tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73883848136768843222024-03-27T13:57:22.396-05:00INS AND OUTSPositively good news and energizing meditations that will draw you closer to God; your father and creator.redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-33734904215382757502024-02-15T17:18:00.003-06:002024-02-17T15:55:53.041-06:00Sunset<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ocB1ghTT29BijXtKBU0JfORIHfauEu0r7HJtoe4EQT6j7nICfo_vAcjCPCm6iv-Yt8zwf_OO2cWDWyxIexR2TLRcNTV2GpNoMcvIl_-h8PeUr8q9QZlQ54fMnhVQBMxEZhJPTucMdN4wFyoImkieB1o2HLvRgnLZYGFoLsWWzIr6c1CfAam3ueI1cNGC/s2576/Cayman%20Sunset%20blog%20pic.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ocB1ghTT29BijXtKBU0JfORIHfauEu0r7HJtoe4EQT6j7nICfo_vAcjCPCm6iv-Yt8zwf_OO2cWDWyxIexR2TLRcNTV2GpNoMcvIl_-h8PeUr8q9QZlQ54fMnhVQBMxEZhJPTucMdN4wFyoImkieB1o2HLvRgnLZYGFoLsWWzIr6c1CfAam3ueI1cNGC/w561-h422/Cayman%20Sunset%20blog%20pic.JPG" width="561" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Soon my husband and I will be flying off to an island in the Eastern Caribbean for a few short days of rest on the company tab. My husband is quite the salesman and has won another trip in his effort to provide for our family. It will be great to have some alone face-to-face time while tasting and experiencing a foreign culture with a new stamp in my passport. I most look forward to viewing an endless expanse of ocean and waking to bold morning sunrises. The evening bursts of color streak across the celestial easel reflecting all the way from the horizon toward me while I witness Sir Dusk surrendering to the Nocturnal Guard.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> For just a few sacred moments, the rosy hues dance until they fade from sight. I'm reminded of trips with sunsets framed by the Tetons, reflections across the Gulf, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Sunset. This time of life is approaching my ninety-three-year-old mother, the matriarch of our family. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> At three-thirty, early on Valentine's Day, my phone rang. It was Mom calling me from her rehab to let me know that she was experiencing difficulties with her heart and would soon be at the nearby hospital's ER. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> A little disoriented due to just a few hours of sleep, I concured and promised to meet her ASAP. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I showered, all the time pushing away fear-filled thoughts that darted to and fro to dominate me. In defense, I proceeded to declare healing and peace over my mother. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Today was also the anniversary of my parent's first date, so in order to lighten the mood while we waited for more test results and a room for the night, I asked Mom to recall her feelings and events as her eighteen-year-old self. I wanted to hear her tell the story again of how years ago my parents began their romance that propelled them into seventy-four years of life together lasting until last April when my father breathed his last breath.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> I saw the transformation in her countenance. She was transported in time to her younger unencumbered self. Her vibrant self in college that had not experienced a difficult childbirth, the loss of a beloved husband, or failing health. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> A giggle erupted and a silly grin. She first recalled her roommate's reaction to the momentous phone call that turned Mom's world upside down. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> "You know, I was expecting a call from another young man to ask me out," Mom started, "but instead, Frank was one who called me." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Mom stopped and added, "My suitemate ended up marrying Norm, the young man that failed to beat your father at asking me for a date." </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Mom was surprised and didn't expect Dad to call her, which explains why she gave a cool 'yes' in response to my father's ardent request for her to be his date to the Valentine's Banquet.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Innocence and purity were cherished in their circles back then. My mother went on to experience a beautiful romance with this generous admiring human for seventy-four years. They both grew up to enjoy a gentler kinder era. It's been hard for them to comprehend the raging demands that their daughters, grands, and great-grands face in the dating scene today.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> At this sunset in her life things slowed down a bit. No pressing demands for projects to be completed, no punching the time clock, no kids needing a chauffeur, or waiting to be fed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> Sunset is such a rich time of life. Plenty of time to embrace good memories and savor the conjoining emotions. Now she envisions the people who knew her, she analyzes past challenges, and how together they managed them. In the end, the act of releasing the bad memories and being grateful that she survived them, serves as an exchange for an abundance of peace...before the clock strikes twelve.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></div>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-28057172120992216672024-01-11T15:38:00.000-06:002024-01-11T15:38:10.113-06:00ENGAGE YOUR SPIRITUAL DNA<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrSF3GeQQpteFZZqtod9d-GJjcaHN_9R3aS-2H2YP4XFr6NDS3i_6AbbPyqNLuXpgwCNZSLoBUxP6ndBXgahlkTZKgO8tPdKQp_e9F81EQKKjImVzS1NO1rUzc7aJ54oOY9BldWa6UCxa5H9xAC_fIRx_4BvCs29MkvZqtEGCe1nFPiYHoVMju_ik_ipq/s1920/DNA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrSF3GeQQpteFZZqtod9d-GJjcaHN_9R3aS-2H2YP4XFr6NDS3i_6AbbPyqNLuXpgwCNZSLoBUxP6ndBXgahlkTZKgO8tPdKQp_e9F81EQKKjImVzS1NO1rUzc7aJ54oOY9BldWa6UCxa5H9xAC_fIRx_4BvCs29MkvZqtEGCe1nFPiYHoVMju_ik_ipq/w400-h200/DNA.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I remember sitting my biology lab where the lab assistant taught about the ear and the way that it captures sound waves with these intricate bones that send signals through our nervous system to our brain where it distinguishes between music, sounds, and conversation and translates into emotions, meaning, and sorts through millions of possibilities to identify the origin of the sounds heard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> "Wow!" I exclaimed. "That certainly did not happen by chance. This definitely confirms that there was an intelligent Creator in the beginning."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The blueprint in our DNA from conception that determines everything for so many systems and parts of our body is simply amazing. I am convinced that behind all of this is an omniscient God with super intelligence. when you consider all of the systems in place that work to keep the earth on course, the air and water purified, all the ingredients in the earth for us to grow foods, supply us with animals, plants, and materials to build and design inventions of our own. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> To quote a recent meme a friend posted on social media, <i>"To be an atheist, I would have to believe:</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>-nothing produced everything</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>-non-life produced life</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>-randomness produced precision</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>-chaos produced order</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>I simply do not have that kind of faith."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i> </i>Neither do I.<br /></span> To think that the complex blueprint rooted in DNA evolved separately from an infinite intelligent Creator is difficult to swallow. To think that we exist by chance with no definite purpose. To believe that order came from chaos, which came from nothing is too hard to fathom. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> I have no alternative but to acknowledge the Creator who called himself, I AM. For his great works and for his messages to us written down in the Holy Scriptures recorded in the Bible of his creation, the fall of man, and God's ultimate plan in love to spare us an eternity of pain and suffering. For this, I worship Him.<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> After the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, they reaped the consequences of their sin against their God who intimately spent time walking and talking with them in the cool of the day. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The first couple lost their provisions in the lush garden and had to leave it behind. Instead of a ready harvest of fruits and vegetables, they had to plant their own crops by the sweat of their brow. Because of their sin, God could not be present with the couple as in the past, but he did not totally abandon them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> God loves all that he created. He loves all mankind. We have the imprint of God in our very DNA. He took a chance by giving us free will to choose our destiny, but that was not the end of the story. God also had a plan B in mind to redeem all mankind back to himself if necessary. We were never left alone to our own devices.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> David, the Psalmist, in his lyrics portrayed God as a shepherd and we as his sheep. Centuries later, Jesus too called himself the Good Shepherd. Growing up in towns and cities I know very little about raising sheep and their characteristics, but in reading <i><u>A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23</u>, </i>by Phillip Keller<i>, </i>the author shared information that opened my eyes to better understand the gentle caring overseer that David was alluding to. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Throughout my life, through trials and suffering, I have come to know God in a more intimate way. I always felt His love not his condemnation. He constantly cared for me and my family. I know from experience that God provides when I have nothing more. God never failed me. He has always been with me. Nothing separates me from his love and mercy.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> People are like some of the sheep Keller raised. They wander off and need to be drawn back to the flock for safety. They hurriedly drink from dirty rancid puddles rather than waiting for the pure cool streams that the shepherd is leading them to. They cause discord and frustration in the flock and need to be removed or better, reoriented so that the rest of the flock can flourish. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> One type of sheep however will perish if not for the intervention of the shepherd: the cast sheep. Cast sheep are sheep that due to being too fat, having too much wool, or just lying down in a soft hollow, end up rolling onto their back, helpless to right themselves in order to stand on their feet again. Their rumen expands cutting off circulation to their legs which further interrupts any path of escape from this situation they are in. </span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXF_cSgxv61j8D3I0c4ACXZv1YW5VAXIY7A6E996GGYv0_O_TWyeIdK7lbaNuA35573ayEyI6BQ-Ppv3C7iKdI9S7T3Rje6zUq7181hTnlNRe3W6K77AL-PC6onJ-OHUfynD4egFlpzXNTuiHCqcpnHWpk_aLvZAMhhYI43VxJkaoXfR_ZtznaIdpCZw6/s617/cast%20sheep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="617" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXF_cSgxv61j8D3I0c4ACXZv1YW5VAXIY7A6E996GGYv0_O_TWyeIdK7lbaNuA35573ayEyI6BQ-Ppv3C7iKdI9S7T3Rje6zUq7181hTnlNRe3W6K77AL-PC6onJ-OHUfynD4egFlpzXNTuiHCqcpnHWpk_aLvZAMhhYI43VxJkaoXfR_ZtznaIdpCZw6/s320/cast%20sheep.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Their only hope is that when their watchful shepherd gazes over the pasture at his flock and notices their struggling feet up in the air, that he runs to rescue it. The shepherd turns a cast sheep over, holds it upright between his legs, then speaks in soothing tones as he rubs the sheep's legs to encourage better circulation of the blood to its legs. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Even then, the sheep might falter and fall again, not yet strong enough to stand on its own, but the shepherd repeats the above process to restore the sheep until it regains the total functioning of its legs to leap around with the other members of the flock.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Cast humans are consumed with self and become fat with pride. This illusion of self-importance is a recipe for self-destruction. Some individuals consider themselves the end-all as though they are gods who turn their backs on the Creator who brought all things into being. </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Just like a patient shepherd shears the excess wool from a cast sheep that is causing it to fall into the cast state of desperation, so Jesus came to shear mankind of the extreme weight of sin and death that would take us on a death roll toward eternal damnation. He said it himself, "I am the Door. I am the Way. I amd the Truth. I am the life. No man come to the Father except by Me." As simple as that.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Clipping and trimming from us this state of self-imposed separation from our true destiny which hides under all of our selfish mess, Jesus uncovers our beautifully unique spiritual DNA that perfectly suits and fulfills us. </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> A fresh new journey begins when anyone gladly surrendered to this new calling begins. Unexplainable joy transcends these new paths more than anything that we might have previously chosen. Deeper dimensions of joy, peace, and love burst forth and produce compassion. Armed with a vision not only for our lives but also a knowledge of how to reach out to others to bring this joyful new existence and unselfish response into other lives, spreads this goodness throughout the earth.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> My heavenly Father is a good God. He is amazing and we are marvellously made in His image. He is the epicenter and source of all love. He is pure in intent and has our best interest at heart. We are his ultimate plan to bring His design back in exchange for the chaos and deprivation of this planet. I encourage you to plug into the Source today and be all that you were designed through your unique DNA to be!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Romans 8:15-17 (MSG) </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i>This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us--an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My references on cast sheep are from Phillip Keller* and the scripture is from The Message Bible.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">*For the past two months, I have been studying the book <u>A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23</u> by Phillip Keller as well as Psalm 23 and a lot of corresponding truths in the Bible with a small group of women. Keller had degrees and experience in many fields and worked primarily out of British Columbia, but during his childhood, he was raised in East Africa and observed shepherds there. Then as an adult for eight years, he owned sheep so he has an insider's view of what David, the shepherd king, wrote about in this psalm. I highly recommend this book.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="font-size: large;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><p></p></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-53755728438114864612023-06-07T13:37:00.000-05:002023-06-07T13:37:47.286-05:00ALL IN A DAY'S WORK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMi37fqxwpiQbUrE9w8DhtM59g4NtHvSoYeFBkP_0VjX_4YlX0g6YAElwKoaOub8yoRhX57OZWLPgSzDPGhk3f4aSe8Dbjbtd-oFL_uvaYyHGLCozimUdsZminc1BC0HYkhvErth7r83Yq5fYTuXnHhIFCTxfeswZX_p9jXDVYUaPBxwAVFigEbGV5Q/s4032/my%20clock%20blog.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMi37fqxwpiQbUrE9w8DhtM59g4NtHvSoYeFBkP_0VjX_4YlX0g6YAElwKoaOub8yoRhX57OZWLPgSzDPGhk3f4aSe8Dbjbtd-oFL_uvaYyHGLCozimUdsZminc1BC0HYkhvErth7r83Yq5fYTuXnHhIFCTxfeswZX_p9jXDVYUaPBxwAVFigEbGV5Q/w370-h355/my%20clock%20blog.JPG" width="370" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span><span> </span>In 2002, I took a job teaching English as a second language at a local middle school. One of the preps during my sixth year<span> was a study skills course for recent immigrants. It was not just a study hall. The course I designed taught them skills to help them to be more productive in studying and helpful strategies for life as well.</span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">One week I focused on time management. At the end of the week</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, the students wrote a letter describing their takeaway from our activities. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most of them remarked about their realization of how much time they wasted and that they wanted to be more intentional about what they spent their days doing. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I couldn’t help but reflect on this week from my past when I read chapter nine of Matthew today. This chapter records many different activities of Jesus all in one day. When I imagined the physical energy expended, the mental acuity, and the calm and well-thought-out replies to the many who flung their critical questions at him, I marvel. Then to add to this, his emotional state as he traversed discussions, teaching, and with such compassion he continuously reached out to the hurting masses to heal their infirmities or deliver them from demonic spirits that tormented them.</span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> These are just a few things recorded that he encountered in ONE day:</span></p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus took a boat ride back to his own town.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus came across a man who could not walk and he informed him first that his sins were forgiven, then he healed the paralytic despite being challenged by the teachers of the law </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He chatted a bit with a tax collector, then invited Matthew to follow him</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Matthew invited Jesus to come over for something to eat. His house was full of non-believers in Yahweh.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pharisees (religious scholars) came by and criticized him for eating with sinners, Jesus answered that the sick need a doctor, so how could he avoid them?</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Later, John’s disciples caught up to Jesus and asked him why he and his disciples didn’t practice fasting. Jesus explained that while the bridegroom was with them it is normal to feast and when he is absent, then they would fast.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A rich ruler approached Jesus. he was a synagogue leader. His daughter was dead but full of faith he asked Jesus to raise her from the dead. Jesus told the ruler that his great faith in coming in belief would heal her. Jesus followed the ruler to his home but on the way…</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A crowd was pressing in around him. The events of the day have gotten a lot of attention. Then suddenly, Jesus felt the healing power going out of him. He asked, “Who touched me?” Then when the woman identified herself and that for years she had been bleeding without it stopping, he told her, Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you." </span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jesus encountered a crowd loudly wailing, blowing pipes, and mourning outside the ruler’s home for the dead girl. The crowd mocked Jesus for going in to heal her, but that didn’t deter him. Jesus dismissed them and simply said, "She is just sleeping." Then he went in and took the girl by the hand. She got up and went outside for all to see.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two blind men came to Jesus and asked him to heal them. His simple question to them was, “Do you believe that I can heal you?” He told them that according to their faith, it would be done. They both are healed.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A man who was demon-possessed and mute was brought to Jesus. Jesus drove the demon out and the man began to speak normally. People marveled. Nothing like this had been seen before in Israel.</span></li></ol><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><span><span> </span></span> I’m blown away. No wonder Jesus went off alone and took time to recharge physically, spiritually, and emotionally! I have to say that I have never had such a demanding schedule. Yet day after day, Jesus continued to be accessible to the populous that pressed in upon him for one more miracle, one more healing, one more teaching. He was filled with compassion for the people so he continued day in and day out doing good. <br /></span><span> In verse thirty-six, the Bible says that Jesus went through ALL the towns and villages teaching in synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing EVERY disease and sickness. He was not driving around in his Lexus, flying his jet plane, riding a horse, or even being carried around in a carriage; but he walked the dusty roads, exposed to the elements.<br /></span><span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jesus loved the people and had compassion for them. He ended up askin</span>g his disciples to pray for more workers because there were so many desperate people. He saw a need <span>that far exceeded the time that he had.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Wow. All in a day’s work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is what Jesus asked His followers to do. Go and sin no more. Feed my sheep. He gave us the authority to drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. We can speak to sicknesses and tell them to leave. We can speak healing for every disease and sickness in Jesus’ name. We can tell them the good news of the kingdom of God.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These things should not be odd. They should not be something never seen before. These should be the signs that follow every believer.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When I read this chapter several times, I saw myself wanting: there is so much to do. Jesus depends on all believers to go and do the same as he did. So open my eyes Lord and remind me to see them.</span><span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space">Matthew 9:37-38</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="color: red;">"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."</span></span></span></span></span></div></div>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-76791469804471032302023-03-05T17:29:00.000-06:002023-03-05T17:29:48.220-06:00THE ROSE SAYS IT ALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uGqO7JEqPGxpyfd2Qj3s0sJ26Ymclgm-wr8AxtEKTtTLO0i_dUvx8yskD5DPlwMs9MSM3NLMpSLUumNFxsP3ZvTs81iRmagc2d11Ng8vuERMFl_aibLBs67QkoCzBOn3oJHitvB7WtwW5IzxyhyifzNl0gC-pn-srzAtqgxLISXEVwjB0pbBO1h7-Q/s4032/Rose%202%20Cabo%202023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uGqO7JEqPGxpyfd2Qj3s0sJ26Ymclgm-wr8AxtEKTtTLO0i_dUvx8yskD5DPlwMs9MSM3NLMpSLUumNFxsP3ZvTs81iRmagc2d11Ng8vuERMFl_aibLBs67QkoCzBOn3oJHitvB7WtwW5IzxyhyifzNl0gC-pn-srzAtqgxLISXEVwjB0pbBO1h7-Q/s320/Rose%202%20Cabo%202023.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEz9WGRimwOH1OtHXWoKSTzixap_HCRB_T69jyYPdGaRfY05BcMbPIn_UcpM6xMUp9ytNyb4e9o5CGZx_LhYD_OTdyjbE2DLCVqDF2wg75gFjv4xWRPGMZwBC2wThzP0hJmrr4JhB-QdEz9SIr4aqx5-_XsgD2D61xVDslF_HZh5XmKXBRL5kLZAZuw/s4032/Rose%201%20Cabo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEz9WGRimwOH1OtHXWoKSTzixap_HCRB_T69jyYPdGaRfY05BcMbPIn_UcpM6xMUp9ytNyb4e9o5CGZx_LhYD_OTdyjbE2DLCVqDF2wg75gFjv4xWRPGMZwBC2wThzP0hJmrr4JhB-QdEz9SIr4aqx5-_XsgD2D61xVDslF_HZh5XmKXBRL5kLZAZuw/s320/Rose%201%20Cabo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>In the beginning of our trip to Cabo, I was presented with a perfect rose. It was lovely, full, well-shaped and very fresh. Someone took care to cultivate and raise the very best. It was placed in a glass vase and graced the dining table in our suite that over looked the Sea of Cortez.</p><p>We arrived a bit tired and stressed from the pressures of work and life. My husband is in sales and everyday his paycheck depends on his performance and stamina when he hears, "No thank you."</p><p>Many of the sales people are so geared to work and sell each day, that it was difficult to put the phones aside and just face the five days of leisure while ignoring the urge to check in on new clients and to make sure all of their equipment was functioning.</p><p>Little by little relaxation took a grip and we were all in. We began to sense the wisdom of this rest: this disconnecting.</p><p>More at ease. More present. Full of positive vibes, energy, and inner strength from above. We emerged ready to embrace and to give out to others once again.</p><p>Just as on our first day, this pure white rose stood in all of its beauty but as time passed it actually increased in its fullness and charm.</p><p>The ebb and flow of life is what brought that about. </p><p>Tide in, tide out. </p><p>Sunrise, sundown.</p><p>Laughing, crying.</p><p>Giving up, trying.</p><p>Newborn to elder.</p><p>Alone, together, alone again.</p><p>Working hard on four cylinders, resting, reflecting, playing, relating, and planning the next steps ready to get at it and see familiar faces once again.</p><p>Starting to walk about with a new sense of fullness until it is time to draw back and refresh again.</p><p><br /></p><p>Song of Songs 2:1 TPT</p><p><i>I am truly his rose, the very theme of his song. I'm overshadowed by his love, like a lily growing in the valley!</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-5607918889943029772023-01-15T00:59:00.003-06:002023-01-18T23:22:50.324-06:00OBITUARY OF A HAMMOCK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjkHLd3zE0mv1Xsx3vR0RCiO2IiGc0SBoUJue3HnMHJ1-lstFwjpxcWuKIVbDPCjuVe5g26o9cQP1zuiuL1k6G4eyzd34hu9P2WcVfr3nDmHCTok43VDocsXf6qnrU7gPr8c7efyj2HHNkuG5xCAfk7vfhgPaTxqZkDzkph6jBrQTTLl6aUW7fRLJkw/s2436/torn%20hammock.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2436" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjkHLd3zE0mv1Xsx3vR0RCiO2IiGc0SBoUJue3HnMHJ1-lstFwjpxcWuKIVbDPCjuVe5g26o9cQP1zuiuL1k6G4eyzd34hu9P2WcVfr3nDmHCTok43VDocsXf6qnrU7gPr8c7efyj2HHNkuG5xCAfk7vfhgPaTxqZkDzkph6jBrQTTLl6aUW7fRLJkw/w466-h215/torn%20hammock.PNG" width="466" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There once was a green and orange hammock</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Its striped colors stood out bright and bold</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nana unpacked, unraveled, hung it up quick</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For Thanksgiving was just down the road.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The menu she wrote, then typed it all up</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The groceries she shopped for and stocked</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First measuring ingredients with measuring cup</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crimping crusts of pies bound for the oven, then stopped.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Resting she poured mugs of chamomile tea</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cut celery, spread cream cheese, bit with a crunch</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Waving madly while hanging from two sturdy trees</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Was that frolicking hammock just watching her munch.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now the cook gazed, took note of the show</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Urgently, the animated fabric continued to coax</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sensing gran's love to swing, a hammock in the know</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Delighted as she walked out under the oaks.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pulling the edge then backing into her seat</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Little used, this cloth should bear her weight</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Uttering a deep sigh, <i>What a treat!</i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laying down to sway; it felt great.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At first the air fresh, but with the heat of the sun</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thoughts moved from this rest, right back to her list</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So the swinging gran sighed, now finished with fun</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And returned to her mixing, wooden spoon in her fist.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">————————————————————————————</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The colors of dawn shone bright from the east</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First one in the shower, then drying her hair</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s stuffing the turkey time, the day of the feast</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cutting up the potatoes, hubby sat in a chair.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Six hours later, sage and bread filled the air</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Knockings then greetings soon in streamed them all</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ate up deviled eggs, dip, chips and pickles with care</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A next round, the main course with veggies piled tall.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Soon big boys came hunting along with some dads</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For turkey, gravy, all that their plates could bear</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not much was left when exited the lads</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The third round: pies and cream was the fare.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Adult conversations flowed and varied by group</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The youngest ran upstairs for toys in their boxes</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While the teens and tweens took off like a troupe</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Out the back door in a flash: prancing wild foxes.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With a xeriscaped yard, and not much to do</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The brightly striped hammock got their attention</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thrilled that these grands came, not just a few</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Swinging began; squealing escaped from the tension.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But nobody spoke of what quite happened next</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether play on the hammock lasted long or short</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The dog,” all sent to Nana with answers by text</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another sent video evidence, kids in riotous cavort.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Butterscotch, the bounding pup got the blame</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the useless sad hammock that day in half tore</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because she was frisky so young and not tame</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For she jumped, chewed, and rough housed outdoors.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Nana just chuckled while her husband joined in</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They both loved their family and were glad for the fun</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Was this the third or fourth hammock to pass?</i> with a grin</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another great Thanksgiving feast with family was done.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-85759014790938512302022-09-13T15:48:00.003-05:002022-09-13T19:50:14.672-05:00JUST A WORD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPikfdb1xYdKl7eL2RyzzBRnL1hjEPO-Iu780NHTn7ITAGJyf_qAXqh3usVjTiUreo7XluqTVh3PCF6Dt5UN4ckgkD9N7qGHd8ohxDKzFxLKYYdVrTIb9cLtJLVYSRnhfZx1bCmPioWKSH6hAwxKir61TJ3_ix-Tz_L8HVoSYcdmKXPbgOdeFM7BPeA/s4032/JUST%20A%20WORD%20blog%209-13-2022.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I handed her the paper..." border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPikfdb1xYdKl7eL2RyzzBRnL1hjEPO-Iu780NHTn7ITAGJyf_qAXqh3usVjTiUreo7XluqTVh3PCF6Dt5UN4ckgkD9N7qGHd8ohxDKzFxLKYYdVrTIb9cLtJLVYSRnhfZx1bCmPioWKSH6hAwxKir61TJ3_ix-Tz_L8HVoSYcdmKXPbgOdeFM7BPeA/w300-h400/JUST%20A%20WORD%20blog%209-13-2022.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Recently, I awoke on a Sunday morning. Even before I could stop and think about the news or anything concerning my family, I had a strong wave of anxiety and fear loom over me like a heavy cloud of doom. I could not shake it. <br /></span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";"> It is my custom to get up, get my shower, and prepare for church, but I had this nagging sensation about the idea of even leaving the house. I stopped to consider if it was a warning from God, but all I could think of when I asked, “Is this you, God?” Was the phrase, “Do not forsake the assembly of yourselves together.” In other words: go be with others for worship. So, I got up and headed for the shower. </span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I prayed trying to rid myself of the negative feelings that enveloped me. Yet, the sinister thoughts still bombarded me to stay home and relax. A voice kept telling me that I deserved a break to vacate from my routine while my husband was out of the country.<br /></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was tempting to my flesh, especially since I am an introvert. I am comfortable in my own company and group settings tend to tire me out. This was a real struggle, but I resisted since these feelings were<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>unusual for me. I marched out into the garage, entered my Fiat, and drove to church.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I sit alone most of the time anyway since my husband volunteers to work in the entry of our church, so as I looked around, I felt drawn to sit in the same row as a couple that looked like visitors. The worship began.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The words of the worship songs soothed and comforted my troubled soul. I felt the presence of God and his encouragement that he knows all that is happening and that he is able to care for me. Nothing is getting past God’s notice, now or ever.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God moved on the pastor to ask the congregation to come up front if they wanted prayer for healing. The woman near me stood up hesitantly and moved forward.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God impressed on me some words of encouragement to share with her, so I wrote them down, and at the end of the service I went to talk to her then I handed her the paper with the words I written.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We exchanged introductions and then she read the message and tears flowed down her cheeks. She thanked me, explained she was going through a health crisis, and placed it inside her Bible.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>On my way home I recalled that I loosed peace, love, and all the fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:23), as well as justice, morality, integrity, and truth, and compassion over our nation the night before. Whether the enemy attacked me that Sunday morning due to my intercession or just for me to be lazy, just look at the opportunity that I would have missed out on if I had stayed home.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This lesson impressed on me to test my feelings to be sure I was not being led away from a good opportunity. I was grateful that I listened to God rather than being swayed by my feelings. Engaging in life fully<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is rich. Interacting with others around me is vital. It gives new insight, new understanding, shared experiences, and shared joys and shared burdens as well.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Choose to live proactively rather than reactively. Be the positive out there in the world. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Surrender each day to God because he sees what is up ahead. He can guide with his wisdom through the ups and downs of life. With God, we can more calmly respond and get through unexpected circumstances knowing that there is a purpose here if I only trust and see through God’s lens what it is that I am there for.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Of course, that is the ideal. Being only human, I don’t always respond perfectly, but my heart desires to be used this way because when I ask for God to show me the way, sooner or later God gets me back on track.<br /><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I shared this today to encourage you. Embrace each day with gratitude and expectation. See what God opens up for you to experience. We are the positive change that will spread over the whole earth when we walk listening to the Spirit of God. Make a difference on this earth, one person and one conversation at a time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">Jeremiah 29:11<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>NIV</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">Ephesians 5:1-2<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>NASB</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.</span></i></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-51517942695143114442022-08-22T15:58:00.001-05:002022-08-22T16:00:11.306-05:00WWJD<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM6aC8OBC_EOgARPMrvS8gMkpjOSHMdSFgQ9pFLlCH_aYSs9Cmf94n9PSCdctqZimPDrdIXVPRvKOPJ1IRkvIUWs8NjAGkl6idfgfsl2hZZ_6RVm7lJZxi0bwwd7y3ZniS7FeM2oOP683/s474/WWJD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM6aC8OBC_EOgARPMrvS8gMkpjOSHMdSFgQ9pFLlCH_aYSs9Cmf94n9PSCdctqZimPDrdIXVPRvKOPJ1IRkvIUWs8NjAGkl6idfgfsl2hZZ_6RVm7lJZxi0bwwd7y3ZniS7FeM2oOP683/w483-h213/WWJD.jpeg" width="483" /></a></div><br /><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> These four letters, </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">WWJD</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, have been my mantra throughout my life. </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">W</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">hat </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">W</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">ould </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">J</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">esus </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">D</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">o? </span>I ran across them when I read a fiction book in my early twenties. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> In His Steps, written by Charles M. Sheldon, is the compelling story of a content, self-satisfied pastor and his congregation living in the Midwestern United States. When the congregation witnesses a visitor to their church, a homeless man, suddenly die in their midst during a Sunday morning worship service, they realize their failure to love the lost and reflect Christian character in their daily living. After much soul searching and reflection, the pastor presents a challenge to the group. Before deciding how to respond to business deals, personal choices, and relationships in their lives, some members agree to pledge to live their lives for one year, asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?"</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> As far as a literary piece, it is a bit simplistic in the presentation of the plot and mostly very predictable. Yet, its impact on my life has been significant as it made me reevaluate my life's decisions and reactions and helped me dig into the Word of God to see what it can teach me about God's truth and his ways.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Read the red letter edition's exact quotes from Jesus in the New Testament. Read the teachings of the men who wrote the New Testament after spending three years of their lives witnessing the beauty and consistency of how their rabbi lived. They viewed the character, compassion, and love that Jesus demonstrated daily. The teachings were a part of the mission of Jesus. Not only for us to know how to live and do things according to God's desire, but for us to learn that initially, at the time of Creation, there was a standard of the Kingdom of God intended for all humankind to enjoy. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> The heavenly standard and lifestyle are warped by sin, greed, hatred, perversion, witchcraft, and tyranny. These evils crept into our world after the fall of Adam and Eve. By Adam and Eve's disobedience to God's command not to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they handed over God's gift to them of dominion on the earth to our arch enemy, Satan. They gave up their daily walks and close relationship with God.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> I must quickly add that the mission of Christ specifically was to destroy Satan's power over all humanity and the earth through his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus' death on the cross, the blood sacrifice, satisfied the eternal death sentence placed on all humanity separated from God. Now we can choose life and freedom. We now can have fellowship with God and know that we will spend all eternity in heaven rather than hell. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Believers wake up to the significance and extent of dominion we possess over the enemy. We have much more to learn about the positive side of our authority on the earth.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Have I perfectly lived up to my mantra, WWJD? Sadly, no. Like you, I am pretty human, but for much of my life, I can say that by asking myself what Jesus would do in a situation, I came out much better in the long run.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">When put to the test, these four words, </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">W</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">hat </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">W</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">ould </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">J</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">esus </span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">D</strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">o? can work you over. They challenge you and me to get past deceptive emotions, selfish desires, inflated ego, and fear of man. Once applied, these four words shape you into a stronger person willing to step up to a higher plane of living.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 John 1:6,7</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6-7 (MSG) If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth— we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. </span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">6-7 (TPT) But if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p></div>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-61207883077717375982022-07-14T16:12:00.000-05:002022-07-14T16:12:41.549-05:00NOT ALL ANGELS HAVE WINGS<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LO46JTJxd0jHGlKi2GjcMVfvtPrFLRMK9liC5hnBxbqmDVdyVEviojwRyxBj-McvV3hq08vVgGRQk2ecThfcg9jsCukXF9vTswDDgGCRtMdE6ObiJGBvNGyNdpTjfluIgVNz4Xp9hUK6PdV-aTx2aNFD_0XJUw19lnSBn60JRXZxkuoLckzDDme02A/s1902/Angel%20Gabriel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1902" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LO46JTJxd0jHGlKi2GjcMVfvtPrFLRMK9liC5hnBxbqmDVdyVEviojwRyxBj-McvV3hq08vVgGRQk2ecThfcg9jsCukXF9vTswDDgGCRtMdE6ObiJGBvNGyNdpTjfluIgVNz4Xp9hUK6PdV-aTx2aNFD_0XJUw19lnSBn60JRXZxkuoLckzDDme02A/s320/Angel%20Gabriel.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> Now, I know that angels intervene in our lives and I can recall times when my kids were spared death or terrible traumatic injury in accidents and a time when a stranger stopped to pull my daughter out of a smashed car that might have started up in flames only to disappear as soon as the police arrived. I attribute angels with the credit for watching over them even in their adult years, but there are also special “angels” who have blessed my socks off with their kindness, generosity, compassion, and financial blessings.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> It’s funny how just glancing at one sheet of printed paper while cleaning out old files can register a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Thirty-seven years ago this paper was the contact information for an attorney I received. This attorney was the first of many angels who ministered to me in a great time of need.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After finding out that my husband of thirteen years, a pastor, was leaving me for his mistress, I crumbled. I had been a stay at home mom raising our four children, baking bread, cooking from scratch, taking care of other children for some pocket money, and the pastor’s wife; loving every minute. I just didn’t know how I would afford an attorney to represent me or where I was going to live when we left the parsonage.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The new pastor who took over the church talked to a friend of his and connected me with an attorney in Brownsville, Jim Odabashian, who offered to take care of me pro bono. This was such an answer to prayer. I had told God I trusted Him and asked for help, but I am still to this day always surprised at how He answers and takes care of me.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A couple from the church where we had pastored made wooden doll house for my girls and wooden barn with animals for my boys for that bleak Christmas. The church gave me $500. to buy gifts and groceries for Christmas goodies and a feast that I would not have dreamed was possible right after my husband packed up and left.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I discovered a four-bedroom house for rent just blocks from the schools and when I contacted the landlord, he and his wife decided to just charge me $200. a month for rent! This was unbelievable and such a miracle because I only had $450. per month to live on at that time and needed to go to the university for three years before I could teach school and make a decent wage.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I started attending a different church with younger families and friends I’d known from before. One couple, Daryl and Grace, loaned me a VW Rabbit for three years to use while I commuted to UTRGV as a single mom with four children. I had a Lincoln Continental that would have strained my budget. They changed the oil, kept in touch to encourage me, and loved on my kids.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Daryl was also my pastor and the church treasurer gave me $200 a month for the duration of my education as well as taking on a huge repair on my Lincoln and paying off surgery for my six year old daughter’s tonsillectomy. This helped me with my daycare expenses and kept healthy food on the table.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I remember another time when I was going to spend spring break without any of my children. I was struggling emotionally to fend off depression and Connie, the art teacher from school, asked if I wanted to accompany her on a trip to New Mexico for the break and all I had to do was to pay for my meals, that she had relatives for us to stay with and she already planned to drive alone so not to worry about any gas.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That was such an uplifting time for me. I love road trips and to travel past the mesas, to visit her family for a baptism and dinner at their horse ranch. Then visiting her elderly aunt along Route 66; eating in a diner car. Then staying in Albuquerque with her sister and visiting with all her friends who came to hang out. Up we drove to Santa Fe to enjoy art studios, the architecture, food, and stunning views. Then west to inhabited Pueblo dwellings on a high mesa that was a cultural experience. Renewed. Restored. I was ready to tackle the hard stuff again.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Today I am grateful for our dear neighbors and friends who come and step up to help us with odd jobs, mowing our lawn, looking in on our parents when we are out of town, and all of the wonderful donors who make our mission trips to Costa Rica possible these days. I am thankful for the freedoms we still continue to enjoy and the brave souls who fearlessly speak up to keep us on track as a nation.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So many wonderful people.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I trust that I encouraged a child while teaching, or that some teen found out how significant their life was, or that as a family member, neighbor or friend that I was one of those wingless angels to these others that I encountered throughout the years. That’s what this world needs more of. </p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> I challenge you to be that person. Look for ways to pursue random acts of kindness each day for your loved ones, friends, yes, and for strangers when you get the nudge. Your life will be full and joyful as you extend yourself to bless another human being or animal.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (NIV)</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I also like the MESSAGE version:</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">“Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!”</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Photo credit</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Archangel Gabriel's Messages in Dreams</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">thoughtco.com</span></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-89794591143238824192022-03-23T16:52:00.003-05:002022-03-23T16:58:26.167-05:00BLOWING<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWc20fp8MzA5elJOz_fdH31yGd8cb_HTTMu0hI9HFS95Z8SmeCL__b-hGoNVEloQ_RC9lBMYOyepkPf_XHI7qCA6Wmh8ax9aIzfbYYQwz1LruzUYy9o80CCFDRuEg4-UvMsIVRZZWuyO1TG8zEYAPiu_OyhRxD5KMEP_r3ph1S99iSxmoutH2qe2D-Q/s4032/Curtain%20blowing%202022.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWc20fp8MzA5elJOz_fdH31yGd8cb_HTTMu0hI9HFS95Z8SmeCL__b-hGoNVEloQ_RC9lBMYOyepkPf_XHI7qCA6Wmh8ax9aIzfbYYQwz1LruzUYy9o80CCFDRuEg4-UvMsIVRZZWuyO1TG8zEYAPiu_OyhRxD5KMEP_r3ph1S99iSxmoutH2qe2D-Q/w400-h376/Curtain%20blowing%202022.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Air tumbles in wave after wave over me. Gently stirring at first then suddenly whipping up dust devils.</p><p>The once silent breeze begins to howl as it races right past to greener pastures.</p><p>Particles from volcanos, the beaches, the high and low lands, the forests and jungles, a busy avenue, an alley where cardboard protects a lonely soul with only a countdown to look forward to.</p><p>Rushing on past three spent colts bedding down for the night, then sneaking in where men eagerly stack shish-kabobs while trying not to drool.</p><p>Whirling and twirling between the wheels beneath soccer moms heading out to fetch home their favorite star. A brief pause to watch and admire the happy reunions, not understanding entirely but quite aware that this ritual adds power to the earth.</p><p>An invisible gust wears a lacy dress that shows off its billowy self as it speeds through the screens.</p><p>Taking bits from here and there and dropping them in place of something new.</p><p>Drying skin and clothes that dance or maybe they are attempting to escape the pins. Stealing a cap, balloons, then sending seeds of dandelions that soar into oblivion for a new start.</p><p>Challenging a father who strikes endless matches in his fight to grill for his family. </p><p>Then just as quickly as it all started up. All is still.</p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-52426317684628786422022-02-05T21:22:00.004-06:002022-02-05T21:22:51.893-06:00CREATED TO FLOURISH<div>Psalms 139:13-14 (TPT)</div><div>You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother's womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex!</div><div><br /></div><div>1 John 3:1a (NIV)</div><div>See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy this beautiful poem and song by Misty. Sit back, close your eyes, and meditate on this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Garden, by Misty Edwards with lyrics</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/ZD7hj-1Z-LA" width="480"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>#created #womb #garden #love #fatherlove #creation #born #purpose</div>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-79342781177477026872021-11-23T19:35:00.000-06:002021-11-23T19:35:44.370-06:00TREMORS<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXnpeS_ZhdUtce0xWOJjBOGVLE_NUA8QK-Ut9l7-g-4b0o3azN7NR2G7I6mvifMb6Akkwi_rJrhAJMeXYbqnZ1h33QwwGT_jnf6CXxGQrWuC3fu5cGyp1dWxvi3YNnvUMAyyji0vzovlW/s1200/Flower+Costa+Rica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXnpeS_ZhdUtce0xWOJjBOGVLE_NUA8QK-Ut9l7-g-4b0o3azN7NR2G7I6mvifMb6Akkwi_rJrhAJMeXYbqnZ1h33QwwGT_jnf6CXxGQrWuC3fu5cGyp1dWxvi3YNnvUMAyyji0vzovlW/s320/Flower+Costa+Rica.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Back in 2014, just as the sun came up I was taking some random pictures of flowers outside of our rental cabin. As I downloaded some photos onto my computer, plates started to rattle, the doors shook, and dust sifted down from the loft above... earthquake tremors. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I recognized the signs because while living in Tokyo, Japan, there were slight tremors all of the time; at least seven a day and in Guatemala, while on our honeymoon, we experienced an earthquake during a salsa lesson then two of the three volcanoes surrounding Antigua started smoking for hours. I recognized and I knew the sensations well.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The minute this quake in Costa Rica was over I remembered how just minutes before I was admiring the beauty of the coffee plantation. When I gazed out the scenery was picturesque and untouched in the aftermath. The earthquake was real, and yet after it all, with all intact, it seemed surreal. Even some locals using our spring-fed swimming pool continued to laugh and splash. They were oblivious.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Most of us are similar. We experience God, we see miracles or healing and are touched by His presence, but with the distraction of people around us, the busyness of our day, and the draw of our technology, these etheral moments are relegated to the back of our minds and get lost due to the next event marching by that captures our attention. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jerry and I were having earthquake moments in the spirit during this 2014 vision quest concerning our part in ministry in this country. We knew God urged us to come back, but we weren't quite clear on what God had in mind for us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Up until now, we have had many divine appointments in meeting individuals and seeing them ask God to become a real part of their lives. We have made good friends with ex-pats and Ticos alike that we know were purposeful. Who can put a value on just one life? But since our trips at first did not bring changes in the lives of many, and we knew that God did really speak to each of us and drew us here; we continued to seek Him to listen for the Holy Spirit. We needed Him to give us direction. But there was no great revelation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After Elijah cried out to God that the Israelites had forsaken God and his covenants, torn down holy altars, and had killed prophets with the sword, he lamented that he was the last one left and that he too would be hunted down and killed.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> He needed a word from God, too.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In 1 Kings 19:11-12, “The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came the gentle whisper.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Elijah was then given some instructions about anointing and appointing certain men to rule and to prophecy. Then God softly let him know in verse 18 that there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed down to worship Baal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> He was not alone. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What we understand now as we look back is that God was not asking us to wait for detailed instructions: a master plan. He was not going to ask us to start a work or church. He was not going to come in a vision or dream and guide us that way. He did arouse a desire to serve Him in this country, but now all He asked is for us to walk this out. This would not be man’s design or working, but God opened up doors as we continued to walk forward and trust.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>From 2013 to 2016 we sacrificed and blindly obeyed. His gentle intervention has taken us to a place where now at several times a year we speak to hundreds through ladies’ conferences and evangelistic meetings. Whereat first we struggled and used up all of our savings to fund our trips we now see God providing us with everything we need for good works. We simply trust Him. He provides through joyful givers. We are overtaken by the goodness of God!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some of our most cherished times are not the tremors of these large moments…but there are sweet times spent anointing and speaking health over a man or woman with cancer in the privacy of their home. Spending time sharing God’s word and encouraging them in their plight.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Walking down the road after church we visited a sweet sister suffering from diabetes and heard of her impending amputation due to the ulcer on her leg. We were in agreement with the pastors and spoke healing and blessing over her in the name of Jesus. Later we heard that she walked into services the next week to give a glowing testimony of how the doctor unwrapped her leg to find the ulcer gone! She was aglow as she told of God’s goodness.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hugging and encouraging a pastor’s wife who struggled with postpartum depression as she cried about how hard it was going to be to leave her newborn in order to commute over three hours a day to her teaching job during 2021. But less than a month later, I was thrilled to read joyous words she penned on Facebook of her love for her students with a strength oozing throughout that let me know she had found solace in God and a victory over her fears.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Those first moments when God spoke to us about Costa Rica still seem rather surreal just as those passing quakes I’d experienced, but they were real. Even as life moves on and the scenery changes I stop and am grateful for the journey. I have experienced the fire, the wind, the earthquake, but I cherish especially that soft whisper and the warmth of God’s sublime peace that enfolds me as I continue to walk on, waiting to see what He has for me just around the corner.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> My advice for holding onto those precious tremors, those private words that God speaks softly over you is to pay attention. Write them down. Meditate on them and rest in His presence often. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Psalm 37:4-7a says it well. (NIV)</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial;"> Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;</span></span></p><div class="poetry top-05" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em; min-width: 0px; padding-left: 2.6em; position: relative; text-align: start;"><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ps-37-5" id="en-NIV-14456" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span></span></p></div><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-15530080757242061432021-06-11T10:59:00.010-05:002022-03-25T17:01:46.149-05:00Angels and Dreams<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK88nmLkabsinbF1Si_K817OI4_wyecDX8m2LPOYGW_ew7y2q9ZvM5CAliBFeU7W_O9XtFfs5oqXze8QO2l8p7EufmScifgwTcQ8qNVJMynaxJRcZK7XQWORkrBbeLDr4WOS3p74kpWHtp/s424/angels+and+dreams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="424" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK88nmLkabsinbF1Si_K817OI4_wyecDX8m2LPOYGW_ew7y2q9ZvM5CAliBFeU7W_O9XtFfs5oqXze8QO2l8p7EufmScifgwTcQ8qNVJMynaxJRcZK7XQWORkrBbeLDr4WOS3p74kpWHtp/w496-h148/angels+and+dreams.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Reports of angel sightings, visitations, and messages are not anything new. Drawings, paintings, sculptures, historical recordings have made it clear that angels have been here at our aid quite a bit in the past and today seemingly there is much more activity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Dreams are one avenue that is used to give messages from angels or from God himself. There are many who are reportedly receiving more dreams than ever before and who share many that are important to release encouragement, to bring hope, or to warn people whatever the intent of the message was that was given to the dreamer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Many times we attribute the visions, the dreaming, and the visitations as being given to prophetic voices to speak out on their platform or to their sphere of influence but I am here to tell you that God's angels surround us every day. And it's not just prophets who hear from dreams or who receive messages from angels. Any one of us could be confronted with the heavenly messengers to guide us away from danger or to guide us into a good place where we need to be in order for a connection to be made that serves a positive purpose in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> When my youngest son went snorkeling with his dad all of the sudden, his gear tangled in the rebar coming out of the cement on one side nearer the campus; no matter how he struggled to get free he was only able to swim to where his head was just beneath the surface of the San Marcos River. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Running out of breath, he was resigned that drowning was imminent. Though he faced death and was totally out of breath from trying to detach himself, an uncanny peace settled in and around him. He told God that he was ready to go to heaven if it was time. Instead of drowning, a miracle occurred. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Suddenly, his lungs filled with air, he was aware that this was supernatural. His foot, which at this time he was not touching was immediately loosed from the fin. My son may not have seen angels, but they were there and rescued him from the worst possible scenario. He told me later about it as a miraculous rescue by God. I agreed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> There are numerous times when I have felt God's presence or heard him speak and know that his holy angels were with me or my children in various situations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I was reading in Matthew 1:18-23. You know we always hear about how Mary heard from Gabriel that she would miraculously conceive the seed of the Messiah and be his mother, so an angel also appeared to Joseph in a dream and it was so real that he heard and believed that Mary had not been unfaithful or promiscuous, but that she was a virgin chosen by God to bear the Son of God, Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> That is quite a life changer for this couple. She was not shamed. She was beloved, respected, and provided for. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Jesus also grew up with a loving father who provided, mentored him in carpentry and as a man, and he did not grow up with people believing he was a bastard. Thus, God's plan could go forward, but he also was caring for the main players in his plan of saving mankind from the punishment of death for sin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Yet it is recorded in the book of Matthew that there were three other times that an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> The second visitation was a warning telling Joseph to take his family to Egypt to escape the genocide of all the boys two years old and younger that Herod was about to command. Joseph heeded the warning and sure enough, the terrible news of the wailing of mothers and fathers over their slain tiny boys reached them and confirmed that indeed, God had warned him and saved Jesus from an untimely death.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> A third time an angel appeared to Joseph and again it was in a dream. He was told that Herod was dead and it was time to return to Israel, so they headed home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> One last time, Herod was dead, but his evil son, Archelaus, took the throne. This time, the angel came in a dream and told Joseph to head for the hills of Galilee. They settled in the town of Nazareth which fulfilled the prophecy, "He shall be called a Nazarene."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Joseph never preached to multitudes or told his dreams to guide or encourage others, but he took them seriously and they brought great peace to their home and provided protection due to his obedience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> God wants to speak to us whether through the Holy Spirit teaching us as we read and meditate on the Bible. Whether a still small voice as we walk in town or are at home washing dishes. He will send messages to us at work as well. Be ready and know that God still speaks in dreams, in visitations; we need not be afraid. It is for our good and our encouragement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Because of the dreams that Joseph experienced and heeded, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies...all of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Now, we can fulfill the prophecies of Jesus. All who believe in Jesus His death on the cross for our sins, and His resurrection from the dead. We can repent and be saved from eternal damnation. We can also be filled with the Holy Spirit and do the same things Jesus did while he was on the earth and even greater things with all of our technology and God leading us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> <i><span style="color: red;"><b>Yea, though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. </b></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b> You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.</b></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b> Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.</b></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Psalm 23:4-6 NKJV</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-81677671714383681612021-02-06T22:10:00.001-06:002021-02-06T22:10:37.550-06:00LITTLE PEBBLES<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8LbH-pGYp0t6DBU8kXLOiapfdzBgn5kl7pdYoRwb8Ecwhd1QKdo_s0FBsUBbDEin2mKNv4D6WBKZFCw0KUwmee-de1TDRbVAMUxeS5ywv1x0thWemiqvRFb7ojn_cVof5vXi7dd-CcrI/s1200/pebbles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8LbH-pGYp0t6DBU8kXLOiapfdzBgn5kl7pdYoRwb8Ecwhd1QKdo_s0FBsUBbDEin2mKNv4D6WBKZFCw0KUwmee-de1TDRbVAMUxeS5ywv1x0thWemiqvRFb7ojn_cVof5vXi7dd-CcrI/s320/pebbles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>LITTLE PEBBLES<p></p><p> "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." -Mother Teresa</p><p> There are days when the car won't start; when no one gets me; when I am out of ideas; when I just feel like a little pebble in everyone's shoes. I often am amazed that I get anything meaningful done some days because I just wimp out and go from one thing to the next without finishing anything in particular. Then there are days when I run errands, get a lot of cleaning done, fix a great meal for supper, but I just feel like I have not expressed my inner self in a meaningful way.</p><p> Inside me are so many ideas racing around and they won't behave and get organized into the books and the articles that I want to write. I am easily distracted. For so many years as a teacher I have planned lessons to the nth degree with power points to accompany them filled with links to videos to charm and bring clearer understanding to my students. I prepared activities to enhance the depth of their learning and with several preps I rolled these out at a stunning pace.</p><p> Now that I have four days a week to let my creative "genius" leak out I find myself satisfied with the mundane tasks and errands that crowd out my quiet time when I could write.</p><p> Today I sat at my desk to write a message for my last session of a ladies meeting that convenes a week from today, I opted to start a blog, and in starting the blog I was inspired with an idea for a children's book and that is what I wrote. It turned out well. So good for me actually writing down some ideas that wanted to get out of me, but bad for me and my lame attempt to finish my primary task. But good for me because I got the creative juices going and my best friend in turn is excited to do some sketches for the illustrations and this will take us out of our day dreams of collaboration and into the real world of making it happen. </p><p> Then I sit and think about all of the things going on in our country and in the world and I wonder how my little children's book, my blog, the books I have in the works but not finished, my talks to women here and there, my encouragement to my elderly parents, taking them to appointments, rocking my tiny grandson and singing abc songs with his three-year-old brother add up to inventors, soldiers out on dangerous missions...out on the high seas, CEOs, big tech, or leaders of nations, states, counties, cities, or school districts.</p><p> Then I hear God encouraging me. He says, "Be fruitful." "Love one another." "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another." Seek first the kingdom of God" "Encourage one another." "My thoughts and ways are not your ways." I get the hint, God. My measuring stick for productivity and contributing to society is not based on my net worth, titles after my name, being famous, saving the world, or even if I get everything on my to-do list done today.</p><p> I have lived and loved. I have shared and smiled. I have served and provided. I have encouraged and shared truths. I have been fruitful and I hear you say that I cannot even begin to measure my worth on this earth.</p><p> To me it seems like little pebbles dropped in a vast ocean, but in the end the ripples continue on and on and on beyond my immediate senses. So I guess this is your message back to me. Just be satisfied that each day I have shared a bit of myself, whatever that bit may be. After all, those bits will sprout and blossom into what they were meant to be if only I am true to myself and realize that I do matter in each little unique way that I am me. This is the contribution to the world that only I can give.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Psalm 8:3, 4</b> (ESV)</p><p>When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers the moon and stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...</p><p><b>Romans 12:2</b> (ESV)</p><p>Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...</p><p><b>Ephesians 5:1</b> (ESV)</p><p>Be imitators of God like beloved children.</p><p><b>Ephesians 2:10</b> (ESV)</p><p>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-50418768266084145762021-01-12T23:36:00.001-06:002021-01-12T23:36:49.825-06:00THE WHISPER<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48vB9bY7UaZ1674u6gP9JI9YbzRZngcK-178KeMUt3-zJnp65pC0HG4MVLxUORW8EWiezM050I-3rqZ0RWRHr0d7BCSfeiGrbaANv9LtRW3b8eQjhV0lMauB8sOBq1Airp5orN8joqbXe/s2048/Luca+by+the+tree+2020+age+3.jpeg.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48vB9bY7UaZ1674u6gP9JI9YbzRZngcK-178KeMUt3-zJnp65pC0HG4MVLxUORW8EWiezM050I-3rqZ0RWRHr0d7BCSfeiGrbaANv9LtRW3b8eQjhV0lMauB8sOBq1Airp5orN8joqbXe/w300-h400/Luca+by+the+tree+2020+age+3.jpeg.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">THE WHISPER</span><p></p><p> <span style="font-family: verdana;"> "Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God." -Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Have you ever had a toddler tap you on the leg as you stood by and then motion for you to bend down to their level so they can whisper something into your ear?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Well, in my experience, I have waited expectantly as their soft breath of innocence entered my ear. Each time, I focus intently to distinguish the sounds flowing my way in order to decode their very important message. And if I didn't quite get the complete message--I asked for it to be repeated, whereby the youngster usually would give me a knowing look realizing that I needed some added assistance...spoke more loudly or slowly so that I would catch their meaning this time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> As I consider the desire I have to hear more from God, I think back on how I waited and focused in silence to hear that wee one speak to me. I totally focused on them and even shushed others so that I could hear them better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> For me today there are too many distractions. The laundry, the kitchen, the shopping, phoning to make my hair appointment, updating my calendar of events, checking email, my social media, catching up on the news, paying bills, ordering essentials on Amazon, and my to-do list that has no end. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I want to be still. I want to hear well so I turn off the phone, go to a lesser-used room, one I rarely work in and clear it of reading material. With my Bible beside me and an empty legal pad, I retreat to get quiet, see, hear, and record the precious words of life that will come forth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Worship. Quiet. Wait expectantly...listen. Ask questions. Listen. Record. Make petitions. Worship. Wait. Quiet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Words on this from the ESV version of the Bible:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Psalm 37:7 Bestill before the Lord and wait patiently for him.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Psalm 25:4-5 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Psalm 199:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-1473893316741094822020-10-01T16:26:00.001-05:002020-10-10T12:37:53.595-05:00ON BEING HUMAN<h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On Being Human</span></h1><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FydFw5iMxP30v8FKERRcWrvh2QxQ_R8AOAIXHvluKG4F0DdIxXOYDjK_qhOJiBvyxdowsHa7CAtDQYT4JJkrW_RkXkYwh8RlWjNEI5lv7WXy5Zi0eOQZ4mWFRvxXqlKXDwXsCFLPnMtz/s310/humans.jpg" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FydFw5iMxP30v8FKERRcWrvh2QxQ_R8AOAIXHvluKG4F0DdIxXOYDjK_qhOJiBvyxdowsHa7CAtDQYT4JJkrW_RkXkYwh8RlWjNEI5lv7WXy5Zi0eOQZ4mWFRvxXqlKXDwXsCFLPnMtz/s0/humans.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> About a year ago, I was reading the book, YOU ARE THE GIRL FOR THE JOB by Jess Connolly. My take away was this one exercise at the beginning that asked me to write about my idealized self. So here is the reveal. And guys, this is not just for the girls. So hang in there.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> MY IDEALIZED SELF:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I see myself on my best days as loving, benevolent, inspiring, teaching, completing tasks at hand, giving out words of knowledge, opening up a business for passive income, traveling, speaking, and book signings for published books.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I see myself as energetic, curious to travel and experience new places and cultures. I see lives transformed, gratitude, joy, love, and hope taking center stage during this part of my journey. Concerns, fear, inadequacy, timidity, and fear of faithlessness are pushed aside.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I serve an all-powerful, all-sufficient God and I am capable of anything that I want to tackle as long as He is walking alongside me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> God created me for such a time as this and so I wave goodbye to my idealized self and I hug my real self which responds and deals with real people and the real world.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> My real self is my most influential self though because that is who is living in my skin. I still see weakness, face obstacles, feel pain, or am the cause of it--this is me but I am evolving day by day. I am better equipped today than I was yesterday to face the challenges that will try to trip me up. Instead, they will cause me to grow in my resolve. My life is a journey and it is the rough spots where I have had the sweetest communion with God and where I have realized more of my strengths and have experienced His presence as He hovered over me and cared for me in the middle of a crisis.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. NIV</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> Just like hydrogen alone is highly flammable and potentially explosive: I, just on my own, can cause a lot of damage to myself and others. So I choose to merge and live my life under God's tutelage: under his wise counsel. I submit to his authority because He walks in perfect love and knows everything that I need to grow into the ruler and priest that He created me to be. Plus the Holy Spirit fills this earthly temple. After experiencing His loving care and goodness toward me during the darkest hours of my life, I will never choose to face life without Him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> ACTUAL ME + GOD = vibrant life</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> It's you and me against the world, God! We've got this.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> 1 Peter 1:12 "Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this." MSG</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> A spirit-empowered life of purpose is one where we choose to strategize with God; where we have unique gifts and callings. This is an option unique to being human; so embrace your actual self but in addition, maximize your greatness by embracing our Creator as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Disclaimer: I give credit to Jess for any seemingly borrowed thoughts. I journaled about what I read and I have written from those notes. Her book was a sweet read.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></div>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-58469908520440717652020-05-03T01:15:00.001-05:002022-06-18T09:43:47.679-05:00THE BLINDFOLD<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><span> </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"> </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">It was the beginning of a new school year for me in high school. This was my sophomore year so I knew my way around and I felt much more confidant than I had the year before. It was my first day so I was meeting new teachers and discovering the mix of peers in each class. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> This period I headed to my English small group. </span>I entered tentatively and saw Mr. Menges with his glasses perched halfway down his nose. He glanced up from the table he was working at and greeted our tiny group of eight girls. Right away, he introduced himself giving a little background, and then we shared some information about ourselves. </div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> I was first. “Hi, I’m Chris. I’m a sophomore taking choir, French, and Spanish for electives. I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, but I love to travel, read, ride bikes, and play tennis. I am the president of my youth group and sing in a youth choir at church. I also work part-time at the public library.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> The rest of the girls followed suit.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Our teacher assured us that this year would not be like our other English classes, and to get ready for a ride. We listened with interest because usually English was full of predictable grammar and literature exercises. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Mr. Menges whipped out some paisley bandanas from his cupboard. “Ta-da!” he grinned as he saw the surprise on our faces.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Hmmm…weird I thought. Now what? This was our last class of the day and we were all weary and ready to go home. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> “Today you will work in pairs,” Mr. Menges announced.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> The next thing I knew, I was being led around the school by a girl that I have never set eyes on before, while I sported a paisley bandana which covered my forehead and eyes. This was not the way I wanted to make a first impression this year.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> My self-esteem was not that high, to begin with. I was well aware that I ranked low on the social scale at my high school since I turned down pledge invitations from two sororities in my freshman year. At this high school, being invited to pledge and turning them all down spelled social death. I threw away any chance to be a part of the ‘in-crowd’.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> So here I was going around looking goofy with this blindfold mashing my mascara into my face and adding a crease in the back of my waist-length auburn hair. </span>What was the point of this crazy exercise in English anyway? </div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Ascending and descending several flights of stairs, roaming through the gravel in the student parking lot outside then down the hallways inside, we headed toward the library: our rendezvous point.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> To begin with, I thought this was merely a trust exercise, but now Mr. Menges instructed us to brainstorm twenty things we remembered about our experience. Next, we had to write a paper based on one item from our list. Now I understood; he gave me a sensory experience could write about. So, I wrote about trust and detailed many of the horrible things that my partner could have put me through like sending me into the boys' restroom or walking me into the pool. But she hadn't.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> A little eccentric at first, this man became one of my favorite teachers. He triggered my thinking in new ways and true to his word this class was not boring at all. I was stretched and challenged.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Once when I took my four older kids camping, I held onto my son, Jonathan, as he leaned out over a stone wall to peer down a steep cliff near a scenic overlook. Off in the distance, we could see the Frio River snaking its way through the hills. It was breathtaking. It was a sheer drop of over five hundred feet to the bottom so there was no way I would have released my grip around his waist. As dangerous as it looked; he never hesitated for a moment. It never occurred to him that this might not be safe. He completely trusted me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Now a new era dawns with this global pandemic. A great reset is changing the way we live our lives and the way that we relate to one another. We're riding a roller-coaster in many arenas. Trust is a big issue for us today. Amid all of the conflicting facts and shifting regimens, I am comforted to have God as a constant in my life.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> My God is always with me and speaks to me daily during my Bible reading, in times of meditation, during conversations, and as I listen to prophetic voices that confirm that what my spirit is sensing about these current events. This new era emerges historically as nations shut down as never seen before. In the natural, we see social distancing and isolation, and in the spiritual realm, we sense a time of rest and reflection which has allowed us to reassess our lives, businesses, and our eternal destination. God calms me and reminds me to continue daily with joy. He urges me to remember my identity, that I am a child of the King of creation. I share in his endless resources. In the past few years, God has emphasized that I was born for such a time as this. He has prepared me for this time in my life. Retirement from my secular job may be timely, but now there is still so much to do in life. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> As anxiety tries to overtake me, Jesus overrules and melts it away with his peace. He comes from a kingdom that is ruled with the rule of law on a level of love and joy that we have only glimpsed at best in shadows here on earth.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> Just like my youngster relied on me as he leaned over the precipice, I know from life experiences that I can rely on my Father God in total abandon. He has been a rock for me through many rough places. At first, walking a life of faith can seem a bit risky, like when I trusted that stranger as I was lead blindfolded, but you will find that the Bible is true and God is faithful. So why not prepare for the ride of your life by connecting to a friend who sticks closer than a brother? Jesus loves you.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Proverbs 3:5 (MSG)</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">5 Trust God from the bottom of your heart: don’t try to figure out everything on your own.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Psalm 27:13,14 (TPT)</b> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">13 Yet I totally trust you to reuse me one more time, so that I can see once again how good you are while I'm still alive!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">14 Here's what I've learned through it all: don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting--for he will never disappoint you!</span></div>
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redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-80037344330429193992020-03-10T16:22:00.000-05:002020-03-12T17:27:45.629-05:00JUST RIGHT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This stray branch hanging down out of symmetry on my mountain laurel tree is thanking me for not whacking it off for my preferred perfectionistic shape but rather; I've allowed it to show off the potential that was packed inside of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I just wonder what we do to our children in the name of education and even home training with our approaches to clone them for higher education. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We classify them and sort them into boxes that we have organized in order to define them all by the perceived deficiencies we notice in them rather than allowing them to feel loved, supported, and reinforcing the fact that we delight in every aspect of their personhood. What might they turn into if we would watch them with great anticipation in all of their uniqueness to see how they will beautify and improve the world with their special endowed powers.<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I thank God for diversity. I thank Him for gazing at us with eyes full of love. No matter what we get ourselves into or how weak we seem so much of the time. Still, God is full of admiration. He knows what we are fully capable of if we would only just take Him at His word and believe all that He says about us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Our Heavenly Father embraces us, the whole package (our weaknesses, inconsistencies, and oddities). He still encourages us with, “You will do wonderful things. You will be brave. You will be a light when others feel like their darkness is overwhelming because you are you. Not perfect but you. That is all I want. I want you to know that every day you are enough and reach out to others in full confidence in the beauty of your soul.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> God spoke today to me just from an oddly pruned branch that hung down from a tree in my front yard. Look around. What is He saying to you today? Open your eyes, be still for a moment, and listen.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ephesians 3:20 NIV </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZSD1OgMoNnfC0kvoMy0653gj41Oud8vQV2MlMg_YSEm4SpXnKZgrMCIIhSrVir_tkcNdwD48URRqdUJJVgcTdnil2OA-R2NgeYnh4zKCQ18759imyrnA6MB2cmgOGVkORBnFC5ygt9u/s1600/Mountain+llaurel+2+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZSD1OgMoNnfC0kvoMy0653gj41Oud8vQV2MlMg_YSEm4SpXnKZgrMCIIhSrVir_tkcNdwD48URRqdUJJVgcTdnil2OA-R2NgeYnh4zKCQ18759imyrnA6MB2cmgOGVkORBnFC5ygt9u/s200/Mountain+llaurel+2+2020.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, <b>according to his power that is at work within us,</b></span></i></div>
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redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-91478313397084991822020-02-19T15:45:00.001-06:002020-02-25T13:05:54.121-06:00CROSS THE LINE<div class="p1" style="font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><b>CROSS THE LINE</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span class="s2" style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration-line: underline;"><b>THE ALAMO</b></span><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>-</b> In 1836 William B. Travis was famous for drawing a line in the sand at this mission in San Antonio, Texas.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> February 23-March 6 was the Battle of the Alamo where Travis</span> asked for volunteers to stay and fight, even though all of them knew that their only victory would be to buy time for the Texas forces to gather more men to fight and it would also give them more time to evacuate farms and towns along Santa Ana’s route to fight against them. Every man there stepped across the line and committed to stay and fight, even though it would mean their death.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The courage shown in this sacrifice inspired more Texans to volunteer to fight and stop Santa Ana.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Remember the Alamo!” was the battle cry that drove them on to victory to win their freedom from Mexico in the Texas Revolution.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkrUQLo_7Q86GUti0IVgRpxeetFZ1V7AN3b4OwODgyTpesyigZ22EhqD_U8manjlspuYm6gfd6PZr_UwFAFZu0bT4z09KhUrSpn3LA0xF7pNsEyuW5835X_Y6L0FKgm_J2mWY4P84zNG3/s1600/Sarah+laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkrUQLo_7Q86GUti0IVgRpxeetFZ1V7AN3b4OwODgyTpesyigZ22EhqD_U8manjlspuYm6gfd6PZr_UwFAFZu0bT4z09KhUrSpn3LA0xF7pNsEyuW5835X_Y6L0FKgm_J2mWY4P84zNG3/s1600/Sarah+laughing.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> <u>SARAH</u></b></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>-</b> Abram, Sarai’s husband, was told to change both of their names.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> He would now be Abraham, the father of many nations. His wife would be </span>Sarah, who was barren and had not been able to conceive a child. She was now in her nineties. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"> Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown and laughed...then when the Lord appeared to him again with two angels at his tent, Sarah overheard the Lord say to Abraham that by the next year this time, when they visited, Sarah would have a son. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This time it was Sarah who laughed and wondered, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yet Sarah <b>did</b> believe that God would do what he promised.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She embraced the challenge, crossed the line in faith, even if it was a little hard to believe at this stage of her life.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b> <u>JERRY AND CHRISTIE-</u></b></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> So, Jerry and I took Philip on a vacation to Costa Rica.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We thought we would stay for a couple weeks in the mountains and a week for Philip at the beach.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The first night we encouraged a new Christian from Wales, Great Britain. As we stood on the sidewalk outside of Papagayo’s talking, I felt the Holy Spirit flow over me in waves.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was so strong that I stopped and looked at Jerry and the young man and asked them, “Can you feel that?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Do you feel God’s presence right now?”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They both acknowledged that they felt it as well.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That night and through the rest of the trip, I felt God tugging at my heart concerning Costa Rica.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I felt that God was asking me again, to CROSS THE LINE and accept the challenge to leave all and serve Him in this country. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So, when I was praying and asking God in July of 2012 if he would confirm to me that Jerry and I were truly meant to share the good news of Jesus in Costa Rica, I opened my Bible, intending to flip over to the New Testament.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Bible opened up and up flashed this verse.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My eyes saw no other one on that page. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> EZEKIEL 12:3,6- Ezekiel was being told to leave like an exile to another place.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To pack all he could carry on his shoulders and to leave at dusk.</span></b></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What God said to us was to go and no matter that it was in the dusk of our lives. We did not stop and think long about it. We knew that we must go and CROSS THE LINE. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So, we have traveled into Costa Rica mostly into the Alajuela Region for times of intense ministry. There was a time when we put our home up for sale for two years without one nibble to buy it. We hardly had anyone come to view our beautiful home. Here we were willing to give it all up, but nothing was happening. We had already applied and been accepted for permanent residency, so we waited on God to confirm whether or not we would permanently move down to Costa Rica.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Surprisingly, the houses all around us sold during that time. Our home had more bedrooms, many upgrades, amenities, and sat on a lovely treed lot in the Texas Hill Country, but not one offer came our way.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> Finally, o</span>ne day while Jerry inspected the empty interior of our home and swept up a few dust bunnies between showings; he said he felt God told him the house had not sold because it was ours. Jerry declared that God was giving the house back to us. He called me right away and told me to pack up all of our belongings from the rent house; we were moving back home.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We crossed the line in faith, but God has only required that we go intermittently for a month or a few weeks at a time to encourage pastors and to stir up fires through teachings at ladies’ conferences, through Jerry's teaching ministry to pastor’s and men's’ meetings, and through evangelistic meetings where Jerry, guest ministers, and worship teams experienced the Holy Spirit falling on all present for salvation, for baptism of the Holy Spirit, for healing the sick, and for creative miracles.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We are gearing up to head down, the two of us, to a new region, to new congregations, on the Osa Peninsula for joint women's meetings and a crusade between nine churches. There will be meetings in five other towns as well. We have no idea how we will be received or what God has in store, but we are rolling up our sleeves and preparing for good things in people's lives because He is a GOOD GOOD GOD.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is joy indescribable to walk in tune with God. I always find that when He is gently leading me out of my comfort zone it is to take me into a wonderful adventure. One that my heart is longing for.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;"><b>BE WILLING TO CROSS THE LINE</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">NO MATTER WHAT ISSUE IT IS<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">NO MATTER WHAT TEMPTATION<span class="Apple-converted-space"> YOU FACE</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">NO MATTER WHAT JOB OFFER YOU GET</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">NO MATTER WHAT RELATIONSHIP YOU ARE IN</span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">WHATEVER GOD TELLS YOU TO DO...DO IT</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-kerning: none;">TO OBEY IS THE WAY TO A MORE EXCELLENT LIFE<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-8654722793714973832019-07-26T12:50:00.002-05:002019-07-28T22:40:20.434-05:00LEANING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LEANING</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> In 2014, my daring husband took a long journey to Costa Rica from our home in Texas. He drove our Expedition down there for our mission work. The journey through Mexico and Central America is not always safe, so we prayed a covering over him as he left and daily until he finally crossed each border. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> One prayer warrior prayed over Jerry the night before he left and asked that God would make him invisible to anyone wanting to do him harm. Even our little four-year-old granddaughter prayed that God would send the angel mermaids to make him invisible. She had no idea what brother James had already prayed. It was like a confirmation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> On about the third night he and his friend Lanny, who drove a bus headed for Honduras, stopped around two in the morning to get a little rest. Jerry fell on his way to the room and cut a gash right above his wrist that was so deep, he needed stitches. He wrapped it with an old teeshirt to stop the bleeding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Jerry headed out for a bite to eat and noticed a family from outside who were walking. The water in the rooms poured out a dirty dark tan, so as he pulled out a bottle of Ozarka from his 24 pack, he offered some to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> When they approached him, the mother noticed the bloodied shirt covering the wound and asked if she could pray for him. Of course, he agreed. She pulled out a blue salve and rubbed it into the wound, then prayed. Immediately, Jerry noticed that the cut had closed up and within a few moments his skin was totally restored to normal. He went to show Lanny and looked up to thank them again, but they were already out of sight. We know this was a divine appointment for his protection from further complications.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Wings of protection followed him through all of his border crossings; stops at hotels; drives in the dark before daylight; and around the hills up into the mountains until he finally crossed into the peaceful country of Costa Rica, where we use our vehicle for our services and conferences God opens up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I am convinced of the love, goodness, and presence of our loving God wherever we go. We lean on God; He is faithful to protect and perform his promises. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">"Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(lyrics and music by Anthony Showalter and Elisha Hoffman)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-41771386091997543772019-06-30T23:43:00.004-05:002020-09-07T14:43:26.882-05:00UNCERTAIN TOMORROWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Try as you may, figuring out a plan for the uncertain tomorrows can take a lot of energy and still...you will never really know in the space of time yet to come, not in this present moment, what will come your way. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I found myself considering different scenarios for my future and quite honestly, I was confronted with anxiety just thinking about all of the ins and outs of the various possibilities. Do I start my own pre-school? Do I begin a new business? Do I go into sales and work on commission? Do I cut my standard of living and giving and take a more low profile job? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Why all of this mental activity this summer? Well, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have to make a major decision that will affect me for the next ten months. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have to decide which road to walk down this next year: to teach or not to teach. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Tomorrow is the deadline for any resignations: forty-five days before the first day that students arrive at school. I want to be free to write; to live free in the moment for my family; to come and go for ministry in Costa Rica; and to have a healthier lifestyle in mind, soul, and body. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The bottom line seems to hinge on money. I ask myself if this is the illusion of society and its brainwashing or is there is a better way to live than all of the ferocity that is demanded of me working for a huge organization that barely acknowledges my existence and my impact except to rate me by the status quo standards put forth for all students in Texas that my English language learners struggle to be competent with.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I make good money. Don't get me wrong. Money is a blessing and can be used to benefit others and to allow us to reach out across borders to touch lives. I also know that I do impact lives positively and that my students do learn and are cared for in my little domain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Yet, stress is the enemy that attacks as I interact with some young people who seem somewhat jaded in their methods of interaction with adults and take their frustrations out on us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> For some of my students, it's the language of English that is a huge roadblock, but for others, they just aren't convinced that dissecting literature, writing to canned prompts, or researching for a prescribed format or grade is a meaningful use of their time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Students struggle to understand why they are even in this rat race of public education and are tired of the defeat they find in this maze that seems to sort many of them into slots of frustration, failure, and eventually depression from a low self-image. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I've encountered kids who have experienced a life of suffering and who have not had their basic needs met.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> According to Maslow, safety, home, food, clean water, clothing, warmth, and rest are the foundation of our most basic needs. When these are met, the next level of needs are the psychological needs: close relationships with family and friends; then the icing on the cake is prestige and a feeling of accomplishment in their life, their worth, and hope for the future. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Here a</span><span style="font-size: large;">t the top are the self-fulfillment needs where individuals feel that their gifting, their passion, and who they are is impacting the world around them in a satisfying way, yet some are crippled who live without even the basics in life. They are left without a stable foundation to progress and have to fight each step of the way to complete their pyramid of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Too many that have crossed my thresh hold have tried bravely to cope with their circumstances, and in the struggles, many have lost hope that any productive energy spent in these rectangular domains will profit them at all. Some are passive and go the way of least resistance: they go along with the game. Some enter into the fray and give back new insights and charge the atmosphere with life as they engage. A growing number react in anger or boredom striking out maliciously. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I see the plight of my charges. I wish I could gift them with insight and courage for their mind, spirit, and soul, but this is a painstaking task. Over time, brave men and women with generous hearts, quick minds, and endurance will gain ground with these fledglings, the future of our nation. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> An extraordinary amount of energy and stamina are required daily to withstand verbal darts. Patience is frayed at times from attacks that have breached civility, so to counter creatively with options for learning or reasons for these teens to care it takes a renewed outlook and stepping back to get perspective. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> All the while, we know they are young and their brains are still maturing, but teachers, being quite human need time to repair the damage. Thus summer break. So, here I sit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I've had three weeks off now, and it's time to reassess my store of stamina and courage. Twenty-four years experience and I've seen some change, but a lot has remained the same. Yet each year the load of the job description seems to increase so as to bulge at the seams. What kind of super-human strength do TEA, the federal and state legislators, and central office administration imagine that we teachers possess?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> So, tonight is the night. Do or die, the decision to take on another bunch of diamonds in the rough is upon me, even though I still feel the pain, and I have not had the time to work out the kinks from the challenges of last year's adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Love may be blind, but teachers go in with both eyes wide open. The workload is tough and thankless on most days. Most weekdays stretch into the late hours of the night finishing work that just has to be done for those next lessons. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Still, I remember written notes handed in from a few students who were grateful for success on their state tests and personal breakthroughs. Others wrote that they were thankful that I kept plugging away each day, prepared to teach no matter what had transpired the day before. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Many days I'd say, "This is a new day. It's the first day of the rest of your life. You can change the course of your life by the choices you make today." A few caught my drift, though this was not understood by all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I smile as I recall a few recent immigrants who came to wish me well and say goodbye for the summer. Their eyes wistfully searched my face for a glimmer of hope that I might return in the fall, so they could request me if I taught senior English again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Next year's duty calls for me to teach all four years of ELA to my students. That's a lot of preps. Well, I still am sorting through all of the pros and cons. Health, wealth, sanity, am I daring enough to brave either road? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> And then, this morning's scripture for the day on my Bible app read: "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 (MSG) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update:</u></b> As of August 2019, I am tutoring students in English and reading. I am also dedicating myself to writing and speaking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our present society does not pay a good teacher or an itinerate minister what they are worth, but one day...when the curtain falls it will be worth it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: Blurry Light Abstract, Free Images of Blurry, pixabay.com</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-43316435444539351592019-04-20T22:27:00.000-05:002020-02-19T16:25:56.121-06:00GOLD<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> GOLD</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">At the end of class, one of my freshmen turned around when I was assisting a student nearby and admired my bracelet. After a break in my conversation with the girl behind him, Chuy asked if my bracelet was made of gold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Stopping to grin and chuckle a bit, I reminded him that I raised six children. That is where most of my money went after rent, house payments, utilities, and groceries. There just wasn't money left over for even luxuries like sodas, snack food, or eating out </span><span style="font-size: medium;">much less for buying anything gold.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> "Right now, the only gold I wear is my engagement ring and wedding band. That's all the gold that I need, really," smiling as I replied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> He flashed me his ready smile, but his furrowed brow at the end hinted that he was still wondering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> I imagine these days a lot of people think that gold is something to stockpile. In an attempt at security in a volatile world, they calm their fears by possessing as much as they can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> I spoke to one man from Vietnam, who told me that people there exchange their paper money to gold each month after payday because they have seen the economic system fail so often; paper money became worthless, leaving many broke. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Driving home from work this thought struck me: my children and grandchildren are my true gold. I invested my life, time, savings, and heart by sowing seeds of love, praying, and spending time with them. My hope was that they would grow into the thoughtful, hard-working individuals that they have become.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> What do I have in return? Pure joy. My heart is full and running over whenever I spend time with one of these precious ones that God granted me time with over the years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> As an empty-nester, my daughters and sons have grown up, and they've gone out upon their journeys, but I see the glitter and luster in the way they approach life, speak into their sons and daughters and touch the lives of others nearby. Who could ask for more?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 6px;">Matthew 6:19-21</span> <span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">The Passion Translation (TPT)</span></span></h1>
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px;">
<span class="text Matt-6-19" id="en-TPT-3497" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Treasures in Heaven</span></span></h3>
<div class="first-line-none" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">19 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-TPT-3497a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-3497a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-21&version=TPT#fen-TPT-3497a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> </span><span class="text Matt-6-20" id="en-TPT-3498" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">20 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-TPT-3498b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-3498b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-21&version=TPT#fen-TPT-3498b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.</span> </span><span class="text Matt-6-21" id="en-TPT-3499" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">21 </span><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-TPT-3499c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-3499c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A19-21&version=TPT#fen-TPT-3499c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-582267912637757782019-01-27T20:48:00.001-06:002019-08-16T14:23:20.483-05:00OUT OF CONTROL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IL2VtEOvBgCn-ImowbNOEfl8TCRYEKboiaNyqmxQ4qtyHg85KRDyLe8-toXqafTKfpVm3v1pllK-YOKywUei25mt4eEAbV1zp_jqpyCj3xH0y47u3Zoo3N8HHLdTAFELCZr24EDqcfPx/s1600/out+of+control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IL2VtEOvBgCn-ImowbNOEfl8TCRYEKboiaNyqmxQ4qtyHg85KRDyLe8-toXqafTKfpVm3v1pllK-YOKywUei25mt4eEAbV1zp_jqpyCj3xH0y47u3Zoo3N8HHLdTAFELCZr24EDqcfPx/s1600/out+of+control.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14px;">Note: A ballad inspired by a near-death, life-changing experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was dreary outside after leaving the church.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few sprinklings of rain kissed my neck.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My feelings were mixed after the sermon that day.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do I carry out plans to eat steak with this man?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do I keep the date? Do I backtrack?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Or cut it off, today it might be right.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I glanced at the sky, it was as if it replied.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With that ominous glare and attack.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Set my phone on the seat of my red SUV.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The long line of cars further slowed me down.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overthinking with time that relaxed.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thoughts nagged me to go home and turn right around.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The longer I knew this entrepreneur.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Uneasiness, I admit the fit’s bad.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doubts fly like bats in my head at night.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The lightning struck terra from high in the sky.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Underlining the answers I lack.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Thunderous booming, waves fell from above.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I-35 was a-flood to behold.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Torrents blew blinding me; wanting to slack.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Trucks, cars, and trailers raced through.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then to my surprise, I flew to the right.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Floating swiftly across two of three tracks.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Out of control, nothing I could do.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hitting the grass, I now faced them down.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought this ride would be my last.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Somehow I skidded and missed every truck.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After curious motorists stopped to inquire.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After my racing heart didn’t attack.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With closed eyes so grateful for the gift of more time.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Slowly, so slowly, not caring how slow.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I headed for my destination.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We walked in together to order our dinner.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">No worried look, an, “Oh, too bad.”</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Then changed the subject right back.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I saw clearly that moment what I needed to see.</span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I rested my knife, my fork on my plate.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I looked him right in the eye.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">“Is that all the better you care for my terror?”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He asked, “What’s the matter? You need me to flatter?”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Said I, “No, but think what might’ve been.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Those bats flapped their wings, as I felt the sting.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Calmly I smiled and bid him goodbye.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He knew without me a saying.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The back of me leaving would be the last he’d see of me.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The clouds hung heavy and black.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: blue;">Note: My seniors were struggling with their ballad project, so I brainstormed in front of them to let them see how quickly ideas could be written and in ten minutes or less that led to three and a half stanzas. I encouraged them and said just stick to it and tell your story.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: blue;">So here is mine that I finished. From back when I was a single parent, dating some frogs before I found my prince.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: blue;">Moral of the story... listen to those bats flying around at night. When you have doubts, there is surely a reason... do not ignore the voice of God when he pricks your conscience. It is best not to settle, but to live His best.</span></span></div>
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</style>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-49722476543409775212018-08-09T15:12:00.000-05:002019-07-02T16:09:27.861-05:00FLOATING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionwQKUi97vUH62kyQgE7F-_AIXeEgp_NdZVW_jJumR_FxzOHcdXETkZWmVGpzesQHCOt1zH38_d7_tiVHjEoMeKVZs-ESrbTUEtteISPwboa7BNFGhPom18WI7_zumIXtUpHsrFEsO0dO/s1600/swirly+ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionwQKUi97vUH62kyQgE7F-_AIXeEgp_NdZVW_jJumR_FxzOHcdXETkZWmVGpzesQHCOt1zH38_d7_tiVHjEoMeKVZs-ESrbTUEtteISPwboa7BNFGhPom18WI7_zumIXtUpHsrFEsO0dO/s320/swirly+ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life: an ocean stretching so far beyond my reach; emoting so many moods: energy on steroids one day; a limp noodle on another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">So deep. Stopping for a moment, I look into the blue-gray depths to see a world teeming with vitality. I sense the rhythm below as well as the whoosh of the swells as they lap up on the water-logged shore.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">A chameleon. Flamboyant billowy clouds skating across azure fields reflect down onto this fluid life. Then, abruptly, colossal and ominous clouds thunder their warning to sailors. Beware! Enormous waves dwarf my boat. How dare I trespass.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Resting place. I wonder about the multitude who have faced these frothing mountains only to lose their grip and fall into Neptune's clutches.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Salty water gushes into my boat. What if I capsize? Will I finally sink down... down... down... until I submit as the pressure crushes from the outside in. And with no oxygen left to feed my brain, what will happen to a lifetime of stored up thoughts? All lost?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Simply lazy. Flatwater days arrive at last. Glassy smooth days where peace wears the crown and all is well under his reign--well, maybe too good to be true days. Boredom seeps in. Nothing to contend with; to champion; to explore.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">The ebb and flow changes, so must I. Stroking gently, I move forward defeating stagnancy. A momentum achieved-- then a thought flutters nearby. Frantically it buzzes first in brilliant blues then oranges and finally blinking a red of importance to capture my full attention on its urgency.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh? My daughter? What's up? Never mind. I reach for my drawer overflowing with note cards covered in flowers, masculine stripes, and paisley. Yes, the wild one... that suits her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">Penning a heartfelt string of words that express the wonder of who she is--they stream from the very depth of a piece of my ocean.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">I throw this as a life-preserver on my daughter's bed. A discovery she will read upon her return. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;">I settle comfortably back into a black inner tube. My neck leans back just right in the curve as I relax again amidst the rise and fall of the waves.</span></span><br />
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redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-29959264476816479582017-10-11T20:42:00.000-05:002019-05-08T16:28:00.647-05:00HELLO WORLD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbAZBdbsGlVcrRjjM24YmPgZ-4Iff5edSsPzPA3jtKu6Ke0mSLkF6FMXL3rN8NNqtclQ4WDqbsDXAKGQkxAddMqZIIDDP0Su-Q7HP4X1GWdP2ABpZNdd9AHM6UjoPchINQMyGzUZyTn8u/s1600/Luca+4+days+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbAZBdbsGlVcrRjjM24YmPgZ-4Iff5edSsPzPA3jtKu6Ke0mSLkF6FMXL3rN8NNqtclQ4WDqbsDXAKGQkxAddMqZIIDDP0Su-Q7HP4X1GWdP2ABpZNdd9AHM6UjoPchINQMyGzUZyTn8u/s320/Luca+4+days+old.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To see all that there is</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To view here and there</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mountains in their snowy caps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To hear the sounds that</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thrill me and inspire</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sultry song of whippoorwills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To smell aromas that </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Waft in from orchards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Orange blossoms sweet as fruit.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ready for deliciousness</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To taste the holiday fare</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Twice Great-Great Grandma's pumpkin pie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, I cannot wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The scratch and tingle</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Touching textures diverse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Twigs, rocks, and Kitty's fur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello out there!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unpack your bags---</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Release your hold on yesterday</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See clearer through my eyes.</span></div>
redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388384813676884322.post-64990288953161063292017-07-17T21:01:00.001-05:002019-04-09T12:15:59.641-05:00REBOOT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This morning, my parents and I awoke early. I had a plane to catch from Phoenix to Austin, so I wanted to get an early start on the day and spend a few last precious moments with them before I took off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> My Mom was up at four and could not go back to sleep. Her cell phone had not been connected to the charger and it was totally blacked out and unresponsive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It occurred to me that I am sometimes like that phone. Often I abuse my body and don't give my brain the time it needs to reset through proper rest or a regular sleep pattern. My ability to function efficiently is reduced noticeably.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Lack of sleep </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">affects our memory according</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to Alice G. Walton, Ph.D., in Forbes Magazine. She also found that our cognitive thinking and the ability to create or think out of the box are impaired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Depression is more prevalent in people with five or fewer hours sleep or more than 8 hours over a span of days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Longevity and good health can be compromised when we continue to ignore our need of essential recharging time. Our body does not have the time it needs to detox our organs so we end up dealing with the effects of inflammation, as well as weight gain which causes our body to accumulate extra pounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> In children and teens, improper brain development is a permanent issue and the effect on grades is another that shows up in studies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> As I consider my Mom's dead phone and the verse we read at lunch yesterday, "He restores my soul." Psalm 23:3 (NASB), </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I marvel at the intricate design that God lovingly configured into us during our creation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The Creator designed the human body with its brain as His masterpiece of genius that still boggles scientists and doctors. So much is still unknown about our control center.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Balance and care are my stewardship of this gift. I will consider this more readily and will try not to wait until I have spent my strength ignoring this principle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sleep well and reboot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcnd55tLCv8">Goodnight My Angel</a>,</i> a lullaby for young and old, sung by Billy Joel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>redeemed-insandouts.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298480156917982804noreply@blogger.com0