requiring our obedience.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Joshua 1:</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' " 12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."</span></span></p></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-18734692047552017862010-11-29T12:11:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:13:46.188-08:00On Spiritual Warfare.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Present weapons!<br /><br />Sometimes we're given courses to train us for a job, and sometimes we have to do on the job training and learn as we go--if we're lucky, there is both(...and it is time to start practicing what we've learned or are learning).<br /><br />I don't want to play clueless anymore. Sure, I can pull it off pretty well with my blonde hair and generally quiet, innocent, and a bit naive personality...but it's time to quit playing pretend.<br /><br />This war is real. Can't you feel it? Can't you feel the rumbles of the blasts shaking the ground beneath your feet? Can you hear the cries of the wounded, and see the casualities around you?<br /><br />There is no closing your eyes to this, not for long anyway.<br /><br />A young person commits their life to Christ's mission, they prepare to go and spread it, and then painful wounds are inflicted upon them. Scary situations present themselves. Stress piles up, friends desert. They are left hurt, scared, stressed, and alone.<br /><br />Can we not see who is behind this? Can we not see what it is really about?<br /><br />God can use you.<br /><br />First, Trust in the LORD with all your heart<br />and lean not on your own understanding;<br /><br />Second, in all your ways acknowledge him,<br />and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3: 5,6)<br /><br />Now. What is this all about...What weapons do you have? I think this provides some pretty clear instruction;<br /><br />Eph. 6:<br /><br />10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.<br /><br />So, do these. Pray for, love, and encourage one another.<br />Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2).<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="UIStory_Message"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God." 2 Cor. 10:3-5a</span></span></span></h3><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Support each other. </span></span></span></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-49318585883211315382010-11-29T12:09:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:11:19.470-08:00On Seeing Light.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">It isn't until we have experienced the light of day that we realize the darkness of night. It isn't until we turn on the light in the morning that we realize how messed up our hair is. We can be blind so long and never know we are missing a thing--this is normal isn't it? We have no standard, no expectation to compare it to.<br /><br />When we see the light, some may see the marred life that is their own and run in fear, back into the darkness--allowing the faults to remain hidden, if only to those around.<br /><br />But we, having hope, having been given light, can see past our sin marred life and realize how great the Father's love for us that He would give His son to wash away our marredness. Who would give anything and everything to call each of us into a deeper, closer, truer walk with Him.<br /><br />I often feel that the more I draw close to HIM, the more I find in myself to change...sometimes I want to run and hide...but I know that it is not He who is making me feel that way, for Christ calls us come forth---and he promises to transform us.<br /><br />So trust in His work in your life. You see your sin marred self and think no one could possibly love you if they really knew...but the thing is, He knows, He sees, and He loves you more than life itself.<br /><br />Read this and tell me that it wasn't an intense, committed, non-wavering love that kept Christ from stepping away from the plan...and that love was toward you, even then.<br /><br />24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.[a] You see to it.”<br />25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”<br />26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.<br /><br /><br />27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.</span></span><br /></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-3914825251931556372010-11-29T12:07:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:08:59.471-08:00On Gaining Peace.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Peace<br /><br />A soft summer breeze under the shade of an old elm,<br />A babbling brook, a mountain stream,<br />A golden glow, day’s last gleam.<br />Storm clouds and winter winds,<br />Rough seas that surround me,<br />My sins are forgiven, you have redeemed me.<br />Your grace is sufficient, and your love<br />sustains me.<br /><br /><br />I have been tossed by the wind for years now. Where God wanted me was a mystery—completely unseen. I would cry out, “Call me Lord, call me. Use me. Make me more like you and less and less like the sinful child I am. Make your will clear to me.”<br />What was I truly asking? I was asking;<br /><br />Lord, tell me what career to do…where am I called…and<br />Lord, give me someone to love who will love me in return.<br /><br />These sound like the right questions, but I am learning that they may not have been the best (and the best I may yet have to learn)—and at the very least, incomplete.<br /><br />Lately I have come to a peace. I am not anxious about what job I will do for all my life—I realize that in life, God has made me flexible, and that very well could be because my mission in life will require flexibility. I no longer agonize over the closing of another day without clarity for career.<br /><br />I still pray about it, but I pray a different prayer. I pray that God show me how to live out my mission, how to use my talents, where I am—employed or not. I pray to be grown in the areas needed so that I am equipped in all areas that are necessary in my calling. I thank Him for His all seeing wisdom and loving guidance, and I live—listening.<br /><br />I am no longer restlessly anxious for the one whom I will love and be loved in return. I am okay being single. I am not incomplete because I am single; any incompleteness within me is due to not being completely open to the transforming of my mind and spirit by God. If I am incomplete, either I am in the process of growing in that area, or I have yet to surrender it God.<br /><br />I’m also letting go of worrying, obsessively, about how I am perceived by potential suitors. I have realized that when true love finds me, it will only grow deeper through complete knowledge of who I am—good and bad alike. Just as I love Christ, all the more truly as I grow closer to him, so shall be a God given relationship.<br /><br />So, peace has found me as I’ve begun to ask different questions.<br />Now I ask for guidance on how to live my mission where I am, when I am there—for equipping to live my best life now.<br />And, I pray not for one to love—but I pray for help to love not just those whom I long to love, but those whom I’d honestly rather not.<br /><br />And as long as my heart is full of Him, I will not be empty---even if I continue without a clear career path or a man to love as my own. I pray continually for strength to trust him to sustain me and strengthen me—so I do not live my life on hold--that I don’t fall back into the pit of fear.<br /><br />Not that I have it all figured out, but I have peace—and now, after weathering the storms and having God guide me through them—I know where to turn when my peace shall break. </span></span></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-22188696657885954882010-11-29T12:05:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:09:38.873-08:00On Running in Place.<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 13px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 13px; font-size:9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I was working out today, and when I finished the prepackaged workout, I felt something was missing. Yes, my muscles were sore, but my heart wasn't pumping hard, I wasn't breathing heavily. So, I stood up and ran, and ran, and ran--never moving more than an inch or two from my original location. I stood there, running, looking at my reflection in the refrigerator. It struck me; this is exactly what I do in my life SO often. I run in place. No, I am not inactive, which is good, but I am not going anywhere. I get all the pains and aches of running, yet I never seem to move forward.<br /><br />Why do I never learn the lessons? Why doesn't God just move me forward already? I pondered these questions, and then I began to think--"well, why am I [physically] running in place, right now? Why is this important?"<br /><br />I want to be stronger. I want to build my muscles so that when they are challenged they will be able to answer the call.<br /><br />Thinking of it that way, it all makes sense. God is preparing me, my spiritual, emotional, and intellectual muscles for the purpose for which I am called.<br /><br />Just as I would fail miserably if I attempted to go from my untrained status as a non-runner and leaped headlong into running a marathon--so too would be my fate if I skipped the preparation period God is putting me through as he trains me to be a runner for him.<br /><br />And only He knows the challenges that lay ahead of me, my spiritual and emotional muscles may yet be underdeveloped, so I must be patient and allow Him to grow me.</span></span><br /></span></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-6127180131269231792010-11-29T11:57:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:00:09.369-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">CHAPTER TWO</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', fantasy;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have lost interest in the format I was writing and sharing on this blog but I am still attached to this blog, so here begins chapter two.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', -webkit-fantasy;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thoughts of a mind growing.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">Thoughts...</span></span></b></div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-23206202147645969062010-06-11T05:58:00.000-07:002010-06-11T06:03:16.479-07:00Returning from a Journey in the Wrong Direction 06.11.10She took the path of her promised happiness, or at least that's what she was told it was. In fact she has found herself in a land that feels foreign and uncomfortable. She's restless here, this is not home, this is not where she was meant to go.<div><br /></div><div>Yet upon the gentle wind there is the hint of a whisper calling, "This way, child. This way." Where "this way" leads, is yet to be seen, and how to get there, yet disguised, but she turns toward the voice and waits. She will follow. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-51661839832122424812010-01-20T18:35:00.001-08:002010-01-20T18:40:40.843-08:00Reflection [01.20.10]She bends low over the still blue pool studying her reflection. It's not perfect. There is dirt from the journey, there is mess of her own doing, marks of imperfection--but behind it, beneath it, something shines. She can see it, she hopes others can as well. It is the love of her savior and blessings of His hands. She wants to do nothing to hide this, yet that's the message she receives so often. If only she'd do this one thing different....then, things would go so much better. <div><br /></div><div>She doesn't believe it. </div>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-5371378709542690702010-01-19T16:48:00.000-08:002010-01-19T16:52:04.288-08:00Meeting the Measure & Truly Pursued [01.19.10]<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">In the desert place she waits, unsure of what surrounds her. A sense that comes and goes, flitting on the inconsistent wind is not enough to answer her questions. Pursuit, by one which is not true, is not her desire. From denials she’s grown far too tired. She realizes her standards are high, but she knows they are not unreasonable. She will wait. She has encountered the living breathing existence of her standards. So, she waits to be found. </p><p class="MsoNormal">She's human, she grows weary in the wait, but yet she trusts. She knows God is in control, and if the sense that has overtaken her from time to time is true, she will rejoice in being found. If it is not, she will continue to trust, wait, and praise the Lord for his goodness and supreme knowledge. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-71046400609630128822009-07-23T03:38:00.000-07:002009-08-01T19:17:44.767-07:00The Material of Mirages [07.2009]Looking down at her own feet, she can see soild ground, but the fog that was behind her is creeping across the landscape before her. The fog's thick smoky fingers swirled around her feet and gathered in low clouds upon the horizon. She gains one last glimpse of the path before her before the fog lays itself down. It is a beautiful hopeful place, full of all things wonderful, and then it is gone. Through the fog she sees shadows of the past, unwelcoming desert, craggy rocks, and deep valleys. The more she focuses on the mirage, the sharper the stone and more difficult the way. <br /><br />After a time, she realizes that this is the material of mirages. The damage the invisible can do. So she finds a thick flat rock overlooking the path and retreats there for a time to pray and wait for the fog to clear.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-1415344438424087182009-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:002009-05-16T14:21:36.455-07:00In a Land amongst Parrots? [05.16.09]Ever since she was a tiny girl with golden curls her eyes were upward turned. The flashes of crimson, blue, yellow, and orange captured her imagination. She loved birds. Parrots held a special place in her heart. Their intelligence, beauty, and ability to mimic and mock human language were among the things that drew her to them.<br /><br />Throughout her years she has had several parrots in her life. She loved each one dearly, but she began to notice something. Not one chose her. They would always latch on to someone else. Not only did they not choose her, they often disliked her. Sometimes, when they really wanted something, they would pretend to like her--but once that cage door was opened you knew they didn't.<br /><br />She fears she has found herself in a land of parrots. Among people she desires to know and spend time with, but who will never truly accept her or choose her. <br /><br />Though this she fears, she will continue on as if she were in the land of children--for children do choose her and desire to spend time with her and do not do things to cause her harm.<br /><br />So she tarries on.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-71181346320497364042008-12-12T18:11:00.000-08:002008-12-12T18:16:30.191-08:00A New Season [12.12.08]Where has she gone? There. Here she is.<br /><br />The weather has changed, and so has life. She travels down a path through a valley cold. This once was home, but now it is void of reward. She seeks her promise land. The future promised her.<br /><br />Her greatest fear has to do with the setting and rising of the sun. The beginning and end of each new day. Time is passing her by.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-12240761248810887782008-08-30T15:12:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:55:10.242-07:00Exhausted She Finds Rest [08.30.08]Laying in the grass she looks up into the sky trying to see beyond her own limited view. Inactivity would not leave her this tired, she must be making progress. In fact she is very busy, life is taking her a million different directions--many of which she would not choose for herself. The breeze playfully dances through the grass freeing the little ballerina seeds of a dandelion and she closes her eyes seeking what she really needs. The calming, restful love of her Father in heaven. <br /><br />To feel truly loved she needs queit, reflective, quality time with God and those in her life, and life is making that time so hard to find. <br /><br />She closes her eyes and rests in the love of God.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-91919349960710361592008-08-15T16:03:00.000-07:002009-08-28T19:04:17.547-07:00Nothing but God's WillHer soul feels waterlogged. Days and months of raining. So numb to it she's grown, she barely feels a drop. Her hair hangs limp, clinging to her face and neck. The horizon is not so dark today as it has been, and the rain does not feel so oppressive--yet it is still rain. A little is loved, a lot is loathed by most. Yet she sits un-judging of her situation. She knows it's the building block for her blessed tomorrow, no matter how it looks today. So let it rain so long as I don't drown. For the Lord will bless me for I am His own. <br /><br /><hr><br /><br /><blockquote>"In the center of the circle<br />of the will of God I stand:<br />There can come no second causes,<br />All must come from His dear hand.<br />All is well! for it's my Father<br />Who my life has planned.<br /><br />Shall I pass through waves of sorrow?<br />Then I know it will be best;<br />Though I cannot tell the reason,<br />I can trust, and so am blest.<br />God is love, and God is faithful.<br />So in perfect Peace I rest.<br /><br />With the shade and with the sunshine,<br />With the joy and with the pain,<br />Lord I trust you! both are needed,<br />Each Your wayward child to train,<br />Earthly loss, if we will know it,<br />Often means our heavely gain.<br />I. G. W." </blockquote><br /><blockquote><center>--And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28 --</blockquote></center>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-24739146381558933772008-07-19T16:43:00.000-07:002008-07-20T13:36:50.618-07:00Rain Showers and Sun [07.19.08]<blockquote>We can depend on God to fulfill his promise, even when all the roads leading to it are closed. --Matthew Henry</blockquote><br /><hr><br />Eyes closed she turns her face heavenward. The rain pours down on her with no sign that it will be letting up, but yet the sun shines dancing between the clouds.<br /><br /><hr><br /><blockquote>My words...will come true at their proper time Luke 1:20<br />What the Lord has said...will be accomplished. Luke 1:45<br /> <br />The Lord is sure to accomplish those things<br />a loving heart has waited long to see;<br />Those words be fulfilled to which she clings,<br />Because her God has promised faithfully;<br />And, knowing him, she ne'er can doubt His word; <br />He speaks and it is done. The mighty Lord!<br /><br />The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,<br />O burdened heart, rest ever in His care;<br />In quietness beneath His shadowing wings<br />Await the answer to your longing prayer.<br />When you have "cast your cares," the heart then sings,<br />The Lord is sure to accomplish those things.<br /> <br />The Lord is sure to accomplish those things<br />O tired heart, believe and wait and pray;<br />Peacefully, the evening chime still rings,<br />Though cloud and rain and storm have filled the day.<br />Faith pierces through the mist of doubt that bars<br />The coming night sometimes, and finds the stars.<br /> <br />The Lord is sure to accomplish those things,<br />O trusting heart, the Lord to you has told;<br />Let Faith and Hope arise, and lift their wings,<br />to soar toward the sunrise clouds of gold;<br />the doorways of the rosy dawn swing wide,<br />Revealing joys the darkness of night did hide.<br /> <br />--Bessie Porter</blockquote>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-22502213513206238812008-05-22T13:07:00.000-07:002008-05-22T13:09:11.120-07:00Forward On [05.22.08]Morning comes once again, and she realizes that she cannot wait for clarity, she cannot wait for the confusion to fade...she must carry on, ever forward and trust the Lord to lead.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7213883787960556714.post-40860541303398959042008-05-21T12:31:00.000-07:002008-07-22T17:47:43.586-07:00Springs of Cold Water [05.21.08]The water that runs through the stream by the way is so cold that it brings pain as she washes the mud off her feet. She is now out of the quicksand, at least this patch of land is solid, but the cold waters hurt as they wash away the quicksand. As time passes she grows numb to the cold water. <br /><br />Sitting by the water now, she contemplates what may come next...Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13496528662022434005noreply@blogger.com0