tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85522679366001484342024-02-18T21:05:52.718-08:00Mission, Jesus StyleTina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-38150398316467085382018-01-22T04:00:00.000-08:002018-01-22T04:00:25.182-08:00Battling with the Strength of the Lord in the Elah Valley<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the rain poured down outside, we sat in the bus and looked out over the Elah Valley. To the left, the hill that was occupied by the Philistines. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the <b>Valley of Elah </b>and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">1 SAMUEL 17:1-3</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEP6e95RtnIDKNiyZneiUcABl5ol6qJDImlMxxbIAN5UVtyxGzK91V1wZ4z4i4ZPhn3R9leKD8-ZCZ3qygdX4AJWXesurUBy93uBOK80ksOhRBTbICxX1_0fvpuk39STqvJImkFBtxUw/s1600/2018-01-05+07.25.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEP6e95RtnIDKNiyZneiUcABl5ol6qJDImlMxxbIAN5UVtyxGzK91V1wZ4z4i4ZPhn3R9leKD8-ZCZ3qygdX4AJWXesurUBy93uBOK80ksOhRBTbICxX1_0fvpuk39STqvJImkFBtxUw/s320/2018-01-05+07.25.14.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To the right, the place where Saul and the Israelites would have assembled. And though now dry, the remains of a riverbed with smooth stones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David, the youngest </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">son of Jesse from Bethlehem, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a shepherd boy, had been anointed to be king of Israel by Samuel,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>and from that day the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul and a harmful Spirit of the Lord tormented him.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">1 SAMUEL 16:13-14</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For Saul to be leading this battle knowing that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him must have been particularly difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 SAMUEL 17:16</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trying to lead in our own strength can be so defeating, feeling like we are battling a Giant Philistine, but not getting anywhere. In contrast, the young shepherd, David, who was engaging this giant Philistine with the Spirit of the Lord, and all the experience of protecting his flock, was able to easily defeat the Giant. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">1 SAMUEL 17:45; 47-50</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This image of the Giant taking his stand for forty days is powerful! When we're trying and trying, expending a lot of effort with no movement or results, could it be that we're operating without the power of the Lord? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In these days, the Lord has already poured out his Spirit - the wisdom and strength of the Lord is accessible. Paul writes:</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EPHESIANS 6:12-18</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My prayer is that, like David, you and I have a similar display of humble confidence in these times. And, that we pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers ad requests SO THAT we will fearlessly make know the mystery of the Gospel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What battle are your fighting for which we can pray with you? </span><br />
<br />Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-5889276972000910062018-01-14T03:00:00.000-08:002018-01-14T11:33:41.285-08:00The LORD Bless You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2dUB-m8iP8JgjQTrdqItDahyphenhyphenc82McNrcvYcK-ZqzarWIDs5re4CmY61im_cZmy_dC2eOOsmLsbxcyUOdxQ2DpOSQUIhEr0huj0HW3UsE_F4eSRCQUPN853TLZd-K0bHpxZUDJkH3uLs/s1600/Glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2dUB-m8iP8JgjQTrdqItDahyphenhyphenc82McNrcvYcK-ZqzarWIDs5re4CmY61im_cZmy_dC2eOOsmLsbxcyUOdxQ2DpOSQUIhEr0huj0HW3UsE_F4eSRCQUPN853TLZd-K0bHpxZUDJkH3uLs/s1600/Glory.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The LORD bless you and keep you;<br /> the LORD make his face shine on you<br />and be gracious to you:<br /> the LORD turn his face toward you<br />and give you peace." </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">NUMBERS 6:22-27</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The LORD bless you and keep you - the LORD is saying I adore you and will guard and protect you. Moses had seen years of the LORD's faithfulness and protection, so these words were familiar, however the next set of words brought about a new way of relating to the LORD! </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, the LORD said </b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">he would <br />make his face shine on you </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><b>and be gracious to you... </b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><b>to turn his face toward you </b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><b>and give you peace...</b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to imagine that Moses' mind hearkened back the interaction he had with the Lord years earlier on Mount Sinai when the Lord put him in the cleft of the rock until his presence passed by... because no one may see the Lord and live. W</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hile conversing with the Lord, Moses needed assurance that the Lord's presence would be with him, so Moses said to the Lord:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Show me your glory."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 33:18-23</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This nation of Israel was being prepared to interact with the LORD in a new way, one where they would see the LORD face to face - - and LIVE! In the same way that the LORD adored and protected Moses as he </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tucked Moses into the cleft of the rock while his glory passed by</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, the LORD will adore and protect his people, only this time the LORD is saying to Moses, they will see him face to face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The LORD is pointing Moses and the Israelites to Jesus!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all </i></span><i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. </i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">JOHN 1:14-18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord had called the Israelites a stiff-necked people, and yet he continued to show mercy upon them. In this blessing, the Lord is speaking words of love, not condemnation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No matter what you've done, or how unworthy you may feel, the Lord offers forgiveness... all we need to do is receive. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When someone speaks words of blessing to you, hear them as the LORD's adoration of you and his promise to guard and protect you in the midst of whatever may be happening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hear Jesus saying to you:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 14:27</span></span><br />
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-223965099952553202018-01-11T05:28:00.000-08:002018-01-11T05:33:37.830-08:00A Reflection on The Priestly Blessing<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtl4h2uowGTRkiRgP0GPphDKj7lqO_xeS8mOD73hVuzHD3h3ELUpG553bEjFCWaEDggYwdf7AM7VjtX6WG07XVymzdQBVI60Y-gqVG3OqG_mqTXt79-aJu5fDGbE9ZY1TdOTpsqpp7qs/s1600/26756813_1931730213534416_8956576993829921638_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtl4h2uowGTRkiRgP0GPphDKj7lqO_xeS8mOD73hVuzHD3h3ELUpG553bEjFCWaEDggYwdf7AM7VjtX6WG07XVymzdQBVI60Y-gqVG3OqG_mqTXt79-aJu5fDGbE9ZY1TdOTpsqpp7qs/s320/26756813_1931730213534416_8956576993829921638_o.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Peter Meier</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The LORD bless you and keep you;<br /> the LORD make his face shine on you <br />and be gracious to you:<br /> the LORD turn his face toward you <br />and give you peace." </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">NUMBERS 6:22-27</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While visiting the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, one exhibit contains two small silver scrolls with this verse written in Hebrew. It is believed to come from the 7th century BC and is the earliest occurrence of a Biblical text in an extra-Biblical document found to date. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is the oldest extra-Biblical reference to YHWH, </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>the God of Israel. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am imagining Moses speaking these words to Aaron and his sons for the first time as the Tabernacle is ready to be dedicated... and my mind is recalling the words that YHWH spoke to Abraham so many years before: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“I will make you into a great nation,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and I will bless you;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will make your name great,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and you will be a blessing.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will bless those who bless you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and whoever curses you I will curse;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>and all peoples on earth</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> will be blessed through you.” </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">GENESIS 12:1-3</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Abram was 75 years old and childless when the Lord spoke these words to him. Abram's response of faith resulted in the birth of Isaac and the nation of Israelites to whom this blessing would be spoken. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wonder if, in that moment, Moses would have experienced the magnitude of YHWH's faithfulness... to Abram... to Isaac... to Jacob... that resulted in the first people to receive this blessing, spoken from the LORD?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Imagine your family, and their families, and their families... The Lord's love extends for eternity. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>My people, hear my teaching;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> listen to the words of my mouth.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will open my mouth with a parable;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I will utter hidden things, things from of old—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>things we have heard and known,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> things our ancestors have told us.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We will not hide them from their descendants;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> <b>we will tell the next generation</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> his power, and the wonders he has done.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>He decreed statutes for Jacob</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and established the law in Israel,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>which he commanded our ancestors</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> to teach their children,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>so the next generation would know them,</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b> even the children yet to be born,</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b> and they in turn would tell their children.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Then they would put their trust in God</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and would not forget his deeds</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> but would keep his commands.</i></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">PSALM 78:1-7</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In what ways has YHWH, the LORD, been speaking to you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What steps of faithfulness may YHWH be inviting you to take today, in this season of your life?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What faithful response might you offer today, that may result in many people generations from now knowing the LORD and also being able to receive this blessing? </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Even when I am old and gray,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> do not forsake me, my God,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>till I declare your power to the next generation,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> your mighty acts to all who are to come.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> you who have done great things.</i></span><br />
<i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> Who is like you, God? </i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> PSALM 71:18-19</span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-61782428024607350822018-01-07T05:27:00.001-08:002018-01-07T05:27:52.749-08:00Spiritual Pilgrimage to the Holy Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>I'm inviting you to join me on a journey through the land of Israel... </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standing at the edge of the Sea of Galilee in Ginosar Israel as the sun set on December 31, 2017, I was experiencing the close of the year in the land where recorded history began and Jesus lived. These seven days in Israel, walking where Jesus walked and hearing the stories from a Hebrew perspective, made the words of Scripture come even more alive and transformed the Bible into a 3-D experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then early the next the morning </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(January 1, 2018) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as the new year began, there we were... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">standing on the beach along the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus fed his disciples AFTER the resurrection. There are hardly adequate words to describe the</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> experience!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a heart full of gratitude, there I stood on the shore on January 1, 2018 hearing Jesus say, Tina, do you love me? To which I replied, Yes Lord, you know that I love you!" In my heart, I sensed the same words Jesus spoke to Peter, "Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep... Feed my sheep." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remembering that Jesus first met Andrew and Simon Peter along the shores of this same body of water when he invited them to follow him, Jesus is calling each one of us to know and follow him. For Andrew and Peter, their encounter with Jesus began a 3-year journey of traveling with him and beginning to understand the wisdom he was imparting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine this with me...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“No,” they answered.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus Reinstates Peter</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. </i></span><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">JOHN 21:1-17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This land of Israel, and the people Jesus was speaking to directly, would have understood the nuances of what he was communicating.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I began following Jesus in my 20's, learning to appreciate his way of</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> using temporal illustrations, real life examples, to teach spiritual, and more importantly, eternal truths. Journeying t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hese seven days through Israel brought all of Scripture into a high definition, 3-D experience! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LORD who created you and loves you dearly is inviting you to hear what he's saying. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will you journey with me throughout this land of Israel as I attempt to share the experiences of each location? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Come along and let your heart listen in such a way </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">that you can hear the Lord speaking his love over you. </span></div>
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<br />Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com387, Israel32.871212765822328 35.55045061111445632.86954576582233 35.547929111114456 32.872879765822326 35.552972111114457tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-31413249708068397262017-12-04T05:19:00.001-08:002017-12-05T09:33:14.272-08:00From Timidity to Worship<div style="text-align: right;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxMSiljabcuq4BBZ-7JpVUQ2ADRt__wiA7FqVVzbmjQnmHBnnTccryGrw9fZm24Jy0xauCIPVaNr64NS0kJlS1OWy2a0O1AhaqhShS69aHB_bvz3cidFAZMXOc2c2t30Z3wIPonKL7r4/s1600/ken-treloar-366815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxMSiljabcuq4BBZ-7JpVUQ2ADRt__wiA7FqVVzbmjQnmHBnnTccryGrw9fZm24Jy0xauCIPVaNr64NS0kJlS1OWy2a0O1AhaqhShS69aHB_bvz3cidFAZMXOc2c2t30Z3wIPonKL7r4/s320/ken-treloar-366815.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moses... </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a name we equate with a man who did mighty things for God, but it didn't begin this way. </span><br />
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</i><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>While Moses was tending his father-in-law's flocks, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames from fire within a bush. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 3:1-2</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Lord said: </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 3:12</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then timidity set in... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And questions of doubt seemed to fill Moses' mind. I can just imagine his demeanor as he asked God these questions: </span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me,"What is his name?" Then what shall I say to them?</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 3:13</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you?'</i> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">EXODUS 4:1</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And excuses set in...</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 4:10</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Please send someone else. <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 4:13</span></i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time we get to chapter 14, the LORD had cleared every obstacle for his people to be set free and Moses was transformed from one full of fear to one who was full of faith with a heart of worship. When the people were grumbling out of fear, Moses said: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> EXODUS 14:13-14</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the nation of Israel crossed through the Red Sea, the LORD held back the waters. Once they were on the other side, with the Egyptian army in the middle of the riverbed, the LORD released the waters and swept the army into the sea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The response...WORSHIP!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moses and Miriam led the Israelites in their first act of worship as a free nation: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“I will sing to the Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> for he is highly exalted.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Both horse and driver</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> he has hurled into the sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“The Lord is my strength and my defense;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> he has become my salvation.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>He is my God, and I will praise him,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> my father’s God, and I will exalt him.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Lord is a warrior;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the Lord is his name.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pharaoh’s chariots and his army</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> he has hurled into the sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The best of Pharaoh’s officers</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> are drowned in the Red Sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The deep waters have covered them;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> they sank to the depths like a stone.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your right hand, Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> was majestic in power.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Your right hand, Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> shattered the enemy.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“In the greatness of your majesty</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> you threw down those who opposed you.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You unleashed your burning anger;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> it consumed them like stubble.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>By the blast of your nostrils</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the waters piled up.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The surging waters stood up like a wall;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The enemy boasted,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will divide the spoils;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> I will gorge myself on them.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I will draw my sword</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and my hand will destroy them.’</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But you blew with your breath,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and the sea covered them.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>They sank like lead</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> in the mighty waters.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Who among the gods</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> is like you, Lord?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Who is like you—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> majestic in holiness,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>awesome in glory,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> working wonders?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“You stretch out your right hand,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and the earth swallows your enemies.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In your unfailing love you will lead</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the people you have redeemed.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In your strength you will guide them</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> to your holy dwelling.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The nations will hear and tremble;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> anguish will grip the people of Philistia.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>the people of Canaan will melt away;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> terror and dread will fall on them.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>By the power of your arm</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> they will be as still as a stone—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>until your people pass by, Lord,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> until the people you bought pass by.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>You will bring them in and plant them</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> on the mountain of your inheritance—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“The Lord reigns</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> for ever and ever.”</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EXODUS 15:1-18</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where might you need to trust the LORD today? What doubts and fears are holding you back from taking a step of faith forward?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The LORD desires your heart to be filled with worship, not timidity and fear!</b></span></div>
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-35897296861050831072017-11-29T04:10:00.000-08:002017-11-29T04:10:21.754-08:00Two Sides of a Coin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2C7JdCdt_CzphPhZLlX2sxQboO5-IsQf0sUZ5usSD3tgFXQLwBMIYsH1TT4YQ9OYihNAF97ZjHZziptgXFlDuOoHlJ63eCcJBffyoli422iCCTRJ0FCMBlHh_-5xmyZPzVtPirhCx54/s1600/coins-1277095_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2C7JdCdt_CzphPhZLlX2sxQboO5-IsQf0sUZ5usSD3tgFXQLwBMIYsH1TT4YQ9OYihNAF97ZjHZziptgXFlDuOoHlJ63eCcJBffyoli422iCCTRJ0FCMBlHh_-5xmyZPzVtPirhCx54/s320/coins-1277095_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A coin only has value when it is intact. A coin cut in half doesn't have half the value, it has no value for its intended purpose. So it seems with Faith and Obedience. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jesus said: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 6:46</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Faith calls us into a different way of being. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jesus went on to say: "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 6:47-49</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course faith gives peace and the confident hope in eternity, knowing that our sins have been paid for. Faith also calls us to obedience, not to earn salvation, rather in joyful response to it. Paul talks about it as "the obedience of faith." They are intricately connected. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, <b>through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ</b>,</span></i><span style="color: #990000;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">ROMANS 1:1-6 </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through Jesus we received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith. When asked “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Love God AND <a href="http://missionjesusstyle.blogspot.com/2015/02/love-your-neighbor.html">Love your neighbor</a> as yourself</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we love another, we desire the best for them. I think of parents raising a child, providing all that is needed for the child to thrive, provisions of food, clothing, shelter, nurture through interaction, education and accountability. All of this comes in the context of relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is impossible to love another if we are not in relationship with them, and so BEING the neighbor is at the heart of obedience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In what way is the Lord challenging you to BE a neighbor today? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-86866655719408842862017-11-27T04:38:00.000-08:002017-11-27T04:38:34.656-08:00He is Kind to the Ungrateful and Wicked<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVFVVjWrnNhsGK711aD29n4aNrOe4P3veZKFsER8mF5jS_WBXv2tbGpZlOIrDOiSrcXA-RQRP9icriW9rVaRAgMM2NhyphenhyphenQBisrvp29Xoic5Jxlk3fa9ce7rYo4dzIiKNZwUtUH9eCHXVU/s1600/20171127_065536+%2528v2%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVFVVjWrnNhsGK711aD29n4aNrOe4P3veZKFsER8mF5jS_WBXv2tbGpZlOIrDOiSrcXA-RQRP9icriW9rVaRAgMM2NhyphenhyphenQBisrvp29Xoic5Jxlk3fa9ce7rYo4dzIiKNZwUtUH9eCHXVU/s320/20171127_065536+%2528v2%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last many months I've been thinking about the postures of Jesus. I deliberately began paying attention to the ways in which he is present in different situations, with the hope that I will be shaped to approach people with the same posture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my reading of Luke 6 this morning, as I read on blessings and woes, and love for enemies, Jesus says of the Most High (God): </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"...he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 6:35-56</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK... OUCH! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again God's mercy challenges me! God does not pour out what the ungrateful and wicked deserve; rather he is kind and merciful. God furnishes what is needed, exercising compassion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see Jesus on the cross, saying </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">"Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are doing. And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching and the rulers even sneered at him.</span><span style="color: #990000;"><i>" </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 23:34-35</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How does this affect my daily posture? </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of responding with resentment when people are ungrateful; exercise compassion</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead of responding with judgment and condemnation towards those whose conduct is outright wicked, exercise compassion and seek to understand. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words of Paul come to mind as he write about love in action" </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">ROMANS 12:9-21</span></span></div>
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Lord, when my gut reaction is towards resentment, when I'm inclined to be cynical, snarky, or sarcastic; when my inclination is towards judgement and condemnation... I pray for your Holy Spirit to remind me of YOUR MERCY! While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me... for the ungodly. </div>
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We're all a work in progress! I'd love to hear how this speaks to you today? </div>
</span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-24052998699507499942016-11-30T06:25:00.000-08:002016-11-30T06:25:00.187-08:00Make the World a Better Place<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a longing for the world to be a better place, one that has existed throughout the ages. There is a crying for things to be better, for someone to make it all right. The human heart cries out to God - we hear it in the words of the prophet Isaiah</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> that the mountains might quake at your presence—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>as when fire kindles brushwood</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> and the fire causes water to boil—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>to make your name known to your adversaries,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> and that the nations might tremble at your presence!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When you did awesome things that we did not look for,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>From of old no one has heard</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> or perceived by the ear,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>no eye has seen a God besides you,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> who acts for those who wait for him.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You meet him who joyfully works righteousness,</i></span><br />
<i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> those who remember you in your ways.</i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">ISAIAH 64:1-5a</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, we can wait with hope. Knowing the troubles and heartache we would continue to experience in this world, Jesus encourages us with these words: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. <br />In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 16:33</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we wait... with anticipation of something better. In this season of Advent, we wait... not with despair, but with hope. The hope in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and all of its brokenness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And while we wait, we seek to be healers, through the love that comes from the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We love because He first loved us. </i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 JOHN 4:19</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Jackson wrote a song titled "Make the World a Better Place." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heal the world</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make it a better place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For you and for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the entire human race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are people dying</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you care enough for the living</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make it a better place</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For you and for me</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be encouraged by these incredible children who invite us to care enough for the living to put our love out into world and each do our part to make the world a better place.</span><br />
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<br />Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-66184084203592654052016-08-11T05:47:00.000-07:002016-08-11T07:03:31.399-07:00Joyful News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnnTKq6GchOAD7hvs9OnOqFS90DwqHNiD0TtPdbHJaywwKhPtT28v8ehB7xM2m-P6QPRCN6njFXr4jNh9S96fvHNGz0tCaYACwA5t8KnuNyBPloTRPv3Cfu91bDfG5qPNztVmKu5Kbfo/s1600/2016-08-10+08.07.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnnTKq6GchOAD7hvs9OnOqFS90DwqHNiD0TtPdbHJaywwKhPtT28v8ehB7xM2m-P6QPRCN6njFXr4jNh9S96fvHNGz0tCaYACwA5t8KnuNyBPloTRPv3Cfu91bDfG5qPNztVmKu5Kbfo/s200/2016-08-10+08.07.36.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We're sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">EPHESIANS 1:13</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I say it here again, once and for all, that you should understand the Gospel as nothing other than the divine promise of His grace and the forgiveness of sins. For that is why it happened that previously Paul's Epistles were not understood and could not be understood, because they did not know what the Law and the Gospel really mean. For they regarded Christ to be a lawmaker, and the Gospel a mere doctrine of the new laws. That is nothing else than locking up the Gospel and concealing all things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word "Gospel" [<i>Evangelium</i>] is Greek and signifies "joyous news," because it proclaims the wholesome doctrine of life by divine promise and offers grace and forgiveness of sin. <b>Therefore, works do not belong to the Gospel, for it is not Law; rather, only faith [belongs to the Gospel], for it is altogether a promise and an offer of divine grace.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whoever now believes the Gospel received grace and the Holy Spirit. This causes the heart to rejoice and find delight in God, and [the heart] then keeps the Law voluntarily, gratuitously, without fear of punishment, without seeking reward since the heart is perfectly satisfied with God's grace, by which the Law has been fulfilled. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Excerpt from 365 Day Devotional Readings from Martin Luther Day by Day, August 9</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-78822638702132691622016-07-10T06:41:00.003-07:002016-07-10T06:41:19.279-07:00Wake Up and Be Awesome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nlvaQg9TsJ6Wfgg6xq8w2LZKtxnmsPBfChnmAnBEaveEDCPyzaTB0Y8D8DE_meecgcuvMsuMgqyUYU1osh5ptlwDXxipP6GVJ987au1LqxJ8ylWJlFowCXU77j_dQZtgmerZtBin6Dw/s1600/be+awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nlvaQg9TsJ6Wfgg6xq8w2LZKtxnmsPBfChnmAnBEaveEDCPyzaTB0Y8D8DE_meecgcuvMsuMgqyUYU1osh5ptlwDXxipP6GVJ987au1LqxJ8ylWJlFowCXU77j_dQZtgmerZtBin6Dw/s200/be+awesome.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wake up and be awesome!</span><br />
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<b><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Therefore, to him who knows to do good </i></b><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>and does not do it, to him it is sin.</b> </i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> JAMES 4:17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just do the right thing! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to say to my kids: <br />"If you knew is was wrong, why did you do it?"<br />To this question, there was never a satisfactory answer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace <br />by those who make peace. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">JAMES 3:18</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How often are we tempted to want our own way and do what we need to do in order to get it. We see it in toddlers, who whine and cry and sometimes throw tantrums in order to get their own way. We see it in adults who manipulate, cheat or bully in order to get their own way. Neither of these scenarios are pleasant to experience and certainly don't promote peace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have an expectation for what we want, or how we want something to be, and will do whatever it takes to be fulfilled. When focusing on ourselves, and only our desires, it is almost impossible to focus on the good for all concerned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We live in a battle every day... a battle between good and evil, between our desires and God's desires. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul calls us to </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wake up and be awesome </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">every day!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">ROMANS 12:2</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we want to </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wake up and be awesome</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></div>
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we choose to be wise, do good, to care for all around us, </div>
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and seek the LORD's wisdom to guide our day:</div>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. </i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">JAMES 4:17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we take in the Word of God every day, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it becomes easier to <i>wake up and be awesome!</i></span></div>
</span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-91119338987324992912016-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:002016-06-30T08:10:21.554-07:00That It May Be Well With You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgJEdF32v14M1tFspr-ISDiquEZMmCMVuxlLCem1V3NmPGUCkFo5I_OGJEURaxW7Jr0q6RFeZabugj8t8Egrdh7bpSrXbXFH0aNVaNxhejx6X5kSVn7819W8eVvTmOlOVSXMc7iTxDF4/s1600/It+is+well+with+my+soul+%2528sq%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgJEdF32v14M1tFspr-ISDiquEZMmCMVuxlLCem1V3NmPGUCkFo5I_OGJEURaxW7Jr0q6RFeZabugj8t8Egrdh7bpSrXbXFH0aNVaNxhejx6X5kSVn7819W8eVvTmOlOVSXMc7iTxDF4/s200/It+is+well+with+my+soul+%2528sq%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Hearing</b></i> the voice of the LORD is one thing; <br /><i><b>obeying</b></i> the voice of the LORD is another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been reading Jeremiah and there is a clear message that the Lord is speaking and the people aren't listening. He's longing for them to listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The LORD isn't a tyrant of a master, He is a caring shepherd and loving Father who always desires the best for his children. He wants people to have healthy relationships, meaningful work, abundance in provision, healthy bodies, and to care about their communities and the people in them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat met. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying '<b>Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.</b>'</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">JEREMIAH 7:21-23</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he replied:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">MARK 12:29-31</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the same command that the LORD had give to the Israelites as they were entering the promised land:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and<b> be careful to obey so that it may go well with you </b>and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">DEUTERONOMY 6:1-9</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The LORD knows that we have temptations and distractions all around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He calls us back to focus on His good things, SO THAT <u>it may be well with us</u>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take time to listen, and obey, so that it may be well with you!</span></div>
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-11468030645706789562016-06-03T13:02:00.003-07:002016-06-03T13:02:51.635-07:00Abundant Resources<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0N6eQIHsI-l8mzS3o34_EYbDsfKmx4k-_qHucuWBmxC_6qn3J15eDljeyGi2YoVQxB7YUglagEKhbZbbYzs__way0hlRcqSh3g_8Il29VmSPYA_-jnF-KN3B2UbX-1N7__nwKobCF08/s1600/feeding+5000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0N6eQIHsI-l8mzS3o34_EYbDsfKmx4k-_qHucuWBmxC_6qn3J15eDljeyGi2YoVQxB7YUglagEKhbZbbYzs__way0hlRcqSh3g_8Il29VmSPYA_-jnF-KN3B2UbX-1N7__nwKobCF08/s1600/feeding+5000.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we think we don't have sufficient resources to do what God is calling us to do, we can be courageous and look to Jesus as our example.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, Jesus notices... </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he always notices what's happening. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus beckons us to notice </b><br /><b>and to have compassion. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>... Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 6:1-6</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the disciples responded with and excuse...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How often do we respond in the same way? Jesus notices and speaks, we hear and fail to notice, or find excuses to not have compassion enough to act. We think we don't have the resources, when in fact, God has all the resources we need! We may not have them in our hand, and yet, when we take a look around, there they are!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The resources are all around us. <br />When we take what may seem like a meager amount to Jesus, <br />he has the ability to bless and multiply them into enough!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do we fail to look or take those meager provisions to Jesus because we don't really believe he can multiply them? Jesus never panics, he never worries, and he is never in a hurry. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus orchestrates the distribution of food</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with complete confidence that there will be enough</span></b></div>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is only after the crowds see the miracle that they truly believe Jesus is the Prophet, the promised Messiah, who was to come into the world. By choosing to not notice and act upon what Jesus may be prompting for us, we are prohibiting those watching from the blessing of seeing evidence that Jesus truly is the promised one of God. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus notices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has compassion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He asks his followers to seek a solution.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friends at <a href="http://beta.fivetwo.com/" target="_blank">FiveTwo</a> say it this way: T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he five thousand plus were fed by five loaves and two fish belonging to one of the five thousand plus. The disciples were blind to the resources in front of them and blind to Jesus’ power to multiply them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus notices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has compassion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He asks his followers to seek a solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And... everything the we need to serve the community is already in the community. It just needs to be brought to Jesus for blessing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I challenge you to notice what may be all around you, not only what you have in your hand!</b></span></div>
Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-26310367072432950602016-05-17T08:10:00.003-07:002016-05-17T08:10:59.793-07:00All Access Pass<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iBtQDrdDUa-_kBww2pTgW3slGrE4V5F4WzsyqZwym6dK_yyEUPvdESrl2Uo6BiyQUrom_7AfERaBq5r-bivZPHd7DVkdkRUqV1GyGVgZ0eshwAi_aZ-jCvZhzJqyADe6ZQJw_S3saH0/s1600/all+access+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iBtQDrdDUa-_kBww2pTgW3slGrE4V5F4WzsyqZwym6dK_yyEUPvdESrl2Uo6BiyQUrom_7AfERaBq5r-bivZPHd7DVkdkRUqV1GyGVgZ0eshwAi_aZ-jCvZhzJqyADe6ZQJw_S3saH0/s1600/all+access+pass.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often in people's prayers I hear: "Lord, send more of your Holy Spirit" or "fill me with more of your Holy Spirit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Could it be that we have this backward? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, He released the Holy Spirit that now lives within the people who believe </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thinking back to Isaiah's vision: </span><i style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; <b>and the train of his robe filled the temple.</b> </i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"> ISAIAH 6:1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the train of God's robe filled the temple, we can know that God's Holy Spirit fills us in the same way. The issue isn't that we need God to give us more - rather, we need to loosen the secured places and private spaces that we protect and <b>give God more access to our lives</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God wants an </span></span></div>
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ALL ACCESS PASS</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaM7bReu0_z9jLlpSS5BygNdUTsIPNwciLv2PNeMHGb_KfMBqkYmZ3phFVi_1OiSwb7qhkxtANHtpG15JZzXRajmKG5iBFs60qr8G8iEsWlmjy6V5Nv1aRaMnhWCfooUT2-z1D71FwwI/s1600/Holy+Spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKaM7bReu0_z9jLlpSS5BygNdUTsIPNwciLv2PNeMHGb_KfMBqkYmZ3phFVi_1OiSwb7qhkxtANHtpG15JZzXRajmKG5iBFs60qr8G8iEsWlmjy6V5Nv1aRaMnhWCfooUT2-z1D71FwwI/s1600/Holy+Spirit.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus said that we are to love the Lord our God with ALL our hearts, ALL our minds, ALL our strength and ALL our soul. We are to give God access to our WHOLE BEING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the next time you desire God to give you more of the Holy Spirit and more answers to your prayers, also consider how much more of YOU God may need to access in order to accomplish what you desire. </span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-41195703573027472902016-04-30T07:40:00.000-07:002016-04-30T07:40:20.215-07:00A Rhythm of Work and Rest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I7WgM8q0DtzPjHjzZmcU_dHiqi1uI2gXYZWjUMaqRcs0ra6AvX-vBXjkF0UBPqQ_W_IiyjmT3X23nglSF5VSt-uO3r9K5_lha6Pd7TmtJdDHpe84DNHGvGgM0oLHBNyDlbuHRRYW-iY/s1600/Extend+Grace+Wallhanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I7WgM8q0DtzPjHjzZmcU_dHiqi1uI2gXYZWjUMaqRcs0ra6AvX-vBXjkF0UBPqQ_W_IiyjmT3X23nglSF5VSt-uO3r9K5_lha6Pd7TmtJdDHpe84DNHGvGgM0oLHBNyDlbuHRRYW-iY/s320/Extend+Grace+Wallhanging.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you rest from work, or work from rest?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had always thought about rest as a necessary part of recouping from work, but I hadn't really thought about what <b>working from a place of rest</b> might be...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Rest from Work</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Work from Rest</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's way is to have a rhythm of Work and Rest. Rest is not merely intended to be solely a means of regenerating from the activity of work; the rest God desires for people is twofold: <br />1) a time to enjoy the fruit of our labors, and <br />2) a time set aside to be intentional about enjoying our <br /> relationship with the creator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To extend grace, enjoy this day, be present, breathe deeply, show gratitude, live with intention, be fearless and try new things - requires some space... first to be present with God in preparation to be present for others. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When living in a state of busyness or hurry, <br />these things are difficult, if not impossible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God had liberated his people from slavery in Egypt, and he is tying sabbath rest as freedom from slavery. </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> DEUTERONOMY 5:12-15</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can hear God saying "Come, spend time with me, I rescued you and I love you." And more than that, by spending time with me, you'll approach your work being mindful of my goodness, regardless of the circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone once asked, <b>"what is your satisfaction level with God?"</b> Really??? How satisfied am I with God? The question really impacted me and continues to years later! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we are running from activity to activity, work is pressing, family is pressing, the routines of daily living are pressing, where do we have margin? What space is available to just be? To breathe? To enjoy? To truly rest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sabbath rest isn't another task,</span></span></div>
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it's an invitation to enjoy!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Lord invites us to rest. We don't have to be slaves to work. God may be reminding us that anyone who cannot rest from their work is really a slave... <i>that's a new and hard thought!</i> God rested and demonstrates for us that there is time to enjoy the fruit of our labors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tim Keller writes about three types of rest: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Contemplative rest</b> - Prayer and worship are a critical part of Sabbath rest, from any perspective. Regular time for devotion, reading the Scripture, and listening to God forms the basis for inner rest and provides time away from the more exhausting exertions of life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Recreational rest</b> - Re-Creation... Find recreation that doesn't exhaust and really refreshes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aesthetic rest</b> - Expose yourself to works of God’s creation that refresh and energize you, and that you find beautiful. This may mean outdoor things. It may mean art—music, drama, and visual art. God looked around at the world he made and said it was good, so aesthetic rest is necessary for participating in God’s Sabbath fully.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My prayer for you is that you find enjoyment in your Sabbath rest that flows into your work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me know how it's going for you...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-5968815121674316692016-03-25T05:14:00.000-07:002016-04-07T04:33:59.153-07:00I Confer on You a Kingdom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maundy Thursday. <br />The night of the Last Supper.<br />Don't miss the point!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw0O4IX-lKXfu-Z5y1SL_JUeNxxndBlbSYMrUB3wVaFNYvbaaos-VpTBneQjXR_8xCDHtBaLphi3ZFTeP1hP2VFKneblIGXxjGNfpKKYDjZLmTdYqYYq8_ii2f9gXrBVop8mJXVwDlXs/s1600/last+supper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXw0O4IX-lKXfu-Z5y1SL_JUeNxxndBlbSYMrUB3wVaFNYvbaaos-VpTBneQjXR_8xCDHtBaLphi3ZFTeP1hP2VFKneblIGXxjGNfpKKYDjZLmTdYqYYq8_ii2f9gXrBVop8mJXVwDlXs/s320/last+supper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus and his disciples share the Passover Meal together. In recent days, Jesus has been talking about his death more frequently and I can just imagine the disciples confusion over the dinner conversation. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 22:17-20</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDqWu6wnOYjJKUDjVyJtL2-_Z4TObVRdBYab8NVzBhL0ZdPBAH5kCbmDaCGYGJUvyi3UlXPi07G2mPCbUV5MgSM_kkefsTwp38y6NLHkXaS8XQTsj-hYYugrScmukxAfBmAuTVW2C3F8/s1600/bread+and+wine+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDqWu6wnOYjJKUDjVyJtL2-_Z4TObVRdBYab8NVzBhL0ZdPBAH5kCbmDaCGYGJUvyi3UlXPi07G2mPCbUV5MgSM_kkefsTwp38y6NLHkXaS8XQTsj-hYYugrScmukxAfBmAuTVW2C3F8/s1600/bread+and+wine+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bread and Wine, Jesus body and blood. He's been trying to help them understand, but this is really beyond their realm of experience and understanding. This Holy One of God, so good, so kind, so wise... How could what he is saying be true?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then in what seems like the same breath, Jesus makes the statement that someone at the table will be the one to betray him. The disciples begin to question themselves, wondering who it might be...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, in the next moment, they are arguing about who among them is the greatest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tonight, I'm trying to put myself in the midst of the scene. I've been traveling with Jesus, he's been talking about these things, yet they are really beyond my full comprehension. The evening moves from a sacred meal, to an accusation, to confusion, to quarreling, and then...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Savior of the World picked up a towel and demonstrated his love for his disciples by washing their feet. Jesus words and actions speak wisdom and truth!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8JAqH-gbS-5vEVwU9JtgrlJ7E6zlDUmz3YtEhBxM5D7JnkS459opQbQH3VOFsUvDrz9R4j-FOyEl2KWjS4jrjCkXa7JLdaw2TOE1r6AU21XJx8onWwQWG9-Qc0xHbxgwm5iw_4lPmL0/s1600/foot+washing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8JAqH-gbS-5vEVwU9JtgrlJ7E6zlDUmz3YtEhBxM5D7JnkS459opQbQH3VOFsUvDrz9R4j-FOyEl2KWjS4jrjCkXa7JLdaw2TOE1r6AU21XJx8onWwQWG9-Qc0xHbxgwm5iw_4lPmL0/s1600/foot+washing+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.</i> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: right;">John 13:3-5 </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 22:26-27 </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maundy, shortened form of the Latin, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mandatum </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(from which we get the English word, mandate). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the Upper Room, on the night he was betrayed, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />THIS is the mandate:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Serve one another, as I have served you.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Love one another, even as I have loved you.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then Jesus says:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And <b>I confer on you a kingdom</b>, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">LUKE 22:29-30</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus <u>Spoke</u> the Word, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Showed</u> the Word, </span></div>
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<u>Taught</u> the Word, and </div>
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<u>Served</u> those in front of Him.</div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. <br />We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, <br />who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 1:14</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus conferred on them a Kingdom of love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He brought this kingdom to their feet. </span></div>
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He humbled himself and lovingly served. </div>
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We can think of this night and remember betrayal, a night of agony as Jesus prays. Don't miss the point... Jesus has conferred on those who love Him a Kingdom of Love. Jesus clearly says, it's not about power and position, it's about love.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be humble, serve people in love, and give them heaven!</span></div>
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<br />Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-85521743498100544882016-03-07T06:00:00.000-08:002016-03-07T14:58:24.730-08:00Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P9A5f7I60X25DW1NgDfAphoXH1Ecu2aY4zWTWn0clUEZdrWd8HoC1_PuvjW7vBnaoDLfXVAprBDB3IZ2ChlkcWaTbk4L3lwpB7O-yyO7hgE5ooLSySig7C5irGx5i-0dQytT3_2WBWg/s1600/diploma.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P9A5f7I60X25DW1NgDfAphoXH1Ecu2aY4zWTWn0clUEZdrWd8HoC1_PuvjW7vBnaoDLfXVAprBDB3IZ2ChlkcWaTbk4L3lwpB7O-yyO7hgE5ooLSySig7C5irGx5i-0dQytT3_2WBWg/s1600/diploma.png" /></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Graduation is an end and a beginning, that special moment when one holds all the preparation of the degree in their hands with the anticipation of how it will be utilized. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is much the same </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with the gift of faith from God!</span></span></div>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When a person graduates and receives an educational degree, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the President of the University confers upon the graduates </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>"all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities appertaining thereunto." </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In receiving that degree, t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he reality is that</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the graduate has almost no new rights nor privileges; however they do have a new status and with that the associated responsibilities that have been conferred. At this moment of transfer, they are now challenged to live up to all the potential for which the degree has prepared them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is much the same when we receive the gift of faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the world around us we don’t have new rights or privileges; however, we do have a new status with God and the rights and privileges associated with the Kingdom of Heaven. In the realm of the world, the person of faith doesn't have any new rights or privileges, but what she does have is the invitation and challenge of living up to the responsibilities of a person who is reconciled to God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>God has called you and me to help others become reconciled to God also.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul implores us on Christ’s behalf: </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be son for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Righteousness” is defined as “one who lives in accord with divine law.” As we pray the Lord's Prayer, </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<i>Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven,</i>"</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> we can recognize that it is the Lord who has entrusted us demonstrate God's mercy and grace in this world and communicate the Good News of salvation through Jesus' redeeming work on the cross. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>So, enjoy your new status and exercise your new responsibilities well!</b></span></div>
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-19834477288157926552016-02-29T19:16:00.001-08:002016-02-29T19:16:25.041-08:00Saturating Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the day begins! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My eyes opened in the darkness.<br />The sky had a hint of pink hue bordering the horizon...<br />I wait with the camera ready!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMR4a3QBN2XcAuBSB6l_DTzTy4G2GbOKP94_2bcOGeMWXA1-gfrx1C3GsmvC-HrTVe-tmgzoOdnnK_OH3p9BAwftsESYAlQB3F8tnihX2DgJT3QoLvII-xHrDC3vmNQFDcSgTE6t90qo/s1600/2016-02-28+06.31.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMR4a3QBN2XcAuBSB6l_DTzTy4G2GbOKP94_2bcOGeMWXA1-gfrx1C3GsmvC-HrTVe-tmgzoOdnnK_OH3p9BAwftsESYAlQB3F8tnihX2DgJT3QoLvII-xHrDC3vmNQFDcSgTE6t90qo/s400/2016-02-28+06.31.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun rising over the vastness of the ocean, its light bringing forth a new day, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gives me a picture of God's love entering the darkness of a broken and hurting world. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l2e4ZGKkl4ugr80Fe_j3pfq11mQeySpRVLn7c6WG9V2WfdZSWr89ahgFubVqtzDXcpxnxKip0lrOzEJlaK6ZdFRPd3CBGEHqx-bztz7wYLMl7GNMuYwwIgo6NlLFIOUAgIY3dN1MMmA/s1600/2016-02-28+06.37.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l2e4ZGKkl4ugr80Fe_j3pfq11mQeySpRVLn7c6WG9V2WfdZSWr89ahgFubVqtzDXcpxnxKip0lrOzEJlaK6ZdFRPd3CBGEHqx-bztz7wYLMl7GNMuYwwIgo6NlLFIOUAgIY3dN1MMmA/s400/2016-02-28+06.37.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just like the light of the sun that shines on all creation, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the Lord is not selective about where his love can reach, it is available for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each day, faithful, without hesitation, the sun rises.<br />It's light expands to fill every space it touches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reflection like a pathway, inviting and showing the way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Come to me, all you who labor ad are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">MATTHEW 11:28</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I Am - David Crowder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no space that His love can't reach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no place where we can't' find peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no end to amazing grace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take me in with Your arms spread wide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take me in like an orphan child</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never let go</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never leave my side</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holding on to You</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Holding on to You</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the middle of the storm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am holding on </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love like this</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh my God to find</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am overwhelmed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a joy divine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love like this sets our hearts on fire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my resurrection song</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my halleluiah come</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is why it's to You I run</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no space that His love can't reach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no place where we can't find peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no end to amazing grace</span></div>
Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-62429780839904300372016-02-03T06:06:00.002-08:002016-02-03T06:06:57.079-08:00Forgive them... Is this my prayer?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XCydtTPgyKycia-98S18QZjPurQ-OSrRT2YmLbLEY5Tn1IWXeEuolqOxp89JsG9XsLRgGPitig9flxuvoq0Sn2C_JSXJnd2bNMhmMFfKtLITenOij3tYyB3V9w-wdhbSZ2SlsMf-SdU/s1600/Father+forgive+them.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XCydtTPgyKycia-98S18QZjPurQ-OSrRT2YmLbLEY5Tn1IWXeEuolqOxp89JsG9XsLRgGPitig9flxuvoq0Sn2C_JSXJnd2bNMhmMFfKtLITenOij3tYyB3V9w-wdhbSZ2SlsMf-SdU/s200/Father+forgive+them.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forgive them... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen, full of faith, respond like Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm reading the book of Acts and noticed something that I had not caught before. Stephen was a man chosen to serve from the multitudes of disciples. He is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit who did great wonders and signs among the people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some disputed with him; it is said:</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke."</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He gave testimony to the work of God and spoke truth. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Stoning of Stephen</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “<b>Lord, do not hold this sin against them</b>.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">ACTS 7:54-60</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They cast him out of the city and stoned him...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen responded with:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stephen, a man full of faith, is persecuted and stoned to death and his response is to advocate and intercede for his perpetrators! On the cross, Jesus set the example - Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I am walking out a life of faith, is this my prayer?</span></span></div>
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<i>Lord, do not hold this sin against them..."</i> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For this to be Stephen's response, He needed to see the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand. Jesus, the perfect and sinless one, who was also persecuted and put to death, the one who took on the sin of the world is now in the glory of God. Stephen, knowing he had received the forgiveness that Jesus won on the cross, was now asking that for his perpetrators. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Freely you have received; freely give.</i></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">MATTHEW 10:8</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Grace is free to the recipient, it is costly to the giver. My prayer is, like Stephen, to be so focused on God's grace and glory, knowing that I have freely received, be able to freely give, without hesitation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-31023166794664964132015-12-29T05:48:00.000-08:002015-12-29T06:05:30.710-08:00Faith and Joy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAWQlhJAlNDC9rpgS4t9QBkMORobB5y498Of32UnHuxewveTINQbEUZ-Q_xe5aV4mFz05_alPy5fhcFrxtFWSDRi7nMoLc2RR-v6W-zoRpmYhVLqhpymJpye3yfdsk95jOooLvFt6Kwc/s1600/joy+ornament+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAWQlhJAlNDC9rpgS4t9QBkMORobB5y498Of32UnHuxewveTINQbEUZ-Q_xe5aV4mFz05_alPy5fhcFrxtFWSDRi7nMoLc2RR-v6W-zoRpmYhVLqhpymJpye3yfdsk95jOooLvFt6Kwc/s200/joy+ornament+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happiness and Joy can be so closely related...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Circumstances will be what they are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life happens. </span></div>
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Sometimes it's good, sometimes not. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if, instead of</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> seeking the way to happiness, </span></b></div>
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<b>we discover that joy is the way?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus said:</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <i>I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 10:10</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joy is different. When life is challenging, it doesn't seem like the kind of full which Jesus speaks about having. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Happiness may be more connected to circumstances. I've experienced times of great sadness, where there was definitely no happiness, yet joy was very present. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joy runs deep - transcending circumstances.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could you agree that even when there are hard times, and in them you know you are loved, regardless, and in spite of the circumstances, that joy is present? Not happiness, but joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Joy is rooted in relationship - one that loves unconditionally. That's godly love. The kind of love that always contends for the good of another. When a person knows they are loved, there is comfort, and peace, and yes, even joy in the hard stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires - <i>described as delight</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a state of happiness or felicity - <i>described as bliss</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a source or cause of delight</span></li>
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<i style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Take delight in the Lord,</i></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and he will give you the desires of your heart. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">PSALM 37:4</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This verse captured my attention some years ago, and now here, contemplating joy, I find that DELIGHT and JOY are connected! God says, I love you. Delight in me - have joy in my love for you, and receive my love abundantly! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Burdens shared are cut in half</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joy shared is doubled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we are receiving the full measure of God's love, we have more than enough to share. We can be generous. And, when we are generous and bless others with this love, it produces more joy! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8zY8nBMXOsIzAfyFhvMrUZ66GpZ14_5VcFQr9TJ2XZaYjfzs9ao0yWYC0a7T94u3zC7lDfy7HGaeH4DoG1KB1OXaTfsSVvziAwpNLV7cNUHqSkWkJ33XGt9Cgf8T4lP3ZCzO0gybCr4/s1600/joy+ornament+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8zY8nBMXOsIzAfyFhvMrUZ66GpZ14_5VcFQr9TJ2XZaYjfzs9ao0yWYC0a7T94u3zC7lDfy7HGaeH4DoG1KB1OXaTfsSVvziAwpNLV7cNUHqSkWkJ33XGt9Cgf8T4lP3ZCzO0gybCr4/s200/joy+ornament+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.</b> Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> LUKE 2:8-12</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In these days of Christmas, where we celebrate the birth of the Christ child and Savior of the world, we wait on the promises of God, to send His love</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">into the world through Jesus - </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Emmanuel (God WITH us). He humbled himself and came down, love came down, and love poured out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In receiving this love, everlasting joy is possible. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-67106822357499539742015-12-10T05:04:00.001-08:002015-12-10T05:04:16.981-08:00Faith and Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kImKaemrVWCJtIPmJHYWxdlVNAjKWPZvkLgtvFLXV4lDygl2vnJNOHWcJtm_Dn32PlhpsnYSvndW3gt9ofZfJDSm10IOMNbpw0WihRBhgjZAC5yJ-KLtd3GQyutpH0smfr7dFKMk-Ts/s1600/God+is+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kImKaemrVWCJtIPmJHYWxdlVNAjKWPZvkLgtvFLXV4lDygl2vnJNOHWcJtm_Dn32PlhpsnYSvndW3gt9ofZfJDSm10IOMNbpw0WihRBhgjZAC5yJ-KLtd3GQyutpH0smfr7dFKMk-Ts/s200/God+is+love.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love is something that flows from one being to another. It is expressed from the one communicating love and received by the one for whom it is intended. Others who witness love can't help being positively impacted by its allure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love draws us in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love is always for our good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love always builds up and never tears down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love can't be manufactured - it either exists or it doesn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this second week of Advent, focusing on Faith and Love, I was t</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">raveling behind a vehicle that was decorated with two bumper stickers: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ7Wl08ucwdoEXwZh1hOkVapEvHlgxgNgBuEZf1Zhhv2TV5CZpgIS8GW3gKfdBT_4LidbP5gllrk9jMzgaXq2EemAiZel0yfCyAPgB9rjhF0Jykz7Iayv5qeZBY3lvWV3J8dgkPUb2sY/s1600/coexist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ7Wl08ucwdoEXwZh1hOkVapEvHlgxgNgBuEZf1Zhhv2TV5CZpgIS8GW3gKfdBT_4LidbP5gllrk9jMzgaXq2EemAiZel0yfCyAPgB9rjhF0Jykz7Iayv5qeZBY3lvWV3J8dgkPUb2sY/s320/coexist.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">My first thought was that we can coexist</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">without loving or</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">understanding</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">one another, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">with a posture of tolerance, rather than love. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUlzJZFEVH3DT23trlgw2Mzau6hG4Yqc_y9K5wArxxKPrsH3YLrQn0o60TtfSopnlxSSU6UsBwz8tP86P2vx1bt-1ixN9EeSEmaXf-1-TDQ1WL6TvXLWaMhmK76PtSwltVh6bfKdWkp8/s1600/believe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUlzJZFEVH3DT23trlgw2Mzau6hG4Yqc_y9K5wArxxKPrsH3YLrQn0o60TtfSopnlxSSU6UsBwz8tP86P2vx1bt-1ixN9EeSEmaXf-1-TDQ1WL6TvXLWaMhmK76PtSwltVh6bfKdWkp8/s320/believe.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We can believe in love, and not be loving.
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We can believe in peace, without being peacemakers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.</span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8a</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus embodies love and
peace, bringing them into the world. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;">God is love. </span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;">1 John 4:16</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the same way, God
calls his people to be loving. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not
love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his
love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live
through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends,
since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever
seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made
complete in us. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 JOHN :7-12</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The journey of Advent points us to Jesus, who entered this broken world to bring love and peace. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than merely coexisting, or believing in love and peace, Jesus invites us to love others as ourselves because of the love we've received from God. And, having experienced the reconciling nature of God, God calls us to be peacemakers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love always enters in for the good of another!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People throughout the world are hurting in a variety of ways - </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lonely, hungry, displaced, brokenhearted,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> desperate, angry... the list is long. Imagine what love does in each of these situations... Love says "you are not alone and I won't abandon you. I'll share what I have and we'll figure this out together." Love never says "it's someone else's problem." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Through faith, the kind of redeeming love and peace</span></div>
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</span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-69602911467078290552015-12-01T06:59:00.000-08:002015-12-01T06:59:49.443-08:00Faith and Hope<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TrJR-7B-OQqVeboI3dTiyHw2iUPuaAg37nHpneUvH8EQuvf_9AVfB9IfA1bY7_HNreiwT0XuzNgZ8DkOy2q1xmAaMhvFWFquayAl83sEbj3LrP-KxctmX_mjd4iPSsXQ5O4mRTmbL_M/s1600/hope+dispair+signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TrJR-7B-OQqVeboI3dTiyHw2iUPuaAg37nHpneUvH8EQuvf_9AVfB9IfA1bY7_HNreiwT0XuzNgZ8DkOy2q1xmAaMhvFWFquayAl83sEbj3LrP-KxctmX_mjd4iPSsXQ5O4mRTmbL_M/s1600/hope+dispair+signs.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>HOPE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a powerful driver!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>HOPE of something better </b>leads people to hurdle incredible challenges... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the<b> lack of HOPE</b> can drive another to despair. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> HEBREWS 11:1</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope that comes from faith is far beyond wishful thinking. This kind of hope is grounded in the assurance of the redeeming work of God through the finished work of Jesus, the Messiah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this season of Advent, we wait for the birth of this Christ child, the one promised and hoped for. Hope grounded in faith looks to the ONE that always keeps his promises. Looking back, we can see promises fulfilled. Looking forward, knowing the faithfulness of God in the past, we can trust that He will be faithful in the years to come. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. </i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">JOHN 1:1-2, 14</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is great mystery in the work of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith stands in the gap between fact and doubt. We wonder, we question, and we doubt. Some reject. The goodness and faithfulness of God calls people to hope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life... and He calls us to follow Him. Human beings don't do this perfectly, we make mistakes and are frequent in our failings. However, we can look to the ONE who walked this same journey of life and did it perfectly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of human history points to the resurrection. It is through this sole moment in time that faith pivots. So in this week of Advent, the week of Hope, we have the opportunity to focus on what truly brings hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hillsong wrote and produced a beautiful song. Take a moment and look to the Hope of the World, Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hope is built on nothing less</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Than Jesus blood and righteousness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dare not trust the sweetest frame</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But wholly trust in Jesus name</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My hope is built on nothing less</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Than Jesus blood and righteousness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dare not trust the sweetest frame</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But wholly trust in Jesus name</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ alone; cornerstone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the storm, He is Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord of all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Darkness seems to hide His face</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I rest on His unchanging grace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In every high and stormy gale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My anchor holds within the veil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My anchor holds within the veil</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ alone; cornerstone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the storm, He is Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord of all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord of all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ alone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ alone; cornerstone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the storm, He is Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord of all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ alone; cornerstone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the storm, He is Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord of all</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When He shall come with trumpet sound,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, may I then in Him be found;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dressed in His righteousness alone,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faultless stand before the throne.</span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-78102373428402161022015-11-29T07:19:00.004-08:002015-11-29T07:20:54.154-08:00A Season of Waiting, Advent Begins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_wkZJmumWHBZ6zDXvrdP8k3gaO-G3bh0BPTVjPq59LTOS3F4iIaY_rNdNkqRY75tuvbUb557OEgSb1j64aRgfUhQLiCGVWGe-A_v3zU08kN31p4aApHZd6VEu0K8amTASXZQ8UtZHjA/s1600/waiting+by+ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_wkZJmumWHBZ6zDXvrdP8k3gaO-G3bh0BPTVjPq59LTOS3F4iIaY_rNdNkqRY75tuvbUb557OEgSb1j64aRgfUhQLiCGVWGe-A_v3zU08kN31p4aApHZd6VEu0K8amTASXZQ8UtZHjA/s320/waiting+by+ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Waiting... </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Americans live in such an instant culture that waiting can be challenging. We have choices as we wait - impatience, or enjoyment of the moments in between where we approach the waiting with a sense of expectant anticipation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I LOVE the ocean! There is something about the rhythm of the waves that provides a soothing sense in my being. With each wave there is an ebb and flow. I know each will be present in the cycle of each wave. I'm not anxious wondering when, but knowing there will be one that follows another. The calm anticipation allows me to enjoy the moments. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today begins the season of Advent, <br />a time of waiting for the birth of the Christ child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once Thanksgiving is done, we're in the thick of the commercialized Christmas season. Advent provides an opportunity for <b>intentional waiting</b>. Each day provides opportunity to focus on what God has done, is doing, and will do. It's a season to see the faithfulness of God through the fulfillment of HIS promises. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About 700 years prior to Jesus' birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the Spirit of counsel and of might,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> or decide by what he hears with his ears;</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> but with righteousness he will judge the needy,</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ISAIAH 11:1-4</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Lord fulfilled this promise through the birth of Jesus. I'm sure some in the generations of those 700 years must have wondered if the promise would truly be fulfilled. Many in this generation have the same question. As we look back and see the ways that God has been faithful in the past, we can know that He will be faithful in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> HEBREWS 11:1</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Faith says - Trust me as you wait! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peter wrote to the people of his day: </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2 PETER 3:9 </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Advent, my focus will be on faith. My prayer is to grow in my ability to wait with a heart and mind of expectancy, to trust in the Lord's promises and rejoice in His grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will you wait with me? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd love to hear about your waiting practices. Please share them in the comments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-83212712148426524982015-11-04T06:43:00.001-08:002015-11-04T06:43:38.281-08:00Shifting Gears- Outreach into Mission<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4lcpPr9Wth-yokO17Q1GgtBygICEKx4F-1dG-qB2ql44KFoL4EsrHO7DIfhanOcj3buR6baeMeQwr9oYglfgRQaSg9T7RAqsOSuxjnOfdAmfgkR92NvCP-E9Xy4vqEKW2w1TkspTq-Y/s1600/gear+shift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4lcpPr9Wth-yokO17Q1GgtBygICEKx4F-1dG-qB2ql44KFoL4EsrHO7DIfhanOcj3buR6baeMeQwr9oYglfgRQaSg9T7RAqsOSuxjnOfdAmfgkR92NvCP-E9Xy4vqEKW2w1TkspTq-Y/s320/gear+shift.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/5843095046" target="_blank">brownpau</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In recent months, I've been in the midst of clergy from a variety of Christian denominations. Many are serving waning congregations, experiencing frustration, and being drawn into a rediscovery of mission. While challenging, these are exciting times as we experience God's movement right before us! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A SHIFT is happening...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been a Christ follower since the mid-1980's. During my time in the church, outreach has been the mission focus of the local church, and mission was done by specially trained personnel who went to foreign fields and was funded by members of the local church. Outreach was close and Mission was far away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The United States is now the 3rd largest mission field in the world. </b></span></div>
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<b style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">OUTREACH is shifting into MISSION</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">OUTREACH</span></b> tends to take a congregation-centric approach, where mission expansion is
limited to a geographic region around the congregation. Generally,
the congregation’s leaders determine the ministries and areas of focus and
recruit congregation members to support and participate in them. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way most church-goers have been trained for outreach is generally limited to assisting in church-sponsored programs and in inviting people to the church to be discipled by the pastor and certain trained leaders</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> at the church location. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">MISSION</span></b> tends to take a deployed-missionary approach. Missionaries have a sense of being sent to help a certain group of people know Jesus. Before a missionary is sent
off to foreign lands, they receive training, develop a network of
support, and are prepared to disciple the people that they are serving in the location of the people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A Missionary thinks differently, <br />instead of thinking how does s/he get people <br />to come and join what s/he's doing, <br />s/he considers how to join others in what they're doing <br />and look for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In order to approach domestic outreach <br />in the same way as foreign mission, <br />two major shifts are necessary</span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><u>Shifting where activity is focused</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">preparing everyday missionaries</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><u>Shifting the responsibility for discipling</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">equipping and resourcing everyday missionaries to walk </span></div>
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a journey of discipleship with the people that they are serving. </div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">WHEN</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a normal part of the conversation becomes about encouraging God's people to consider whom God is calling them to serve and disciple, the focus for where people spend their time will begin to shift. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">WHEN</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> we celebrate the sending of a domestic missionary, our focus shifts from a sense of loss in the local congregation, to a sense of gain for the Kingdom. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">WHEN</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> we see the local congregation as a hub, a center for worship and a center of discipling, equipping and deployment, the congregation's FOOTPRINT shifts into a<br /> REACH, and the kingdom begins to expand with renewed vigor!</span></div>
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-62835067956678977522015-10-28T04:24:00.005-07:002015-10-28T04:25:40.226-07:00God is Love<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVs0sQdgqD7bJh4egTp-oO4JWD3qLpZXsPaYpCzOZppsfDQ2byZbobXI48VkjD5MUDXweEAvD6ubUaJoqDgars814Q1RQzRNnRZEynnd1r34AdczdFpZiNeBr_KlC0RrepwFOJf1m9Vk/s1600/God+is+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVs0sQdgqD7bJh4egTp-oO4JWD3qLpZXsPaYpCzOZppsfDQ2byZbobXI48VkjD5MUDXweEAvD6ubUaJoqDgars814Q1RQzRNnRZEynnd1r34AdczdFpZiNeBr_KlC0RrepwFOJf1m9Vk/s1600/God+is+love.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KNOW who you are...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BE who you are...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SAY who you are...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I AM. This is who God says he is, solely I AM. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />He always was. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He always will be. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />The enormity of this challenges my mind. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />God is love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God's love is </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">faithful without compromise, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">devoted without reservation, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enduring for eternity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As God's love comes to us, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />it beckons us in, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">calls us to know it's goodness, </span></div>
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and invites us to receive it purely. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul describes this love to the Corinthian church:</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Love never fails.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 CORINTHIANS 13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love flows out to and for another. In a world that tends toward narcissism, it's hard to fully imagine the kind of love that is totally intended for the good of others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Crowder co-wrote and recorded a song titled "I Am" that speaks of this kind of love. It's an ALWAYS kind of love, never ending. Listen and just receive it...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There's no space that His love can't reach</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There's no place where we can't find peace</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There's no end to Amazing Grace</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Take me in with your arms spread wide</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Take me in like an orphan child</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Never let go, never leave my side.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Holding on to You.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Holding on to You.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In the middle of the storm,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am Holding on,</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am</i></span><br />
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Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8552267936600148434.post-26240704878439246912015-09-24T02:57:00.000-07:002015-09-24T02:57:04.796-07:00Blessed is the one<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgaCxWf5MG-6yWKFTXKfBqJidLvs1geDtpwBs7w8EPVwu-kBLCHCHrqIulcCg9yD113LgwPzIR9mJO0yF-Y8cO_r0LQ1J-iSsJcRF5jZAW4QqF_kCeE9k13e4jsDjD1ptJxBGByNevWw/s1600/tree+by+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgaCxWf5MG-6yWKFTXKfBqJidLvs1geDtpwBs7w8EPVwu-kBLCHCHrqIulcCg9yD113LgwPzIR9mJO0yF-Y8cO_r0LQ1J-iSsJcRF5jZAW4QqF_kCeE9k13e4jsDjD1ptJxBGByNevWw/s1600/tree+by+water.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Blessed is the one</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> whose delight is in the law of the LORD,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> and who meditates on his law day and night.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That person is like a tree, planted by streams of water,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> which yields its fruit in season</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> and whose leaf does not wither - </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> whatever they do prospers.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> PSALM 1:1, 2-3</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tree planted in this place easily takes in its daily source <br />of life-sustaining essentials:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - water & minerals </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - sunlight </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ezekiel writes about the trees planted along the river that flows from the temple:</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.<br />Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">EZEKIEL 47:1, 12</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When someone takes in a constant supply of love from the LORD, there is only love to pour out. When we are parched, or have consumed from an unhealthy supply, there is not sufficient reserve to pour out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Lord's people are called to a lifestyle of extravagant caring!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To do this, being immersed in His love for us is essential! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who read this, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have prayed the same words of Paul to the Ephesian church for you:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">EPHESIANS 3:14-21</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Tina - Director of Christian Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00956841629036499419noreply@blogger.com0