tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77991058763252794272024-03-05T02:11:29.131-08:00Just the Clay"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
2 Corinthians 4:7Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.comBlogger841125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-73618264067523405802020-01-01T15:14:00.004-08:002020-01-01T15:38:04.264-08:00Old Things New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I started a blog over a decade ago to document and write about the Lord’s faithfulness in our adoption process. Throughout that year of blogging I realized how much I enjoyed writing. It forced me to truly pause and ponder what God was teaching me…both through His Word and through the circumstances of life. I could never share with others until I grasped the truth for myself…and writing helped to embed God’s Word into my heart and grow in wisdom as that knowledge was applied. By God’s grace, this habit has yielded much fruit in my own heart and life and has been an encouragement to others. </div>
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Yet, as is often the case, I am prone to forget. The very truths God has taught me, I need to be reminded of again. I am not unlike the Israelites: </div>
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"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” Deuteronomy 4:9</div>
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This past year, I have found myself going back and reading my own old blog posts….reminding myself of God’s faithful mercy and steadfast love in the everyday moments of life. By God’s grace, my own words have encouraged and strengthened my heart as they have reminded me of God’s greatness and goodness. They have also convicted and rebuked my heart as I realize how patterns of sin can slowly creep back up in my life. I need to remember and need the “tools” I’ve learned in the past to keep fighting the good fight of the faith. </div>
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It got me thinking that 2020 would be a great year for the old to merge with the new. This is a new website, a new blog….but many of the posts will be old posts made new. I’ll take thoughts and ideas from the past, update and edit them, and deliver them in this “new space”. You’ll still be able to access the old blog site…but fresh content will only be found at <a href="http://www.justtheclay.com/"><span style="color: #dca10d;">www.justtheclay.com</span></a> . (It’s also a step towards creating the devotional book that many of you have encouraged me to pursue.)</div>
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I’m sure most of you have already had this thought, but this year, 2020, reminds me of vision…perfect vision. Vision, by one definition, is “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom”. Oh, how I desire that all of our thoughts and plans for the future will be infused with wisdom. And there is only one place wisdom is found…in fearing and knowing the Lord. Perfect Vision is found when we look upon the Perfect One as He has revealed Himself in His Perfect Word. My prayer is that this new blog will aid us in that endeavor…to the praise of His glory! </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-85059388092071756072019-11-11T20:14:00.002-08:002019-11-11T20:14:48.338-08:00When Worry Creeps In<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I’m working through a passage of Scripture right now in my time with Jesus that has been such a needed reminder. So simple to read and even copy down…yet I am pretty sure it will take a lifetime of sanctification to truly grab ahold of…as the Lord desires. </div>
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It’s a portion of Scripture you all know well, Philippians 4:4-7:<i> <b>“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” </b></i></div>
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I’m a pretty “upbeat” person, by nature. I’m typically prone to see the cup “half full” instead of “half empty”; the “Tigger” out of the group who probably drives the “Eeyore” crazy ;) But I am amazed how quickly the worry can creep in…the very thing God says there should be none of. </div>
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-Where will my kids go to college? Will they get enough scholarships? Will their debt be too great? How will it all work out? </div>
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-Why do we seem to keep getting sick? Are we ever going to find a healthy “normal”? How long are we going to keep battling all this gunk…and how are we ever going to keep up with the busyness of each day when we are not feeling well? </div>
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-How am I going to balance home life, working and ministry without burning out or making poor choices that affect my family and even hurt those around me? </div>
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-How do we get all this condensation off of the windows??!!! Do we really have to buy more dehumidifiers?! And will that stinking cute puppy that we just “had to have” ever sleep for more than 7 hours at a time at night?!!!</div>
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As you can see, some worries, once spoken out loud, seem to carry less weight and might even lead to a giggle or two. Some worries just need to be put into proper perspective. Often that comes as I pray for others and realize the magnitude of trials they are going through and how small mine are in comparison. Some worries need the counsel of others to “wade through the hard” with help and wisdom. And some worries are long term realities that need to be seen in light of eternity. </div>
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But one thing is certain, ALL worries need a transformation. All worries actually need eradication. Because our great God says that we are not to worry about anything. Instead…we are too pray about it all. Our worries need to be left at the Throne of Grace, transformed into prayers and petitions that are wrapped up in hearts of thanksgiving. </div>
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How is that possible? </div>
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It starts with remembering, as Scripture tells us, that the Lord is near. That, my friends, changes everything…because when we really KNOW who the Lord is…there is not one spot in our hearts where worry can find a resting place. </div>
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Who is the Lord? </div>
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-He spoke creation into existence! Yep…look around you. All. From. The. Breath. Of. His. Mouth! </div>
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-He led an entire nation out of oppression and slavery and kept them alive…with food each day and clothing that never wore out. </div>
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-He shut the mouths of lions, killed a giant using a boy with a sling, defeated whole armies by having them turn on themselves, saved an entire nation through a prophet who didn’t even want to be there…and on and on we could go! </div>
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-He gave up His only Son to bear the wrath we deserved….and then raised Him from the dead so we, too, could have victory over death and the grave.</div>
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This is but a glimpse of the glory, majesty, power, and worth of the One who is near. In fact, as a child of God, He can’t get any closer to you…because He is IN you! (Col. 1:27)</div>
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When we begin to comprehend this reality, doesn’t it make us want to tell Him everything; to cry out in total dependence with a heart filled with great hope? Doesn’t it cause thanksgiving to well up inside of us because, despite whatever the circumstance may be, He is enough and He is ours?! Apart from Him we have nothing…so, to have Him is to have everything our souls ever needed or will ever need! (Psalm 16:2)</div>
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When we wear these “Gospel Glasses”, we begin to experience a peace that lasts. It’s a peace that ONLY comes from God and can never be bought or manufactured by anything or anyone here on earth. It’s a peace that guards our hearts and minds FROM worry and helps us to give thanks, even when the situation or trial we are in feels dark and unending. It’s an anchor of hope that keeps us tethered to Jesus…who is our life. </div>
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This passage is a familiar one…but I pray it’s truths embed themselves deep down into our hearts and that, through it, the Holy Spirit grows the fruit of a deeper knowledge of our Lord, a deeper dependence through prayer, a deeper delight as we pursue thankfulness and a deeper peace as He guards our hearts and minds through His Word. </div>
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<i><b>“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”</b> </i>Proverbs 3:5-6</div>
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(I had just finished writing this post when this song popped up on Pandora. It's been one of my favorites for over 10 years...and I do think it's a beautiful conclusion to what I wrote...so, thought I'd share it here!)</div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-78866693471254295532019-09-25T20:37:00.000-07:002019-09-26T06:56:30.917-07:00Not a Moment in Time…but Every Moment of Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’m really enjoying a new <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Joy-Bible-Study-Philippians-Women/dp/1936760568/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RMXB34E4MY8H&keywords=joy+a+study+of+philippians+keri+folmar&qid=1569468848&sprefix=keri+folmar+phi%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Bible study book</a> by a gal I’ve never used before: <i>Joy! A Bible Study on Philippians For Women </i>by Keri Folmar. Some of her questions in regards to Phil. 1:21, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, have really had me thinking a lot about what it means when we say we are a Christian…when we say Jesus is “in our hearts”. It’s so beautiful when we look at what Scripture says to describe those who are saved. </div>
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We have “gained Christ and are found in Him” (Phil.3:8-9), we are “hidden in Christ” (Col. 3:1-4), “crucified with Christ and I no longer live, Jesus Christ now lives in me” (Gal.3:20), we are “not our own, we are bought at a price“ (I Cor. 6:19-20), we are a “new creation and the old has passed away and the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17), we have a “new nature…a new self” (Col. 3:9), we have been “set free from sin and become slaves of God” (Romans 6:22), and we are “daughters of the King” (2 Cor. 6:18)! “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” and “In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14) </div>
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Are you smiling yet? Are you standing in awe that a holy God would reach down and awaken our hearts to cry out to Him, to cling to Him, to fall in love with Him?!!!!! I can’t help but think that the more we realize what it means to be saved by God, what it means to be a Christian - a Christ follower - the more we realize that it’s not about a moment in time…it’s about every moment of time belonging to Christ. He’s not just a part of our lives..He IS our life (Col. 3:4)! Only then can we even begin to grasp, begin to comprehend and, with growing confidence, begin to echo with Paul, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-17604510548706282092019-09-04T05:30:00.000-07:002019-09-04T05:30:05.706-07:00Hanging Pictures<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I have been hanging my fair share of pictures these last few days and boy are there some great reminders of Biblical truths to be found in the process. </div>
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I can’t tell you how many times I got tired of measuring to try to get a frame even, straight or equal to another frame, so I would just “eyeball it”. Not such a good idea. In fact, all you have to do is take the pictures off of the walls and you’ll know which ones I tried to “eyeball” because there are multiple nail holes behind them! </div>
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I couldn’t help but think how often I am prone to the same sort of reality in my daily walk. God’s Word is the measuring stick, true north, the plumb line. His ways are faithful and true every time and not even a fraction of an inch off at any time. To seek God through His Word is to know truth, to pursue truth and as a result, to be confident in each step by His grace: </div>
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<i>“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know Him and He will make your paths straight.” </i> Proverbs 3:5-6</div>
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Yet, how many times do I chose to forfeit so great a mercy and grace and just “eyeball it”?! I don’t get up when my alarm goes off and miss sweet fellowship in His Word. I miss having my mind renewed and my heart strengthened. I miss the wisdom of the One who knows all things. Or how many times do I “eyeball it” in a decision that needs to be made or a conversation that takes place instead of taking it all to the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Truth. I end up with “holes” in my life that don’t look so pretty and need to be repented of. </div>
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But there is hope…MUCH hope! I love how God describes Jesus in Ephesians 1:23. He is “the fullness (of the One) who fills all things in every way”. We actually started out with a hole so big it was impossible to fill or fix on our own. Our sin created a chasm between us and holy God that we could not bridge. Jesus’s death on the cross paid the penalty our sin incurred and appeased the wrath of God that was justly directed at us. And His atoning work continues today. He saved us from our sin and He continues to save us from our sin and forgive us. He fills the holes and aligns our life to conform to His image. </div>
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The pictures He is hanging on the walls of our hearts and lives are more beautiful than we could ever comprehend because they tell the story of His redeeming work. They speak of His mercies. They shout the glory of His saving grace in jars of clay like us! </div>
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So, may we not be those who try to “eyeball it” but those who fix our eyes on Jesus as He has revealed Himself in His Word. Only then will we<i> “be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”</i> I Corinthians 15:58</div>
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<b><i>“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 </i></b></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-48731127804263892782019-08-26T06:57:00.001-07:002019-08-26T09:55:29.832-07:00A Summer of Change<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uDKiCL5BZUfw8QA1jhxJOBzROkvGxO9YA1DoghQ47oYfj8mp5LuDxJPYdgvrkmSCa1zpx-pSiOWKYYjreVdqeYNi44JWbsUt-Q6ei7_kGHJ71jDe8pXhWVHvaXYlqutpH1uyoELPM0za/s1600/kristin.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uDKiCL5BZUfw8QA1jhxJOBzROkvGxO9YA1DoghQ47oYfj8mp5LuDxJPYdgvrkmSCa1zpx-pSiOWKYYjreVdqeYNi44JWbsUt-Q6ei7_kGHJ71jDe8pXhWVHvaXYlqutpH1uyoELPM0za/s320/kristin.jpg" /></a><br />
I’ve wanted to sit down and write for some time...not just because I love to write…but because I wanted to write to YOU! You have walked this road with us. You have been praying for us and encouraging us. We are so thankful for you all and I have wanted to share what God has been doing.<br />
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Each day is a gift from the Lord and there is so much to be thankful for. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24) Yet, as Ecclesiastes has been teaching me this summer, that doesn’t nullify the reality that there are hard days…even downright <a href="http://justtheclay.blogspot.com/2019/07/if-youve-ever-had-bad-daykeep-reading.html" target="_blank">bad days</a>. We live in a fallen world, after all. Until Jesus comes again (and He will!), joy will mingle with sorrow, sweetness may still be etched with sadness and blessings will often come through trials. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says it the best: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”<br />
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This summer, we have experienced several of those activities, those seasons, those times: <br />
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<li>a time to plant and a time to uproot </li>
<li>a time to tear down and a time to build </li>
<li>a time to weep and a time to laugh </li>
<li>a time to mourn and a time to dance </li>
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We “tore down” our home and packed it into boxes. We uprooted from the life we knew and the friendships we made…which means we did some weeping over the goodbyes that came with it. Leaving is hard. Mourning and grieving took on a whole new reality just days later (and still leaves us aching and grieving today...especially for my dear aunt) with the news that my uncle would not survive complications from his heart surgery. It was news that brought a soberness and "weight" and a reminder of the brevity of life and the gift from God that each moment is. It is news that will continue to impact the way I see life and has given me a renewed sense of urgency as I think about the temporal and eternal and seek to live "Corem Deo"...before the face of God. Would you please continue to pray for my precious extended family and the painful road they are walking?!<br />
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We got into our cars and headed out on an adventurous move that involved a massive detour south! We experienced the majestic beauty and creativity of our great God through Zion, Bryce and Arches National Park. There were times we were speechless at the beauty we were beholding! There were times we giggled as we drove through the changing landscape (at one point, if you told me we were on the moon, I would have believed you!). Through it all there was an overwhelming sense of awe and amazement that resulted in praise to the One who made it all! <br />
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Like bookends on a shelf, we saw two of my brothers and their families (and our dear Faith Bible family) at the beginning and spent time with my sister and her family at the end. I love my family and I love the gift of time with them….it was a precious way to start and end our chapter of adventure in this summer of change. </div>
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And then the page turned. The heading read “Huron, South Dakota” and the words of Ecclesiastes were gently etched in the opening lines: “Planting and Building….Laughing and Dancing”. We were home! </div>
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For the first time in our married life, we own our own house! We’ve planted for sure ;) and we can’t wait to build up the inside and clean up the outside till it feels like ours. There may not have been much dancing…but there was plenty of “fancy footwork” and much laughter by all those that came out to help us move in our belongings and we are beyond thankful for the graciousness, kindness and help of our new church family. Within an hour and a half the truck was unloaded, we had food for our pantry, fridge and freezer and a meal was waiting for us to eat. I can tell you that my heart was dancing to the tune of thanksgiving for the provision the Lord gave through the saints we have come to serve alongside of! We are thankful beyond words not only for the help that day…but for the continued gift of food, encouragement and help this past week! </div>
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Our thankfulness has continued with each passing day! Samuel, Faith, Titus and Caleb started school at James Valley Christian School on Thursday. I still can’t believe our kids are able to go there! What a blessing it has been to make friends their own age so quickly…and they have been encouraged by the kindness shown to them. Samuel and Faith have already enjoyed a senior class party and Samuel is playing on the soccer team. Micah starts evening classes (full time) at the Huron Community Campus today and both he and Grace have work interviews the beginning of this week.<br />
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Before we moved, we tried to keep the mindset “people over packing” and now, as we settle, our heart’s desire is “people over projects”. So, our home might take a while to get set up the way we want...but we don’t want to lose sight of relationship building, even as we seek to “build” our home. And, speaking of building, we are so thankful for the way God has “built” our neighborhood. Unbeknownst to us when we placed an offer on our home, we have several neighbors who are also part of our church, some with kids of the same age…along with new friends from the school right behind us! Baseball in the back, basketball in the front..my heart has been rejoicing in how the Lord has orchestrated all of this! </div>
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There is so much that is new: new places, new faces, new names, new routines, new jobs, a new home…to name a few. But the greatest “new” of all…the one that infuses everyday with strength and joy is what we cling to and what we proclaim above all: God’s steadfast love and mercies! We pray His new morning mercies and steadfast love are your delight, too! </div>
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<i><b>“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lam. 3:23-24</b></i><br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-67957803503906741722019-07-22T09:14:00.000-07:002019-07-23T07:54:25.589-07:00Perplexing Providence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am so thankful for all the ways God has directed our family this past month in clearly revealing some of His plans through the new church family He is taking us to, the home He has provided and even in regards to school for our children. We are humbled by His provision and so thankful for His providence! But, as I am sure many of you can attest to, clear direction isn't always something the Lord gives. Sometimes we can barely see the path at all. I think it is often the reality more than it is not, and that is why my heart resonated with Spurgeon’s thoughts on 2 Kings 5:11! Before I share what he said, here's a recap ;). You remember the story: Naaman, who was commander of the Aramean army, had leprosy and wanted to be healed. A young girl, who was an Israelite and a servant in Naaman’s household (read more about her story <a href="http://justtheclay.blogspot.com/2017/08/its-time-to-break-silence.html"><span style="color: #dca10d;">here</span></a>), told him where he could go to get help…to the prophet Elisha. Once he reached Elisha, he knocked on his door…clearly expecting a conversation with this great prophet. Elisha chose, instead, to send a messenger to the door with the simple instructions to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times. No fanfare, no conversation, no recognition. Naaman is not a fan of this simple interaction that went against what he thought should happen. He angrily responds, </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the skin disease.” </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spurgeon encourages our hearts with this: </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Preconceived ideas of what ought to be the Lord’s mode of action are injurious, even to those who have true faith in God, and yet they are frequently indulged. We map out beforehand the path of providence, and the method of his mercy, forgetting the Lord’s footsteps are not known. When the Lord does not choose to act according to our notions, we cry, half indignantly, “I thought he would surely act otherwise.” This folly is seen in believers sometimes in reference to their way to heaven. They are like the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt; there is a straight road to Canaan - why are they not allowed to take it? Instead, they are led round about; their course is in turn progressive, retrograde, and standing still - to the right and to the left, forward and retreat. Does not providence often perplex us and run counter not only to our wishes but also to our deliberate judgement? That which seems to be the best does not happen to us, while that which appears to be distressingly injurious overtakes us. Our forecasts do not come true, our daydreams are not realized, and our schemes for life are not carried out. We have ventured to propose such inquiries, but we have not been able to answer them; it is as well that we should not, for our business is not the solution of problems but the performance of precepts. Let us cease from our own wisdom and leave all arrangements in the hand of our heavenly Father. Our thoughts are vanity; his thoughts are precious.” </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How true is that?! How many of us would have ever planned out the life God has given? We like to run from pain and trials. We like to avoid what might bring hurt or struggle. Yet, the Lord knows the gifts of grace that are to be found in the hard, in the difficult, and in the testing. He lovingly knows that “<i>affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.</i>” (Romans 5:3-5) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we’ve all heard before, we may not understand the purpose of His ways…but His ways are not without purpose. God knows best how to glorify Himself, how to spread His name and fame across the lands. And often He does just that through allowing His kids to face trials of many kinds so that His mercy and grace, His sufficiency, is seen in their lives to a watching world….to neighbors, co-workers, friends at school, and family members that need the saving work of Jesus in their lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have often had the attitude of Naaman: assuming I know best what God should do and being confused, frustrated and discouraged (and yes, at times, angry) when that was not how God worked. But, just like Naaman’s servants, the Lord has often used His servants, sisters and brothers in Christ, to encourage my heart to trust the One who always works for the good of those who are His…the God who hems me in behind and before (Psalm 139) upholding me with His mighty hand of mercy and grace. Then they “grab hold” of my tired hands (Hebrews 12:12) and help me walk in obedience by walking with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My heart is so thankful for the example of Naaman, for the encouragement of Spurgeon and for the gift of walking the hardest, sweetest journey I could never have planned...oftentimes full of perplexing providence...yet, always carried along by a Savior who will hold me fast, and precious saints who are stepping Heavenward too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls,</i><b><i> </i></b><i>yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The Lord my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” </i>Habakkuk 3:17-19</span></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-87849364011443867232019-07-14T22:43:00.000-07:002019-07-14T22:59:25.256-07:00The Pichura's are Moving! <div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b> “May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance” </b></div>
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2 Thessalonians 3:5</div>
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This beautiful verse has been a prayer in my own life and has spilled over in petition for others, too. What needed encouragement there is in those words! In recent days, this whispered prayer has bloomed in a very sweet way for us Pichura’s. </div>
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As many of you know, we have been seeking a new ministry for many months. Throughout those months, there has been a need for endurance…for perseverance even when we couldn’t see what God was doing and the uncertainty weighed heavy. Yet, as we fixed our eyes on Christ, we were quickly reminded that He endured far more than a season of waiting…He endured the cross, suffered and died so that we might have eternal life. He endured for the joy that was set before Him, and we have the privilege of walking in His footsteps, enabled by His sufficient grace to endure whatever He calls us to: big or small. He gave us His endurance and we are so thankful for His grace. </div>
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Throughout this process the Lord also reminded us that “<i>He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?</i>” (Romans 8:32) This is the love He has for us. This is the hope we have. If God was willing to kill His own Son so that we might be rescued from hell…then He will give us what is best each and every day…what is for our good and brings Him glory. We can barely begin to grasp the depth of his love…but our hearts have seen glimpses and we are in awe! </div>
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In His love, He has given us a new ministry!! August 1st we will leave Canada and begin making our way to Huron, South Dakota where Bryan will serve as an associate pastor. It was a true blessing to begin to get to know the body at Mt. Olivet over the two weekends we spent there. They love the Word of God, uphold it’s authority and want to honor the Lord in what they say and do. We were so thankful for their testimonies of sacrifice, their spirit of love for each other, and the way they welcomed us in….in honesty and transparency. </div>
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Of course, to say “hello” to Mt. Olivet also means to say goodbye to our church family here, and the tears have come easy this past week. They’ve come easy because we have loved and been loved deeply. We are saying goodbye to those with whom we laughed together, cried together and grown in Christ together. They are comfortable, familiar and so very dear…they are family. They love Jesus, they love His Word and they want to be like Him and we’ve had the gift of linking arms together to “<i>grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ</i>” (Eph. 4:15). It creates bonds that truly are eternal and, therefore, painful to lose…even if it be only till Heaven. </div>
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This move is beautiful and painful all at the same time…and we are so very thankful for the Lord’s goodness and provision through it all. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for the ways you have expressed care. We are so very thankful that God has seen fit to keep these “jars of clay” serving full-time in the local church! To Him alone be the glory forever! </div>
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<b><i>“Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-36</i></b></div>
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-43841123204237835182019-07-02T10:25:00.003-07:002019-07-02T10:25:32.939-07:00If You've Ever Had a Bad Day...Keep Reading :) <div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
A few weeks ago my sister told me about an article written by Carolyn Mahaney and I am so glad she shared it with me. I loved it! </div>
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<a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/every-days-a-bad-day" target="_blank">“Every Day's a Bad Day”</a> </div>
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Of course the title caught my attention right away. Is that Biblical? Is that even right for a believer to say? After all, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will REJOICE and be GLAD in it”. Yet, we all would agree that there are many days that are hard and filled with trials. There are many days that we wish we did not have to endure or, at least, would like to skip parts of it. </div>
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I was so encouraged by Carolyn’s words of wisdom, blessed by her insight and so thankful for the time she took to write and share. In fact, a group of us gals got together a couple of weeks ago for an early morning “coffee” and, after plenty of catching up and chatting, took some time to talk about this blog post and share how God had challenged and encouraged our own hearts with it. </div>
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The timing was also perfect because my Bible reading plan placed me in Ecclesiastes this week. Sitting on a plane yesterday gave me extra time to read…so, I started with chapter one and ended when the book was over. I’ve read Ecclesiastes over a dozen times before, but I don’t think I’ve ever read it all in one sitting. It was so helpful. Unbroken, I saw threads of thought and themes I hadn’t fully noticed before, and it made me want to take to heart Carolyn’s encouragement to study it more; to better understand what it means to live life “under the sun” in the fear of the Lord. </div>
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Maybe you will too?! </div>
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<i>“I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him.” Ecclesiastes 3:14</i></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-67374909805612768852019-06-19T11:33:00.002-07:002019-06-19T11:33:48.670-07:00The Gift of Awkward Silence<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<i>"You work in words, but your spouse does not. So when there are decisions to be made or arguments to be had, say your bit, but then step away and allow him or her to catch up, to form those thoughts, to make that full reply. Be sure you aren’t carrying the day because of the freedom with which your words flow rather than the conformity they display to the will of God." </i> Tim Challies</div>
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I’m not sure if this is true for you, but it is true for me. You might wonder how that is possible. After all, Bryan is a pastor and “works in words” even more than I do. The difference is our personality. I’m pretty good “winning the argument” in the moment because I can often be fast with my words. Bryan thinks, he ponders, he weighs his words…and I’m often done speaking all mine before he has even begun. </div>
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I may win the argument, but I’ve hurt our marriage. I may say all I’ve wanted to say, but I didn’t submit my will and words first to Christ. I may sound eloquent, but I did not glorify God and live out the one another’s before my husband. I have learned the immense gift of Bryan’s measured words, of giving him time to ponder before He speaks. I have seen the fruit of growth in my own heart as I wait on the Lord while I wait for Bryan and the fruit that has come from listening and learning from him. We are both so different, and we can spend all our time grumbling about those differences. But it is far better to give thanks for the creative work of God in the “different” and experience the joy of working together, complimenting each other, encouraging each other, and working together to complete the task, to contemplate the next step, or to walk the trial.</div>
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This principle also rings true in all of our relationships: as a parent, sibling, child, or friend. This rings true in small groups, bible studies, and times of discipleship. When words come easy, it can be easy to dominate, easy to answer the question first, easy to start a conversation and keep it one-sided, easy to share…and then share some more. But easy doesn’t always mean helpful. Easy doesn’t always mean fruitful. Easy doesn’t always mean it’s the best. </div>
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There is amazing beauty and value in keeping silent and letting (what feels to us) awkward silence have its way for a few moments. Because it’s often in that silence that others are pondering, others are processing, others are formulating thoughts into sentences…and when they speak, it’s worth listening. We learn. We grow. We gain a deeper understanding of them as a person and see glimpses of their heart that we might not otherwise see. That leads to a greater appreciation of them, which leads to a greater trust that then blossoms into a deeper friendship. Plain and simple, we enjoy each other more. </div>
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Awkward silence…try it! It just might be the best thing that happened in your relationships! :) </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-36200625463656870152019-06-10T22:13:00.002-07:002019-06-12T19:12:42.650-07:00A Week of Celebrations<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYEfETEtgBror9AMNhnAfhW6SmjBPSQAas0r7NoWvr79Kuwg8kjFlvK_tDQhqrqOs9BW-sQlik74bo-LX2X_ysf1ZzHXW4MrxjZudw4uWpmylrpKZyiozlYKxEyJ-yVseTz2LaVDbVjtS/s1600/Titus+Birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYEfETEtgBror9AMNhnAfhW6SmjBPSQAas0r7NoWvr79Kuwg8kjFlvK_tDQhqrqOs9BW-sQlik74bo-LX2X_ysf1ZzHXW4MrxjZudw4uWpmylrpKZyiozlYKxEyJ-yVseTz2LaVDbVjtS/s200/Titus+Birthday.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the past week, we have celebrated much! Titus turned 15, my dad turned 65, Caleb turned 14 and Micah and Grace graduated from high school. Just typing it all out fills my heart with thanksgiving as I think about God's gift of life and the graces that He gives along the way. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGBTSbX2a5Ri3tE-TcjxlelahHK4oQ0J8rINYu7WShrnAupYreumlvfmafcIAhB32-5IpK_X-sDy8LmJJGRMRHfWc2boOv8M1hwTwGbgJuopbmm5iyiw6Gdr_56tn5uiTqyWxc1dYlOxC/s1600/papa+birthday.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="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGBTSbX2a5Ri3tE-TcjxlelahHK4oQ0J8rINYu7WShrnAupYreumlvfmafcIAhB32-5IpK_X-sDy8LmJJGRMRHfWc2boOv8M1hwTwGbgJuopbmm5iyiw6Gdr_56tn5uiTqyWxc1dYlOxC/s200/papa+birthday.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I think of birthdays, I think of beginnings. We are celebrating the day that a life began. We are celebrating the beginning that has led to many years of living. Yet my greatest prayer in all of these birthday celebrations is that they would point us to the One, the only One, who has no beginning. Still, Jesus did indeed take on flesh and was born into this world to walk among us...to live the perfect life we couldn't and die the death we deserved so that we could have our sins forgiven and be reconciled to God. This should cause our hearts to celebrate EVERY day of the year...in worship and adoration of the One who gives meaning to life and hope to each step. And that is not just my prayer for my family when I consider birthdays...but it is also my prayer as we rejoiced in Micah and Grace's graduation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life is all about steps...one step after another that takes us towards something and away from something else, all at the same time. It's so important to contemplate both what we should walk away from as well as where we should be going. Our prayer, not only for their birthdays but also graduation (and every other day!), is that our kids would have the compass of their souls fixed on Christ. That each step would lead them farther away from their own sin and selfish desires and closer to the refuge found in the arms of their Savior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It may seems like an odd graduation gift, but we gave Micah and Grace Olukai Sandals (if you don't own a pair, remedy that...they are amazing! ). And we gave them this note to go with it: </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It’s hard to believe you are reading this in your GRADUATION card! We knew that, one day, this day would come…but, in many ways, it seemed so far off. From your very first steps that you took at a year old…you began walking in a direction that would eventually take you away from us, away from home. True, you may not be there yet (and we are certainly thankful for that ;) )…but it’s the direction you are headed, the reality of growing up, the reality of the journey of life. </i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />And though these steps may lead you to new adventures, new people, and new situations…our prayer is that ALL your steps, all your walking, and all your journeys keep you pressing into Christ and walking hand in hand with your Savior. He is the constant. He is the faithful One. He is your hope. He is your peace. He is your refuge. His Word truly is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. Trust Him with all your heart, know Him through His Word and confidently take each new step knowing He is and will continue to direct your path! You may not know what the coming years hold…but you know the One who holds it…and that is enough because He is enough.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />We love you so very much, and it is our JOY to celebrate you today and rejoice in what God has done and will continue to do. We are so proud of you and we take great delight in the gift of being your parents and calling you ours…not just on the day you were born…but always! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />PS…thought it might be fun to give you something comfortable to wear as you take each one of those steps :)"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe this week holds many celebration steps for you and there is a spring to your walk. Maybe your steps feel mundane and the "ordinary" has brought a drag to your cadence. Or maybe the path you are walking has led into a dark valley, and the weight of pain has made you wonder if you can even take the next step. Whatever this week's journey looks like...would you join me in looking up? May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He will accomplish His purposes for us, carry us on eagle's wings and bring us home in His perfect time. This is the hope that anchors our souls and keeps us stepping Heavenward! This is what brings a true celebratory heart to every birthday and every milestone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen." Jude 24-25</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Dad, Titus and Caleb...and Happy Graduation, Micah and Grace! All glory be to Christ!<br /><span class="text Jude-1-25" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span><br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-85596717037932647572019-06-03T06:08:00.000-07:002019-06-12T19:16:25.977-07:00Deposits or Withdrawals...What Do Your Relationships Look Like? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wrote the following post about a year ago...but this illustration continues to stick with me as I evaluate how I am relating to others. It's been a helpful "visual" as I think through relationships and so desire to be a faithful friend, wife, daughter, sister and mother! I'm hopeful you might appreciate the encouragement, again, too.<br />
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Bryan shared a neat illustration with our marriage group a few weeks ago...and it had a pretty good "hook" on it that has held fast to me in the weeks since. In other words, I keep thinking about what he said, keep recognizing the value in it, and have been prayerful that it would be true of my life!<br />
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It's a simple bank analogy that helps us better understand what our relationships should look like. </div>
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All our relationships must be full of "deposits". Deposits of love, kindness, encouragement, patience, joy, gentleness, serving, faithfulness and grace. As we daily (or whenever we have the opportunity) make these deposits into the lives of our spouses, children, family, friends and church body...we are creating a wealth of love in their "heart bank". It's a beautiful thing. </div>
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Of course, just as in your day to day banking, relationships are made up of not only deposits but withdrawals, too. There are times that, in order to be faithful...as a spouse, a parent, a brother or sister in Christ...we have to make withdrawals. We have to rebuke, we have to exhort, we have to speak hard words to hear, or we might have to confront and call to repentance. They are a part of living before the face of God...Coram Deo. </div>
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Yet, if we have been faithful to make many deposits, we will find that there is plenty in their "heart bank" to cover the withdrawal. There is a trust that is not shaken, a love that is not broken, a humility that has grown out of respect. There is more than enough to continue on without much stress or strain. In fact, you are actually the right person to speak into the other's life <i>because </i>you have been so faithful in loving deposits. </div>
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Withdrawals <i>will</i> come. It's part of living as a sinner in a fallen world, amongst other fallen people. It's not a matter of <i>if</i> we sin and need to have it addressed....it's more about <i>when</i> we sin, what will it look like to reach out to others or to be spoken to ourselves? Will it show that we are faithful "depositors", faithful investors in the lives of others? </div>
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What does the ledger look like in the "heart banks" of those that are closest to you? As you assess, you may find that, like me, there are more withdrawals than deposits with some of those you love. Maybe, like me, you have some repenting to do and Spirit-empowered deposits to start making! </div>
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Praise be to God that we have received the FULLNESS of Jesus...grace upon grace. And, in Him, our cup overflows to meet the needs and make deposits for others! </div>
Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-5409067575694443272019-05-27T13:55:00.000-07:002019-06-12T19:18:11.122-07:00His Will or Mine: What Am I Really Praying For? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The words, “ I pray Your will would be done”, are regularly on my lips, but a couple of months ago, I realized how often I forget to pray that He would be glorified above all! Of course, the two are linked and cannot be separated. God does all things FOR His glory…that His name might be proclaimed and praised everywhere. But, unintentionally, there are times I think and pray in ways that seek to “tell God” what His will should be instead of pray for His glory to be seen through what He wills to do, however He wills to do it. </div>
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I said I wanted God’s will to be done…but I had a GREAT idea of what that “will” should look like. I had WONDERFUL plans on what would be the most helpful for all. I LOGICALLY laid out our “desires”, coupled with the experiences God had brought us through, and felt quite confident in the direction God’s will should take. </div>
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I lost sight of my “chief end”: to glorify God. God’s will is wrapped up in His glory, so to pray for His will to be done is to pray that He be glorified above all…and He alone knows best how to glorify Himself in us. </div>
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My prayers have had a shift in the last couple of months…a necessary shift. And my heart has repented of my pride (and then keeps on repenting because that pride of mine keeps making an appearance!). With the help of Psalm 34 (caution: slow memorizing taking place), my prayers are looking a bit more like this: </div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">"Oh God, I want You to be glorified. I want to bless Your name at all times. I want Your praise to be on my lips. Right now, where You have placed me, I want to point others to You in what I say and what I do so that they magnify and exalt Your name, too. Oh Lord, why do I ever think “I deserve” anything from You? What do I have that I did not receive from You? I am nothing apart from You. You have ordained all the days that I have already walked in…and all the days yet to be journeyed. You have established Your plans for my family and me before the foundation of the world…so that You might glorify Yourself in us. And, just maybe, that might best be seen through suffering and hardship…not the “perfect place” with the “perfect job”. It’s easy to say You are enough when the road is smooth and the path is clear, but You, so often, chose to glorify Yourself by showing Your sufficiency ESPECIALLY when the road is hard, the path is uncertain and the pain is real. May You be exalted above all and may Your glory be seen all over the earth…and in my life…whatever the cost!"</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-70190012855504436302019-05-20T11:06:00.002-07:002019-06-12T19:18:23.973-07:00Parenting with Purpose, Pursuit and Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I continue to read through the Bible this year, I found myself in Acts 20….and encouraged as a parent by some of what Paul shared from his own heart. Of course, this can apply to any believer in any season of life, but this tugged on my “mama’s heart” and reminded me of what my calling ultimately is. </div>
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Acts 20:24 “But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” </div>
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Acts 20:32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.” </div>
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My purpose: To testify to the gospel of God’s glorious grace, day in and day out, with no consideration for my own comfort and ease. </div>
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My pursuit: To run this race of faith with endurance and with a desire not to be served but to serve, seeking to be sanctified in Christ, with eyes fixed on the prize of my inheritance which is imperishable and unfading, kept in heaven for me. </div>
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My peace: It is the Word of God that transforms, that changes hearts, that saves sinners. My job is not to effect change but to proclaim the words of life…the words of grace…that are able to save the souls of those I love: building them up in Christ and giving them an inheritance among the saints. Not I, but Christ! </div>
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Three goals out of two verses and one God who enables it all….for our good and His glory…in my family and in yours! </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-20784689507452258712019-05-12T17:54:00.001-07:002019-06-12T19:25:27.893-07:00When You are Not the One Chosen<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
Acts 1: 21-26 shares the account of someone being picked to replace Judas…to join the other eleven disciples to testify to the ministry and resurrection of Jesus. Two names were shared, and Matthias was picked over Joseph. </div>
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I can’t help but wonder how Joseph would have felt: </div>
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It’s just you and someone else. </div>
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One will be picked, the other passed over. </div>
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The job is exciting. It’s important. Its impact is far reaching. </div>
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Many are watching, listening, and wanting to know.</div>
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This is the moment. The lots are cast. The decision is made.</div>
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It’s not you. </div>
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There was only one needed. </div>
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You were not chosen.</div>
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God wanted to use someone else for this exciting, important, impactful job. </div>
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Many saw. Many heard. Many know. </div>
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The moment came. The lots were cast. The decision is final. </div>
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It’s not you. </div>
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I can’t help but wonder…did Joseph go home discouraged and embarrassed? Did he feel inadequate and unsure? Did he doubt God’s plan and wonder at his calling? The Bible doesn’t say how he felt or the struggles he may or may not have wrestled with. Yet, we know that he was a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus (vs. 21) and I can’t help but wonder if these were the truths that flooded his soul when the verdict came down….</div>
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God’s plan for me and someone else will not look the same…but He’ll get the glory in all of it! </div>
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Wherever I am, God has picked my boundary lines, and they have fallen in pleasant places. </div>
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There is no purpose more exciting, important and far-reaching than to be in the center of His will. </div>
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Many are watching, listening and want to know if my faith is true, my love is real, and my hope is secure.</div>
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No matter the moment, no matter the decision, no matter the pain…</div>
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To live is Christ and to die is gain. </div>
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My only true need is to be found IN Christ. </div>
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I’ve been picked and planted to bloom where I am. </div>
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God will fulfill all His plans for me…whether exciting or painful, big or small, impacting one life or a thousand. </div>
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All my days, many will continue to watch, to listen, to seek to know….is Jesus enough? </div>
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In moments of pain, in seasons of sadness, whatever may come I have but one aim….</div>
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To live is Christ and to die is gain. </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-20225210942559893102019-05-05T14:24:00.000-07:002019-06-12T19:28:31.128-07:00Are You Waiting Well? We are all waiting for something.<br />
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And each one of those waits, however big or small, are shadows of the ultimate wait that eclipses all other waits...the return of our Savior: for the day when faith becomes sight, when tears are wiped away, when we will know even as we are fully known.<br />
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I've been praying the Lord would take the things I am waiting for and use them, above all, to remind me to wait expectantly for His return...to pray for it, to long for it, and to be compelled to live with a sense of urgency among believers and unbelievers alike. But I also want to wait well. I want to wait in such a way that draws my eyes from the situation to the Savior, from the trial to the Teacher, from the unknown to the One who knows all things. I don't want to waste my waiting being selfish and inward focused, growing discouraged, or being consumed with what is beyond my control.<br />
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It is not easy. What I know to be true must inform what I think, which then informs how I feel...but I am prone to wander in my thoughts. I take what I know to be true and allow it a short vacation so my thoughts of self-pity and discouragement can visit for a while. And then I wonder why my feelings are void of joy and my heart knows no peace. I don't know about you, but this battle is REAL!<br />
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So, I need real help. I need to take every thought captive and slay those thoughts that seek to raise themselves up against the sovereignty and goodness of God. In this battle of the mind, I need the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God...we all do.<br />
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One of the passages I have been meditating on and working to put to memory is Lamentations 3:22-26:<br />
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<i>"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." </i><br />
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God never changes and never runs out of a supply of new morning mercies, steadfast love and faithfulness. They are wrapped up in His very nature and what He gives to us every day of our lives. Therefore He is enough, because He gives us Himself and there is no lack in Him. In Him, we have a full portion of everything we need for life and godliness, and that brings great hope into our reality. So...what are we to do when He doesn't feel enough, when we want a portion of something other than Him, when we are feeling more hopeless than hope-filled? Wait. Wait with expectation to see His goodness revealed. But also wait with patience, wait with a quiet spirit...not scheming, devising or planning in hopes of moving the heart of God. Instead, seek Him...seek Him in His Word...His precious words that are living and active and food for our souls. Cry out for His salvation and wait till you are satisfied in Him alone. And then keep waiting as you rest in His goodness, mercy and love. </div>
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We are all waiting for something. The question is, are we waiting well?<br />
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<br />Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-63096023413473549032019-04-29T09:31:00.001-07:002019-05-01T19:23:26.790-07:00Do the Next Thing! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Disclosure: I wrote this three years ago...but my own heart needed the encouragement and I thought you might, too :)<br />
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We have the privilege of living in an area that has LOTS of walking/hiking paths through the woods behind and around our house. Some of these trails are relatively flat and I can keep talking to Bryan at my normal 250 words per minute. ;) Other trails lead you right up the side of the mountain and, while the view is beautiful, the climb has me focusing on my breathing as though I were in labor. It's the quietest part of the hike for Bryan, which may explain why he takes me on those routes so often! :)<br />
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It isn't long after we start climbing the steps, or walking up the switch backs, that my legs start to burn and I start looking up and ahead at how much farther I have to go. Invariably, it's much farther than I hoped for and I have found myself stopping several times on the way up to "rest" because I feel like I just can't make it. (Insert the "clearly she is out of shape" that I know you all are thinking!)<br />
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But I did something different the last couple of days and I made it to the top without stopping. I simply looked down at the ground and the very next step ahead of me and said to myself, "I can make the next step". And all those steps, taken one at a time, totalled 250 yards of uphill climb without a break. What changed? Certainly not the hill I was climbing, and it's not my out-of-shape body...it was my thoughts. It was my direction and my focus. I just took the next step.<br />
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As I took one step after another, I couldn't help but be reminded how true this reality is, not just for my hike, but for so much of my life. I can start out the day rejoicing that the Lord has made it and excited to see what He has in store for our waking hours...and the smile can quickly fade from my face just by entering the kitchen. The stack of dishes reminds me that I forgot to turn on the dishwasher and now I have backed up dishes on my counter and in my sink that are turning whatever was eaten on them to glue as fast as possible. The fridge reminds me that I forgot to pull out the meat last night and now I need to come up with a new plan for dinner on top of the fact that it's almost empty and I still have not made up my grocery list. I look at my desk and see my computer, and the piles of papers that surround it, reminding me of the emails I have not returned and the list of to-do's that require attention before the papers consume my computer. And I haven't even made it to the homeschool room or peaked into the laundry room to see how the clothes hamper grew overnight. Just like that, my smile is replaced with a grimace, joy is replaced by frustration, and excitement is replaced with dread. I've tried to take my whole day and tackle it in my mind in the span of a minute...and, in the space of that one minute, I already feel like I can't make it through the day.<br />
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Elisabeth Elliot shared something once (based on an old saxon poem) that has been a source of encouragement to me when I feel overwhelmed by all that is in front of me. She said, "Just do the next thing".<br />
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Do it immediately; <span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Do it with prayer; </span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Do it reliantly, </span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">casting all care;</span></div>
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Do it with reverence, <span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Tracing His Hand, </span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Who placed it before thee with</span></div>
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Earnest command. <span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Stayed on Omnipotence, </span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Safe 'neath His wing, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">Leave all resultings, </span><span style="font-size: 1.07em; line-height: 1.8em;">DO THE NEXT THING.</span><br />
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I'm not on the other side of this battle...I'm in the midst of this battle to not be overwhelmed, to not grow weary, to laugh at the days to come, to rejoice in God's new mercies every morning, to give thanks instead of grumble and complain, to rest instead of worry, to see through the trial to the gracious hand of God, to trust and obey instead of control and force my way, to do the next thing. But, praise God, I am not defenseless in this battle, though, and neither are you! We have the full armor of God at our disposal as we wrestle our thoughts to the ground and take them captive to obey Christ, as we cling with all our might to God's Word and the precious promises that we find within...like Ephesians 6:10-18. Our God has unlimited strength...and that strength is ours in Christ. We can stand armed for daily battle with the truth of God's Word in our hearts and minds, with the righteousness of Christ giving us access to the Father through prayer, with words that bring peace to our homes and relationships through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, as we lived faith-filled lives fixed, not on what is seen, but what is unseen. This is our hope, this is our confidence, this is true reality!<br />
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Ready to do the next thing?<br />
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="line-height: 22px;">"Finally</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29346A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29346A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span><span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-HCSB-29347" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Put on<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29347B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29347B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the full armor<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29347C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29347C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. </span><span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-HCSB-29348" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For our battle is not against flesh<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29348D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29348D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29348E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29348E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29348F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29348F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in the heavens.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29348G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29348G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span><span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-HCSB-29349" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">This is why you must take up the full armor<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29349H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29349H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of God, so that you may be able to resist<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29349I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29349I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.</span><span class="text Eph-6-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b> </b></span></span><span class="text Eph-6-14" id="en-HCSB-29350" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Stand,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29350J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29350J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> therefore,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">with truth<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29350K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29350K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> like a belt around your waist,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">righteousness<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29350L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29350L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> like armor on your chest,</span></i></div>
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<i><i><span class="text Eph-6-15" id="en-HCSB-29351" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and your feet sandaled with readiness</span></i></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><i><span class="text Eph-6-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">for the gospel of peace.</span></i></span></i></div>
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</span><span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-HCSB-29352" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; left: -4.4em; line-height: 22px; position: absolute; text-align: center; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-HCSB-29352" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">In every situation take the shield<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29352N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29352N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of faith,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and with it you will be able to extinguish</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-16" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">all the flaming arrows of the evil one.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-17" id="en-HCSB-29353" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">Take the helmet<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29353Q" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29353Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of salvation,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and the sword<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29353R" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29353R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> of the Spirit,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Eph-6-17" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">which is God’s word.</span></i></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;">Pray<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29354T" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29354T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> at all times in the Spirit<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29354U" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29354U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> with every prayer and request, and stay alert<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-HCSB-29354V" data-link="(<a href="#cen-HCSB-29354V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints."</i></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-91455159944444531222019-04-22T08:53:00.004-07:002019-04-22T08:54:00.733-07:00Your Gentleness Made Me Great<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I’ve been thinking a bit on the last part of Psalm 18:35…the verse I shared with you in my last post: </div>
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<i>“…your gentleness made me great.”</i> </div>
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Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary defines gentleness as a “sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love”. Beautiful, huh?! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgwaj8r4f9zARJYCKur_harQmVgJIuDEKp_Q0XzHZyqTBz5a4LczBaANepizGD1nw_BLS7XMp8YoAI7wk8bJmbSdR-XiWQsy4VcsfRTyMIy0lwacGd1jhLlx2XY6Cn_2ydJ5zEzlZyEcn/s1600/gentleness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="312" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgwaj8r4f9zARJYCKur_harQmVgJIuDEKp_Q0XzHZyqTBz5a4LczBaANepizGD1nw_BLS7XMp8YoAI7wk8bJmbSdR-XiWQsy4VcsfRTyMIy0lwacGd1jhLlx2XY6Cn_2ydJ5zEzlZyEcn/s320/gentleness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I look at my life…my words and my actions…gentleness can definitely be a missing ingredient. As a parent and even as a wife, many times I am not gentle in what I say and how I treat my family. I can be demanding, expressing my desires and wishes with a level of harshness that is not helpful. I can lack compassion, forgetting how a word of encouragement and a moment of kindness can brighten the soul. I can be exacting, enforcing rules with an iron fist and forgetting the mercy and grace that has been shown to me and is so desperately needed by my family, as well. </div>
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I know what it takes to build up my family, to encourage them to greatness….but I am prone to wander, prone to speak and act with a measure of foolishness: </div>
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<i>“Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.</i>” Proverbs 14:1</div>
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Yet, there is hope…great hope! God is Himself the essence of gentleness and, through the Holy Spirit, this is a fruit that my life not only can produce but will produce by His grace and in His strength (Gal. 5:22-23). His gentleness has made me great…has wrought salvation in my heart, made me a daughter of the King, and taught me what true greatness looks like: serving and sacrificing, just like my Savior. It’s the path of blessing, the journey of peace, the road that is bound for true glory and all that is really great. </div>
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His gentle kindness is what gave me life: <i>“Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”</i> Romans 2:4</div>
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As I mentioned last week, none of us can save our children but we can speak words of life to them and live out those words, day by day. We can and must speak and act with gentleness: with a humble spirit that is strengthened by God’s grace (Heb. 13:9) and motivated by His amazing love that has been poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5). In that spirit, we can show a sensitivity to their emotional, physical and spiritual needs, with a kindness that leads them to honest evaluation of their choices and genuine repentance over their own sin. </div>
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His gentleness has made us great. Oh, may our families see His great gentleness through us! </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-19956102745283917122019-04-14T14:15:00.000-07:002019-04-14T14:15:12.767-07:00Parenting Like Our Father<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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Psalm 18:35</div>
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<i>"You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great."</i></div>
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David said these words about and to the Lord and they should be words we echo in praise, as well. By means of application, we should also pray that we are found faithful in living this out before our kids...that we might be ambassadors of this truth in their lives. After all, as parents we are called to be ambassadors of gospel living and represent a picture of Christ to our children. </div>
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<i>"You have given me the shield of your salvation..."</i></div>
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We cannot save our children but we can continually surround them with the Living Word that is mighty to save. The more we instill God’s truth into them…the more we speak of who God is and His beautiful commandments…we are seeking to protect them: protect them from the sin in themselves and the temptations in the world they live in. We cannot save our children but we can point them to the Savior who will shield them forever…through His blood and righteousness. </div>
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<i>"Your right hand supported me..."</i></div>
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We cannot carry our children, but we can support them, we can encourage them, and we can help bear their burdens in physical ways and in prayer. We cannot do for them what God has called them to do themselves but we can be like Aaron and Hur when they each took one of Moses arms and held them up when he was growing weary in the battle (Exodus 17:12). Above all, we must always point them to the everlasting arms of Jesus. He is enough.<br />
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<i>"Your gentleness made me great."</i><br />
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We cannot pursue making our children great by the world’s standards but we must show them what true greatness actually looks like. We can show them true greatness by teaching them how to be “a servant of all”, through our words and example. We can teach them the emptiness that life delivers in the pursuit of earthly greatness and daily spread before them the treasures to be found when we die to self, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. We can open up the Bible and show them the words of the gentle Savior:<br />
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<i>"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." </i><br />
Matthew 11:28-30<br />
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A short verse. A small window in how God "parents" us. A beautiful opportunity to be reminded of how we should have a heart like our Lord as we parent our children. So thankful for these words of life that show us the character of our great God and encourage us to be like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit and the example of our precious Savior, Jesus Christ!<br />
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-78875062326631194472019-04-07T22:55:00.002-07:002019-04-07T22:55:48.199-07:00Even Your Sin Doesn't Have the Final Word! <b><i>"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." </i></b><br />
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Romans 8:28 reminds us that, if we are God's kids, God works all things together for good. All things. Do you realize that even means our sin?<br />
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Now let me just state the obvious right up front. God hates sin. He sent His only Son to die for our sin and to appease His wrath. Without Christ's righteousness covering us, without sin being paid for, we are condemned to death in hell forever. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Sin is very serious and has eternal ramifications.<br />
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Sin also has consequences in the here and now. The Bible is clear that we will reap what we sow. As believers, we are not immune from that reality. Galatians 6:7-9 instructs us: "Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. for whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit." Paul instructs us in Romans 6:12, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires." We are called to be holy as God is holy (I Peter 1:15).<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We all know the pain of our own sin. We know the heartache of choosing our way over God's and the hurt we have caused in the decisions we have often made, the words we have spoken and the actions that have ensued. Our sin has damaged relationships, hurt those we love and dishonored the King. We don't have to think hard or long to remember consequences we have reaped from sin we have sown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">YET, that is not the end of the story for those who love the Lord. It's the middle. It's just part of the story...because God works ALL things together for good, even our sin. Really! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week we saw the sin of the Israelites in not seeking the Lord before they went up to attack Ai.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They didn't seek the Lord and then, to boot, they only sent up a tenth of their fighting men because they thought the win was sure. In pride they marched ahead, and the consequences were not only defeat, but the death of 36 men. They paid a steep price. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that is not the end of the story. Once sin was dealt with, purity restored, and dependence on God was pursued...God used their sin to bring about victory over Ai. It was military prowess at it's best and one can't help but smile at God's ingenuity! Joshua 8:3-8 gives us the details: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="text Josh-8-3" id="en-CSB-6006" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">"So Joshua and all the troops set out to attack Ai. Joshua selected thirty thousand of his best soldiers and sent them out at night. </span><span class="text Josh-8-4" id="en-CSB-6007" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">He commanded them: “Pay attention. Lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it, and all of you be ready.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-CSB-6007F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-CSB-6007F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span><span class="text Josh-8-5" id="en-CSB-6008" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. </span><span class="text Josh-8-6" id="en-CSB-6009" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">They will come after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing from us as before.’ While we are fleeing from them, </span><span class="text Josh-8-7" id="en-CSB-6010" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">you are to come out of your ambush and seize the city. The <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> your God will hand it over to you. </span><span class="text Josh-8-8" id="en-CSB-6011" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>After taking the city, set it on fire. Follow the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>’s command—see that you do as I have ordered you.” </span></b></span><br />
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Did you catch that? God used their sin, their previous battle, for good! He used it to formulate a new plan of action that was executed flawlessly, by His great power and might. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:8-10).<br />
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Isn't this truth so very comforting? Doesn't this reality leave you just a little bit speechless, filled with a whole lot of wonder? Doesn't an understanding of God's purposes and plans make you want to fall to your knees and lift your hands in praise? Doesn't it anchor your soul to hope and infuse your heart with joy?<br />
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We are called to pursue holiness, we are called to follow Christ's example and be like Him, and we are called to walk the path of obedience. Oh, may that ALWAYS be the desire of our hearts. But when we sin, and we will, may we be quick to confess, repent and turn back to our great God knowing that the sting of the consequences we face will ultimately be removed in the victory bought for us at the cross, by Christ! ALL will work together for good!<br />
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<b><i>"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:11-13</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-77782339361127682872019-03-31T14:59:00.000-07:002019-04-07T23:00:18.540-07:00Daily Dependence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">How easy it is to go to God with some things, but to assume other things and not seek Him in daily dependence. We know He is good. We know He is in control. We know He ordains and He brings to pass...and maybe we often rest in that reality and we know some of the peace of His sovereign care. Yet, we are not living in daily dependence. We are missing out on the joy and the hope that can be ours when we come before His Throne and cry out to Him: sharing the pains, the daily struggles, the way-ward child, the slump in marriage, the unknowns, the mysteries of our hearts, and the vast emotions that come with it all. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;">We say "He knows" but then don't run to Him for refuge, don't nestle under His wings - His everlasting arms, don't talk to Him, and bring our requests before Him. Think about it: in life, when we have a friend who knows...who really knows...how we are feeling and the struggles we are going through, isn't it a delight to talk to them?! We can be honest. We can be real. There are no walls. There is no fear in sharing. There is a sweetness there that we treasure! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">So, too, it is with the Lord. So, too, is the sweetness that can be ours when we live in daily dependence through daily time in His Word and in prayer. And, it is our protection. We all know Proverbs 3:5-6. In fact, most of us have probably memorized it...but maybe some of us have failed to mediate on these glorious realities in recent days. Just maybe, we are all guilty of forgetting, of leaning too hard into what seems logical instead of clinging to the Lord in faith, of assuming we know so we don't </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 34, 31);">acknowledge, we don't depend. We march forward on the path beneath us not realizing we are marching into danger. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;">That's exactly what happened to Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 7. They had just had a MASSIVE victory at Jericho. Huge, thick walls had come crashing down as the Lord defeated this great city using footsteps, the noise of trumpets, and the voices of men. It was clear to all the Lord had done it! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;">And then they moved on to take the next territory, to conquer the city of Ai. They didn't seek the Lord. They just assumed He was going with them and that all was well. But it wasn't. There was sin in the camp that needed to be dealt with. Sin that needed to be exposed before the Lord would give victory again to the Israelites. All it would have taken was Joshua going before the Lord in daily dependence, in prayerful acknowledgement...but they raced ahead. Men died. Israel retreated. It was an incredibly disheartening, discouraging situation. And it could have been avoided. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I'm so thankful it was written for our instruction and encouragement (Romans 15:4, I Cor. 10:11), that we might learn and grow. That we might see both wisdom and folly, and listen when wisdom cries out. That we might see the greatness of our God and the treasure that is ours when we seek Him with all our hearts. Then, we will not be those who lean on our own understanding but cling to the Wisdom from above. W</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 34, 31); color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;">e will not be those who assume but those who acknowledge.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(35, 34, 31); color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> We will find protection on the path He has ordained and sweetness in the journey. We will walk in daily dependence. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #23221f; font-family: "open sans" , "arial" , "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><b><i>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." </i></b></span></div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-21904039163838292712019-03-24T19:20:00.000-07:002019-03-24T19:20:50.008-07:00Losing Heart? <div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><i>“Our brothers have made us lose heart” Deut. 1:28</i></b></div>
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All but two of the leaders that were sent to explore the land God was going to give to Israel came back with a report of fear, a report of uncertainty, a report of discouragement. They initiated a distrust in God that led to 40 years of wandering and the death of tens of thousands in the process.</div>
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I pray we are not people who cause those around us to lose heart. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should be fake. That doesn’t mean we should be less than honest about the struggles, about the pain, about the defeats….but it does mean that we must always look past those realities to the ultimate reality that God is enough and He will sustain and provide! What He calls us to, He equips us for. Every. Single. Time.</div>
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Because sometimes, when we are in the midst of a trial, our perspective can be off, we can have tunnel vision….we get “lost” in our emotions and even paralyzed by fear. We need the support of others, but not necessarily the agreement of others. We don't need platitudes, we need truth. We don't need to feel better about the way that we feel...we need to feel differently, which means we need to start thinking differently. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">That's why I am so thankful for the example of Moses just a couple of verses later when he says to the nation: </span></span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;">“Don’t be terrified or afraid of them! The Lord your God who goes before you will fight for you, just as you saw him do for you in Egypt. And you saw in the wilderness how the Lord your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place.”</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;"> (Deut.1:31)</span></div>
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I love what Moses did to spur the Israelites on. He reminded them of past realities in their own lives. He pointed out how God had already worked to deliver them, to carry them, to provide for them. He brought to mind God's past faithfulness to encourage them in the present by reminding them of His tender care and sustaining help. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). That reality buoys our faith and strengthens our hearts...and it's what those around us need to hear, too! </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-72781170200483926662019-03-17T17:03:00.000-07:002019-03-17T17:03:55.228-07:00We Speak too Soon, Or We Don't Speak at All <div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<b><i>“But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” Luke 2:19</i></b></div>
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So…I’m speaking to the choir with this post. </div>
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I like to share. I seek to be transparent, if I can. I desire to always be honest. </div>
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But some things need to be treasured up and not spilled out. Some things need to be meditated on and not talked out. Some things need time to be warmed within our hearts and sit at the fireplace of our thoughts till they are glowing before making their way out in words. Susie Spurgeon said it best in a letter to her beloved, Charles: </div>
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<i>“Words are but cold dishes on which to serve up thoughts and feelings which come warm and glowing from the heart.” </i> </div>
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Words are beautiful and powerful but there are times we just speak them too soon. We share with an attitude of wisdom that we don’t have yet as we are still too close to the situation we speak about. We speak as though we have experienced all that there is to be found in a given situation which can be hurtful to others. We talk on behalf of others and break trust, leaving no room for them to share what God has been doing. </div>
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We speak too soon. </div>
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Of course, some of us are more prone to not speak at all. We treasure, we meditate and we let it sit so long that the embers die out and the warmth and glow can no longer be felt or seen by those around us. We miss the opportunity to declare the greatness of the Lord and how He has worked to accomplish His purposes. We pass by a moment of encouragement when we could have both sympathized and empathized with the pain and struggle of another. </div>
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We didn’t speak at all. </div>
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For all of us, it goes back to dependence on the Lord. It requires a heart that moment by moment submits to Him in prayer: </div>
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<i><b>“Lord, I call on you; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on you. May my prayer be set before you as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering. Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:1-3</b></i></div>
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We need to pray that the Lord would protect us from ourselves! Pray that He would guard the door of our lips and keep the wrong words from spilling over and the right words flowing out: words that give grace to those who hear (Eph. 4:29), words that encourage and build up (I Thess. 5:11), words that are spoken at just the right time (Prov. 25:11), words that are seasoned with flavor and wisdom (Col. 4:6). We need to pray that we would grow in the art of listening more and speaking less…knowing when to treasure up and when to pour out. </div>
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Would you join me in these prayers? </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-19803514391778732272019-03-14T21:47:00.000-07:002019-03-14T21:47:06.691-07:00Where Our Guide May Take Us<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We shared this on social media but realized that some of you may only get a "glimpse" into the life of the Pichura's though this blog. So, here is an update to bring you, well, up to date ;) </div>
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The time has come for the Pichura’s to make their way back to the United States. There is not one specific reason…but when you take several factors into account…it’s growing more and more difficult for our family to continue to minister in Canada, though we love (so very much!) our church family here. With six teenagers in the house and none of them able to work, we are having to get a bit creative with time and resources ;) In addition, Grace and Micah both graduate this year and will need to head back to the US to go to school. Right behind them are Samuel and Faith. So, on a personal note, we are realizing the long-term realities and problems this creates. Of course, there is nothing too big that God’s hand cannot reach and meet the needs of, but we are seeking to walk wisely in this, as well. </div>
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With all that said, if you know of a church that is looking for a pastor, we’d love to know more. Sometimes, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”…and we’d be grateful to hear from you. :) Ultimately, we know the King of kings and the Lord of lords who is sovereign over all and we trust in Him, knowing that He will unfold His plan for us…even if it looks different than the way we might plan it. We covet your prayers! </div>
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We love Spurgeon’s commentary on Numbers 9:18 “At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at the Lord’s command they camped.”: </div>
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“They were a blessed people to be thus divinely guided. But they could never tell when they would have to be on the move. They had no abiding city. When their tents were pitched and they were just getting comfortably settled, perhaps that morning the pillar of cloud moved, and at other times, when they desired to be marching, it stood still. They could never be certain of staying long in any one place. It is just so with you and me - our Lord intends to keep us with a loose hold on all things here below. We cannot tell what changes may come to any one of us, and, therefore, we reckon on nothing that God has not plainly promised. Be certain of nothing but uncertainty, and always expect the unexpected. We cannot tell between here and heaven where our Guide may take us - happy will we be if we can truly say that we desire always to follow where the Lord leads.” </div>
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Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-24761112020801129442019-03-11T08:28:00.000-07:002019-03-11T08:35:55.992-07:00Turning Conflict into Concord! <span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Years ago I typed up the following from out of Paul Tripp's marriage book, "What Did You Expect," because I thought it was so helpful in working through problems in marriage and getting to the motive and "heart" behind why arguments occur. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I am re-reading his parenting book ("Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family"), I am being reminded of these very same principles. Just as one sinner marries another sinner...so too, it's one sinner parenting another sinner. Heart and motives are typically the same and the remedy will often look similar, though the authority structure is different. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I highlighted the four principles as I have found them helpful to actually memorize. I know they are not God's words, but they are wise words and beneficial to ask myself in the form of questions BEFORE I even open my mouth (how I wish I did that more!). And then, of course, to ask by way of examining my words and conduct after I have spoken to see if there is anything for which I need to seek God's forgiveness and those involved in the conflict: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">BEFORE addressing a situation: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1)Is this a moment of ministry? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">2)Was this actually personal? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">3)How can I respond in a God-honoring way? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">4)What is the "heart" of the matter? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">1)Did I turn a moment of ministry into a moment of anger? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">2)Did I personalize something that wasn't personal? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">3)Was I adversarial (sinful) in my response? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">4)Did I settle for a quick solution that never really addressed the heart of the conflict? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">But these before and after questions are only going to make sense if you've read what Paul Tripp has to say about them. ;) I'm just hoping they were enough to keep you reading... because you won't be disappointed, as this has fruitful ramifications for all of the relationships God has placed us in! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">"You are a sinner married to a sinner. I will say much more about this throughout the book, but you and I just don't get to be married to someone perfect. It seems true when you read it, but even though it seems obvious, many people get married with the unrealistic expectations about who they are marrying. Here is the point: you both bring something into your marriages that is destructive to what the marriage needs and must do. That thing is called sin. Most of the trouble we face in marriage is not </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">intentional</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;"> or </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">personal</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. In most marriage situations, you do not face difficulty because your spouse intentionally did something to make your life difficult. Yes, in moments of anger that may happen. But most often, what is really happening is that your life is being affected by the sin, weakness, and failure of the person you are living with. So, if your wife is having a bad day, that bad day will splash up on you in some way. If your husband is angry with his job, there is a good possibility that he will bring that anger home with him. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">At some point you will be selfish. In some situation you will speak unkindly. There will be moments of jealousy, bitterness, and conflict. You will not avoid this, because you are a sinner and you are married to a sinner. If you minimize the heart struggle that both of you have carried into your marriage, here's what will happen: </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">you will tend to turn moments of ministry into moments of anger</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. When your ears hear and your eyes see the sin, weakness, or failures of your husband or wife, it is never an accident; it is always grace. God loves your spouse, and He is committed to transforming him or her by His grace, and He has chosen you to be one of His regular tools of change. So, He will cause you to see, hear, and experience your spouse's need for change so that you can be an agent of His rescue. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Often, in these God-given moments of ministry, rather than serving God's purposes we get angry because somehow our spouse is in the way of what we want. This leads to the second thing that happens: the reason we turn moments of ministry into moments of anger is that </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">we tend to personalize what it not personal</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. At the end of his bad day at work, your husband doesn't say to himself, "I know what I'll do. I'll take my bad day out on my wife so that her day gets as wrecked as mine." No, the trouble you are experiencing is not about you directly. Yes, it is your trouble, because this angry man is your husband. But what you are experiencing is not personal in terms of conscious intentionality. You are living with a sinner, so you will experience his sin. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Now, when you personalize what is not personal you </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">tend to be adversarial in your response</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. When that happens, what motivates you is not the spiritual need in your spouse that God has revealed but your spouse's offense against you, your schedule, your peace, etc. So, your response is not a "for him" response but an "against him" response. Rather than wanting to minister to him, what you actually want to do is get him out of your way so you can go back to whatever was engaging you beforehand. Let's be honest - all of us have been there. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">When we respond in an adversarial way, we actually escalate the trouble that the other person has splashed up on us. This leads to one more thing: because we have turned a moment of ministry into a moment of anger by personalizing what was not personal, we are adversarial in our response, and because we are, we </span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">settle for quick situational solutions that do not get to the heart of the matter</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">. Rather than searching for ways to help, we tell the other to get a grip, we attempt to threaten them into silence, or we get angry and turn a moment of weakness into a major confrontation. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">This is one place where I think the Bible is so helpful. The world of the Bible is like your world - messy and broken. The people of the Bible are like you and your spouse - weak and failing. The situations of the Bible are like yours - complicated and unexpected. The Bible just isn't a cosmetic religious book. It will shock you with it's honesty about what happens in the broken world in which we live. From the sibling homicide of Cain to the money-driven betrayal of Judas, the blood and guts of a broken world are strewn across every page. The honesty of God about the address where we all live is itself an act of love and grace. He sticks our head through the biblical peephole so we will be forced to see the world as it really is, not as we fantasize it to be. He does this so that we will be realistic in our expectations, then humbly reach out for the help that He alone is able to give us."</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799105876325279427.post-49504945577542792782019-03-04T08:01:00.001-08:002019-03-04T08:01:45.348-08:00Head in the Clouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">I sat down to write out some of my thoughts from this past week and had a nagging suspicion I had already written on this very topic. Sure enough...4 years ago almost to the exact date. These words are just as true now as they were then...</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;">"Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in the camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses." Numbers 9:22-23</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">As the years go by, the more I read about the Israelites in the Old Testament, the less my heart condemns them because "my sin is ever before me" and I am aware that, in my flesh, I would have been right there with them complaining, complaining, complaining. Yes, I pray that I might have had a "different spirit" like that of Caleb and the Spirit-filled courage of Joshua...but I find myself mourning alongside of Israel's sin as I mourn over mine.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">And as I think this way, I find myself reading not as an innocent bystander...but walking in their shoes, imagining life in the midst of this great assembly. What was it like to gather manna and quail, to have shoes that never wore out, and to see the awesome power of the Lord on display around every turn?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">But, mostly, I have been thinking about the Cloud.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">The Cloud of the Lord...His presence in the midst of His people. When it lifted they were to move on and when it rested, they were to stay. Could be just overnight, a month, or even more. They did not know from day to day when it would be time to move on....they had to live, each day, with the Cloud in view....with a readiness to go and yet, at the same time, a willing heart to stay and wait. They could not make any long term plans for themselves...the only long term plan had to be that of eyes fixed on the Cloud...on the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Oh, the similarities to our own lives as believers today! We have a Cloud without and a Cloud within! The Holy Spirit lives inside of us...convicting, counseling, illuminating...and the Lord continues to be the Cloud of glory that we are to fix our eyes on: "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith". (Hebrews 12:2) And He bids us to daily deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him. (John 9:23)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">He calls us to faithful living moment by moment though we know not what the day, the week, or even the next year holds. He calls us to walk by faith because without it, we cannot please Him. He calls us to trust Him with our whole hearts and lean not on our own understanding (or plans for the future). He promises to direct our paths, in HIS timing, as we fix our eyes on the Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I have to remind myself of this so often because I love to be in the "know". I like control. I like to schedule and plan. If I were an Israelite, I would have been begging God for a schedule of when the cloud would rise and settle. I often want to walk by sight instead of faith.</span><br />
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"...remember the former things of old, </div>
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for I am God, and there is no other; </div>
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I am God, and there is none like me, </div>
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declaring the end from the beginning </div>
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and from ancient times things not yet done, </div>
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saying, "My counsel shall stand, </div>
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and I will accomplish all my purpose..."</div>
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Isaiah 46:9-10</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;">The end from the beginning... all that was and is and is to come has passed through His sovereign hands. Not one moment of my life will catch Him by surprise or will accomplish a different purpose than the one He intended. My Redeemer is faithful and true....and merciful, kind, and good. I live with the Cloud....and at His command I stay, and when He calls I go. When it comes right down to it, that's all I need to know!</span><br />
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http://justtheclay.blogspot.com/2015/03/living-within-cloud.htmlKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612307688993817111noreply@blogger.com0